Changes are afoot in Dem-land.
First, Democratic Party Executive Director Robert Dempsey, is vacating the position after shepherding the party to historic heights last November. After the David W. Curtis awards in mid-March, Mr. Dempsey is off to pursue other opportunities.
Also leaving is Vermont Organizing For America Director Jesse Bragg as of Monday. No word through the rumor mill on why, and I haven’t approached him for comment. Word is that OFA is pulling staffers from smaller, less contested ‘markets,’ and funding them in the usual swing states. OFA wanted Bragg to go elsewhere, he didn’t want to leave Vermont. It is the time of year/election-cycle to move onto to other things in politics-world if one is so inclined, though.
Also, State Committee changes are already afoot on this reorganization year. James Valente, a young man who is reading law for the Vermont bar with former Lieutenant Governor candidate Tom Costello, is seeking to become the VDP Secretary, as Linda Weiss, the current Secretary, is seeking to replace former treasurer Ed Clark, who resigned as of Dec. 31. Rumor has it that Valente can expect competition for the post (Valente was unanimously selected, as per the comments below.
And it’s widely assumed that VDP Chair Judy Bevans will step down this year as well. Bevans is very popular with the rank and file, but many in the upper echelons of the Democratic Party political class have been known to grumble over their view of her effectiveness. A classic elite-vs-grassroots conflict?
Under traditional scenarios, Governor Shumlin becomes the de facto leader of the Party, of course, and would likely fill the Chair slot with someone of his choosing. Today’s Democratic Party, however – especially the Vermont Democratic Committee – is a lot less inclined to just fall in line, as the VDP is far less of a command-and-control operation than its counterparts the Republican and Progressive parties.
In other words, this could get interesting.
On a personal note, I have considered putting my name in for VDP Chair in the past… hmmm….
James was unanimously elected Secretary of the VDP state committee at today’s meeting. No opposition, plenty of high praise for his diligence and commitment to the party. Among his self-identified skills: “I type fast.”
Among the targets of his Democratic passion in a somewhat rambling discourse just prior to his election: Auditor Tom Salmon.
NanuqFC
We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope. ~ MLK, Jr.
He called all the members of the State Committee and followed up with e-mails.
He also spoke well about how his awareness of politics changed, recounting that in 2000 he was 16, so he was used to Bill Clinton as President and Howard Dean as Governor, times when rationality held sway, and what a sad awakening it was for us to see Bush and Douglas take over.
The message he took from that, and which all of us should, is that we can easily lose, and that organization is vital. 2011 is an off year, but we’re going to be seeing R’s make their announcements for president soon; we’ll hear Tom Salmon’s plans within months (please run, Tom, please!), so the work is just waiting for us.
That data’s not going to enter itself!
Linda Weiss, who has done great work for the party in a number of roles, was also unanimously elected Treasurer, replacing Ed Clark, who stepped in at a time of crisis and got the party’s finances into good shape.
Congratulations, James and Linda, and thanks, Ed!
Yuck! If that’s true, we have some seriously out-of-touch “elites.”
Judy has and continues to do a stand-up, professional AND effective job. If/when she leaves, it will be a big loss to the VDP.
Congratulations to Judy are well in order!
The only important voice as to who remains as chair or who becomes chair belongs to the Gov. If he decides to become involved, he will get what he wants.