Panoramic photos courtesy of Joe Patterson

DEC HQ revs up for election

 

Back row from left, Exec Director David Fernandez, Chairman Richard O'Brien, OFA Organizer Jacob, Fundraising Consultant Joe Cooper, State Committee Chairwoman Susie Copeland, Associate Executive Director Hayley Markman, Intern Andrew Gould, HQ Office Manager Carol Graves, Democratic Women's Club President Patty Benson and President Obama. Front row is Intern Stephanie Hames and Interim Executive Director Adrianna Ramirez of the Florida Democratic Business Caucus.

 

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Susan G. Komen Top Officials Resign As Backlash Gains Steam

 

Dr. Kathy Plesser, a Manhattan radiologist on the medical advisory board of Susan G. Komen for the Cure's New York chapter, said she plans to resign from her position unless Komen reverses its decision to pull grant money from Planned Parenthood.

"I’m a physician and my interest is women’s health, and I am disturbed by Komen’s decision because I am a very strong advocate for serving under-served women," Plesser told The Huffington Post. "Eliminating this funding will mean there’s no place for these women to go. Where are these women to go to have a mammography? Do they not deserve to have mammography?"

With her decision, Plesser joins Komen's top public health official, Mollie Williams, and the executive director of Komen's Los Angeles County chapter, Deb Anthony, both of whom also resigned in protest.

Susan G. Komen, the nation's largest breast cancer charity, announced on Tuesday that it had adopted a new rule against partnering with organizations that are under investigation, and that it would therefore sever ties with Planned Parenthood, which is currently under investigation in Congress. The groups that prompted that investigation are anti-abortion advocacy organizations that have long criticized Planned Parenthood, primarily a women's health and family planning organization, over the fact that some of its clinics offer abortions.

Komen has faced an increasing amount of pressure from the public, women's health groups, lawmakers and even some of its own regional affiliates to reverse the decision and continue its five-year partnership with Planned Parenthood. The $600,000 that Komen donated annually to the organization provided underserved women with free and low-cost breast exams...read more.

 

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The Latino Caucus is off to a running start

 

This last monday night, the Hispanic and Latino Caucus was reborn under leadership from Lisa Ramirez and David Fernandez with the help of Sherry Emigh. Approximately 16 Democrats met at Mr. Tequila's Restaurant to incorporate it and they will meet again this month (date tbd).

Here is an interesting point of fact everyone needs to be aware of for this up-coming election here is Florida:

About 1.5 million Latinos are eligle to vote in Florida, representing approximately 14 percent of the more than 11 million eligible voters in the state according to a Pew Hispanic Center analysis of data from Current Population Surveys conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census in 2003. This integral part of the electorate here in this battleground state will decide the outcome of the 2012 election.

The Republicans realize that they cannot win Florida without the support of the support of the Hispanic community, so they will lie, mis-represent and promise anything for their coveted votes.

Our job, as Democrats is to shine a light on the Republican hypocrisy, call them out on their lies but most importantly make sure that folks know that we stand together and we will fight together for our common interests.

 

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DEC welcomes new hires David A. Fernandez, Hayley Markman

 

David A. Fernandez has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Manatee County Democratic Party. David is a Commercial litigator with the firm Englander Fischer specializing in business, real estate and bankruptcy law. David is an eight year Navy veteran and is a veteran of operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Management from the University of Phoenix, a Master's in Human relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson College of Law.

As Executive Director David will be responsible for fundraising on behalf of the Democratic Party to meet the goals of the Democratic Party Campaign plan. David will also oversee the activities of the Assistant Executive Director and be the liason for the Chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee, Richard O'Brien.

Please help me welcome David to his new post, I am certainly looking forward to working with him.

Hayley Markman has been promoted to the post of Associate Executive Director of the Manatee County Democratic Party. Prior to this, Hayley completed a successful stint as Assistant to Richard O’Brien, Chairman of the Manatee County Democratic Party. Hayley recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a major in Political Science and plans on attending law school. She is determined to use all the many tools available in order to benefit those who search for justice.

As Associate Executive Director, Hayley will be responsible for overseeing the execution of the Democratic Party Campaign Plan. She will also supervise the daily administration of the Democratic Party. These duties involve:
• Liaison with candidates, campaigns and staffs to aid their efforts in any and all constitutionally allowable ways. For all campaigns, she is the “go-to” person.
• Coordinating and supporting PDT Leader, Mary Duda and Volunteer Affairs Leader Kristine Ryan
• Supervising interns and their projects.
• Selecting, assigning and supervising project leaders for events such as parades, fund-raisers, rallies, voter registration, etc. in coordination with leadership structures.
• Aiding and coordinating party resources for canvassing, both in person and by phone.

I know that Hayley is excited to put many of her talents to work in her new post. Good job, Hayley.

 

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Not Everyone Thinks That Corporations Are People

 

'Citizens United' Backlash: Montana Supreme Court Upholds State's Corporate Campaign Spending Ban

WASHINGTON — The Montana Supreme Court has put itself on a collision course with the U.S. Supreme Court by upholding a century-old state law that bans corporate spending in state and local political campaigns.

