December 2002 Newsletter

Contents

• President's Report by Steve Lafferty
• November Meeting Recap: Election Results
• December Holiday Party
• Club's Next Steps
• Congratulations
• Brief Review of the 2002 Maryland Governor's Race
• Bush Economics
• Questions to Ponder
• Membership
• Upcoming Club Events
• What Do You Think?

President's Report by Steve Lafferty

The last four and a half months have been a whirlwind for me and Betsy. I want to thank all of you who helped us as we campaigned in the new 42nd district. When the Court of Appeals set new legislative districts, I saw a great opportunity to be elected to serve the communities in central Baltimore County in the legislature. So, starting with neither funds nor organization, I was awed by the phenomenal group of volunteers that came together to help me. Many are Club members who gave extraordinary time and energy. Through very hard work - and the very hot summer - we won a primary victory and went into battle with the Ehrlich Team. We walked the neighborhoods, waved from corners, talked with voters, met with the diverse people of the district and did not let up. However, but for Martha Klima, the Republican Team prevailed in the 42nd District.

Losing was a great disappointment because I know I could do a good job for the citizens, district and state and so many invested so much to help me. I want to thank the Club and its members for supporting my candidacy for the House of Delegates. The Club's $400 contribution was significant and timely, helping me with crucial mailings. I was also humbled by the large number of Club members (too numerous to mention, really) who gave their time, energy and passion to helping me. You are too great!

So, in reflection of the election, how did the Republicans do so darn well? In the 42nd, the Green Party siphoned significant votes for sure - and some analysts believe that prevented at least one Democrat from getting elected. If that is true, what should be done to reach out to the Greens? And, the Democrats living north of the Beltway voted Republican - again. That was also true in the 7th and 8th Districts where great Democratic candidates went down. How have we, as committed Democrats, allowed that to happen? What signs have we missed or ignored? Are the chosen candidates that far off base? Or, as others say, were the national and statewide forces so great that local candidates could not make a difference? And, how do you explain the victories of Jim Smith, Dutch Ruppersberger, Vince Gardina and Jim Brochin?

In the meantime, the House lost a fine Delegate, Jim Campbell. Baltimore County has one more Republican Senator and four more Republican Delegates.

Well, without a doubt, Democrats MUST take time to analyze the outcome and prepare for elections in two years and four years. Our challenge, then, is to determine why we now have a Republican Governor and new Republican Delegates and Senators everywhere. We need to assess our health and set a message that resonates better. We need to bring along sharp and new candidates. We need to return to our grassroots organizing so that citizens see us as representing their interests. And, YOU need to be a part of this. If you share the commitment to building the Democratic Party then you cannot sit back. YOU cannot wait for someone else to step up. YOU must get more involved and bring others along.

I hope to see you at the Holiday Party at Herb Lodder's on December 11 and at the next meeting on January 14. If I do not, let me wish you a most happy and peace filled holiday.

Steve

November Meeting Recap: Election Results

The Club held its regular meeting at the Center. Guests were Councilman Vince Gardina, Senator-Elect Jim Brochin, and Matthew Crenson, Political Science Professor from Johns Hopkins University. Their reviews of their own elections and of the election in general were very informative. They have added to the knowledge of those present which will help them understand the losses and gains to the Democratic Party's agenda for the people.

by Ron Bowers

December Holiday Party

Please Note the change from our normal Tuesday schedule.

The Club will hold its annual Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 11 from 7 until 9 pm at the home of Herb and Fran Lodder in Lutherville. (See flyer enclosed)

Plan to join us and celebrate the season and the strengths and values of the Democratic Party. We look forward to seeing you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Steve Lafferty.

Club's Next Steps

The Board will meet on December 3 to look at the past year and to discuss our coming year. We will, of course, look at the election and the role of the Club, our previous and future activities and where we should focus our energy and time. If we are to survive, let alone succeed, more people have to step up to lead events, recruit members and bring fresh ideas.

Shouldn't we be grooming candidates and people to fund raise? Just as the Democratic Party stumbled during this past election, so has the Club. We need YOUR help.

The Board will talk about these issues and more. If you have something for us to consider, please call Steve Lafferty right away. Since this meeting will be at a private home and space is limited, it is not open to the membership. We will report to you in January.

by Steve Lafferty

Congratulations

We have many Democratic victories to celebrate! Kudos and best wishes to the new 2nd District Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, County Executive Jim Smith, State Senators Jim Brochin and Kathy Klausmeier, new Delegates Jon Cardin and Eric Bromwell and 5th District Councilman Vince Gardina. We are extremely pleased that the voters returned Congressman Ben Cardin, Senator Paula Hollinger and Delegates Bob Zirkin and Dan Morhaim and Councilmen Kevin Kamenetz and Joe Bartenfelder. We look forward to working with all of them as we continue to build the Democratic Party.

