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Betsy Tam Salter's roller coaster ride to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

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I Flew to San Francisco with Speaker Jeff Merkley!!!

By Betsy Tam Salter - Oct 12th, 2008 at 1:03 am EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

Hi!!
Last weekend I was in San Francisco for my uncle's memorial service. Although it was a sad occasion, I was able to spend time with my parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and my best friend from high school Ginina.

It turns out I got on the same plane from PDX to SFO as Oregon House Speaker, Jeff Merkley and his lovely wife, Mary Sorteberg. As you know, Speaker Merkley is running against Oregon's Republican Senator, Gordon Smith. As I hope you all know, Gordon Smith is NOT a moderate Republican. He has voted with George Bush 95% of the time. Smith is a right-wing extremist.

Anyway, the following photo shows Jeff Merkley, along with 3 other Democratic candidates running against sitting U.S. Senators or Congressmen taken at the Democratic National Convention. Since I had my DNC photos with me to show my family, when we got off the plane I had the opportunity to give Speaker Merkley my copy of the attached photo. He did not already have a photo from his National stage debut and so was very pleased to get the photo from me. FYI, I did not personally take this photo, but it was definitely one of my highlights of the convention!!!

See photo at following link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/demconvention/2805147050/

Here's another good photo available from the Oregonian:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoregonian/2805098932/sizes/o/

Jeff Merkley is 2nd from left. Other candidates are Tom Allen (ME), Tom Udall (NM-03) and Jeanne Shaheen (NH). Senator Charles Schumer (NY) is on the far right. He introduced the candidates with an inspiring speech urging everyone to help Democrats increase their majority in the House and strive for attaining a filibuster proof majority in the Senate.

To help Jeff Merkley unseat Republican Gordon Smith, please donate or sign up to volunteer at:
http://www.jeffmerkley.com/

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McCain/Palin: The Truth is Hell

By Betsy Tam Salter - Sep 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

John McCain's ads are LIES. Here's the video proof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0xzsogzAk

‘Alaska Women Reject Palin’ Rally is HUGE!

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/alaska-women-reject-palin-rally-is-huge/

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YES WE CAN!!!

By Betsy Tam Salter - Sep 15th, 2008 at 12:49 am EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

As I write to you we are learning how extensive the devastation is to Texas caused by Hurricane Ike:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/091408dnmetikemain.1798c74.html

If you want to donate to the Red Cross efforts to help Hurricane Ike victims, please go to:
http://www.barackobama.com/splash/aid_ike.html

Unfortunately the tragedies resulting from Hurricanes Gustov and Ike haven't stopped the McCain/Palin campaign from running the most unimaginably despicable smear campaign against Obama/Biden (http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080913/pl_politico/13412;_ylt=AqMC97WEycXH25evaJj0OSus0NUE).

McCain/Palin can only hope to win by lying about themselves and their policies and by lying about Obama/Biden.

McCain/Palin are not mavericks, they are mouthpieces. McCain/Palin are not "straight-talkers," they are liars. McCain/Palin will not bring desperately needed change to U.S. domestic and foreign policies, they will give us FOUR MORE YEARS OF BUSH/CHENEY death, destruction and divisiveness!!!

We can do it. We must. Our children and grandchildren are depending on us to give them a chance at a better life than the future they will have if McCain/Palin give us 4 more years of the failed policies of Bush/Cheney.

Please consider hosting a Debate Watch Party or attending a Debate Watch Party in your community. You can find a Debate Watch Party by checking the barackobama.com website:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple
(Ginina, guess what we're doing when I arrive in SFO on September 26th?)

The debates are all scheduled to air at 9 p.m. Eastern and will last 90 minutes:

First debate
Sept. 26 at University of Mississippi
Topic: Foreign policy and national security
Moderator: Jim Lehrer of PBS
Staging: Podiums
Format: Broken into nine 9-minute segments. The moderator will introduce a topic and allow each candidate 2 minutes to comment, then facilitate a discussion for the remaining 5 minutes.

Second debate
Oct. 7 at Belmont University in Nashville.
Moderator: Tom Brokaw of NBC
Staging: Town hall
Format: The moderator will call on members of the audience (and draw questions from the Internet). Each candidate will have 2 minutes to respond to each question. Following those initial answers, the moderator will invite the candidates to respond to the previous answers, for a total of 1 minute.

