At the Keene/Brattleboro (VT) meetup, we had twenty-one people in attendance. We had Jan Backus (D) as a guest speaker, who is running for Lt. Gov. in Vermont. We discussed the newly formed DFNH and questions arose from a Vermonter, on what we hoped to achieve. I stated that we wanted to create an organization that built back the DEAN network, created during the primary, to tap the growing energy for change in local (and national) governance.

Some attendees expressed views on their disappointment with how John Kerry has not been visible and vocal enough at this point in the campaign. It was stated that this is Kerry’s plan based on what has worked for him in the past, however the consensus remained that a copy-cat plan of what worked in the past, may not necessarily be relied on for this year’s National election tactics. We all felt that this was much bigger and different than Massachusetts elections.

It was also brought up that there were not enough positive platform issues being discussed by the Democrats; instead, most issues are negations of Bush’s actions. Out of that discussion, we proposed to contact the Kerry campaign, with a list of positive platform issues. The hope was voiced that this election seek to attain "higher ground."

For canvassing:
To answer the question, Why does my vote really matter?
Ms. Backus suggested that the Party collect stories on close votes.

Ironic/sad notes:
An acclaimed and talented Vermont "Teacher of the Year" is about to be blacklisted under the current administrations "No child left Behind" program.
By ntobi at 06/03/2004 - 10:06pm