Governor Spitzer's Actions

College Democrats,

The Executive Board of the College Democrats has made a commitment to keep you informed of major issues affecting our campus, our state and our country. We've also made a promise to take strong stances on the issues that directly relate to how we move forward as young progressives. Today, we continue to fulfill that promise, in light of the breaking news concerning Governor Eliot Spitzer.

The Columbia University College Democrats condemn the actions of Governor Eliot Spitzer. Governor Spitzer campaigned on cleaning up Albany. His promises to establish robust ethics and campaign reform gave New Yorkers hope that new leadership could create a more effective and more transparent governing system for the state. Today, the Governor's actions have put those goals in jeopardy. His behavior may have torn the rug out from under a strong progressive movement in this state that was headed for success in the state senate elections this Fall. Governor Spitzer's conduct gives the GOP ammunition for the fall campaign in a way that could derail our goal of reforming the way politics works in New York.

We emphasize the word could. Politics in this state is bigger than any one man, no matter how that man has behaved in his personal life. Politics in this state is about reform. Reform of Albany, reform of back room politics and reform of ethics. These are ideas that the Columbia University College Democrats have fought for across the state and will continue to fight for in the months to come. This is the moment as Columbia Democrats to rally behind ideas, and tell the state GOP that our ideas are the right ones for New York and that these ideas WILL prevail in November. This is an organization committed to activism and in that light we provide you with the following opportunities to get involved in state politics. Instead of shaking your head with disgust and saying we want no part in this process, we ask you to shake your head in disgust and then jump in to the process to create meaningful change. We cannot just be participants, we have to be leaders of this party. It is our voices that have been missing from the process and we believe, especially in light of today's news, that it is ONLY our voices that can ever change the way politics is done in the state of New York.

Ways to get involved:

1) Adopt-a-District
The Activist Council of the College Democrats has "adopted" the 15th Senate District of New York, and from now until November we will work toward electing a progressive State Senator over the the incumbent Republican, Serphin Maltese. Email ac.cudems@gmail.com for more information

2) Summer Internship - Students for a New American Politics PAC
(SNAP PAC) is a federal political action committee offering students the opportunity to get progressive leaders elected to Congress next fall. SNAP Fellows will be given full-time field organizing placements on key congressional campaigns across the country, working for progressive candidates who have been endorsed by SNAP and whom we believe can win and can use our help. The deadline for applications is March 15. You can find more information on the fellowship and our organization online at http://www.snappac.org.

3) Work for the State Party
Email Sarah Leonard at srl2126@columbia.edu for more information

4) Lobby in Albany
Join Dems Umbrella Group SAME (Students Allied for Marriage Equality) to lobby on a variety of important pieces of LGBT legislation in Albany on April 29th. For more information, contact Jeremy Constancio at jsc2138@columbia.edu or Chris Daniels at cvd2102@columbia.edu.

If you're a member, keep on working hard and getting involved. If not, this is the time to help us build a stronger Democratic Party. If you have a new idea or are unsure how to get involved, email Josh Lipsky at jsl2120@columbia.edu

Sincerely,

Josh Lipsky
President, Columbia University College Democrats

Chris Daniels
Vice President, Columbia University College Democrats

Weekly Media Roundup

Columbia Dems are making waves this week...

Check out the latest media:

http://columbiaspectator.com/node/29458

http://columbiaspectator.com/node/29440

http://www.bwog.net/articles/food_both_free_and_not_so

And our very own Lydia DePillis wrote this campus progress story about campaign trips:

http://campusprogress.org/fieldreport/2563/grassroots-road-trip

Oh, and Howard Dean is coming on Monday

Get Psyched for Howard Dean!

In case you weren't sure just how much the Columbia Dems love Howard Dean...

On second thought...

Maybe we should let them have it. With the news today that Ben Bernanke elected to slash interest rates by another fifty basis points (making it 125 in eight days), leaving the federal funds rate scraping bottom at three percent, it seems clear to me that the Bush administration is well aware that a Democrat will win the 2008 election. They are so confident of this, in fact, and so politically cynical, that they are trying to wreck the country before that happens so that we have to clean up the resulting economic and political mess. Even Alan Greenspan, who created the real estate bubble by encouraging Americans and America to continue borrowing and spending in good times and bad, never played with our money supply with such cavalier disregard for the long term impacts.

