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I don't know where to start with this post and I'm not sure where I'm going to end up either...
I thought I had all I had to say on the topic earlier this week when Carnacki and I called out Justin Marcum, (then) West Virginia Young Democrats chairman of the Labor Caucus and (still) president of Mingo County Young Democrats for what we felt was a non-apology apology.
On Monday, I wrote in a comment:
There are multiple activist organizations with formal ties to the Democratic National Committee. The Young Democrats organization is one. Because of their formal ties, they get automatic seats at conventions and other party benefits like that.
I believe if you are an officer in an organization affiliated with the DNC, you have a responsibility to support the Democratic President, to support the major tenets of the Democratic Party Platform, and to support party-building efforts. That does not mean you need to personally agree on every issue, but it does mean you have a responsibility not to actively aid those seeking to undermine the Democratic party.
A strength of the Democratic Party is our openness to diversity--we try to build a big tent. I would never tell anyone to leave the party over disagreements with President Obama or the Democratic party platform (there's plenty of issues where my views differ!). We'll never all agree on every issue (nor should we).
But, if someone is in a leadership position in the party, and they don't feel personally comfortable supporting major Democratic legislative and presidential initiatives, they just might want to reconsider if party leadership is the right place for them.
On Tuesday, I learned that Justin Marcum had resigned as West Virginia Young Democrats chairman of the Labor Caucus and I thought the entire matter closed.
Mingo young Democrats primed for change in state
I was quite surprised yesterday when I got multiple emails informing me about a newspaper article in the Charleston Daily Maily, Mingo young Democrats primed for change in state. I'm still kind of stunned by the article and have sat on it for over a day trying to sort through what to say.
(Among other things, I can't point to a single change in West Virginia that Justin Marcum called for.)
What went wrong
The article reads like a press release for Justin Marcum. It's the kind of fawning coverage someone running for office begs for. (Unfortunately for Justin Marcum, at this point I think it would only help him run for office as a Republican, not as a Democrat.)
As an example, the photo text reads, "Justin Marcum, a second-year law student and president of the Mingo County Young Democrats, is working with other students to inject some fresh blood into the Democratic party in southern West Virginia."
Now, hardly a day goes by without a newspaper in West Virginia publishing something I find insipid or inane. Mostly I just ignore them. But, here's what makes this article so concerning. A frequent reader of this website noted via email:
I read your post the other day regarding the labor caucus emails advertising the conservative event in Southern West Virginia. It sure sounds as if this guy is making a declarative statement against our sitting president on behalf of all young Democrats in the state.
I didn't read his quotes quite that way--I don't think Justin Marcum speaks for anyone other than himself--but I can see how easy it would be to get that impression.
In the article Justin Marcum claims he "hopes that the younger generation of Democrats will win back the Mountain State when it comes to the national elections." If he wants to help Obama win W.Va. in 2012, debunking rumors is a lot more helpful than repeating them.
If "the Mingo chapter ... is focused on what is best for the county" he should be using time in front of reporters to speak to the urgency of action on climate change legislation and health care reform, not undermining the agenda of the Democratic President and the Democratic Congress.
Standing up for workers
More than anything else, there's one more thing that really gets me angry about this article.
The West Virginia Young Democrats worked diligently this past year to (successfully) enact an official West Virginia Coal Miner's Appreciation Day. This action had the potential to build a broad coalition of interests to find common ground to honor coal miners, improve their working conditions, and to live up to our obligations to pensioners (widowers and survivors).
Instead, by introducing a discussion of climate change policy into the mix, Justin Marcum has overtly politicized the honoring of coal miners. Coal miners are real human beings--your neighbors and mine--not political pawns. For too many decades coal miners have fought--often with their lives--to be treated with dignity. They deserve better.
After offending many of his fellow West Virginia Young Democrats last week by forwarding along the email without comment about Don Blankenship's anti-environment, anti-labor, anti-Democratic Party rally in West Virginia, Justin Marcum, chairman of the Labor Caucus and president of Mingo County Young Democrats, received criticism and questions from several WVYD labor caucus members.
Instead of apologizing he wrote:
I was not intending to offend any of you about the Coal News messages. It showcased our event and that is why I sent it out. Furthermore, I do not support the Friends of America rally but think its educational for everyone to see what is being said. Also, this is not a coal caucus, I am currently working on things for the teachers and their unions. Lastly, the messages were not the views of the labor caucus or anyone in it; just an informative message for all to see what is being said.
