March 2007 newsletter

The Polk County Democrat

News. Views and Events: the monthly newsletter of the Polk County, Oregon Democrats

New DPO Chair Meredith Wood-Smith Vows to Extend Base

Build on 50-State Strategy Success

New Democratic Party of Oregon Chair, Meredith Wood-Smith is calling for a
new generation to bring its idealism and ideas to the Democratic Party, helping it
build a broader base. “We are not like herding cats.” she said in pre-vote
questioning at the DPO’s biennial reorganization meeting in Salem March 10.
”We are competent, capable, and need to talk about our successes.” Meredith
underscored the need to become more inclusive, urging party members to
develop clear messages. “Find those that resonate in your community,” she said.

“We need to get away from the ‘liberal’ label“, she told delegates. “We are the
party of the Big Tent.”

Meredith, 63, cited her own call to political activism, inspired by President John F.
Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural address challenge to “ask what you can do for your
country.” She will be a full-time Chair during her 2-year term, serving with newly
elected Male Vice Chair, Jesse Cornett, Female Vice Chair, Jill Thorn and
Secretary, Becky Gladstone.

With competition from three exceptionally qualified candidates, Dan Carol, Mac
Pritchard and Carol Voison, who dropped out of the race the night before
elections for medical reasons, Meredith campaigned on her experience and
outreach. During her 4 years as DPO Vice-Chair she visited, sometimes more
than once, 27 of Oregon’s 36 counties. She created the Faith and GLBT
Caucuses, ran leadership workshops, and developed strong ties to Central
Committees, particularly those in rural areas, becoming their advocate at the
state and national Party level.

A long-time friend of Polk County Democrats, Meredith held the initial workshop
in 2005 in which the Central Committee formed its Strategic Plan and committee
structure. During the election cycle Meredith remained a ready resource. “She
has always been available at the end of a ‘phone,” says PCD Vice-Chair, Suzi
Price.

(from top left) Polk County delegate, Jason Brown; PCD Chair,
Alan Holland; Meredith Wood-Smith; PCD Past Chair, Karen Green; PCD Vice-Chair, Suzi Price;
and PCD Delegate, Timothe Seelbach

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Comments from the Chair

Alan Holland, March 11, 2007

Polk Co. Dems have many reasons to feel political optimism in light of
recent actions locally and at the March 10 DPO Central Committee meeting in
Salem. Meredith Wood Smith is our newly elected DPO Chair. Meredith has
been a great help to us with ongoing advice and new leadership training. She
has done likewise in many counties throughout Oregon as well as working to
improve activity of state vice-chairs nationally.

The SCC elected Jesse Corbett from a floor nomination to bring his great
campaign experience and youthful enthusiasm to the state Party from the
Eugene area. Expanding Polk Dem’s appeal to young activists and Latino voters
is important; to this end, we intend to provide childcare at our meetings. Also,
Past President Karen Green has submitted a grant on our behalf to the DPO to
fund activities to help develop a Hispanic Caucus.

Polk Dems are part of a coalition of groups led by Loyd Henion (Albany)
and George Beres (Eugene) researching the possibilities to bring Pres. Jimmy
Carter to the Mid-Valley area for a speaking engagement.

These exciting things are just some of what the DPO and Polk Dems
leaders are doing to activate and improve Democratic participation and influence
to benefit all citizens.

Democrats Practice What They Preach

DPO votes for promising newcomer, renews impeachment call

by PCD Vice-Chair, Suzanne Price

In her campaign address, Meredith Wood-Smith emphasized the need for our
party to be a "Big Tent" and stressed the importance of bringing along young
leadership in the party. In a quick decision, Jesse Cornett, who had earlier made
the nominating speech for Dan Carol, put his name forward from the floor for
Vice-Chair. Jesse, aged 31, co-founded the Bus Project and BlueOregon, and
last year ran for State Senate District 24. He was senior policy advisor to Oregon
Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and served as an aide to Earl Blumenauer, John
Edwards, and Mark Hatfield. Jesse was elected Vice-Chair in a close race with
Bill Kroeger, an experienced and valued DPO worker. His youth brings balance
to the Executive Board.

Late in the SCC meeting, John F. Bradach, Sr., a veteran who lost his Marine
corporal nephew in the Iraq war, introduced a resolution from the floor supporting
"immediate investigative hearings... into the Bush administration's
misrepresentations to Congress, the American people and the United Nations
which induced the Act of Congress regarding the use of force against Iraq." and
"the commencement of impeachment proceedings against President George W.
Bush and Vice President Cheney for high crimes and misdemeanors in the
processes and propaganda which preceded the invasion of Iraq by the United
States of America." The SCC considered sending the Resolution back to
committee for further study, but, after hearing a member of the SCC committee
testify that the wording was in correct form, SCC members adopted the
Resolution immediately by a resounding voice vote.

Continued