Allen County Democratic Party

Shhh...it's a surprise

Tomorrow is Jill Long Thompson's birthday.  She will spend the day on her Hoosier Hometown Tour, travelling across Indiana, talking with Hoosiers about their dreams and their concerns, and announcing her "Grow Indiana" plan to kick-start the economy and make sure we have economic growth in all parts of Indiana, not just in the Indianapolis area.  (This week she and Dennie Oxley, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, will be visiting 19 small communities in southern Indiana; last week they were in 22 communities throughout the state.)  During the tour, Jill is seeing both the opportunity and the real need for using her experience in helping businesses create jobs in town after town.

So, back to the birthday plan.  If you click here you can send a quick birthday note to Jill which will be delivered tomorrow (July 15).

There's no way that Jill would rather spend her birthday than talking with Hoosiers at their businesses, county fairs, and homes.  But even if you aren't on the Hoosier Hometown Tour, you can still celebrate with her.

But don't tell.  I don't want to ruin the surprise.

Blame Republicans for Oil Prices

I am growing weary hearing about how Democrats are the cause of the high oil prices we face today.  In case you have not heard, President Bush is going to lift the executive order that prohibits offshore drilling today, so expect a lot of pressure to be put on Congress to lift their ban as well (drilling cannot begin unless BOTH bans are lifted).

But let us not forget- the Congressional ban was put in place in 1981- when the Republicans controlled the Senate (there were 53 Republicans and 46 Democrats, and one Independant).  They also controlled the White House (Reagan).  They did not control the House at that time (244 Dems- 191 Reps).

The Executive order was signed by Bush Sr (another Republican) in 1989 in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

And, most importantly, do not let us forget- that for the first two years of the Bush Jr.'s term, the Republicans controlled the House and Senate.  Why didn't they do something then??

As usual, the answer is- "it is just easier to blame a Democrat".

Obama & Long Thompson Office is OPEN

Mayor Tom Henry and former Mayor Graham Richard officially opened the CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE office in downtown Fort Wayne, at 904 South Calhoun, next door to Higher Grounds just south of Wayne Street.  This office will house both the Barrack Obama and the Jill Long Thompson campaigns.

Throughout the program people kept coming including an especially small and cute one in a custom-made t-shirt.  The room was definitely full of excitement!

When your humble correspondent walked into the office it was still sprinkling and when she walked out the sun was shining.  A sign?  We report; you decide.

Regardless of the weather, the Democrats are organized, energized and ready to go!

HQ Reorganization and CleanUp A Great Success!

Thank you again to everyone who devoted their Saturday morning to addressing reorganization, cleanup and brainstorming needs at Democratic HQ today!

My ONLY regret is that we did not take BEFORE and AFTER pictures because there is little resemblance now to how HQ looked a week ago!   The Super Busy (And Successful!) City Election Cycle took a toll, but we have revived and reinvented the entire space!The place is clean and spacious, welcoming and ready for the upcoming busy election cycle! 

We still have some finishing touches to do as well as a few more substantial facility issues to deal with prior to the August 4 reopening, but we are well on our way!

I can't say THANK YOU enough to the volunteers who worked so hard this morning.   The rewards are obvious the moment anyone enters the front door--but it took a lot of hard work--thank you for making it possible.  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

Remember out next Breakfast Meeting will be August 9.   We will have a special presentation and will also talk about GOTV efforts!  Mark Your Calendars!  We have great speakers and programs lined up for the rest of the year....See you each Second Saturday of the Month!! 

PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE and PRE-TRF PARADE WALK

Please be sure to note the adjustment in the time for the Grand Opening of the campaign office for Obama and Long Thompson.   You will not want to be late for the new NEW 12:30 START TIME!   904 Calhoun St.

Also--Several candidates will be greeting citizens along the parade route prior to the start of Saturday's Three Rivers Parade.  If you would like to walk with or for them, please respond here!

Barack Obama's comments on economic security for women

Click here to see, here and read Barack's comments yesterday at a town hall meeting in Virginia.

