THE DENVER GROUP
I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes less than a minute of your time.
Thanks!
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THE AD MADE A DIFFERENCE READ THE STORY:
Saturday, July 12, 2008
THE RESPONSE TO OUR FIRST AD AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN " ON THE BALLOT" AND "NAME IN NOMINATION".
First a congratulations to all of those who supported this opening effort and contributed to the running of the ad that ran yesterday in the Chicago Tribune. The response from everyone who has seen it has been laudatory. Contributions continue to come in and many new donors have been motivated by the ad. But as everyone knows we are far from Mission Accomplished. More contributions mean more ads, more pressure and more impact. And the more they see the more they know that not only is our message right but that the resources supporting it wont settle for anything less than what is right.
Which brings us to the most important part of this -- the nomination process in Denver.
There is a crucial difference between Senator Clinton's name being "on the ballot" and having her name being placed in nomination. And the difference is between being a genuine candidate and something that is nothing more than a symbolic sham. Both the DNC and Senator Obama's campaign may be attempting to negotiate a settlement where Senator Clinton's name is on the ballot but not placed in nomination. They may think that is enough to assuage her voters. They may think that voters can be fooled. Our ads are going to make sure they know that no one is going to be fooled.
We're going to let them know Senator Clinton's name on the ballot is not good enough. Her name must be placed in nomination for it to have any meaning so that super delegates have a real choice in deciding the nomination by casting their votes for either candidate. Nothing less is acceptable. And they're going to know it.
Posted by Marc Rubin at 9:29 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Friday, July 11, 2008
FIRST AD IN PRINT
WHO WE ARE AND OUR GOALS AND PURPOSES:
The Denver Group has been formed to insure that the Democratic National Committee respect and carry out the democratic process at the convention in Denver this August by meeting certain specific goals. We will be advocating, and if neccessary pressuring, through purchased mass media as well other accepted avenues, the Democratic National Committee to see to it that these goals and the interests of tens of millions of Democratic voters are met.
Our goals are:
An open convention.
Senator Clinton's name placed in nomination. No symbolic roll call vote.
Speeches allowed by supporters of Senator Clinton on
behalf of her candidacy.
A genuine roll call vote with Senator Clinton as a legitimate candidate.
No coronation
Our email address: The Denvergroup@Gmail.com
FOUR THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DENVER
1. Senator Clinton has only suspended her campaign. She has not conceded and never offered a statement of concession which is traditional when someone is no longer a candidate. She did not officially end her candidacy which she could have chosen to do. She is still technically a candidate.
2. Senator Clinton has not released her delegates. Releasing or asking her delegates to support Senator Obama is also something she could have done. She has not. All of Senator Clinton's delegates won during the primary season are still committed to her and can cast their votes for her at the convention as long as her name is on the ballot.
3. Super delegates public declarations do not count. They can change their minds ( as some did during the primary). They are not committed to any of their public declarations. Nothing counts until they cast their votes in Denver on August 27th.
4.Superdelegates cast their votes in a secret ballot. Unless they themselve choose to reveal who they vote for, no one can know.
WHAT AN OPEN CONVENTION MEANS
The Denver Groups' goals of insisting on an open convention is nothing more than insisting the Democratic Party respect democratic principles. It means that it's the role of the convention to choose the nominee and no one else's. The days of the smoke filled rooms are long gone. Or should be.
Senator Clinton is still a candidate. An open convention means respecting that candidacy which requires having her name on the ballot and a roll call vote so that the delegates Senator Clinton won during the primaries can cast their votes on behalf of the more than 18 million Democrats who voted for her. It is not symbolic. It is the democratic process.And its not a choice. Its an obligation.
An open convention means that Senator Clinton's supporters also be allowed to make speeches at the convention on behalf of her candidacy. The declarations of super delegates who will ultimately decide the nominee have no authority until they are officially cast at the convention. Declaring their intention June 5th to vote for Senator Obama August 27th does not mean you discard the process and deny delegates the right to vote or make a choice.
This primary season has been historic mostly because of the race and gender of the two major candidates. But it was historic for another reason. It was the most closesly contested primary in the history of the Democratic Party with one candidate winning the popular vote and the other a slim delegate lead.
To deny Senator Clinton a rightful place on the ballot in an attempt to foster a false image of party unity based on unofficial declarations by super delegates made June 5th will fool no one and only create more disunity. It is in everyone's best interest, especially the Democratic Party and its chances in November, to hold an open and honest convention.
Posted by Marc Rubin
IF YOU ARE IN THE POSITION TO HELP THIS GROUP MAKE SURE HILLARY CLINTON IS TREATED FAIRLY PLEASE GO TO THERE WEBSITE AND MAKE A DONATION. IF YOU WERE INCLINED TO GIVE TO THE DNC PLEASE CONSIDER THIS GROUP INSTEAD. THANKYOU FROM A HILLARY LOYALIST.
MAY YOU BE BLESSED FOR SUPPORTING THIS CAUSE!