I understand that the message came across the wrong way but this caucus nor myself is pushing any kind of an agenda in the direction of the newsletter. Moreover, I understand that we must focus on other issues of labor within the State. Labor unions are the backbone of this State and America and I sincerely regret the misinformation that could have been construed the wrong way. Lastly, I am interested in working through this caucus to help Matt Sowards and the rest of WVYD with the healthcare issue. I am also interested in working on something for the teachers. Please feel free to help me with this issue and once again, I sincerely regret the way each of you viewed the message I sent out a few days ago.
In other words, he does not regret he sent it. He regrets that people took umbrage. It's wrong how they viewed the message and not that he sent it.
If you're feeling energized after watching the Democratic National Convention this week in Denver, there are several things you can help out with or attend this weekend:
1. Stop by the Democratic booth at the Charleston Regatta festival. We will be at the corner of Summers Street and Kanawha Boulevard in Charleston beginning at 10:00 Sunday morning. Bring someone with you who needs to register to vote!
2. The WVYD 3rd congressional district is hosting a strategy meeting Sunday afternoon on the campus of Marshall University at 3:00 p.m. If you live in the Huntington area, be sure to attend this meeting and learn about WVYD's plans for the final two months of the 2008 campaign season. The meeting will be held outdoors in front of the Memorial Fountain near the Student Center. Please call WVYD's 3rd District Director Matt Sowards with any questions (304-654-9636).
3. Walk in the Labor Day parade in Marmet on Monday morning. The Democratic Party will be lining up at the corner of Washington and Main Streets in Marmet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday. Please wear a WV Young Dem t-shirt or any shirt that supports one of our Democratic candidates.
Stay tuned for more information later this week about a statewide voter registration and voter pledge campaign for WVYD.
There is still time to register for the 2008 West Virginia Democratic Youth Leadership Academy (DYLA), which will be held at Shepherd University on July 22 - 25. We have an exciting schedule of events this year (see below) including a day trip to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, an afternoon at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, mock elections, guest speakers, as well as filming political commercials for YouTube.
DYLA attendees should be West Virginia students ages 14 - 18 who are still in high school or who graduated in 2008. If you're still deciding about whether you would like to come, you do have a little more time to make up your mind. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, July 11 (unless the remaining spots fill up sooner). Please call or email me with any questions you might have. If you've already told me that you would like to attend but you haven't received your paperwork yet, please let me know as soon as possible and I will follow-up with further details.
Transportation to Shepherdstown is being provided from Charleston with several stops along with the way. Let me know if you would like more details about pickup times and locations. We are also working to find sponsors for every single student so that there will be no cost to attend (with the exception of spending money for meals during the trip to Washington, DC).
More details can be found on the WVYD website at www.wvyoungdems.org. A tentative schedule of events is included below. We hope you will join us in Shepherdstown later this month!
Thanks,
Rod Snyder
President, West Virginia Young Democrats
Two excellent resolutions adopted by the West Virginia Young Democrats at their statewide convention. From an email:
West Virginia Young Democrats Adopt Two Policy Resolutions During State Convention
APRIL 21, 2008 - The West Virginia Young Democrats adopted two resolutions during their annual state convention recently in Charleston . The first resolution recognizes the importance of mining in West Virginia while urging a moratorium on new mountaintop removal permits. WVYD President Rod Snyder commented, "The next generation of Democrats in West Virginia believes that mountaintop removal mining has the potential to inflict long-term environmental and economic damage to our state. WVYD supports alternative mining methods, enforcement of current environmental regulations, and increased investment in renewable energy sources."
The second resolution urges the state of West Virginia to adopt Election Day voter registration in order to facilitate higher voter turnout. "WVYD views Election Day voter registration as a way of reducing barriers to participating in elections. Young voters would be among the most likely demographic to take advantage of this change in the law if it were enacted in West Virginia ," said Snyder. The full text of both resolutions can be found on the WVYD website at www.wvyoungdems.org.
The West Virginia Young Democrats have called for an end to new mountaintop removal mining permits, adding to a debate that pits factions of the Democratic coalition against each other in the country's second-largest coal-producing state.
But party leaders say they welcome the resolution as a contribution to the public discussion, and shrug off suggestions that it points to rifts among Democrats.
The Young Democrats -- with more than 30 active chapters for party members 36 and younger -- adopted a resolution at its state convention earlier this month calling for a moratorium on new mountaintop removal mining permits.
The move came after considerable debate and changes to the language, according to Rod Snyder, the group's president.