As we plunge into a recession that looks to be longer and deeper than any in recent memory (including the ones that began under Republicans Ford, Reagan, Bush, and Bush--not that that says anything about their economic prowess), due in no small part to Greenspan-backed Republican tax cuts and Greenspan-spawned Republican fiscal policy (the latter continuing unabated under the DLC-spawned Clinton presidency), one wonders why we are trying so hard to win this election. Sure it would be much better for the country, but how have we faired as a party in the past after inheriting Republican recessions? Just ask Jimmy Carter. And the situation he had to deal with in Iran was not nearly so bad as the one Bush appears anxious to create.

Of course I do not truly advocate allowing the Repubicans to win this election and further destroy America, but we should think carefully about how to proceed into the first months of a Clinton or Obama presidency. If Congress continues to drag its feet on key economic and foreign policy reforms under a Democrat as it has under Bush, and if we do not introduce tough policy measures like deep cuts in "defense" spending, speedy withdrawal from Iraq, and higher taxes on the wealthy, we should not expect the "eight years of [insert favored Democratic candidate's name here]" that Democrats inevitably mention when discussing their choice between the two remaining frontrunners.

Columbia Unites Behind Barack

Columbia is getting fired up for Barack Obama with an event-packed week. Students from the law school, the medical school, Barnard, SEAS, and Columbia College are making their voices heard and encouraging others to do the same.

Just in the past week, over 1500 phone calls have been made and more than a hundred new supporters have been signed up by students, who meanwhile still managed to rush to their classes on time. The Students for Barack Obama chapter has reached out to the entire campus, including the African and faith-based communities.

The enthusiasm Columbia students have shown will only grow in this coming week, which brings even more opportunities to participate. There will be tabling on college walk daily, phone banking throughout the campus, and a constant multitude of events and rallies.

Calling to Get Out the Vote

From now until Super Tuesday, students will be phone banking daily. Volunteer coordinators run these informal, intense sessions in order to garner more support and remind people to vote.

Women Throw Their Support Behind Obama

This Saturday, Columbia women will be coming together for a very exciting Women for Obama Rally on Saturday February 2^nd at Central Park. Students will be able to show their support, get out into the neighborhood, and meet other Obama-ites of all ages. These women are going to prove to New York City that this is not Hilary country--they love Obama and are proud of it!

They are going to start out at Barnard Hall bright and early at 10:30 a.m. for donuts, coffee, and sign-making. They will head over to the rally together. This is an exciting part of the GOTV week. The group is inviting all, from diehard devotees to new supporters, from political science students to enthusiastic newbies.

Tuning in For Barack

Fellow supporters and intrigued students will watch the Democratic Debate on Thursday night from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. A big screen television, cozy couches, and delicious food will accompany lively discussion on Obama’s policies and potential. Students will meet at Lewisohn Parlor, Brooks Hall Lounge, in the Quad @ Barnard.

For more information contact Students for Barack Obama Director Mary McDonald at mcm2172@columbia.edu, 914.380.2250. Students for Barack Obama is a registered umbrella group of the Columbia University College Democrats.

Enjoy the State of the Union?

Looking for a way to watch the State of the Union tonight without wanting to cry?

I know it's hard, but try this: http://campusprogress.org/opinions/2449/state-of-the-union-drinking-game

Columbia Walks for Obama

In a walk which inspired restauranteurs, market owners, and passer-byers to join in, twenty-two Columbia students marched for Barack Obama this Saturday morning. With a groggy ten o’clock start earlier than any typical college morning, the Students for Barack Obama chapter met and, fortified with coffee and donuts, walked from 130^th Street to the rally point at Columbus Circle. As they walked, they signed up supporters while all the while chanting and cheering for Obama. Everyone felt the same infectious enthusiasm, and the same desire to show people that they cared deeply about Obama’s message. To them, Obama is not just a distant figure or an appealing celebrity, but a person who inspires true passion and who brings a wide variety of people together.

