National Delegate Candidate's List
Vermonters For Obama sends warm congratulations to the following people who were elected as District Delegates at the VDP’s State Convention last Saturday…
Rachel Weston
Carolyn Dwyer
Daria MonDesire
Arshad Hasan
Taylor Bates
Philip Baruth
Alternates: Mary Sullivan and Michael Gaffney
Do us proud in Denver!
And here are highlights of the convention courtesy of the Vermont Democratic Party…
The final report from Damian Sedney’s tremendous delegate candidate forum effort…
(And don’t miss the national delegate candidate statement page… 25 candidates listed so far…)
Obama DNC Delegate Candidate’s Forum in Manchester was Outstanding!
The third and final Vermont Obama delegate candidate’s forum was held in Manchester last night and it was a marvelous demonstration of grassroots democracy in action! Almost 30 people attended, including 10 District-level delegate candidates! It was the most well attended forum of the three held across the state in the last week! The other two forums were attended by about 25 people/each.
We even had some Clinton-pledged Town Delegates that attended as well last night!
Each candidate spoke briefly (about 30 seconds) about themselves and explained why they should be one of the 6 Delegates selected Saturday at the VDP convention. A question and answer session followed – with each candidate answering two questions from the audience.
The final phase of the forum included discussions and an exchange of views by the candidates and audience members that focused on criteria to use while choosing 6 Delegate candidates from a field of more than 100 in Barre! The role and responsibilities of VDP Delegates with regard to fidelity to the Obama nominating process in Denver was also deliberated. A need for communication with Town Delegates remaining in Vermont during the DNC was also articulated.
Uniquely, several of the candidates mentioned that they planned to use “geographic diversity” as one of their standards for evaluating and voting for the 6 Delegates in Barre on Saturday. Also mentioned as additional criteria being pondered for evaluation/selection of the 3 female and 3 male delegates in Barre this Saturday included:
- Time and effort spent on the primary campaign as a “foot soldier” for the Obama campaign
- Youth and new faces and ideas in the campaign
- Age, experience and political connections (pre- “baby-boomers”) – those that rebuilt the VDP party in the 60’s and 70’s
- Reflect the range of Democratic voters in VT such as the “average Vermonter” – following Obama’s new “big tent” strategy of inclusion
- Ensuring that Vermont continues to build upon our role and stature as a politically progressive state with regards to increasing participation by traditionally discriminated groups and underrepresented segments of our population
I personally want to thank everyone for participating and taking so much time to attend these forums. In the course of the last 3 weeks I have spoken with about 200 Town Delegates and District –level delegate candidates across the state about these delegate forums. I have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I’ve received. 99% of the people I spoke with were strongly in favor of holding these delegate forums. All of those in favor mentioned how sorely this effort was needed, in the midst of this new political paradigm and threshold that we find ourselves this year. Only two people that I spoke with were not in favor of holding these Delegate Forums, one from Montpelier and another from Burlington.
Best of luck to everyone on Saturday in Barre! It might seem like all Presidential political campaigns are the same. This is not true this year – we are on the threshold of Change – brought about by the millions of American’s that have become involved in this campaign!
As a courtesy to the Delegate candidates that showed Obama-like conviction and took time from their busy schedules last night to attend the Vermont Obama-pledged Delegate Forum in Manchester, I will list their names.
Delegate Candidates attending the Manchester forum
Sherry Merrick from Thetford
Cirri Nottage from Hartford
Phyllis Tarbell from Pawlet
Jill Michaels from Strafford
Jerome Skapof from Manchester
Michael Cohen from Manchester
Sean Gresh from Bennington
Rolf Sternberg from Shaftsbury
Wayne Granquist from Weston
Robert Williamson from Woodstock
Damian Sedney, the organizer of the Obama delegate forums, has this report from last night’s get together…
(And don’t forget to look over the growing national delegate candidates list here.)
The Sun Shines on the Obama Delegate’s Forum in Burlington!
