Alabama Democratic Party

We also fight, disagree, but always come back together for bigger battles involving our Alabama neighbors. Being a real Democrat means that emotions will sometimes take over for better judgment some days, but usually we will come around and do the right thing. Forgiving is a great way to start anew.

The Democratic family also celebrates with each other when good times and happy events roll around such as when a young Democratic officeholder and his wife adopt a new born baby or when someone's daughter gets crowned homecoming queen (that happened in my family recently). It is a special bond among Alabama Democrats because we care about people and cherish life in its abundance. That may not be listed as a party principle, but it should.

Life in party politics today is a full time effort and a full contact sport. It gets tough always fighting so hard for Democrats. It is also taxing to constantly be on the attack, but it is often very necessary. Most folks are quick to complain or criticize and we need to hear that. But remember to encourage, thank and lift folks up for their hard effort and jobs well done. Most of us do this work for free, make calls for free, drive hundreds of miles and subsidize these efforts out of our own pockets. Remember to be gentle with each other; after all we are on the same team.

We at the party are constantly doing the fundamentals: raising money; doing research; building betters lists and voter files; getting the daily message out; organizing and reorganizing; staying in touch with our elected officials; and reaching out to the grassroots in each county to stay abreast of public sentiment.

We have a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, SDEC members, ADC members, County Chairs, and other friends that keep the engine greased and running. Just this week our team has been in places like Greensboro, Carrollton, Tuscaloosa building the party and signing up new county committee members and precinct captains.

This week we also unveiled an updated website at www.aladems.org. Many thanks to Brannon Walden our longtime stalwart employee at the party and IT Director. He worked very hard along with Trent, Jesse and others. Our site has been phenomenally successful to date and the new site will allow us to build on that success. As you check it out, please sign up and donate! We need the funds to keep traveling and building this party. We are winning the political cyber war in Alabama but we need you to stay connected with us through our website!

Our fall JJ Dinner is on November 30th in Birmingham and will feature retired 4-Star General Wesley Clark as our guest speaker. Please make plans to buy a table or tickets online. Also, now is a great time to become an Alabaman and get the great benefits of that come along with being a member. Email Stephanie for more information. We are proud of Stephanie's hard work! She sold a record number of program ads this year!

Outside of the political realm, if you ever are in need personally, or just want a friend or shoulder to cry on...get in touch with a fellow Democrat. Most of us are compassionate, caring, and make great friends. When voters know we care and love our neighbors, politics gets simpler and usually more successful. See you down the road.

- Joe

Jefferson-Jackson Dinner:

The Alabama Democratic Party is pleased to announce retired four-star general, author, and 2004 presidential candidate Wesley Clark as the guest speaker for the party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner to be held at the BJCC/Sheraton in Birmingham on November 30.

Clark is a Little Rock, Arkansas native who went on to retire as a four-star general from the U.S. Army. He served as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO in Europe from 1997 to 2000 and commanded Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo conflict. Wes Clark was a candidate for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 2004, but withdrew from the primary race and continued to actively campaign for John Kerry, as well as many Democratic Congressional candidates across the country. Many consider Clark to be a likely candidate for a high-level position within the next Democratic administration.

General Clark is a dynamic speaker and an expert on foreign affairs and defense policy. We hope to have another record turnout for this event and we hope you all can attend. Tickets and information for the event may be found through the party website or by calling (800) 995-3386.

*PLEASE NOTE – There is still time to buy ad space in the JJ Dinner Program, the rates are below but you need to contact Stephanie before November 9 to reserve space:

Business Card $125, ¼ page $250, ½ page $400, Full page $675 (Alabamans will receive 10% discount)

New Website:

We have been hard at work over the past couple of months redesigning our website to make it more user-friendly and more accessible. We are launching this new site TODAY and invite you to CLICK HERE and browse away. Check out the content/layout of the site and let us know what you think about it. All event information, press releases, announcements, and various ways to get involved are made available (and easy to find) on this new website. In addition, each party staffer’s email address is listed so you can stay in touch with us. Also, feel free to comment on the blog section since this is the party’s public forum for you to express yourself on issues of the day. Look for more information and tools to be posted in the coming weeks.

One-Year-Out House Party:

Please join us on Saturday for a "one-year-out" house party near you! Our field staffers are organizing these events all over the state in conjunction with local Democratic clubs to prepare for next year and we need your participation! The purpose of these local events is to recruit and train precinct volunteers ahead of the 2008 election. Contact Tina Coggin or Sim Pettway to organize a party in your area but if you cannot host an event, please try to attend one. We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to get involved and help us out at the local level.

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, November 1

Madison County Democratic Women
12:00 PM @ Holiday Inn Research Park
Madison Square Mall, Huntsville
2008 Political Forum
RSVP by calling 256-656-8787

St. Clair County Democrats
6:30 PM @ The Seafood Buffet Restaurant
Just off I-20 at Exit 162, Riverside
STEPHEN MARTIN of AEA to speak!!
For info email escrowagen@aol.com

DeKalb County Democrats
6:30 PM @ DeKalb County Courthouse
210 Grand Ave, Ft. Payne
REP. JACK PAGE to speak!!
For info email mburke55@yahoo.com

Madison County Democrats
7:00 PM @ Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street South, Huntsville
$30 per person. For info call 256-534-1776

Friday, November 2

Downtown Democrats
11:45 AM @ The Harbert Center
2019 4th Avenue North, Bimringham
PAUL FINEBAUM to speak!!
$15 per person. RSVP by email downtowndems@gmail.com

Saturday, November 3

"One-Year-Out" Parties:

9:30 AM @ Peggy's House
8461 Bay Harbor Rd, Elberta

11:00 AM @ Marshall County Courthouse
Gunter Avenue, Guntersville

11:40 AM @ Club Villas Condos
122 W Satsuma Ave, Foley
For info call 251-979-8583

12:00 PM @ UAB
Room 301 Campbell Hall, Birmingham
For info call Tina Coggin, 334-462-1230

12:00 PM @ Campbell's Five Oaks Farm
11095 AL Hwy 101, Town Creek
For info call 256-685-0257

2:00 PM @ Verna's House
1804 Nixon Ave, Huntsville
For info call 256-714-9388

6:00 PM @ Marva's House
7th St. NE, Aliceville
For info call 205-373-8437

Monday, November 5

Blue River Democrats
5:00 PM @ Chuck's Fish
508 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa
For info email shayes51@comcast.net

Tuesday, November 6

Russell County Democrats
6:00 PM (Eastern) @ Shoney's
280 Bypass, Phenix City
For info email EAP20001@aol.com

Marshall County Democrats
6:00 PM @ Bruce's Restaurant
Highway 431 South, Guntersville
STATE SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES to speak!!
Dinner costs $10. RSVP at info@marshallcodems.com

Shelby County Democrats
6:00 PM @ Fish Market Restaurant
5407 Highway 280, Hoover
For info email rwb@bellsouth.net

Thursday, November 8

Madison County Executive Committee
7:00 PM @ Optimist Rec. Center
703 Oakwood Ave, Huntsville
For info email ddermody@prodigy.net

Saturday, November 17

Constitution Convention Coalition
9:00 AM @ Birmingham Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Rd, Birmingham
FREE Event; RSVP brantley@constitutionalreform.org

Monday, November 19

Montgomery County Democrats
5:30 PM @ AEA Building
422 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery
STATE SENATOR PARKER GRIFFITH to speak!!
For info email jimmybpool@aol.com