archived: 14 - 20 Aug, 2005         Back                 Next

UPDATED:  August 16, 2005 

                        A PLATFORM 

The public process for adopting a NC Democratic Party Platform has started.  A series of public hearings started Monday night and will continue across the State over the next week. 

In Raleigh, some 20 Democrat appeared before the Platform and Resolutions Committee headed by Wayne Goodwin.  Goodwin reports that most of the 20 were rank and file Democrats. 

Here are some highlights of the first meeting: 

1. There is an initial sense the Platform should be a statement of the core principles of what North Carolina Democrats believe. 
    

2. Specific policy items, thematic programs, should be addressed outside of the Platform as Resolutions.
    

3. Working with the proposed 2004 Platform that was never adopted, Democrats are urging a leaner and stronger statement of Democratic Party principles.

The remaining public hearing schedule is as follows: 

Wed., Aug 17
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Wilmington
Aug 17, 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the New Hanover County Library Northeast
1241 Military Cutoff Road (the corner of Military Road and Eastwood Road).
New Hanover County Chair Helen Worthy (910) 772-9448

Thurs., Aug 18 – Winston-Salem
6:30 pm
Forsyth Co. Democratic Party HQ, 315 North Spruce Street, Winston-Salem
For more info, contact Delmas Parker (336) 778-1843 or Wayne Goodwin at (910) 997-1301

Mon., Aug 22 - Windsor
7 pm
Bertie County Courthouse
For more info, contact Miles Davis or Ms. Penny Thompson, the Bertie County Chair, 252-794-2968

Tues., Aug 23
7 pm
Asheville
Buncombe Co. Democratic Party HQ
951 Old Fairview Road, Asheville

Every Democrat in these areas should attend. 

In a new approach, Goodwin notes that Democrats do not have to attend a public hearing to have input into the process.  Democrats can comment, submit proposals for the Platform or Resolutions by email.  Send your work to Wayne Goodwin at: 

waynegoodwin@bellsouth.net or
sleslie@ncdp.org. 

Or, you can call Wayne Goodwin at (910) 997-1301.   

TPJ will have more news on Thursday.

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                        DEMS LOSE GROUND IN NC HOUSE AND SENATE DISTRICTS
                        [Authored by Boy Orator of the Neuse] 

Since the 2004 elections, the Dems overall percentage of voters has dropped in a majority of both House and Senate districts.  In the House,  there are 96 districts where the Democrats saw registration losses, 12  of those being 'swing' or 'lean' districts.  In the Senate, it is even worse.  44 districts saw Dem losses in terms of percentages, with 8 districts either 'swing' or 'lean' districts.   

There have been some gains, but they are minute at best.  11 House districts showed Dem growth, all of which are represented by a Dem and only one of which is considered swing.  Only 3 Senate districts showed Dem growth, all controlled by Dems and none of them considered swing. 

The party, at every level, needs to take notice.  On a statewide basis, in a time where the Republicans are not showing their best side, the Democrats have not only failed to gain ground, but have lost ground.  At the time of the election, voter registration numbers broke 48% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 17% Unaffiliated.  In a little over half a year, it is now 46% Democrat, 35% Republican, and 19% Unaffiliated.  That may seem small - just 2% - yet it equates to over 90,000 voters. 

Junkie oh Junkie, when will the Democrats learn?  Not only does the top ignore the bottom and the bottom complains about the top, but they do so at the expense of Democrats' chances in North Carolina.  If only both could get on the same page, we may be able to turn this trend around.  A sound vision from elected officials or the caucus combined with a grassroots effort at the bottom remains but a dream. 

_____________   

Junkie:  Boy Orator’s article highlights a number of critical points for North Carolina Democrats. They are: 

1. TPJ previously highlighted the slippage in Democratic Party registration.  TPJ’s chart showing the change in voter registration by county between 10/31/04 and 5/29/05 can be found here – TPJ Voter Registration Chart
    

2. As we pointed out in this article; TPJ, Voter Registration, the decrease in voter registration is the result of counties removing “inactive” voters (those voters who have not voted in any election for a period of four years) from their list of active voter registration. In past parlance, this was called “purging voters.”  Therefore, the loss in voter registration does not necessarily equate into a loss of Democratic Party support at the polls, as the voters removed, both Democrats and Republicans, were inactive. 
    

3. Because inactive voters were removed from active registration lists, BOTH parties lost voters; it is simply a matter that Democrats lost slightly more voters than the Republicans. Statewide, Democrats lost -3.42% of their registered voters and the Republicans performed slightly better, losing only -2.33% of their registered voters.  Therefore, Republicans have gained the slight edge noted Boy Orator’s article.   

TPJ, using district data from an informed source, has compiled an analysis by legislative district, both for the State House and the State Senate.  Click here for the chart reflecting the district by district voter registration changes since the election:  TPJ’s VR Senate Chart & TPJ’s VR House Chart (These may be downloaded and are ready to print.) 

Boy Orator’s cogent observations denote that the State Democratic Party must start now to register new voters across the State.  While the State Democratic Party is moving to adopt a Party Platform, it must also move with equal vigor to have a statewide, coordinated and professional campaign to register voters.  For North Carolina Democrats, the 2006 election cycle could be won or lost before the first vote is cast. 