Third debate
Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
Topic: Domestic and economic policy
Moderator:Bob Schieffer of CBS
Staging: Seated at a table
Format: Same as first presidential debate, plus each candidate will get a 90-second closing statement.

Following are links to the "Yes We Can" music video and the "Yes We Can" song performed live at the Democratic convention, and Barack Obama's acceptance speech. Watching them rekindled my belief in our ability to work together to take our country back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

John Legend and Will I Am performing "Yes We Can" at the convention the day of Obama's acceptance speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKw45SwkFfw

Obama's acceptance speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQGsP8mnHsg

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Who is Sarah Palin?

By Betsy Tam Salter - Sep 5th, 2008 at 8:55 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

http://justmoreofthesame.com/who_is_palin

Who is Sarah Palin?
Some Background on Governor Palin that You (And The Vetters) May Have Missed:

Anchorage Daily News: “Palin Was for the Bridge to Nowhere Before She Was Against It.” “When John McCain introduced Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate Friday, her reputation as a tough-minded budget-cutter was front and center. “I told Congress, thanks but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere,” Palin told the cheering McCain crowd, referring to Ketchikan’s Gravina Island bridge. But Palin was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it.” [8/31/08]

Politifact: ‘Bridge’ Going Nowhere Before Palin Killed It. “When Palin says ‘I told Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that bridge to nowhere,’ it implies Congress said, ‘Here’s a check for that bridge’ and she responded, ‘No thanks, that’s wasteful spending; here’s your money back.’ That’s not what happened. Fact is, Alaska took the bridge money, and then just spent it on other projects. Palin did make the final call to kill plans for the bridge, but by the time she did it was no longer a politically viable project. We rule Palin’s claim is Half True.” [8/29/08]

LAT: Palin relied on earmark system she now opposes. “Under her leadership, the state of Alaska has requested 31 earmarks worth $197.8 million in next year’s federal budget, according to the website of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), the former chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. … The money that the state of Alaska requested for 2009 includes $25 million for “Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery” and $3.2 million for seal and sea lion biological research, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense.” [9/1/08]

WaPo: Palin’s Small Alaska Town Secured Big Federal Funds. “Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.” [9/1/08]

USAT: “Wasilla’s lobbying firm was headed by Steven Silver — a former chief of staff to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, a key proponent of the bridge project.” “As mayor of the small town of Wasilla from 1996 to 2002, Palin also hired a Washington lobbying firm that helped secure $8 million in congressionally directed spending projects, known as earmarks, according to public spending records compiled by the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste and lobbying documents. Wasilla’s lobbying firm was headed by Steven Silver — a former chief of staff to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, a key proponent of the bridge project.” [8/31/08]

WaPo: Palin Was a Director of Embattled Sen. Stevens’s 527 Group. “Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin began building clout in her state’s political circles in part by serving as a director of an independent political group organized by the now embattled Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. Palin’s name is listed on 2003 incorporation papers of the “Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service, Inc.,” a 527 group that could raise unlimited funds from corporate donors… Palin’s relationship with Alaska’s senior senator may be one of the more complicated aspects of her new position as Sen. John McCain’s running mate; Stevens was indicted in July 2008 on seven counts of corruption.” [9/1/08]

ABC.com: Members of ‘Fringe’ Alaskan Independence Party Say Palin Was a Member in 90s. “The campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., likes to herald the independence of its new running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Officials of the Alaskan Independence Party say that Palin was once so independent, she was once a member of their party, which, since the 1970s, has been pushing for a legal vote for Alaskans to decide whether or not residents of the 49th state can secede from the United States. And while McCain’s motto — as seen in a new TV ad — is “Country First,” the AIP’s motto is the exact opposite – ‘Alaska First — Alaska Always.’ Lynette Clark, the chairman of the AIP, tells ABC News that Palin and her husband Todd were members in 1994, even attending the 1994 statewide convention in Wasilla. Clark was AIP secretary at the time.” [9/1/08]

TPM: Sarah Palin And The Alaska Independence Party. The Alaska Independence Party, which was formed with the goal of seceding from the union and establishing Alaska as an independent state, says that Palin addressed their 2008 convention. The AIP has posted video of what it claims is her address on its Web site. [9/1/08]

