The Democratic Party's National Convention could make a big difference in the selection of our nominee and the ultimate President of the United States this year.  Because of this, I encourage you to take voting for delegates seriously.  If we send people who are weak in their enthusiasm for our candidate, it could cost the nomination.  If we send people who are well equipped to act on our behalf, it could make the difference in wrapping up the nomination!

Please think of this as selecting a team.  Our delegation should have a wide variety of skills, and should have specialists and generalists.  We should have delegates with people skills (persuaders, counsellors, negotiators, mediators).  We should have delegates with political skills (orators, writers, people with a wide network of political connections, people with experience working on general election campaigns).  We should have delegates with technical skills (blogging and websites, parliamentary procedure and party rules, delegate math, staying connected and informed with mobile devices).  There are leadership skills, of course.  Please consider selecting a team that has a wide range of useful skills; this will create a stronger delegation.

Also, please consider that the Obama delegation should represent the breadth of support that our candidate has generated here in our LD.  Obama's message of unity has more impact when it is carried forward by a diverse group of people.  Now, on to our aspiring delegates:

Send me a short statement, or a link to your webpage or blog, and I'll add you to this list

Raymond Kirkland

I am in my 60's I was young and excited when JFK was elected; I was in the Army in South East Asia when he was killed. that was the first of a number of harsh realities that would affect my outlook on life.

After training young men for Nam and leaving the Army when the illegal war escalated I started my career in electronics and was living in the U district when John Kerry was in DC, I too was a long haired vet against the war.
We got rid of Nixon, we got out of Nam. Things were looking up (and the music was pretty good too.)

I was excited about Jimmy Carter, A person that brought honesty to the office. He turned out to have a weak single term presidency. And only later in life has been able to show the world what a wonderful person he truly is.

After Carter my interest in politics waned. I kept informed and voted but as a cynic felt that what was, was!

When Reagan got into office, I was insulted. When he started dismantling the Unions and lifting regulations on businesses and hawked his ridiculous trickle down economics I was surprised to find people believing his B.S. and decided that this country voted for him and got what they deserved. I felt that his policies were so transparent, ignorant, and fraudulent that his replacement would be a Dem and the Republicans would be out of power for 20 years.

Bill was talented, he made mistakes, but considering how he was hounded by the right wing he handled the economy well.

The one thing I KNEW would never happen again was an illegal war like Nam, I an my peers had brought the awareness of the country high enough that "That would never happen again"

Then came George W. At first I though that he would be harmless. Stupid and lazy. Let him play at being President for 4 years and put a real one in. Bit concerned about Dick, Karl, and the right wing religious crazies that he hung around with but boy was I wrong. I have been mad for over 7 years. Not slightly upset but have been angry at the administration, the senate, the house, and the people that voted for him. I have driven away many long time friends that did not see what a sham this government has become.

I have been so ashamed of this government that I have even considered leaving the country. I travel a lot and am tired of apologizing for my country.

Barack Obama has reignited my long dormant hope for a quality person to lead this country and try and make it respected again. I am pleased and excited to have a small involvement. I confess that I am not the most positive person and the Clinton campaign has caused me no end of frustration. It does show that she is the policies of old and the difference between her and Obama are more glaring every day.

Though it would be impossible to sway my support for Obama, I might not be quite as upbeat about the Clinton's after this last couple months of their Karl Rove style of assults on him.

That said, If somehow she steals the nomination I will hold my nose and vote for her in the General election because it is also about the Supreme court. With probably two and maybe three Judges leaving in the next few years a Republican could very well take away the gains we made since world war two.

I do expect for Barack to win it all and to go on to be the best president this country has had since another tall thin senator from Illinois gave it a shot.

Judith Lipton

I grew up in an age of We Shall Overcome, where we were fighting segregation, war, poverty, sexism, and and American imperialism. Now there is a chance to move to Yes, We Can, which is more inclusive, non-violent, kind, and less angry than our "anti" positions of the past.

I deeply want to participate in this change, although I will never really get over the sight of my friends who were bloodied on the bridge at Selma, bloodied in the 1968 Democratic party convention, and killed and maimed in Vietnam.

For everything there is a season, it is said, and while the old season was protest and struggle, I want to help with the new season of reconciliation and inclusiveness.

Rita Margolies

I have been an Obama supporter since October 2006, when Sen. Obama came to BCC. I’ve had house parties, organized a table at Derby Days in Redmond, and have organized the 45th LD for Obama for America for the February 9th caucus here in WA. I also went to Colorado to campaign there  for Super Tuesday.
 
I live in the Union Hill area with my husband and kids. I have 5 kids, 3 still at home, and five grandchildren. I support Barack Obama because I believe he will leave this world a better place for my kids and grandchildren.

Barbara Russell

Dear Obama supporter:

I would be honored to be a delegate.

As a white woman growing up in the 60s and 70s, this is a thrilling time in our history and I am excited about Obama!