What a wonderful convention the Democrats are putting on! I was unable to hear many of the early speeches because I was in Fiserv Forum for the Harris/Walz rally. We did see part of the roll call, though, with our own Jason Rae presiding. Each state had its own "walk-on music." Ours, of course, was Jump Around. And we had our own DJ! The place was truly rockin'. But because of the hours I spent there — from roughly 3:30 to about 9:30pm — I have also been unable to gather as much newsy information as usual for this edition of this newsletter. So short shrift today, I fear.
I don't usually include photos or graphics in these communications because they sometimes make accessing the emails more difficult. But I'm sending you this joyful one of Vice President Kamala Harris bringing the house down in Milwaukee last night:
For those of you who missed some or all of the great presentations last night, here are links to some of the best:
- Representative Jamie Raskin's charming and forceful presentation, about 7.5 minutes
- Representative Jasmine Crockett skewering the MAGAites with a big grin, about 10 minutes
- Michelle Obama who is decidedly like no other, 20 minutes
- the inimitable President Barack Obama, 35 minutes
There were a lot of newsworthy presentations but I also want to commend to you the brief remarks by Mesa, Arizona, Mayor John Giles, a self-confessed lifelong Republican. It's only a few seconds longer than two minutes.
Governor Tim Walz was a convention night's version of Where's Waldo. He was in Chicago one minute and in Milwaukee the next. Or so it seemed. His speech was nearly drowned out by the jubilent crowd a good deal of the time, but I did clearly here him say: "They [the GOP] left here riding high. Well, trust me, a hell of a lot can change in four weeks. You run a campaign based on fear, you’re going run into a little trouble when you run into a campaign that’s based on joy." You can find his entire talk at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's YouTube channel (12 minutes).
Every journalist and podcaster has a take on the Michelle and Barack show but one of the best that I have seen is David Kurtz's on Talking Points Memo. Kurtz includes a clip of President Obama's physical gestures that accompany his take-down of the Groper-in-Chief. It's not enough to read the words. You've got to see it!
Michelle Obama's speech was nothing short of superb but one line really stood out to me: Kamala Harris "understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth." You can watch a brief clip of that central moment here.
Tonight, Governor Tim Walz will accept his nomination to be the next Vice President of the United States. Former President Bill Clinton, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also scheduled to speak Wednesday. Then the grande finale tomorrow night: Kamala Harris will accept the Democratic Party's nomination to be the next President of the United States. You can join other Milwaukee County Democrats at a watch party to close the momentous Democratic National Convention.
I'm going to end this paean to the Democratic Party and the Harris/Walz campaign with a a note about resources in the month since our great President Biden stepped back from the race and endorsed his Vice President as his successor. The sour grapes crowd is calling this change a coup. Absolute balderdash! We're calling it a switch. And since Harris began her sprint, the campaign has really switched on the fund-raising gas, apparently amassing about half a BILLION dollars: "U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' election effort has raised around $500 million since she became the Democratic presidential candidate, sources told Reuters, an unprecedented money haul that reflects donor enthusiasm going into the Nov. 5 election" (Reuters, August 20, 2024).
We may have the big MO (momentum as some folks call it). But we still need to follow Michelle Obama's exhortation: DO SOMETHING! This coming weekend, August 24 and 25, is a vital Weekend of Action. You will find links to the closest canvass locations in the list below. Even if you can't do the walk and knock thing, you could drive people who can. So let's go win this thing!
EVENTS
Wednesday, August 21
Glendale DNC Jazz Party, 6:00 - 8:00pm
TBA on RSVP
Join together to hear some jazz and enjoy some delicious food! Let's come together for the DNC with a live jazz performance. INVITE your FRIENDS and we can win! RSVP.
Shorewood DNC Watch Party, 6:00 - 8:00pm
TBA on RSVP
Let's share the vision for a brighter future. Time to gather together so we can win! Learn how to use your network to win! RSVP.
DNC Week: Reach Training & Friendbank, 7:00 - 8:30pm
DPOC Office: 1930 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton
Join us for a REACH training and a friendbank! We'll be surveying our friends and family as well as sending info to friends about the upcoming election and current events!
Thursday, August 22
Harris Acceptance Speech Watch Party, 7:00 - 8:00pm
TBD
Join Milwaukee County Democrats to watch Vice President Kamala Harris deliver her acceptance speech on Thursday, August 22. It's the next best thing to being there! Please email [email protected] if you are interested in joining for a countywide DNC watch party. More details to follow.
Friday, August 23
LWV League Cafe, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Milwaukee Public Library East Branch Community Room
2320 N Cramer St, Milwaukee
League Cafe meets monthly and welcomes League members old and new, as well as community members. In a small group setting, we get to know each other better, share knowledge and have interesting conversations. In rotating months, we meet as a general discussion group, and in opposite months, convene as a book club to discuss noteworthy books on racial equity, immigration and/or voting. Registration is not required.
