Democrats Unite at Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

The Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner took place in the Rollins Center Ballroom at the Dover Downs Hotel & Conference Center on Monday, September 18. More than 1,000 people attended, and I can honestly say that I've never seen more Democrats in one room.

I had the opportunity to hear what the Delaware candidates and public officials had to say about the future of Delaware, and it was the first time that I've seen all the Democratic statewide candidates at one event. The speakers included New Castle County Executive Chris Coons, Wilmington Mayor James Baker, Governor Ruth Ann Minner, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, Keynote Speaker and U.S. Senator from Colorado Kenneth Salazer, Candidate for Attorney General Beau Biden, Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn, State Treasurer Jack Markell, Lieutenant Governor John Carney, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Spivack, and U.S. Senator Joe Biden.

Although the candidates had different speeches, they all had a similar message: Democrats are the ones who should be representing the people of Delaware. After bonding with fellow Democrats and listening to all these prominent speakers, I felt extremely proud to be a member of the Democratic Party.

Democrats ARE organized, mobilized, and ready to take back our country!

Save Darfur Rally in NYC

The Princeton Review recently named the University of Delaware the fourth most apathetic campus in the nation. However, if the editors who bestowed upon us this bragging right were sitting on one of the buses headed to the Save Darfur Rally in New York City this past Sunday, I daresay we would have been bumped down a notch or two on the apathetic ladder. Donning Save Darfur Tshirts, courtesy of Hillel International, and clutching signs, 92 University of Delaware students joined the impassioned masses in Central Park for the second of two major Save Darfur rallies in the past six months. Coming from various religions and ends of the political spectrum, the students traded in their differing views for stickers, buttons, and slogans- all asking for the United States to pressure the United Nations to send in peacekeeping troups to the Darfur region.
More than 400,000 people have been killed so far in the genocide of the people in Darfur, which is being carried out by the Janjaweed, an Islamic milia group backed by the Sudanese government in response to requests from groups asking for better equality in government. The horrific atrocities are continuing unabated, despite a deadline for peace set by the government of Sudan and one faction of the militia.
An estimated 25,000 people showed up to the NYC rally on Sunday not just to voice their outrage over the immensely cruel and tragic loss of human life, but to ask President Bush why he will not uphold his promise of fighting terror in a region now defined by the word.
As members of the generation who will soon be asked to provide answers to such questions, we have no right to maintain ignorance of the situation. I often hear students say, "it's so hard to keep up to date on things like this in college." It should be the opposite. In a place of higher education, where the goal is to create informed and critical contributors to society, we should be especially aware. Now we, as members of a declared political group, must not only maintain our awareness, but increase the awareness of others. Or there will be worse consequences than a bad rating from Princeton.

The Haddasah Debate w/ Statewide Candidates

This Thursday marked the beginning of the general election as the victors of the primaries meet their political contemporaries in the Haddash Debate. The College Democrats attended the debate this past Thursday evening at the Jewish Community Center north of Wilmington. Despite the rain, the center's auditorium was packed full of interested voters who came to listen to all of the statewide candidates for each elected office. After a series of questions to each pair of candidates, the moderator turned to the audience for questions.

Before the event we greeted voters with Markell signs & stickers as they came in from the rain. Once the debate began, we were able to listen to each of the candidates offer their reasons to the Delawareans in attendance on why they should support them. Afterwards the candidates were able to speak with the voters, volunteers, campaign aides, bloggers, those from the media and political/news junkies that turned out to the debate.

Bad weather aside, we all enjoyed hearing the candidates from both sides of the aisle. The Democratic candidates, Senator Tom Carper, Congressional candidate Dennis Spivack, Treasurer Jack Markell, & AG candidate Beau Biden,were able to do a great job of explaining to their goals & objectives for what they hope to do in the office's that they are running for.

There was an energy in the air throughout the debate. It seemed that everyone there, from the candidates to the volunteers to the voters themselves, were excited about the upcoming general election. This is especially true of the race between Beau Biden & Ferris Wharton for Attorney General, which appears to be the closest and most heated race of the election season among the statewide offices.

As a head's up to everyone, our next meeting will be this Wednesday at 6pm in the Collins Room in Perkins. Thanks to all those who came out to the the debate!

And now, I leave you with this quote from Harry Truman....

"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

Delaware Democrats Steam Ahead!

Democrats from all corners of Delaware can celebrate after a successful primary day! As the News Journal Op-Ed writer Ron Williams stated today in his column, "It hasn't been this bad for Delaware Republicans since...the New Deal." But now our focus must be to forge ahead and continue our work on the campaign trail.

To find out the results of all of the races in Delaware, from the statewide primaries to county offices to House/Senate campaigns in every corner of our state, check out the News Journal and the Dept. of Elections. And if you feel so inclined, check out the numerous political blogs in Delaware (listed on the right-side column of this site). They tend to offer insight into the races & candidates that you won't find on the D.o.E. website.

As we get now get into the general election season, it is as important as ever for the College Democrats of UD to help out all of the Democratic candidates. Just as we have since school started, we will be going out a number of times each week, going onto the campaign trail to help candidates in their district, at parades, in their campaigns and at the State Party HQ.

