State Convention Diary

Last Saturday, May 24, 2008, hundreds of Vermont Democrats flocked to Barre from the far corners of the state. The reason? The Democratic State Convention from which national delegates to the National Democratic Convention in Denver were to be selected.

For the first time in recent memory, Northfield sent a hale and hearty contingent to the state convention: Carolyn and John Stevens, Denise MacMartin, Brad and Mary Denny, Aaron and Sonya Rhodes all joined me to cast our votes for the national delegate slate. You can read about the convention in yesterday's Times Argus.

Elected to go to Denver as delegates representing Vermont for the National Democratic Convention were:

Obama delegates: Rachel Weston Carolyn Dwyer Daria MonDesire Arshad Hasan Taylor Bates Philip Baruth Alternates: Michael Gaffney & Mary Sullivan

Clinton delegates: Madeleine Kunin Don Hooper Michael Pieciak Beth Robinson Alternate: Nancy Richardson

Below are some of the photos of the event:

Denise MacMartin, Christopher Curtis, and Carolyn Stevens enter the convention hall.

Aaron Rhodes gets into the swing of things on the Convention floor.

Rep. Mark Larsen, State Chairman Ian Carleton, and Chris Curtis at the Convention.

Vermont's Secretary of State, Deb Markowitz!

Former Secretary of State and Clinton Delegate, Don Hooper with former Speaker of the House, Rep. Michael Obuchowski of Bellows Falls. Hooper was elected a national delegate and will be going to Denver as one of the delegates representing Clinton's share of Vermont's votes.

Dr. Deb Richter, single-payer health care champion confers with former State Senate candidate Tim Palmer.

State Convention: Saturday, May 24, 2008

Below is the draft agenda for Saturday's Convention. Thanks to our delegates for attending (those of you who can). I look forward to seeing you all there. Let's plan to meet at 8:30am outside the main entrance to the civic center. If you need directions to the Civic Center, just go to the Vermont Democrats website.

There has been some discussion about carpooling, but as the weekend arrives I understand more and more people have family/travel/other obligations. If you do need or want to carpool, please send me an individual email and we can see about carpool options.

Thank you, and see you soon. For those of you not attending the State Convention, enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend!

DRAFT AGENDA
2008 Vermont Democratic Convention
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Barre Civic Center, Barre, Vermont
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7:30am Volunteer Briefing

8:30am Delegate Registration Opens—Convention Hall
Meeting of Rules, Procedures and Credentials Committee

9:00am Call to Order: Ian Carleton, State Chair
Remarks: U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
Remarks: Senator Peter Shumlin
Report from the 2008 State Convention Rules, Procedures and
Credentials Committee
Convention Chair, Ian Carleton, assumes duties

10:30am Delegate registration closes

10:45am Presidential Preference Sub-Caucuses Convene
Election of District Delegates and Alternates
Obama—Location: On the main floor—Convener: Chuck Ross
Clinton—Location: Downstairs — Convener: Billi Gosh

12:15pm LUNCH –Box lunches are available downstairs

12:15pm Young Democrats Meeting – Planning for Elections & Election of Officers.

1:15pm Convention Reconvenes—Convention Hall
Remarks: U.S. Congressman Welch
Remarks: Speaker Gaye Symington
Remarks: Former DNC Chair Joe Andrews
Remarks: Governor Madeline May Kunin
Announcement of District Delegate and Alternates results
Election of National Committeeman & National Committeewoman
Remarks: Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz
Remarks: State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding
Remarks: Attorney General Bill Sorrell

3:00pm Consideration of Resolutions

4:30pm Adjournment
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