by Steve Lafferty

Brief Review of the 2002 Maryland Governor's Race

Robert Ehrlich defeated Kathleen Kennedy Townsend ("KKT") in the 2002 race for governor by approximately 59,000 votes. Here are some thoughts concerning this race:

1. Once again, the Democrats beat the Democrats. If just 31,000 Democrats who voted for Ehrlich had voted for KKT instead, then she would have won. Moreover, voter turnout decreased by about 46,000 in the three jurisdictions that KKT won when compared to the 1998 election . Approximately 102,000 more people voted in the 2002 gubernatorial election than voted in the 1998 gubernatorial election. This fact indicates that the counties that Ehrlich won increased their turnout by approximately 148,000 voters. The Republicans raised more money for this race than had ever been raised before. They took their best shot and only managed a victory by a small margin. If the 2006 Democratic candidate can manage to convert approximately 40,000 Democrats who voted for Ehrlich, that candidate should win the next election.
2. The major reason a lot of Democrats voted for Ehrlich was their dislike of Parris Glendening and their perception that KKT would have been a continuation of his administration. The other reason was that they believed that it was time for a change. The 2006 Democratic candidate should not have to battle these perceptions.
3. All of us must continue to work on educating the public who, in my opinion, is becoming increasingly unsophisticated. Too many voters in 2000 and 2002 based their vote on superficial reasons and false information. We must do everything we can to try to change this.
4. I think the Glendening-Townsend administration accomplished a lot of positive things that were not adequately communicated to the voting public. For example, few people are aware that State income taxes were cut by 10%. We must publicize our accomplishments better. In conclusion, the Maryland Democratic Party remains very strong in Maryland. If the Party can learn some lessons from the 2002 gubernatorial election, I am confident it will be successful in the future.

by Jim Kehl

Bush Economics

It is a well documented fact that the stock market has historically done better when Democrats in charge. Democrats have recognized that reducing the national debt and eliminating budget deficits have a much more stimulative effect on the economy. More capital can flow to private business, which is the true generator of economic growth, when government demand for capital diminishes.

President George W. Bush's economic plan is disgraceful. It's completely smoke and mirrors. It borrows from the long term health of our bedrock programs to give feel good short term and long term tax breaks and loopholes focused on the wealthy and big corporate donors. A current example of this is Republicans trying to make the tax cuts permanent. The tax cut is being repealed because many boomers will start retiring in 2010 and will put a major strain on Social Security revenues.

Economic policies that promote the short term and sacrifice the long term for political gain will ultimately undermine the economic health of this country. Economic policies that forego the short term to protect the long term ultimately will help the economy. You would think that the people who have the most to lose, the wealthy, would strongly embrace this view.

by Tom Quirk

Questions to Ponder

• Do you think that taxes are too high and the redistribution of wealth through taxation is wrong?
• Do you like the conservative success in shifting the tax burden away from the corporations and the wealthy down to the middle and lower levels of income?
• Do you think that the poor are there because of their own moral failures and they should work or else?
• Do you think that the First Amendment freedom of religion concept requires the United States government to financially support religion?
• And that the schools should return to bible readings on the PA and teacher led prayers?
• Do you think that the wording of the Second Amendment conveys an absolute right to individuals?
• Do you think that the Fourth and Fifth Amendments should be suspended to ensure public safety?
• Do you think that government should be free to secretly monitor your personal communications and transactions on the Internet or does your computer come under the Fourth Amendment phrase "papers and effects"?
• Do you think that employers should set wages, not government, and that the minimum wage and the Davis Bacon act should be repealed?
• Do you think that exploitation of forests, waters, minerals, and land should be left to market forces?
• Do you think the mobility impaired should just live with it so that business would not have to adapt to their needs?
• Do you think that sending 200 thousand of our soldiers (mostly from lower income backgrounds) to settle an unsettled score with Saddam is right?
• Would your answer to most of these be compatible with being a Democrat?

by Ron Bowers

Membership

Regular membership in the Club is open to any person who is registered as a Democratic voter in Maryland. The current annual dues are only $20.00 per person You may be receiving this newsletter even though not a member. This is one of our ways to reach out to concerned citizens and Democrats. We encourage you to be a part the Club in our effort to build a stronger base in the central part of the County.

The label shows your status, including the last year for which you are paid up if a member. If your dues are current, we thank you. If not, or if you want to join our club, please send the coupon and your $20.00 dues to: Herb Lodder, 120 W. Seminary Ave., Lutherville, MD 21093.

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Upcoming Club Events

Regular Meetings begin at 7:30 PM and are open to all

Meetings are held at the East Towson Community Center, Lennox and Jefferson (left onto Jefferson from Towsontown Blvd East of York Rd.)

What Do You Think?

Members of the CBCDC are invited to send their own articles and letters of about 300 words or less. Send yours to the editor as the text of an e-mail message (not as attachment!).

We reserve the right to edit for grammar and space and to exclude anything we judge to be inappropriate for this publication. The opinions expressed are always those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Club.

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	Editor
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	Timonium, MD 21093

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