Above all, the walk transcended the political, much as Obama does. Perhaps this is best proven by the grassroots nature of the event, which was run not by the campaign but by various groups from throughout New York City. His broad base was apparent at the rally, where hundreds met to listen to speakers like State Senator Bill Perkins and Harlem Office Director Cordell Cleare. The common thread in the diverse array of speeches was a consistently positive, uplifting message, a characteristic clearly inspired by Obama’s own adherence to the positive politics. One Columbia student expressed the walk and rally proved to him that Obama gives people the faith in the value of doing good, and, as was apparent by the many supporters who came out, in their own ability to do good. With seventy-five new supporters signed up by the Columbia students alone, the journey from uptown to Columbus Circle was a beautiful example of the transcendent quality of Obama’s message.

For more information contact Students for Barack Obama Director Mary McDonald at mcm2172@columbia.edu, 914.380.2250. Students for Barack Obama is a registered umbrella group of the Columbia University College Democrats.

Spaghetti and Obama: Columbia Students Get Out the Vote

For the past two nights, the Students for Barack Obama chapter at Columbia University has met to prove that every vote counts. Out of a small lounge on the sixteenth floor of an unassuming dorm on 115^th Street, they made almost one thousand phone calls in only two nights. Every new person who walked into the lounge, which had been papered over with campaign posters, was excited to see people who shared their enthusiasm for Senator Obama’s message. Over homemade pasta with steaming tomato sauce, they called New Yorkers to identify supporters and to remind them to vote. The student volunteers are drawn from throughout the Columbia community. Some are deeply involved with politics on campus, while others have been so inspired by Obama’s message that they want to help in any way they can. One student put her second semester Spanish to good use, conversing with an interested voter, while another student spoke fluent Mandarin over the phone.

These students’ phone banking in this passionate Get Out the Vote effort defies the false expectation that New York is Clinton territory, and palpably demonstrates the excitement which surrounds Obama’s place in the presidential race. These sessions launch what will be a two week effort which will culminate with the elections on February 5th.

For more information contact Students for Barack Obama Director Mary McDonald at mcm2172@columbia.edu, 914.380.2250. Students for Barack Obama is a registered umbrella group of the Columbia University College Democrats.

CU College Democrats to Host DNC Chairman Howard Dean

Party Leader to Outline Vision for Student Activism

Governor Howard Dean, the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee will speak at Columbia University on February 25, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. in Low Memorial Library. In honor of the Columbia University College Democrats being recognized as the College Democrats of America Chapter of the year for 2007-2008, Dean will speak students about the importance of student activism.

As the head of the Democratic Party, Governor Dean has laid the framework for a 50-state strategy. Under his leadership, the Democratic National Committee has stationed organizers in every state, built strong ties with state Democratic parties, and has become more involved in local politics in an attempt to build new party infrastructure and to uncover the leaders of the future in states in which Democrats have traditionally struggled to compete.

Like Howard Dean, the Columbia University College Democrats believe that the party must make a concerted effort to compete nationwide in local, state, and national elections. Over the past four years, the Columbia University College Democrats have campaigned for candidates in Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio – states where Democrats have enjoyed newfound electoral success due to a Democratic Party with broader horizons. We believe that the values and ideas of the Democratic Party have great appeal to all Americans, regardless of geographic location. At a time when years of Republican leadership has eroded America’s reputation across the globe, created staggering deficits, and failed to tackle the grave domestic concerns of the day, the Democratic Party can and must assert an alternative policy vision around the country.

Multiple chapters of College Democrats of America exist in each of the 50 states. These clubs contain bright, passionate, and committed leaders who want to change the way politics works in this country. Governor Dean will articulate a vision for how students can lead the way in implementing the 50-state strategy. Students can register to hear Governor Dean speak by sending an email to dean@cudemocrats.com with their full name, school, and year. Press or ticket inquiries should be directed towards Jonathan Backer, who ca be reached at jback87@gmail.com or by phone at 414-840-9199.

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Get pumped for a great second semester!

Bye Fred, We'll Miss You

This from the forgone conclusions file: Fred Thompson has dropped out of contention for the Republican nomination for POTUS.

As an homage to this political titan and Hollywood phenom, I decided to do a little experiment for you CC buffs. Google the words Fred Thompson and Epicurean, and you get 28,000 hits. No joke!

The Global Primary

Living abroad sucks when it means having to watch Fox News at 4am to get the results from Iowa or New Hampshire, however, this was all before I realized that the DNC has been organizing a global primary....