As I left my home on Monday afternoon in the pouring rain, I pondered the wisdom of holding Monday’s delegate forum in a Burlington city park! Even though the forum was to be held under the cover of a picnic shelter that could shield 100 people from the rain, I wondered how many people would have the faith, drive and conviction to leave their homes and drive to Oakledge Park on a rainy Monday evening!
As I drove through the heavy rain on I-89, I was almost overwhelmed with worry! However, as my aging Subaru and I crested the hill near Williston, I saw a large and growing sun-filled opening in the skies to the west! It appeared that the heavens had parted for Senator Obama’s supporters! Yes We Can!!
There was rain in every cardinal direction, except over the area surrounding Oakledge Park!
As the delegates arrived the sun began to warm the large shelter and the enthusiasm and hopes of the determined Obama-pledged, District-level delegate candidates! This was obviously meant to be – another Obama event in the sun! This was just in time for me, as I’ve been shedding my Pennsylvania Primary tan the last week!
All the delegate candidates demonstrated they are well-qualified to represent Vermont at the Democratic National Convention! Everyone certainly offers a unique and special set of experiences and knowledge to the delegate “race”! The delegate candidates were able to promote themselves and got an opportunity polish their short convention address.
A question and answer session followed the candidate presentations, with the candidates again impressing everyone with their strength of conviction to the ideals of Senator Obama’s campaign.
As a courtesy to the Delegate candidates that showed Obama-like conviction and took time from their busy schedules last night to attend the sun-drenched Vermont Obama-pledged Delegate’s Forum, I will list their names in alphabetical order!
Philip Baruth, from Burlington
Taylor Bates, from Williston
Tom Brown, from Colchester
Beth Diamond, from Middlebury
Thomas J. Donovan, from Burlington
Sean Gresh, from Bennington
Rindi Gordon, from Underhill
Jamieson L. Hess, from Norwich
David Mickenberg, from Burlington
Cirri Nottage, from Hartford
William Robb, from Burlington
Frederick Sharp, from Colchester
Yaacov Jacob Snyder, from Randolph
Mary Sullivan, from Burlington
Bob Williamson, from Woodstock
We hope to have a large contingent of Delegate candidates and Town delegate “voters” at the last Delegate forum in Manchester at Skinner Library, 48 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254 Tuesday, May 20th, 6:30-8:00pm.
Obama delegate forum organizer, Damian Sedney, writes in with details of the first event in Norwich…
Norwich Delegate Forum a resounding Democratic success!
Last night in Norwich, nine Obama-pledged Delegates that are candidates for the 6+ District-level Democratic National Convention Obama delegate slots from Vermont, gathered at the Norwich Public Library to discuss and promote their candidacies before an attentive audience of “voters” that will attend the Vermont Democratic Party convention as Town delegates.
All nine candidates delivered a 3-minute long presentation about themselves and their reasons for wanting to go to Denver as one of our Vermont Delegates pledged to Barack Obama.
Following the candidate presentations, the audience (composed of Obama-pledged Town Delegates to the Vermont Democratic Party) asked the Delegate candidates probing and insightful questions.
A lively discussion followed the Question & Answer session. The main topic on everyone’s mind was how to sort and distill the list of about 116 Delegate candidates to a final list of just six names!
Some very good ideas and strategies were presented and deliberated!
Every one of the candidates was obviously very, well qualified and a strong supporter of Barack Obama.
As a courtesy to the Delegate candidates that took time from their busy schedules last night to attend the first-ever Vermont Delegate Forum, I will list their names in the order that I recall them (randomly)!
Jacquelyn Carlomagno from Montpelier
Jill Michaels from Strafford
Sherry L. Merrick from Thetford
Taylor Bates from Williston
Jamieson L. Hess from Norwich
Cirri M. Nottage from Hartford
Sean Gresh from Bennington
William H. Sander from Cambridge
Yaacov Jacob Snyder from Randolph
We hope to have a large contingent of Delegate candidates and Town delegate “voters” at the remaining Delegate forums…
Burlington
Oakledge Park, Flynn Avenue
Monday, May 19th, 6:30-8:30pmManchester
Skinner Library, 48 West Road
Tuesday, May 20th, 6:30-8:00pm
TO:>>> All Obama-pledged Town Delegates to the Vermont State Convention and Candidates for District-level Obama delegate positions
WHAT:>>> Delegate Question and Answer Forums.
