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AND MORE... Election 2007 & Berks Dems
Starting with the Kerry campaign there has been increased activism both in groups and individuals throughout the county. There has been an extreme amount of groundwork done by groups formed since the Kerry campaign. This has helped our candidates get some of the legwork done for the campaigns such as door-to-door canvassing and helping to promote the candidates and get the message out. This has all been a huge help to winning some of these offices.
We are still missing the boat as a party when it comes to supporting ALL our good candidates. There are still a lot of personal agendas that are taking precedence over unity within our party and there is not enough being done within our party to eliminate this problem. These same people that put their personal agendas above and beyond the good and welfare of our Democratic party are still being applauded as being good Democrats and wonderful people. In this years election we could have won both Commissioners seats and kept control of that office if everyone would have been working for the same goal. I am sure there were many things going on here behind the scenes and many secret deals made in that respect.
The Commissioners’ race was lost because the Commissioner who stepped out of the race threw her full support media wise and financially behind a specific candidate. As soon as that hit the Reading Eagle along with reporter Mary Young’s repeated bad press for Commissioner Gajewski, it was all over. Even when Commissioner Gajewski did everything right he still was crucified by the press.
The Sheriff’s race was lost because the Republican candidate was more organized and had a lot more money. Mr. Garipoli was a great candidate but could have used more advice and more help in his campaign. He needed more money to do the things that had to be done to win. It is unfortunate we did not win this seat.
The Recorder of Deeds office was won because Fred Sheeler was a great candidate. He was very well organized and had the finances to do what needed to be done to win. He also is appealing to both Democrats and Republicans and that showed in the vote totals.
The Kutztown Area Democrats along with a few other groups such as Greater Reading PAC have been instrumental in getting the word out and helping financially in our recent races. We need to keep these groups working and help them in their endeavor to promote and support the Democratic Party and our candidates.
We need to get more organized. We need to get our candidates to stick up for one another when at forums and show that everyone is unified. It was apparent at the forums I attended this year that the Republicans were much more unified with their answers than the Democrats were. This is one of the things we fail to improve upon time and time again. Also when attacked by the press we need to have an answer to that attack.
The Berks County Democratic Committee is being urged to have the members be more active and participate on committees. There is more activism in the party now, but it still needs major improvement. We have improved a great deal, but there is a lot of work to be done.
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blove comments:
Well said !!
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stefan comments:
There will always be division in every political party, there is nothing that can possibly prevent that. It the NATURAL CONDITION caused by a two-party system [winner take all] with most people voting against someone rather than for someone, because what you personally believe in is unacceptable to the greedy oligarchy in America and thus not on the ballot in November.
The solution is not to SELL OUT and support what you simply don’t believe in as if that will somehow make life better.
The solution is to fight for what you believe in for as soon as you are willing to compromise, YOU LOSE as you will never get the change you desire!
If that means the Democrat will lose, oh so sorry, but next time run a Democrat who is not so Republican in their views… DLC types and other oligarchs (neo-cons) are no friend of mine.
Real Democrats support working people… which isn’t possible when you vote for so called Free Trade deals, open borders, or subvert the Constitution by supporting illegal wars, spying on Americans, and eliminating habeas corpus!
You can ignore what I am saying, but you can never get REAL DEMOCRATS to support these damned pachyderms wearing donkey masks. Just look at the huge number of registered Democrat NOT VOTING… the numbers are staggering compared to the Republicans.
America doesn’t need two parties that represent the wealthy… and that is precisely what the DLC mission is.
As for local organizations… one mentioned is a farce, as it’s mission is not to support liberal Democrats, but rather coerce liberals into supporting the Democrat because the Republican is somehow naturally worse.
Stupid is as stupid does I guess!
As for that Commissioners race… why did Barnhardt, Leinbach, and Scott basically run as a team?
Yes… they did, from the Chamber of Commerce endorsement right down to their individual appearances at several local organizations, a couple of which I attended and have first hand witness to.
Party Labels are for suckers. KNOW what you are voting for. George Bush can go change his party affiliation to Democrat and be just as much of a Democrat as you and I are. The party affiliation does not prove what is in one’s heart… so foolish to ever vote that way. No wonder our nation is falling apart, for George Bush couldn’t have done any of this WITHOUT SUPPORT from many elected Democrats.
Sad, but true.
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stefan comments:
My use of the word, compromise, above?
I am not fundamentally opposed to compromise.
Compromise is a two way street though, and there simply is no compromise from the oligarchs.
It has been crystal clear these past seven years, as the Democratic Party leadership failed to filibuster the Neo-Con agenda, yet we fall victim to every Republican move to filibuster the “so-called” Democratic agenda now that the shoe is on the other foot. Truly a lack of commitment or too many Democrats have sold out.
Again, what percentage of registered Democrats participated on November 6th?
The answer to that says it all. Berks County has about 20,000 more Democrats then there are Republicans… Democrats SHOULD win every county-wide election by a similar margin.
Keep beating square pegs into round holes, that will surely get more Democrats to participate!
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