WaPo: Long-Standing Feud in Alaska Embroils Palin. “A bipartisan state legislative panel has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate whether Palin improperly brought the family fight into the governor’s office. The investigation is focusing on whether she and her aides pressured and ultimately fired the public safety commissioner, Walter Monegan, for not removing Palin’s ex-brother-in-law from the state police force. Interviews with principals involved in the dispute and a review of court documents and police internal affairs reports reveal that Palin has been deeply involved in alerting state officials to her family’s personal turmoil… Barnhill said the review, made public two weeks ago, found that half a dozen officials had made about two dozen phone calls regarding Wooten.” [8/31/08]

AP: Palin Hires Attorney for Troopergate investigation “Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP vice presidential candidate, is being represented by an attorney in the investigation into the firing of her public safety commissioner. The Legislature is investigating whether Palin fired public safety commissioner Walt Monegan after he refused to fire a state trooper who had divorced Palin’s sister… At the time Palin said she wanted the department to move in a new direction. But later, after Monegan said he felt pressured to fire Wooten, Palin at a news conference said Monegan wasn’t a team player, didn’t do enough to fill trooper vacancies and battle alcohol abuse issues in rural Alaska… A month after Monegan was dismissed, Palin revealed that at least two dozen calls were made from her staff members to Department of Public Safety officials, also questioning Wooten’s employment. But she denied orchestrating the calls.” [9/1/08]

USAT: “Three weeks ago the governor had to backtrack from weeks of denials that she or anyone from her office had pressured Monegan.” “More not-so-good news today regarding Sen. John McCain’s running mate. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has hired a lawyer to defend her in the state Legislature’s investigation of whether Palin fired former public safety commissioner Walter Monegan because he refused to sack a state trooper — her former brother-in-law, who had divorced Palin’s sister. Three weeks ago the governor had to backtrack from weeks of denials that she or anyone from her office had pressured Monegan to fire Trooper Michael Wooten. She admitted Aug. 13th that a member of her administration had made calls that could be perceived as pressure.” [9/1/08]

AP: Palin Foreign Policy Credentials – Alaska is Close to Russia. Asked about Palin’s credentials, Cindy McCain told ABC-TV’s “This Week:” “Remember: Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So, it’s not as if she doesn’t understand what’s at stake here.” [9/1/08]

ABC.com: Buchanan – Palin was a Buchanan Brigader. “Buchanan told Chris Matthews yesterday that Palin “was a brigader in 1996 as was her husband, Chris, they were at a fundraiser for me, she’s a terrific gal, she’s a rebel reformer.” Buchanan of course has a long history of quite questionable comments, particularly about Jews.” [8/30/08]
A Rush to Judgment?

NYT: “His running mate said more about Senator John McCain and his image of himself than it did about Sarah Palin.” “In the end, the choice of his running mate said more about Senator John McCain and his image of himself than it did about Sarah Palin.” [8/30/08]

Slate: Palin’s Candidacy is Fun to Cover But Raises Serious Questions About McCain’s Judgment. “Each new fact we learn about Sarah Palin—her reversal on the bridge to nowhere, her disagreements with McCain on issues from windfall profits to global warming, emerging facts about troopergate—contribute to the feeling that this whole Palin thing is being made up as we go along. It may be fun to read about, and it sure is fun to cover, but it also supports the judgment of the Palin pick that I first heard from a Republican veteran shortly after the announcement: ‘Reckless.’” [9/1/08]

Stephanopoulos: “What else don’t we know about Governor Palin?” “They are sending a rapid response team of about 10 people that includes lawyers up to Alaska right now… Some senior Republicans operatives outside the campaign say there’s no way they could have had a complete vetting with this kind of information coming out… What else don’t we know about Governor Palin?” [9/1/08]

NYT: Republican Source: “This was really kind of rushed at the end, because John didn’t get what he wanted. He wanted to do Joe or Ridge.” “A series of disclosures about Gov. Sarah Palin, Senator John McCain’s choice as running mate, called into question on Monday how thoroughly Mr. McCain had examined her background before putting her on the Republican presidential ticket… At the least, Republicans close to the campaign said it was increasingly apparent that Ms. Palin had been selected as Mr. McCain’s running mate with more haste than McCain advisers initially described… ‘This was really kind of rushed at the end, because John didn’t get what he wanted. He wanted to do Joe or Ridge.’” [9/2/08]