The law, which was passed by Montana voters in 1912 to combat Gilded Age corporate control over much of Montana's government, states that a "corporation may not make ... an expenditure in connection with a candidate or a political party that supports or opposes a candidate or a political party." In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its landmark Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, struck down a similar federal statute, holding that independent electoral spending by corporations "do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption" that such laws were enacted to combat.

That reasoning — described by the Citizens United dissenters as a "crabbed view of corruption" — compelled 23 of the 24 states with independent spending bans to stop enforcing their restrictions, according to Edwin Bender, executive director of the Helena, Mont.-based National Institute on Money in State Politics. Montana, however, stood by its 1912 law, which led several corporations to challenge it as unconstitutional.

By a 5-2 vote this past Friday, the Montana Supreme Court declined to recognize the common understanding that Citizens United bars all laws limiting independent electoral spending. Instead, Chief Justice Mike McGrath, writing on behalf of the majority, called on the history surrounding the state law to show that corporate money, even if not directly contributed to a campaign, can give rise to corruption....read more.

 

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"Don't Compare Me to The Almighty, Compare Me to the Alternative"

 

The Republican National Committee just unrolled their new strategy for beating President Obama this fall. They're calling it "Obama vs. Obama," and the idea is to say President Obama hasn't made good on his campaign promises.

But there's a hitch in their talking points: They're (prepare to be shocked!) not true. For every day they try to weave a false tale about the president, we'll fight back with the facts about his record.

Check out our first piece: a video showing President Obama's victory speech in Iowa from four years ago today, along with a rundown of the promises he's kept. Take a look — and then make sure you share it with your friends.

The bottom line here is simple: This is a President who does what he says he's going to do.

Other presidents and lawmakers tried for 70 years to pass health reform — but this president took on the insurance industry and got it done. When President Obama took office, nearly 150,000 troops were deployed in Iraq; in December, the last American troops there left. The middle class was under assault for decades, and this administration worked to make the tax code more fair and give all working families the tax cuts they deserve. And since taking office, President Obama has taken the most significant federal action ever to reduce greenhouse gases and our dependence on foreign oil — almost doubling our fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks.

These aren't talking points. These are facts.

It's 2012. More and more people are going to start paying attention to this race, and fast. But the Republicans have apparently decided to make this easy for us — because when the other side's strategy is to distort the record, all you need to push back with is reality.

Watch the video, get the facts, then pass it on.
From Obama For America

Watch video:

 

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Hands Off Social Security

 

Roughly 200 people packed the Senate Budget Committee room and hallway Nov. 17, 2011, to hear Sens. Bernie Sanders, Barbara A. Mikulski, Ben Cardin and Rosa DeLauro urge the super committee to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Watch video: "Hands Off Social Security"  (11/17/11)

 

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Affordable Health Care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Welcome

 

Welcome! The Democratic Executive Committee of Manatee County is proud to welcome you to the party of inclusion. We are the party that is dedicated to creating jobs, protecting the health of all Americans, preserving our environment and standing behind soldiers, seniors, businesses and students in their pursuit of quality of life and happiness.

In the past two years alone, President Obama and the Democratic Party have stabilized a devastated economy, saved tens of thousands of jobs in the automotive industry and throughout the nation, secured the college loan system, and steadied banking, mortgages and the stock market.

We have passed healthcare legislation that will mean it will soon be illegal for insurance companies to drop you when you are sick. Seniors who fell into the donut hole and could not afford their medications will now receive help instead of doing without. Countless millions will be insured who would otherwise be left vulnerable. Insurance companies will be required to spend 80% of their premiums on actual coverage, and children with pre-existing and/or terminal conditions nationwide will get the coverage they and their families deserve.

The party that brought Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, unemployment insurance, comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, college loans, the G.I. Bill, small business loans, clean air and clean water to the nation is now working on job creation, an American health care safety net and a common sense immigration policy.

There are many ways to get involved locally such as joining our great clubs or the Democratic Executive Committee, or participating in events and volunteer activities. You can also receive our e-mailed newsletter or informational e-blasts. I encourage you to join us. You are part of a larger American family and we, the 67,368 Manatee Democrats, welcome you.

With warm regards,
Chairman Richard O’Brien
Manatee County Democratic Party
(941) 761-8385
Send an email.

 

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About Us

 

The Manatee County Democratic Executive Committee is the official governing body of the Manatee County Democratic Party and works in cooperation with the Florida Democratic Party and the National Democratic Committee.

 

The Manatee County DEC conducts Democratic Party campaigns in Manatee County under the general direction of the Florida Democratic Party. It is responsible to build the party, to register Democratic voters and to encourage Election Day turnout among Democratic voters.

 

The essence of the Manatee County DEC mission is to encourage participation of all Democratic voters and to disseminate the Democratic message, platform and philosophy. The Manatee County DEC is the official charter of Democratic clubs and groups in the Manatee County area. There are five active clubs in the county.

 

Manatee County Democratic Executive Committee
5910 Cortez Road West, #140
Bradenton, FL 34210
(941) 761-8385

 

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