In addition to our day trips to these campaigns, there are also plenty of internships that are available. Each of the Democratic campaigns, in addition to the State Party (which is only a few minutes from Newark), are eager to bring students in and provide them with great political experiences. To anyone interested in learning about campaigns & getting involved in Democratic politics in our state, just e-mail the College Dems and we will gladly put you in contact with any campaign.

Thanks to all those who went out to the polls to cast your vote! I hope to see you at our next campaign trip!

Harvard Changes Admissions Procedures

Check out this NY Times article from Sept. 12

Admitting the inequality in our institutions of higher education is an important step, one that is amplified by the increasing importance of higher degrees in the U.S. workforce. By eliminating bias at the university level, we create more diversity in the professional arena. I can only hope that other colleges and universities will follow suit, thus creating a more relaxed and fair admissions season.

Of course, let's not forget that we here at the University of Delaware eliminated our early admissions program starting in the fall of 2006. So perhaps it's not Harvard that's the trendsetter in this case...

Primary Day: Calling the Voters for Dennis Spivack

On Primary Day the College Democrats of the University of Delaware were out in force, helping Democratic congressional candidate Dennis Spivack in his campaign office, learning the fine are of phone banking. For a number of the students who came out to help, this was their first time calling voters. We helped the voters with rides to the polls, locating where they should cast their ballot and thet positons that Spivack has on an array of issues.

Phone banking, mailings, literature drops. These are all critical to winning elections and volunteers are key to completing these tasks. By going out to help numerous Democratic campaigns across Delaware we are doing our part to make sure that our beliefs & ideals are represented in our government. Remember, being right is not good enough. We must elect political leaders who can enact the policies that we support.

This Thursday is the first debate for all the DE statewide candidates. The Haddassah Debate will be held at the Jewish Community Center in Brandywine Hundred at 7pm. The College Dems will be going to help the Markell campaign at 5:30pm before the event. Members are weleome to come volunteer before the event and then stay to listen to statewide candidates from both political parties speak. Transportation will be provided.

Thanks to all of those who came out the Spivack HQ to help out!

On the Democratic Party..."You are a member of the party that beat the Depression, won two world wars, cut elderly poverty by two-thirds, and is responsible for the greatest period of economic growth since World War II. Democrats wake up and start looking for someone to apologize to. Stop it. You've got nothing to apologize for." - James Carville

Weekend of Campaigning: Sunday - Hispanic Day Parade in Wilmington

Thousands of people lining the street, marching bands performing, music playing, vendors shouting, and spectators cheering. These are just some of the ways to decsribe the energy that we saw on Sunday at the annual Wilmington Hispanic Day Parade.

After parking at the bottom of the hill on 4th Street, we made the long hike up the street to find the starting location of the political campaigns that we would be marching in the parade with. Eventually our team of College Dems were split up among the campaigns of Tom Carper, Jack Markell & Beau Biden, handing out campaign literature and stickers while the candidates greeted the many people who came out to see all of the day's festivities.

The parade itself, while only three quarters of a mile long, was a exciting stretch as we handed out stickers & ballons, all the while jogging to keep up with the candidates.

Our Sunday morning in Wilmington provided us with a great opportunity to see how elected officials reach out to the people of their districts. (Our trip also Allie & Kevin a driving lesson on navigating city streets and proper parking!)

Thanks to everyone who made the trip with us up to the city of Wilmington!

Weekend of Campaigning: Saturday - Dave Sokola in Pike Creek

The College Dems were on the campaign trail this weekend! On Saturday we woke up bright and early, packed into Allie's car and went to help out State Senator Dave Sokola at the Pike Creek Community Day. After helping out with visibility at the event in Carousel Park, we did a literature drop in a neighborhood right off Limestone Road.

Despite the heat, we all enjoyed the time outdoors, meeting Dave Sokola and mastering the fine art of literature drops!

Thanks to all those who came out with us!

Jack Markell Comes To Speak to UD Students

Delaware State Treasurer Jack Markell came on Thursday to speak to the College Democrats at the University of Delaware about the importance of getting involved in the political process and the responsibilities of his office. He also spoke about how his campaign is using Facebook and Myspace to reach out to more Delawareans, especially young voters, and inform them of what his campaign is doing.

Over forty students stopped by Grotto's on Main Street to listen to Jack speak about some of his initiatives, such as the Delaware Money School, which offers free finance education classes to Delawareans & Bank at School, which teaches school-aged children about sound management of money.

Jack Markell is currently running for re-election to a third term as state treasurer.

COLLEGE DEMS TURN OUT TO SEE HOW THEY CAN GET INVOLVED

The first meeting of the College Democrats at the University of Delaware was a great success as almost 50 students showed up to learn how they, as young Democrats, can become involved in this year's elections. The meeting focused on the main goal of the our chapter this fall, which is traveling around New Castle County and Delaware to help Democratic candidates from all levels of government get elected!

The discussion emphasized the need to do more than just have an opinion and but act upon that those beliefs. The board encouraged everyone to come out on our day trips to different campaigns throughout Delaware, even if it they only come once, every bit helps!

The College Democrats layed out our schedule for the next few weeks will take us from Newark to Wilmington to Pike Creek, helping different Democratic candidates, meeting candidates and learning how campaigns are run in Delaware.

We hope to see everyone this Saturday for our first campaign trip to Pike Creek to help Senator Dave Sokola!

"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." - U.S. Senator Robert Francis Kennedy (1925-1968)