AP: “… fueled speculation that a comprehensive examination of Palin’s record and past was incomplete and being done only after she was placed on the ticket.” “Shortly after Palin was named to the ticket, McCain’s campaign dispatched a team of a dozen communications operatives and lawyers to Alaska. That fueled speculation that a comprehensive examination of Palin’s record and past was incomplete and being done only after she was placed on the ticket.” [9/2/08]

MSNBC: Just How Well Was She Vetted? “Two sources tell NBC’s Mike Levine that — as of Friday when Gov. Sarah Palin was announced as McCain’s running mate — no one had been sent to Wasilla, Alaska, to look through the archives of Palin’s hometown newspaper.” [9/2/08]

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Vice President Sarah Palin? No Way, No How.

By Betsy Tam Salter - Sep 5th, 2008 at 8:20 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

http://www.truthout.org/article/palin-faces-laundry-list-complications

Palin Faces Laundry List of Complications

Tuesday 02 September 2008

by: Matt Apuzzo, The Associated Press

    Washington - GOP vice presidential pick Sarah Palin accepted at least $4,500 in campaign contributions in the same fundraising scheme at the center of a public corruption scandal that led to the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens.

    The contributions, made during Palin's failed 2002 bid to become Alaska's lieutenant governor, were not illegal for her to accept. But they show how Palin, a self-proclaimed reformer who has bucked Stevens and his allies, is nonetheless a product of a political system in Alaska now under the cloud of an ongoing FBI investigation.

    With the convention still abuzz, the list of potentially embarrassing details grew Tuesday:

# Palin sought pork-barrel projects for her city and state, contrary to her reformist image.

# Her husband once belonged to a fringe political group in Alaska with some members supporting secession from the United States.

# A private attorney has been authorized to spend $95,000 to defend her against accusations of abuse of power.

    When she was introduced as McCain's running mate last week, Palin portrayed herself as a political maverick in McCain's mold: "I've stood up to the old politics as usual, to the special interests, to the lobbyists, the big oil companies and the 'good old boy' network,"' she said.

    But Alaska's first female governor has at times benefited from Alaska's entrenched political system.

    As Palin campaigned unsuccessfully in 2002 to become lieutenant governor, she received contributions from executives at VECO Corp., a powerful Alaska oil field services company. Company founder Bill Allen has admitted the company steers its donations through a "special bonus program" in which executives received money and the company instructed them to donate it to favored politicians.

    Allen pleaded guilty to bribery and corruption charges. He admitted the program violated federal tax laws and said it was used to keep his political allies flush with cash.

    "If they're working with the oil industry, I'd like to help with their campaigns," Allen testified last year in the corruption trial of a former state lawmaker.

    Since Palin's nomination last week, these issues also are raising eyebrows:

# In her earlier career as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Palin hired a lobbyist to help the tiny town secure at least 14 earmarks, worth $27 million between 2000-2003. McCain has touted Palin as a force in his long battle against earmarks.

# Her husband, Todd, twice registered as a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a fierce states' rights group that wants to turn all federal lands in Alaska back to the state. Sarah Palin herself never registered as a member of the party, according to state officials, though party members said she attended a 1994 convention with her husband.

# The state legislature is investigating whether she had Alaska's public safety commissioner fired after he refused to dismiss a state trooper who had divorced Palin's sister. Lawyer Thomas Van Flein said he is representing Palin both personally and in her official capacity as governor. He can bill the state up to $95,000.

# Palin opposed the U.S. government's listing of a variety of animals as endangered, including the polar bear and the beluga whale, both of which inhabit areas also rich in oil and natural gas.

# Palin's management style has come under scrutiny. When taking over as mayor of Wasilla, she asked top officials to submit resignation letters, resulting in several departures, including that of the police chief. The chief claimed it was because he supported her opponent in the mayor's race.

# Under her leadership this year, Alaska asked for almost $300 per person in requests for pet projects from Stevens, one of McCain's top adversaries. That's more than any other state received, per person, from Congress.

