Nevada State Democratic Party Central Committee mtg in Tonopah

First three paragraphs of the article:

Next week, the Democratic Party will be having its Central Committee Meeting in Tonopah. (December 4th.) I attended my first of such meetings between the Primary election and the General election and it disproved (yet again) the idea that we live in a democracy. I attended the meeting with several of the DeVoe campaign activists, including Rick DeVoe and George Matthews, the campaign manager. When we arrived, we discovered there was free pizza, and enough for everyone, but there were not enough copies of the agenda.

Agendas be damned, the meeting was called to order and Adriana Martinez chaired the meeting under the strict direction of Rebecca Lamb, executive director. There were many representatives from all the different Nevada counties (called “rurals”) who gave reports on their Get Out the Vote efforts, and there was your typical treasurer’s report, no details, no written copy, no transparency, no chance for asking questions. There was encouragement and advice based on statistics of voter positions, and warnings about talking to potential voters about hot-button issues. Certain issues are approved for talking about- others, like the war, were more divisive. It’s all right there in the statistics- we should not be talking to our neighbors about the war, about abortion rights. Interesting how that’s what people are talking about now anyway.

Once old business had concluded, and we’d heard everyone’s reports, it was time for new business. According to the agenda, after new business was over, there was to be an optional canvassing training session- you know, one of those things no one actually stays for, but it looks good to offer. However, a strange thing happened: Rebecca kept motioning to Adriana to somehow manage to skip new business. Hmm.. What could be going on? The Chair (Adriana) started talking about unrelated things when Rick DeVoe asked the Chair when new business was going to begin. Instead of the Chair answering, Rebecca answered that she wanted to do the cavassing training first, then new business. This deviation from the agenda would effectively assure that no one would stay for new business, because the training session would break up the meeting and people would go home. Adriana recognized some people in the back who reminded them they’d driven four hours to cover new business. At this point, Rebecca moved that we do training first, then new business, and the entire room shouted the loudest “NO!” I’ve ever heard. Now *that* was unity! Defeated, they began new business.

http://lasvegas.staughton.indypgh.org/news/2004/11/800.php

Since I am gay, I was "hearded" towards the Stonewall Democratic Club. Eveyone was "happy" but me. I felt it was one big dog and pony show. If one had a mind, I thought since we are a small state, that one could get pretty involved pretty quickly and easily.

I am a member of the Paradise Democratic Club - but have stopped going to meetings primarily because of my work schedule, but also because it's primarily a "social" club.

I no longer wish to be a member of the Stonewall club because my concerns aren't just about "gay" issues. I just happen to be gay, but I have many more pressing concerns than this narrow focus.

Harry Reid is our only choice - not by a long shot my preferred choice - but he seems the only one that "they" have to offer.

There was never a "correct" time to bring up the illegal war votes, proposals to condemn the Patriot Act - the dems actually want to tinker with it, not get rid of it.

I sorely would like to see a progressive-left club formed.

Needless to say, I am currently disgusted with the local dem party.

My vote was ABB, not "for" someone. I couldn't believe the Ghallager crap.

I can never fathom the fact that we begin to run someone only a few months before the general election. Was actually surprised that Ghallager did as well as he did.

I will never do it again. I am still evalluating my future actions.

Thanks for the post. I know what you mean about focus groups, social clubs and in general lack of choice. You might check out www.progressivevote.org and contact the Las Vegas group called Progressive Democratic Caucus. Also, I have been working with some people who are trying to put together an action for January 20th. It will be a mock inauguration, and we need help organizing it. Also, I have considered at length going Green again. I haven't landed on that choice yet, but we'll see how it goes December 4th. Can you come with us on December 4th? We need votes. Thanks!

Email me if you're interested! (genelleb@prodigy.net) :hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x91982

why aren't they looking at this issue and the Cobb recount? These people are worthless.

It might have been a little unclear, sorry. The rest of the article is in the link. There is a meeting this Saturday. If you're a registered Democrat, or if you know any, please try to get them to come. There are plenty of people driving, you can catch a ride, just let me know. It sounds like from the post you put the link in about that you have a lot of information that should be looked at. Thanks- peace...

heard of the meeting and it's not even posted on nvdems.com I swear, every time I go to one of the meetings I get the distinct impression that the nevada party leaders want to exclude everyone that isn't in their little clique.

The only time I felt welcome over at state headquarters was when the Kerry folk were in charge and needed bodies to work.

The state party needs a purge for sure.

They actually sought me out after the first time I volunteered for her campaign.

Shelly's group is awsome. Unfortunately, her disctrict was split off from mine.

they don't want feedback. I am still trying to process everything that happened. More later.