The Chester County Democrat June 2008

The Chester County Democrat newsletter is distributed by email on a monthly basis.  Our goal is to keep Democrats informed about our local Party, our candidates, and opportunities to help elect Democrats to office.  We invite you to forward this message (using the link below) to your friends who might be interested.

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In This Issue
Tomorrow Club
Voting Down the Ballot
Unite to Win!

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Barack Obama
Barack Obama in Downingtown, April 2008.  Click on the image for a larger version.
Upcoming Events

Summer is here and there are plenty of fun events coming our way.  Democrats will be represented at many fine venues throughout the county.
Here are some of the highlights:

June 30 - July 5: Parkesburg Fire Company Festival - Minch Park in Parkesburg

July 3: (also August 7 and September 4) 6:30-9:30 pm - Swinging Summer Thursdays in Downtown West Chester

July 5: Carol Palmaccio Campaign HQ Grand Opening 11 am - 3pm - 353 Lancaster Avenue, Frazer

July 19:  Zone 7 Democrats Sizzling Summer Picnic  11:00 am - 3:00 pm - West Bradford's Broad Run Park Pavilion C - Food Friends, Candidates and Elected Officials

July 20: Turks Head Music Festival 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm - Everhart Park in West Chester - 11 great bands and more than 85 craft and information vendors


More information on events can be found  through the Chester County Democratic Committee Website or email newsletter@chescodems.org
Quick Links
Feedback:  Provide feedback about this newsletter by writing to: newsletter@chescodems.org
Don't Stop Thinking about Tomorrow!
Join the CCDC Tomorrow Club

The Chester County Democratic Committee is undergoing an unprecedented level of growth.  In recent months our numbers have grown by 20,000 voters!  Democrats and Independents now outnumber Republicans in the county.  Just as important, our party in Chester County has been experiencing healthy growth in terms of our organization and effectiveness.

Unfortunately, we still have a lot of ground to cover in order to be competitive with our Republican counterparts.  The competition has been the dominant party in the county for more than a century.  They have a history of being organized, disciplined and well-funded.  In order for our organization to compete, we need your help.

The Tomorrow Club is the Chester County Democratic Committee's way of funding our future! In order to provide a foundation for our growth, we need a reliable source of income to hire a professional and to support the costs of running our office. A paid staff member will coordinate with zone leaders and committee persons, providing needed support for our great volunteers. The future of party in Chester County depends on you making a commitment.

Please make an ongoing commitment to the Chester County Democratic Committee via Act Blue by clicking on the link above and making your recurring contribution.

Barbara McIlvaine-SmithVoting Down the Ballot

On April 22nd, Chester County had a record turnout for the Democratic Primary!

We had two exciting candidates running for the Democratic presidential nomination. But, did you notice that there were also great Democratic candidates in most of the other races. Paying attention to these candidates and casting your vote for EACH & EVERY RACE is called "Voting Down the Ballot".

Voting down the ballot is extremely important. Without a supportive congress, a President Obama will not be able to deliver the change he is promising.  Just ask Governor Rendell how difficult it is to make progress with a combative Republican-controlled state senate.

Voter turnout is expected to be very high for the general election this November. Does that mean that voters going to vote for the presidential candidate will vote down the ballot? Not necessarily! Unlike a river running down stream - where the runoff from the top tends to flood the banks below - downballot candidates do not experience the same flood of votes.

Let's use the 2008 primary as an example. Voter turnout was close to 70% (previous turnouts have been much lower). But, in the precincts that make up the 156th Legislative District, 10,076 ballots were cast for president, but only 8635 votes (14% fewer) were cast for Barbara McIlvaine Smith, the candidate for State Representative. 

Barb did not have a contested Primary, so no other candidate received those votes. Voters just didn't bother to vote for all the  (continue) ...
Chester County Democrats Unite To Win

Putting all doubts to rest, Chester County Democrats came together this month and united behind our presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama. Whether they worked hard for Hillary Clinton, had pinned their early hopes on John Edwards or another candidate, or backed Barack from the start, party members joined in common cause.

Calling attention to the needs in health care, in jobs and in the economy,  Governor Ed Rendell addressed assembled Democrats in Harrisburg. He said it is essential to unify because, "the Democratic Party is the best vehicle to take care of ordinary people, of working families, of the most vulnerable people in our society."

Governor Rendell had been a strong Clinton supporter during the primaries, but he said "Whether you were for Clinton or you were for Obama, every one of us has the obligation to get out there and bust our humps... because the stakes are too high to lose."

The Governor called attention to our full slate of Democratic candidates, which Barack Obama will need behind him to turn his election victory into a mandate and said that with the Congress and with Pennsylvania behind him, real change will be in reach.

If you can answer the call, there is much to be done at every level right here in Chester County. Even if you're working on Barack Obama's campaign, other candidates also need help with State House, State Senate and Congressional races. Volunteer through our website or use the links on our website to find a candidate near you.

Together, we can make it happen.