Saturday, August 24
Dem Neighborhood Action Teams Canvasses, 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm
Ozaukee Dems
Fox Point/Bayside
Glendale
Lakefront
Shorewood
Maximize Your Home's Potential: Leveraging IRA Benefits for a Greener Wisconsin, 10:00am - 12:00pm
6737 W Washington, West Allis
Room 2135
Join the League of Women Voters Climate Action Group for "Maximize Your Home's Potential: Leveraging IRA Benefits for a Greener Wisconsin," an event to help homeowners take full advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to save money and fight climate change. Learn how to access up to $10,000 in rebates for home upgrades, including insulation, efficient heating systems, electric appliances, solar panels, and more, through programs like the Home Efficiency Rebate Program (HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR). We'll provide essential tools and guides, like the IRA Incentive Calculator, to help you plan and execute your home improvements effectively. The event will conclude with a collaborative discussion on sharing this valuable information within our communities, ensuring everyone can contribute to a sustainable future. Register here.
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
State and Harwood (in Wauwatosa)
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
Sunday, August 25
Dem Neighborhood Action Teams Canvasses, 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm
Ozaukee Dems
Fox Point/Bayside
Glendale
Lakefront
Shorewood
Monday, August 26
Jodi Habush Sinykin Mequon Canvass, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Collectivo Coffee 11205 Cedarburg Rd
Join Team Jodi to knock on doors in Mequon! Sign up!
Milwaukee County Democratic Party Meeting, 6:00pm
633 S Hawley Road, Milwaukee
Due to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, our regularly scheduled general meeting is postponed one week to Monday, August 26th, 6 PM at Milwaukee Area Labor Council. This will be a special post-convention conversation you won’t want to miss! Speaker TBA.
Tuesday, August 27
Fox Point Fundraiser , 5:00 - 7:00pm
TBA
Thank you for your support! No ticket required. Contribute online. Address provided upon RSVP to [email protected].
Wednesday, August 28
Jodi Habush Sinykin WFB Meet and Greet, 5:00 - 7:00pm
TBD
Join Jodi Habush Sinykin and neighbors for a Meet & Greet in Whitefish Bay! Address Upon RSVP to [email protected].
DPOC General Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 130, Grafton
NOTE THE DATE CHANGE: Join us at our monthly general meeting, the 3rd Wed of each month at 7 pm at our Grafton Office. Get caught up on the latest local politics while helping us elect people to office. Thanks to Fair Maps, we have an opportunity to elect people to the 22, 23, and 59 Assembly Districts as well as the 8th and 20th Senate Districts. Zoom links for the meeting are sent to paid DPOC members.
Saturday, August 31
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Lincoln Memorial/La Fayette Hill
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
Wednesday, September 4
Astor Street Regulars, 12:00pm
Wisconsin Club, 99 W Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee
Welcome Astor Street Regulars to this very eventful 2024-25 election year. We start out with the chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Ben Wikler. He is considered to be the best chair of a state party in the nation. Ben has built the WisDems to an unprecedented level of strength and national recognition as a force for progressive change. Now how will Wikler lead voters in this swing state to vote for Kamala Harris? Will Harris’s political profile appeal to Wisconsin’s swing voters? How has Trump’s selection of JD Vance as his running mate changed the dynamics of the race in Wisconsin? RSVP by Wednesday night, August 28, 2024, by emailing Phyllis Bankier.
Saturday, September 7
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
King and North Ave
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
Sunday, September 8
GRNS Event: What Kind of Future Do We Want?, 4:30 - 7:00pm
Maslowski Park, 2200 W Bender Rd, Glendale, Glendale
At this pivotal point in our history, we draw together to ensure that democracy is not lost. Christian Nationalism, Project 2025 - these are the hallmarks of the next Trump Presidency. If this is not the future we want, let’s work to prevent it! Gather and Socialize at 4:30; Food at 5:00; Speakers at 5:30. RSVP.
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, September 12
Save the Date: Oz Dems Annual Fundraising Gala, 5:00 - 8:00pm
Shully's, 146 Green Bay Rd, Thiensville
Here's to Winning More in 2024! The Democratic Party of Ozaukee County invites you to celebrate all the political wins of this past year and to prepare for action for this November at our annual Fall Fundraising Gala. Dine on Shully's cuisine while connecting with people who are moving Ozaukee blue. Hear and be inspired by our speakers including Representative Deb Andraca and our keynote speaker To Be Announced! Your attendance will help elect even more Democrats to office while supporting our local organization! We have an irresistible collection of silent and live auction items to bid on. Sign up.
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