                        A NC GAME OF “SLAP AND TICKLE”  

Democrats generally, including NC Democrats, have been notorious at times for forming a firing squad by forming a circle.  Most recently, NC Democrats may have changed to a game of slap and tickle. 

Under State law for the past 20 years, the Chairmen of both political parties have recommended a list of names to the sitting Governor from which the Governor appoints the State Board of Elections.  Chairman Meek’s recommendations, made several months ago, did not meet Gov. Easley’s approval.  Both were unable to reconcile their differences and Gov. Easley simply withheld appointments to the State Board of Elections. 

Gov. Easley moved to break the deadlock with the General Assembly.  Here is the story: 

Slipped into page 262 of the proposed state budget is language that gives the governor the authority to appoint his own choices for the five-member State Board of Elections -- three members of the majority party and two members of the minority party. 

Currently, the governor must make the appointments based on a list of five names submitted by each of the two party chairs. 

"A power grab" is how GOP Chairman Ferrell Blount described it.  

State Democratic chairman Jerry Meek was more circumspect. 

"I think the change is very bad public policy," Meek said. "Should it pass in the budget, I would hope that it would be corrected very quickly."

The dispute arose when Meek wanted to appoint retired Superior Court Judge Coy Brewer of Fayetteville, a Meek mentor, to the state board. To make room for Brewer, Meek did not recommend the re-appointment of Bob Cordle, a Charlotte attorney.

Cordle is close to both Easley and to state House Speaker Jim Black, who represents the Charlotte area.

"The reason for the statute change is the governor feels like Bob Cordle has done a good job and it would be an insult to kick him off," said Mac McCorkle, an Easley political adviser.

McCorkle said Easley plans to re-appoint the entire elections board -- three Democrats and two Republicans.

Meek said he had nothing against Cordle but thought that Brewer's judicial background would prove valuable to the board.

Both Meek and Blount said the problem with the change is that it would allow a governor freedom to name five members of his own party to the elections board -- after having two of them switch their registration to the other party. – News & Observer 

Slap by Gov. Easley to the Democratic Party Chairman.  

On Saturday, Democrats in the State Senate slipped a provision into a bill that would repeal the law empowering Gov. Easley to make the appointments outside recommendations of both Party Chairmen.  Every Senate Democrat voted for the bill. 

Tickle for Chairman Meek?  Maybe.  The Senate bill must still pass the House of Representatives and be signed by the Governor. Assuming that the bill passes the House the question remains will Gov. Easley veto the bill?   

                        THE LOTTERY – A DIFFERENCE   

One of the last major issues before the General Assembly is enactment of an education lottery.  The State House has passed a bill providing for the lottery and provisions for the lottery were included in the State budget. 

The lottery has encountered a roadblock in the State Senate.  Five Democrats have refused to vote for the lottery.  NO Republican, at the moment, is voting for the lottery.   

The leaders of the Senate Republicans "locked down" their caucus members and blocked any Senate Republican from voting their beliefs, even though some of those Republicans have supported the lottery in the past. There is no such ”lockdown” among the Senate Democrats.  

Democrats may recall that Republicans in North Carolina once ran on the slogan “vote for the man and not the Party.”  The Republican Party position on the lottery reflects that there are real differences between the Parties.  One of the critical differences is that the Republican Party would deprive an elected official the freedom to vote on issues as that official believes represents their constituents.  If they could, the lottery would pass the Senate.

To date, not one Republican Senator is willing to stand in opposition to their Party leaders.  While the verdict is out on whether or not the lottery will pass; the lottery has exposed the true nature of the Republican Party in North Carolina.   

                        A PLATFORM 

 The North Carolina Democratic Party is rushing forward to adopt a Party Platform by August 27^th.  

Wayne Goodwin, the Democratic Party candidate for Secretary of Labor in 2004, is Chairman of the Platform Committee.  Goodwin is attempting to garner as much grassroots involvement in the Platform and Resolutions process as possible within the time constraints.   

Goodwin has scheduled regional public hearings to consider items for the Platform and resolutions deliberation.  In addition, Goodwin is actively soliciting amendments/ideas via email, fax, mail, and hand delivery as pre-submissions before the Aug 27 State Executive Committee meeting.   

The public hearing schedule is as follows:   

Mon., Aug 15
7 pm
Raleigh
NC Democratic Party HQ, 220 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh 

Tues., Aug 16
7 pm
Charlotte
Mecklenburg Co. Democratic Party HQ 

Wed., Aug 17
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Wilmington
New Hanover Co. Northeast Regional Library, Landfall
The Pine Room 

Mon., Aug 22
7 pm
Bertie County/Northeast North Carolina
TBA 

Tues., Aug 23
7 pm
Asheville
Buncombe Co. Democratic Party HQ 

* * * * *
Formal Meetings of the Platform & Resolutions Committee 

Wed., Aug 24
7 pm
Raleigh
NC Democratic Party HQ
In-person or by conference call (800-270-1153 Code 3030#) 

Sat., Aug 27
8:30 am
Greensboro
5401 Lawndale Drive
Center for the Arts - Greensboro Day School
Site of the State Executive Committee Meeting 

TPJ will provide updates during the week.

Last Update: 03/23/2006