Return Day and Party Building
I'm just back from Return Day, where I found myself part of an animated conversation with Joe Biden about bringing the Democratic GOTV effort into the 21st century. After being introduced to a young Democratic Party staffer who managed GOTV in Wilmington, Joe started in on how the GOP was way ahead of us, and how you can't build a base with a few temp staffers hired a few months before the election. Biden enthusiastically endorsed Howard Dean's 50 state strategy, and went on (at some length) to say that to really build a base takes four years, not four months.
I've been around Biden long enough to know when he's making conversation and when he's serious about an idea. At one point he was pulled aside by a staffer to have a short conversation with a supporter, and then returned to this conversation with me, the GOTV guy and two young Markell volunteers. Biden has plenty to occupy his time (he's on point for working out a new direction in Iraq with Bush administration), but he seemed serious enough to talk to a few young guys about high-tech GOTV, and mentioned raising money for party building here in Delaware.
Mike of DWA was on hand for the festivities. He enjoyed himself immensely, constantly searching the crowd for more politicians to pester with annoying questions.
Return Day is also an ocassion for announcing one's intentions for the next election. John Carney had his lapel stickers out proclaiming his interest in being governor. Matt Denn had stickers resembling license plates with the letters "MDLG08," which translates to Matt Denn Lieutenant Governor '08. Jack Markell's campaign astutely passed out stickers from the just concluded campaign. Having just been reelected, he could hardly announce his next campaign before being sworn in for this third term as treasurer. Mike Castle's campaign circulated Castle '08 buttons to let people know he's not ready to announce his retirement just yet.
Update: Having read this over, I want to correct any impression I may have created that I disapprove of Mike's blogging, including his "pestering" of politicians. I like Mike and enjoy hanging out with him at political events precisely because he is so spontaneous, in contrast to my buttoned-down approach to politics. What makes Mike so enjoyable is the endearing cheerfulness with which he throws himself into the fray.
I've been around Biden long enough to know when he's making conversation and when he's serious about an idea. At one point he was pulled aside by a staffer to have a short conversation with a supporter, and then returned to this conversation with me, the GOTV guy and two young Markell volunteers. Biden has plenty to occupy his time (he's on point for working out a new direction in Iraq with Bush administration), but he seemed serious enough to talk to a few young guys about high-tech GOTV, and mentioned raising money for party building here in Delaware.
Mike of DWA was on hand for the festivities. He enjoyed himself immensely, constantly searching the crowd for more politicians to pester with annoying questions.
Return Day is also an ocassion for announcing one's intentions for the next election. John Carney had his lapel stickers out proclaiming his interest in being governor. Matt Denn had stickers resembling license plates with the letters "MDLG08," which translates to Matt Denn Lieutenant Governor '08. Jack Markell's campaign astutely passed out stickers from the just concluded campaign. Having just been reelected, he could hardly announce his next campaign before being sworn in for this third term as treasurer. Mike Castle's campaign circulated Castle '08 buttons to let people know he's not ready to announce his retirement just yet.
Update: Having read this over, I want to correct any impression I may have created that I disapprove of Mike's blogging, including his "pestering" of politicians. I like Mike and enjoy hanging out with him at political events precisely because he is so spontaneous, in contrast to my buttoned-down approach to politics. What makes Mike so enjoyable is the endearing cheerfulness with which he throws himself into the fray.
posted by Tom Noyes at 7:35 PM
4 Comments:
Star struck Tom? This could have been written by Celia Cohen.
Give me a break, Jason.
Your right. I was kind of kidding but it did not come through.
Anyway "Delaware Dem" at kos caught the post and linked to it.
DE Dem was right. Biden's enthusiastic endorsment of Howard Dean's 50 state strategy is the story. I did not track on it at the time because I thought it was a given that Howard Dean should get major props.
Tom, your clarification is totally superfluous, my friend! I live for controversy! I can only think of several people who "disapprove" of my blog. My mother being one. And every evangelical in the nation make up the rest. And, yeah...Christine O'Donnell.
Great seeing you yesterday!
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