And don't forget to stop by the grand opening of the CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE office tomorrow (Saturday, July 12) at 12:30 p.m.  This will be the campaign offices for Barack Obama and Jill Long Thompson.  See you there!

MORE FT WAYNE CAMPAIGN OFFICE NEWS-MONTAGANO

• FORT WAYNE IS THE PLACE TO BE THIS CAMPAIGN SEASON!

As stated below, Senator Obama and Jill Long Thompson will be opening their Fort Wayne Campaign Office on Saturday, July 12, at 904 Calhoun near the Wayne St. intersection.    

Now, we have breaking news for you that Congressional Candidate Michael Montagano will be opening an office less than a block away!    He will establish his Fort Wayne office at 120 W. Wayne sometime next week.

We will let you know more details about the opening date, hours, etc.

The Montagano staff is looking for a few more local volunteers, so if you have some time to devote to electing our next Third District Congressman please respond to information@allencountydemocrats.   If our own wonderful ADCP volunteers want to wander over and help them out during our July shutdown, they would be most appreciated. 

ALSO--Please don't forget about the Spring Cleaning Event at HQ this Sat.  We promise to have you out of there in time to attend the grand opening event downtown!

(Did you know that all Citilink buses run FREE this Sat. from 6:00-6:00? This would be a convenient way to get to HQ AND downtown!)

News from the Obama campaign

Lots going on....where to start.....

THURSDAY, July 10, there are a couple of streaming video opportunities you won't want to miss:

8 a.m., Senator Obama and Senator Clinton will be together for a women's breakfast.  This is their first streaming video event together.  Check it out here.

2:15 p.m., Senator Obama will hold a town hall meeting focusing on women's economic issues.

SATURDAY, July 12, the Campaign for Change will open its Fort Wayne Office, 1 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 904 Calhoun next to Higher Grounds on Calhoun and Wayne.  Come on down!  (Or better yet, make a day of it - start at the 3RF Parade at 10 a.m., stop by the Barr Street Market for a quick bite of something yummy, and then head over to Calhoun & Wayne for the opening.)  This is the office for both Barack Obama and Jill Long Thompson, under the combined efforts of "Campaign for Change."

SUNDAY, July 13, Women United for Change will meet at 11 a.m. at 904 Calhoun (see previous paragraph).

WEDNESDAY, July 23, the campaign will hold a Listening to America meeting to hear what people have to say and get input for the Democratic Party's Platform.  I don't recall when a candidate from either party did anything like this on a national scale so don't miss it!  Details are still TBD, but mark your calendar for the evening of the 23rd and check back here often or the Obama campaign site.

SSPTV

South Shore Progressive is a blog I don't check out enough, but I noticed today that they have bio videos (played at the Democratic State Convention) for Jill Long Thompson (woo hoo!) and Linda Pence.  Linda is running for Attorney General and she is a dynamo!  She is definitely the person I want representing the interests of the citizens of Indiana.

We have SUCH a great slate of candidates - have I mentioned how exciting it is to be a Democrat?

Pat White doesn't get it....

I really do not know wny I listen to Pat White on WOWO.  He is terribly mis-informed on most issues.

Today he was discussing two issues in the Public Safety field-

First was the the story that the Fort Wayne Police department have ordered Three 3-wheeled scooters.  They also looked at Segways, but settled on the 3-wheelers instead.  Pat White says it is because Police Chief Rusty York doesn't think his officers can balance on the 2-wheel Segway.

The catch is Segway's have gyroscopes and balance themselves.  The 3-wheelers were most likely choses becasuse they have a top speed of 23 MPH (compared to 12 for the Segway) and can go longer between charges.

The second issue is that a Southern Indiana Sheriff are adding some Toyota Prius's to their fleet.  Pat reports that they will be used for patrol.  That is not true- they are going to be for administrators only.  According to this story:

The car is a good addition to the fleet of vehicles used by the sheriff’s department, especially with rising fuel costs. While it would be impossible to switch all of the deputy’s cars to hybrids, Kennedy said changes will have to be made to combat high fuel costs.

I really wish Pat would spend some time on show prep....