Meetup?  It’s Adam Quinn’s fault.  He sent me a postcard inviting me to my first DFA meetup.  

Was I the only one who didn’t comprehend meetup?  

My son and his wife go to Washington DC meetups all the time.  

I thought it was slang for hanging out, drinking beer and shooting pool or playing a little darts after a tough day of living and working in DC in the midst of the Rove inspired Bush/Cheney cadre.

My first meetup was in Burlington in July on the “new” outside deck at Burlington Bay with an absolutely gorgeous view of Lake Champlain.  I figured that if I didn’t like the company and couldn’t handle the political talk, then I would just kick back, tune out, enjoy the view, the sunset, and great beer.

Instead, I tuned in to listen to Sarah Puls and Michael Langenmayr, the event hosts, who are fun enthusiastic and committed to the type of political future for which I have worked  my entire life.

My point?  Tonight they are hosting again, – at Main Street Landing – and this time it is a well-orchestrated meet the candidates night.  See info below:

Burlington DFA’s Meet the Candidates

Social Event

Event Date: Aug 21, 2008

Event Time: 7:00 PM EDT

Venue Name: MAIN STREET LANDING PERFORMING ARTS CENTER – ATRIUM, 60 Lake Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Website: http://www.democracyforamerica…

Agenda:

As a new DFA group, we’d like to take a moment to get to meet and talk to local candidates before we make any endorsements. And we’d like all Burlingtonites to have that same opportunity.

That said, you’re invited to join us August 21st at our “Meet the Candidates” community forum. The event is free (suggested donation $5 to cover the cost of the venue) and open to the public. We are inviting local candidates to attend, to meet and mingle with people and to also speak briefly. We hope to see you there, and we encourage your friends and neighbors to to join you.

Confirmed Candidates Attending:

House Speaker Gaye Symington, gubernatorial candidate

Tom Costello, lieutenant gubernatorial candidate

Nate Freeman, lieutenant gubernatorial candidate

Sen. Hinda Miller, Chittenden County

Sen. Ginny Lyons, Chittenden County

Rep. Rachel Weston, Chittenden 3-3

Rep. Christopher Pearson, Chittenden 3-4

Rep. David Zuckerman

Rep. Johannah Leddy Donovan, Chittenden 3-5

Rep. Bill Keogh, Chittenden 3-5

Burlington City Councilor Tim Ashe, state senate candidate

Joanna Cole, candidate for Chittenden 3-1

Kesha Ram, candidate for Chittenden 3-4

Suzi Wizowaty, candidate for Chittenden 3-5

For more info email: spuls@democracyforamerica.com

Come join us, and, if it turns out that you are not a meetup type person, you may still meander outside, have a beer or wine at several nearby cafes, and see a spectacular Lake Champlain sunset!

(Is Pollina on firm ground because Governor Douglas vetoed the $1,000 campaign limit bill and nothing is in place, or as Secretary of State Deb Markowitz “pointed out that because Pollina made his switch on the day of the candidate filing deadline, he never actually participated in the Progressive Party primary”?  

There may be way too many legal loopholes for anyone to unravel…   – promoted by Margaret Gundersen)

I think Pollina’s approach to how he is handling his current campaign donation issue is solid, honest and is the only way to answer some questions.

First is the obvious point that courts will not issue an opinion (with exceptions for legislative inquiries) unless an active controversy exists. In other words, there is no way for Pollina’s campaign to get a substantive answer as to what law will apply on this issue without going against the Attorney General’s opinion.

And we know Sorrell’s record regarding campaign finance laws when facing a court battle, such struck down opinions being shared by Vermont’s SoC Markowitz.

Second is a less obvious, but still substantial point, that Pollina was doing nothing more nor less than any other candidate who intended to be in the primary … receiving donations on the assumption he/she would be participating in the state funded party primary system.

The above is a subtle but substantive issue, because according to  Markowitz one doesn’t actually participate in a primary until one files to be on the primary ballot (see AG investigating Pollina campaign, Times Argus, 08/21/08, “That comment resulted in a quick rebuttal from Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, a Democrat, who pointed out that because Pollina made his switch on the day of the candidate filing deadline, he never actually participated in the Progressive Party primary.”)

In another place I’ve spoken to what I believe are serious constitutional issues on how independents are treated regards financing as opposed to the generous treatment afforded party line candidates. Just to recap: independent is limited to $1,000 per donor, no state funding via the primary election and no unlimited party funding. On the other hand a party line candidate who receives the nomination can receive up to $2,000 per donor, state funding via the primary and unlimited party support … despite being out pursuing votes for the same length of time and covering the same geographical area as an independent and appearing on the exact same general election ballot.

I think Pollina is on firmer ground than recognized.

I saw this over at HuffPo today. Obama's not looking so good, perhaps he should rest up before the convention.