Dean's speech addressed some of the major issues to the blogging community such as Electronic Voting and the safety of the ballot as well as addressing the value of the YouTube debates and brining voters into the debate process for the 2008 Presidential candidates.
But one thing he addressed that did not receive a huge amount of applause and I'm sure turned a few heads was his admission that he has been meeting with and discussing issues with some of the major pastors of mega churches across the country.
Thank you to the Matt, Mike, and Chris at OpenLeft.com for inviting me to blog here. As a blog reader, but infrequent contributer, I'm excited to join the discussion about how to propel this movement forward and bring together all the allies - national and local, insider and outsider, public figures and grassroots activists. My day job is in the political department of the AFL-CIO. I also work on the Analyst Group which is convened by the AFL-CIO and am co-founder and board member of the New Organizing Institute. That's for disclosure, though what I post here isn't official work of these organizations. Mike's post yesterday about the opportunities and challenges for labor and the netroots to build a strong relationship, has particular resonance for me - and sparked a great discussion. Thanks again to Matt, Chris and Mike for all your work to create this incredible, new space.
Last night, the former Alaskan Democratic party chairman Jake Metcalfe was in DC and stopped to meet with some folks. There was an interesting discussion with him about his background, family, why he decided to run for Congress, and what's important to the Alaskan electorate. Jake stepped down from the state party on Saturday to throw his hat into the ring in 2008 for the single house seat in Alaska. Jake has also worked as an attorney for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local 1547) and has a lot to say about labor in Alaska, one of the most union-dense states. Pending the primary in August of 08, the winner will face off against Don Young, who is currently the subject of a criminal inquiry.
STATE BLOGS