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McCain/Palin: 4 More Years of Greed & Corruption

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 31st, 2008 at 12:59 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

McCain's VP pick, Governor Sarah Palin (AK), may be a gun-toting beauty queen, but she's still wrong on ALL the issues. A strategy that makes sense to me is to let her prove whether she's qualified to be a heartbeat from the Presidency and focus on her positions on the issues. No way can McCain claim that a McCain/Palin administration will bring change to Washington or America. Check out the following press releases and E&P articles on Palin:

http://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/choice-of-palin-promises-failed-energy-policies-of-the-past.html

08/29/08

Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), which works to turn environmental values into national priorities, today expressed its deep disappointment with John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate.

“Unfortunately, with her support for drilling in the Arctic Refuge and off our coasts, Governor Palin will simply continue the failed policies of the Bush-Cheney Administration and their Big Oil friends – policies that could make us even more dependent on foreign oil," LCV President Gene Karpinski said.

Governor Palin characterizes McCain’s flip-flop on drilling offshore as a positive step in his transformation from maverick to Big Oil's best friend. She has implored McCain to change his position against drilling in the Arctic – something she will have plenty of opportunities to pursue as his running mate.

In addition to supporting backward-looking energy policies, Governor Palin has also opposed a crucial clean water initiative, sued the federal government for listing polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and opposed other important wildlife protection measures.

http://www.naral.org/elections/election-pr/pr08292008_palin.html

August 29, 2008

McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate

Selection of anti-choice Palin shows just how extreme McCain presidency will be

Washington, D.C. – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said that Sen. John McCain’s selection today of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate is further evidence that a McCain presidency will be just another four years of the same old Bush-style anti-choice policies. Just like McCain, Palin opposes a woman’s right to choose. Palin has also stated her opposition to abortion even in cases of rape or incest.

"John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate proves just how rigid and extreme his administration would be when it comes to a woman’s right to choose," Keenan said. "For 25 years, McCain has opposed a woman’s right to choose, and we know that he will continue to push anti-choice policies in the White House. McCain’s pick of anti-choice Sarah Palin is further evidence that his White House will be just another four years of Bush-style policies. Any remaining doubts about McCain’s extreme anti-choice position should be put to rest when voters learn about the combined anti-choice records of Sarah Palin and John McCain."

Palin, a member of the anti-choice group Feminists for Life, said during her campaign for governor that she is opposed to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. [Juneau Empire, "Abortion Draws Clear Divide in State Races," accessed 8/29/08 and Anchorage Daily News, "Governor’s Race: Top contenders meet one last time to debate," 11/03/06.]

http://www.changetowin.org/for-the-media/press-releases-and-statements/anna-burger-statement-on-palin.html

Anna Burger Statement on Palin

Friday, August 29, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from Change to Win chair Anna Burger regarding presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain’s announcement today of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate for the 2008 election. (Seven unions and six million workers united in Change to Win in 2005 to build a new movement of working people equipped to meet the challenges of the global economy and restore the American Dream in the 21st century: a paycheck that can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and dignity on the job.)

"Even though it is John McCain's 72nd birthday, it looks like Barack Obama and Joe Biden got the best gift with McCain's choice of Sarah Palin to be McCain's running mate. In an election McCain claims is about experience and security, he picks someone who barely has the equivalent of a learner's permit in elected office, let alone foreign affairs. She has served well under two years as governor, and her prior experience as a mayor of a town with 9,000 people does not qualify her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

“America's working families want change. They want leaders with a proven record of standing up for better wages, health care for all, retirement security, fair trade deals that value jobs here at home, and for rebuilding our middle class through green jobs that pay a living wage. They want the chance to better themselves through union representation without facing illegal employer harassment.

“Governor Palin's lack of experience and thin record give us no choice but to return to the clear facts; that John McCain has a long and terrible record of failing America's workers. McCain's record is a train wreck for families who want a shot at the American Dream, and this choice, his first as a presidential candidate, shows a serious lack of judgment and understanding about what this election is about.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003844472

Getting to Know Her, Part I: Fairbanks Paper Hits Palin Veep Pick

By E&P Staff

Published: August 29, 2008 7:10 PM ET

NEW YORK Since, even as her leading backers admit, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is unknown nationally -- until today, when she was picked by John McCain as his running mate -- E&P will provide a number of pieces in coming days about her, taken strictly from Alaska newspapers and reporters for same.