This is an opportunity for Obama Town delegates to meet some of the candidates for District-level DNC Obama delegates and ask questions that will help you decide whom to support at the state convention. This is also a great chance for District delegate candidates to introduce themselves and explain why they are running for one of the District delegate slots.
If you are overwhelmed by the prospect of choosing amongst more than 100 District-level candidates, this is your opportunity to begin to make a list of your preferred candidates!
Attending the forums is optional for both the Obama-pledged Town delegates and for those running for District-level delegate. These forums are presented as an educational service for Town delegates so they may become more well-informed prior to the state convention. A secondary purpose is to allow District-level candidates another avenue for presenting themselves before the people that will select the District-level delegates at the state convention.
WHERE and WHEN:>>> 3 locations in the state – (May 15th, 19th, 20th)
1. Norwich Public Library, 368 Main St., Norwich, VT 05055 (Thursday, May 15th, 7:00-8:30pm)
2. Oakledge Park, Flynn Avenue, Burlington, VT (Monday, May 19th, 6:30-8:30pm)
3. Mark Skinner Library, 48 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254 (Tuesday, May 20th, 6:30-8:00pm)
WHAT TO BRING? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Town Delegates:
Bring your questions and begin to sort through the 110 District delegate-level candidates.
District-level delegates:
Come to the forums ready to answer questions and be prepared to promote yourself as one of the best Delegate candidates!
Delegate Question and Answer Forums
- Norwich http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44vt
Thursday, May 15th, 7:00- 8:30 pm @ Norwich Public Library- Burlington http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4w57
Monday, May 19th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm @ Oakledge Park- Manchester http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4w5z
Tuesday, May 20th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm @ Mark Skinner LibraryQuestions? >>>>>> vermont.obama.delegates@gmail.com
Hello Fellow Obama Delegates!
In order to help Vermonters make informed voting decisions at the VDP’s State Convention on May 24th, I’ve begun a list of national delegate candidate statements:
http://vermontersforobama.org/delegates
A few candidates have provided information already, and I hope that many of the more than 100 national delegate candidates take advantage of this opportunity, as well.
So, please check this page from time to time over the next two weeks to learn more about the people who are vying to represent Vermont and to have the honor of casting their votes for Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Are You a Delegate Candidate for the National Convention?
If you are, I’d like to offer you space on the Vermonters For Obama website to help you make your case.
Just send me an email at info@vermontersforobama.org with a statement in support of your candidacy — and I’ll post it online for you.
If you participate, your name will be posted in alphabetical order at http://vermontersforobama.org/delegates and will be linked to your candidate statement.
You can send statements either as text in an email, a Microsoft Word or PDF attachment, or just a link to another website, whichever you prefer. Be sure to include your full name and feel free to include a photo, too, if you wish.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Good luck and hope to see you all on May 24th!
Neil Jensen
Monkton, VT
P.S. Don’t forget to participate in the Obama campaign’s Vote for Change National Voter Registration Drive this Saturday in Burlington…
Sign up for the Vote for Change Kickoff: Burlington Voter Registration Drive (Official Event)With this election, we have the chance to ensure that more voters than ever take an active stake in our country’s future. On May 10, Obama for America will launch Vote for Change, a national voter registration and mobilization drive with kickoffs in all 50 states. This event is the kickoff for our area. After a brief training, we’ll hit the streets to register voters. Please join us!
Time: Saturday, May 10 at 12:00 PM
Duration: 3 hours
Host: Jeff Coleman
Location:
In Front of City Hall (Burlington, VT)
149 Church St.
Burlington, VT 05401
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