BREAKING NEWS!!! Christine Pelosi will keynote the WVYD convention on April 5 at the Charleston Civic Center
The biggest Young Dems event of the year in West Virginia just got even better. I am happy to announce that Christine Pelosi will serve as our keynote speaker during the dinner on Saturday evening at the Charleston Civic Center. Pelosi is a nationally known author, attorney, and former executive director of the California Democratic Party. She is the daughter of the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history, Nancy Pelosi. She recently published a book entitled, "Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders."
All WVYD members attending the convention will be admitted to the Pelosi dinner free of charge. Tickets are available to the general public for $50 each by contacting Travis Mollohan at 304-345-2794 or tmollohan@hotmail.com. (Jennings Randolph Society Members will automatically receive two complimentary tickets to the dinner and pre-reception with Christine Pelosi.) The official invitation for the general public can be found at:
The tentative schedule for the convention is included at the bottom of this message, and all schedule updates will be available on our website at www.wvyoungdems.org or on the Facebook event page at:
Our hotel block is at the Holiday Inn Express (100 Civic Center Drive, Charleston, WV 25301). Our group rate is $85 per night and you can make reservations by calling 304-345-0600. Please be sure to book your hotel room soon in order to get the WVYD convention rate. We also encourage you to put as many as four Young Dems in a room to help share the cost and make it cheaper for everyone.
There is a $10 registration fee per person for the convention, which should be paid upon arrival (cash or check). The registration desk will be open Friday evening and all day on Saturday.
Please RSVP as soon as possible to let me know how many people will be attending the state convention from your local chapter. You can either email me at rodsnyder2004@yahoo.com or RSVP on the Facebook event page:
The schedule of training sessions and additional guest speakers will also be announced soon. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Charleston on April 4 - 6. You don't want to miss this year's convention!
BREAKING NEWS!!! Christine Pelosi will keynote the WVYD convention on April 5 at the Charleston Civic Center
The biggest Young Dems event of the year in West Virginia just got even better. I am happy to announce that Christine Pelosi will serve as our keynote speaker during the dinner on Saturday evening at the Charleston Civic Center. Pelosi is a nationally known author, attorney, and former executive director of the California Democratic Party. She is the daughter of the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history, Nancy Pelosi. She recently published a book entitled, "Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders."
All WVYD members attending the convention will be admitted to the Pelosi dinner free of charge. Tickets are available to the general public for $50 each by contacting Travis Mollohan at 304-345-2794 or tmollohan@hotmail.com. (Jennings Randolph Society Members will automatically receive two complimentary tickets to the dinner and pre-reception with Christine Pelosi.) The official invitation for the general public can be found at:
The tentative schedule for the convention is included at the bottom of this message, and all schedule updates will be available on our website at www.wvyoungdems.org or on the Facebook event page at:
Our hotel block is at the Holiday Inn Express (100 Civic Center Drive, Charleston, WV 25301). Our group rate is $85 per night and you can make reservations by calling 304-345-0600. Please be sure to book your hotel room soon in order to get the WVYD convention rate. We also encourage you to put as many as four Young Dems in a room to help share the cost and make it cheaper for everyone.
There is a $10 registration fee per person for the convention, which should be paid upon arrival (cash or check). The registration desk will be open Friday evening and all day on Saturday.
Please RSVP as soon as possible to let me know how many people will be attending the state convention from your local chapter. You can either email me at rodsnyder2004@yahoo.com or RSVP on the Facebook event page:
The schedule of training sessions and additional guest speakers will also be announced soon. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Charleston on April 4 - 6. You don't want to miss this year's convention!
The West Virginia Young Democrats (WVYD) is a broad-based, youth-led grassroots political organization. WVYD mobilizes young people under the age of 36 to participate in the electoral process, influence the ideals of the Democratic Party and develop the skills of the youth generation to serve as leaders on a local, state and national level.
More than 200 Young People and Community Leaders are Expected to Attend
Huntington, W.Va. - U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Rep. Nick Joe Rahall (D-WV-3) will be the featured keynote speakers at the 2007 West Virginia Young Democrats (WVYD) State Convention at noon this Saturday, April 21, at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.
Saturday's luncheon, which is the highlight of the annual three-day convention, is slated to start at 12 noon at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, which is located at One Civic Center Plaza in Huntington. The convention also includes meetings, workshops as well as a welcoming reception hosted by Huntington's Mayor David Felinton, the Cabell and Wayne County Democratic Executive Committees and the Cabell County Democratic Women's Club. More than 200 Young Democrats and area residents are expected to attend. The convention will also elect new officers for the organization, including president.
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