The first one comes from the Daily News-Miner in Fairbanks, Alaska. Surprisingly, considering she is now the highest profile political figure to ever come from Alaska, the newspaper in an editorial posted on its site today declared her flatly not qualified for the office of vice president.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003844476

Getting to Know Her, Part II: Anchorage Reporter Expresses Strong Doubts About Palin

By E&P Staff

Published: August 29, 2008 7:45 PM ET

NEW YORK As related in a previous article today, E&P over the next few days will be presenting how Alaska newspapers and reporters view their Gov. Sarah Palin -- now John McCain's pick for his running mate. She has been a near-unknown nationally so it seems to makes sense to go to the people who know her best locally. See our Part I today, on a surprising editorial in the Fairbanks daily.

Also today, Gregg Erickson, columnist and reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, took part in an online chat at www.washingtonpost.com. He expressed some rather mixed views about his governor. Here are a few excerpts.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003844484

Getting to Know Her, Part III: Opinion on Palin from Alaska

By E&P Staff

Published: August 30, 2008 10:25 AM ET

NEW YORK Since even Republican leaders admit that John McCain's choice for running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, was unknown outside Alaska, E&P has been filling in some details and opinion -- strictly from those who may know her best, at newspapers in her home state. Reporters there have so far expressed much more critical views of the candidate than might be suggested by her overall high voter approval ratings.

Today we will excerpt from three pieces: this morning's editorial in the largest paper in the state, the Anchorage Daily News; an op-ed for that paper by a former columnist for the paper now serving as a Democrat in the state legislature; and a dispatch by AP's man in Anchorage.

The second largest daily, The Daily News-Miner in Fairbanks, had editorialized yesterday that Palin was notqualified for the vice presidency. The Anchorage paper also raises questions on this score, while expressing pride in the local "girl."

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It's not too late

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 30th, 2008 at 7:56 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

Joel and Maggie are at the beach with the Botkes, so I returned to an empty home. I can't wait for them to come home tomorrow!!!

In the meantime, I'm enjoying looking though my photos while listening to repeat convention coverage on Air America.

Attending the 2008 Democratic National Convention was an incredibly amazing experience. All the delegates talked to each other about feeling so privileged to be witnessing and participating in this historic event.

If you missed some of the convention, you can view it on the following website:
http://www.demconvention.com/dncc-video/

Must see speeches include:

Monday: Maya Soetero-Ng (Barack's sister), Craig Robinson (Michelle's brother), Jesse Jackson Jr., Caroline Kennedy, Senator Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

Tuesday: Governor Mark Warner (VA), Governor Brian Schweitzer (MT) and Senator Hillary Clinton.

Wednesday: Senator John Kerry, Representative Patrick Murphy, Iraq War Vet. Tammy Duckworth, President Bill Clinton and Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Thursday: Governor Bill Richardson, Vice President Al Gore, Susan Eisenhower (Ike's granddaughter), Retired Generals Tribute, American Voices Program, the Introduction to Senator Obama video and Barack Obama

The full convention schedule can be found at:

http://www.demconvention.com/schedule/

Re-runs of DNC 2008 speeches are also scheduled on C-SPAN starting on Wednesday:

http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/fullschedule.csp?timeid=212086583397

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Eight is Enough

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 30th, 2008 at 4:36 am EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

The finale for the 2008 Democratic National Convention at Mile High Stadium was amazing. A beautiful day and alternates were given floor passes so we could sit with our state delegations. Oregon was seated stage right, but towards stage front as opposed to stage back like we had at the Pepsi Center. We were reveling in our vastly improved situation: closer to the stage and a better angle.

While I waited for the convention program to begin I checked in with Joel's Peace Corps friend, Mike Kelleher. He couldn't come down on the floor, so I wandered over to where he was seated in section 110. We were able to catch up on family and life and chat about the Obama campaign until convention staff started to take issue with people reserving seats. Then I hightailed it back down to my seat on the floor.

So much great music, John Legend, Will.I.Am, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder...no Bruce though. Oh well.