In the grand old scheme of nomination getting, you need a bit over 2000 delegates to be the nominee (2025 to be exact). States like Iowa have, from what I can see 46, delegates at stake which get divided between the candidates (Obama got 16, Hillary and Edwards each received 15 from that state). New Hampshire has 22, Nevada has 25, Delaware has 15, South Carolina has 45, California has 370, Arkansas has 35... (You can Google the rest...) To add to the confusion of the system there are 842 "super-delegates" thrown into the mix which are the members of congress, and DNC folks who are "un-pledged and free to support the candidate of their choice".

This year, however, the DNC decided to add a "state" into the primary and on February 5th, there will be a 23rd state voting: Democrats Abroad. In 40 cities over the world there will be "voting centers" set up to allow US citizens to come cast their ballot into the international system and register to vote to get ready for the 2008 election. This "Global Primary" will take a week with mail in ballots, online voting, and faxed ballots being accepted until Feb. 12th when the 22 delegates which the international-ites have been given will be divided up by candidate.

What's even stranger as I move into working with an incredible group of people as they coordinate this monumental effort is how the candidates start to break down when there is no campaigning which is going on globally. Without the influence of constant TV ads, or the candidates flying in, voters are left to look at candidate websites, read their platforms and plans, and the news (the British news specifically is obsessed with our race.... granted, they think that Mike Gravel is the most human candidate and there was actually a sidebar in an article wondering why fewer people are voting for such a personable fellow.)

Finally, not that I need to point out the disdain the Republican party has for the rest of the world, but the RNC made a conscious choice NOT to set up a global primary and allow voters who are abroad to vote as a block but threw them into the system of securing a primary ballot abroad (trust me, something that you will never receive no matter how early you register or how many times you call your election board.)

The tens of thousands of votes which come from abroad DO count, as we learned in 2000 (as long as they actually are counted) however, this represents more than just the pure number of votes, this represents a difference between party priorities and an incredible difference in the level of engagement with the world. International voters are naturally focussed on different issues but have a unique perspective on how the US is perceived outside of our rather un-secured borders. The Global Primary won't be responsible for pushing one candidate or another over the edge, but it will certainly have made a difference to the citizens who live abroad and their friends who have no formal voice in the election for the position which shapes world policies.

Columbia Dems in the News

A glance at two Columbia Dems umbrella groups making news before primary day:

http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/42405/

10 Days in Iowa

Hello everyone! I've just gotten back from 10 days of campaigning in Iowa for Senator Christopher J. Dodd, who has now dropped his bid for the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination. While in Iowa, I blogged for veracifier.com and on bwog, and the links to my posts and movies are below:

A Nod to Dodd: Pounding Pavement for Connecticut's Senior Senator

Welcome to the Dodd Squad

News in the Driver's Seat of a Campaign's Final Days

48 Hours and Counting

Retail Politics Come Down to the Wire in Dubuque, Iowa

Iowa Ground Hound Video: Chuck Norris

Dodd's Loss is the Party's Gain

From the Trail (bwog piece)

Columbia Dems Heard Round the World

In the spirit of the campaign season the Columbia Democrats are bringing you updates from Iowa, New Hampshire, New York and anywhere else our fellow dems are fighting the good fight.

Take a look at the stories above and submit your own campaign tale.

Tonight, the Democratic primaries begin and the end of the Bush presidency is in sight.

Get involved and take a stand with the Columbia University College Democrats this spring.

Happy New Year

-Your friendly neighborhood President

Issue Update: Birth Control on Campus

Two weeks ago, the Activist Council ended the semester on a high note with "Why is Alma Pregnant," an event to raise awareness about the skyrocketing cost of birth control pills for college women. The AC attracted attention with a sign on Low Plaza and a conspicuous baby doll on Alma Mater's lap. Curious Columbians were then encouraged to sign a petition pressuring Columbia to find a way to lower prices.

Until now, the issue has been widely covered, but with little sense of urgency for the millions of women affected. This morning, Slate's Amanda Schaffer weighed in with a vigorous call for Congress to fix the problem before the winter recess. She provides a snappy summary of the legislative tangle which caused this mess, and demands that Congress do something. "The necessary language would fit on a Post-It note," writes Schaffer,"Let's just hope it sticks to something—anything—that makes it into law this year."