Lots of great speeches. My highlights were the 24 retired generals, the 6 Voices of America (AWESOME!), Vice President Al Gore, and, of course, the grand finale: Obama's acceptance speech. Obama's words expressed my concerns and my hopes and inspired me to believe that if all of us who share his ideals and vision keep the faith and work together, we can realize our shared hopes and dreams. Along with the rest of the 85,000 voters/activists, I found myself alternately cheering and waving my flag and "Change" sign and wiping tears away.

The music, fireworks, confetti and streamers helped express the exhuberance, hope and pride we all felt about our candidate, Barack Obama, and our country. We the people.

The image of the beautiful all-American Obama family: black, white, Asian, and bi-racial on the stage and accompanied by the beautiful all-American Biden family filled my heart with pride.

Yes we can!

Back at the hotel some of us congregated in the hotel bar and found ourselves watching the day's convention on the bar TV and wishing people would stop talking so that we could hear the speeches again.

It was a night to remember, a week to remember. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.

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A Party United, Fired Up & Ready to Win!!!

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

I forgot my computer clock was on Pacific Time and left for the Hillary delegation meeting an hour later than intended. The meeting was supposed to start at 1:15, but lucky for me didn't start until 2:00 PM. The event ended up being open to the public, so it was packed and standing room only. Hillary was very gracious and while urging her delegates to vote for Obama, she was not telling them what to do and understood their need to vote their conscious. She did make a point of saying that she already voted for Barack.

Getting to the Pepsi Center by shuttle bus from the Convention Center was a madhouse. The previous 2 days I had taken a hotel shuttle bus from near the PDA conference site and the buses were never full. The buses were really jammed up and so the Roll Call began while we were still in transit. By the time I got into the convention center and found a seat at the top of the 3rd tier, the Roll Call was on the District of Columbia. I was wishing I could be with the Oregon delegation for when the Oregon vote was announced and decided to go near their entrance and then call some of the delegates to arrange for someone to sneak me a floor pass. On my way I ran into Sara, another alternate, she had just tried to do the same and failed, so we went back to the coveted nosebleed seats I had saved.

It was very exciting to be in the room to hear the roll call, especially for states that went heavily or totally for Obama. And then the intrigue of CA and IL passing, NM passing back to IL and IL passing to NY so that Hillary could nominate Obama by acclimation. The crowd was wild with excitement. It was great to be part of shouting "Aye" when Pelosi asked for a vote by acclimation.

President Clinton's speech exceeded my hopes for praising Obama and helping to heal the party and bring us together to win in November. He was marvelous and it was so great to be a part of the throng enthusiastically showing him how much we love him and honor him.

Senator Kerry also gave a dynamite speech.

Biden is clearly a fantastic choice for VP.

Barack's surprise arrival to top off the evening was fantastic - to see Obama and Biden standing together in person and then to see all of Biden's family on stage, filled me with pride and enthusiasm. We have the winning ticket for sure.

As I walked with a group to our post-convention reception, a delegate who had talked with a reporter said that this reporter seemed to be in the know about Bruce Springsteen performing at the convention Thursday. The news are reporting that Bruce will not perform on the night of Obama's acceptance speech, but this reporter claims that it's an effort to make Bruce's appearance a surprise.

We'll find out soon!!!

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So much to say, but no time!!!

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 27th, 2008 at 2:40 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

For all who are reading my blog - THANK YOU!!! There is so much I would like to write about, but the details will have to wait until after convention.

I am learning so much at every panel discussion and caucus meeting I have attended, including:

Asian American Pacific Islander caucus meeting

Healthcare Not Warfare

Media Reform

Election Reform

Due to scheduling conflicts I can't attend all the sessions I would like to attend.

I bumped into Mrs. Pick at the Sunday night reception for all 56 delegations! For those who don't know her, she owns the apartment building on the beach my family has rented every summer since I was 4 years old.

First day of the convention I was wowed by so many of the speeches, but the highlights for me were seeing President Jimmy Carter, and speeches by Caroline Kennedy, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., and of course, Michelle Obama. I cannot describe how thrilling it feels to share my excitement and enthusiasm in person with 20,000 other people.

To my friend M.G., I do have an extra "Michelle" sign for you. Not sure how I'm going to get them home, but that's my plan!!!