Media Matters: YOU MAKE ME SICK! Edition

There are no words to describe the degree to which I loathe Senator Lieberman. The professional narcissist and great enabler of the neoconservative agenda has just endorsed Senator McCain for President. It's critical that the Democrats expand their Senate majority in 2008; their agenda should not rely on the support of this wolf in sheep's clothing. Bi-partisanship is a virtue, but endorsing the man with the third most conservative voting record in the Senate is a fierce abandonment of the party with whom he caucuses and, more importantly, his constituents.

Media Matters: Classic Friedman

Liberals have waited and waited in vain for New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman to issue a sincere apology for his vocal support of the Iraq war in its lead-up and aftermath. No voice of left was more responsible for creating the atmosphere which provided cover for spineless Democrats to endorse a misguided and illegal war, despite the fact that they held the majority in the Senate. Instead he grapples and rationalizes his support and tries to find rays of hope in the disaster that is the reality of current U.S. Foreign relations.

In today's column, Friedman reveals that he has learned nothing from years of writing that has had devastating consequences. Today, Friedman revealed his dream ticket for the 2008 Presidential elction: Obama/Cheney. The columnist suggests that Cheney's craziness would serve as a robust counter to Obama's negotiation-centric foreign policy approach, especially with regards to Iran. Nevermind that Cheney's craziness is the x-factor that gave birth to the implementation of the Neoconservative agenda, generated this country's Iraq War "strategy," and facilitated an unprecedented demise of support for US leadership worldwide.

This latest irresponsible idea from Thomas Friedman is further evidence that this man, though brilliant, should not be taken seriously in liberal arenas. Until Friedman takes responsibility for his past war cheerleading and any number of perplexing foreign policy suggestions, liberals should look elsewhere for enlightened punditry.

CU Dems Statement on Solidarity Coalition Demands

The Columbia University College Democrats, like the Solidarity Coaltion, are frustrated by the group advising offices’ lack of accountability to students. We agree that the system must be reformed so that advisors can help their groups without feeling pressure from the larger administration. Furthermore, the Office of Multicultural Affairs
should be expanded, and we hope that the success of the OMA will serve as a model for student group advising in general.

There are clear and specific ways to address the problems as outlined in the Coalition’s Administrative Reform demand. Students should have significant representation on a committee for student group advising with hiring and firing capabilities. The current system of disconnected offices with poor communication unnecessarily hinders our efforts to improve life on campus.

The CU Democrats will continue to advocate for these reforms. These proposals are nothing new; the Columbia administration has witnessed repeated calls for a more robust student presence in the advising offices. Annual inaction on the part of the administration has the unfortunate effect of forcing students to confuse bureaucratic inadequacy and ineffectuality for disinterest or disregard. It saddens us to see that our peers are forced to resort to drastic measures in order for their voices to be heard, and we wish them health and success.

Media Matters: Yepsen Pulling for Obama?

David Yepsen is the most prominent columnist in the Des Moines Register, Iowa's most widely read newspaper. One might think that such a title does not entitle him to overwhelming distinction, but come primary season, Yepsen's columns frame perceptions about the race.

Over the past weeks, I've noticed that Yepsen has penned several rosy accounts of Senator Obama's momentum in the first caucus state: None more so than today's blog post about Obama's performance at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner, an event at which the Democratic candidates for the party's nomination deliver speeches in an attempt to reintroduce themselves to Iowans.

Yepsen had this to say about Obama's performance: "The passion he showed should help him close the gap on Hillary Clinton by tipping some undecided caucus-goers his way...His oratory was moving and he successfully contrasted himself with the others - especially Clinton - without being snide or nasty about it." He concludes his post by saying, "Should he win the Iowa caucuses, Saturday’s dinner will be remembered as one of the turning points in his campaign."

Was Obama's speech good? I think so. Is it a little too early to begin talking about this as a turning point for the campaign? Undoubtedly so. Obama remains in a statistical tie with Senator Clinton and John Edwards and has shown little ability to separate from the pack, despite his campaign, and even his wife, candidly admitting that he must win the state's caucus to have any shot at winning the nomination.

Does Yepsen have an agenda outside of serving as a wide-angle lens to the goings on in Iowa? It's a question worth asking. Take a look at some of Yepsen's articles, and type up a post if you find something that strikes you as overenthusiastically optimistic about Barack Obama. It's important. This guy determines what Iowans think about the candidates and what the nation thinks about the Iowa caucus.