We're frustrated that the news is trying to create an impression of disunity by trying to root out the fringe disgruntled Hillary supporters or others who may be trying to derail Obama's campaign.

Hillary has released her delegates and she gave an amazing speech last night. "No way, No how, No McCain!" This afternoon Senator Clinton will address her delegates before the roll call vote is taken. She has invited Obama delegates to attend. The feeling of Democratic unity and determination to win this election in a landslide is palpable.

I got lucky yesterday and won a lottery for a floor pass. I shared it with the other alternate, Sara. We flipped a coin to decide who would use it first. Sara went on the floor while I found the best alternate seat I could. We arrived by 5:00 PM - too late for a center seat. I was to the far stage left. Very hard to hear, and even hard to see a TV screen. Folks were reserving seats and it was cause for near fisticuffs now and then. I didn't budge until Sara came to switch passes with me.

On my way in yesterday I saw Mitt Romney and heard that Rudy Guliani was also there, trying to get into the DNC for some reason.

Gotta go to Hillary's meeting with her delegation! More later on other highlights and today's convention!!

How about Gov. Brian Schweitzer (MT) speech? He was fantastic!!! What was the term he coined? "Petroleum Dictators?" He's going to be a great attack dog!

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My First Day in Denver, Sunday 8/24/08

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 27th, 2008 at 2:13 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

It’s a beautiful day in Denver. Brad took me to his favorite coffee shop, Common Ground where he introduced me to almost everyone there. We followed coffee with a delicious brunch at his favorite restaurant/bar (the name of which alludes me). Then we took a stroll around the business district and back to his house. All the businesses have signs welcoming DNC visitors and Brad had stacks of newspapers and magazines all abuzz with detailed articles on Obama and the National Convention.

Brad was singing the praises of Denver’s Mayor John Hickenlooper, how he’s done such a fantastic job getting the city prepared for the convention with renovations, new construction, light rail, street repairs, etc.

Around 12:30 Brad took me the Hyatt Regency Tech Center. My room wasn’t quite ready so I picked up my Oregon delegate credentials. I received two canvass bags, one from the DNC and another from the DPO (Democratic Party of Oregon). Between the 2 bags, I received:

Oregon delegation t-shirts and buttons (purchased in advance),
a packet of Rep. Blumenauer’s bicycle pins,
2 different glucosamine drinks,
2 water bottles (BPA free),
2 lanyards (Qwest and Vail Resorts),
a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese (special limited DNC edition),
an emergency radio,
several packets of breath mints,
hand sanitizing gel,
a hand squeeze/stress reliever shaped like a lump of coal (coalcandothat.com),
a pedometer,
an AT&T ringtone giftcard,
SEIU Voice Justice magnet words,
2 packets of Stash Tea,
an eco-friendly USB drive, and
a Sun-Edison longsleeve t-shirt.

As I sorted through my booty, other Oregon delegates started to arrive and we discussed the different caucus meetings and panel discussion we were considering attending while we waited for our rooms to open up.

Joel’s Peace Corps friend, Mike Kelleher, is in Denver to help with the Obama Campaign’s finance operation. Mike was planning on staying with a cousin about 1 1/2 hours away from Denver in Colorado Springs. He had asked if, in an emergency, he could crash on the floor in my hotel room. Given that the Hyatt Regency is halfway to Colorado Springs, I asked Brad if Mike could stay with him if needed. Brad, the ever generous, welcoming, friendly and hospitable person he is said, “Sure!” From the brief conversations I’ve had with both guys since they are enjoying the time they’ve had to get to know each other and Mike really appreciates being so close to the convention site.

While talking to Mike he mentioned since he had lived in the Republic of Georgia for a couple of years while working for an international agency and that he has spent the last couple of weeks talking to his contacts in Georgia to find out what he can on the situation with Russia. I hope to learn more about what he’s learned when we have time to have a visit in person.

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Departure Day

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 24th, 2008 at 6:27 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

Friday night we attended a block party hosted by our dear friends, Pete & Sheila Botke and Mark & Maren Peterson. The Petersons are hosting an Obama campaign staffer, a young Asian American man named Francis. Maren was enthusiastically introducing me to everyone as a delegate going to the National Convention and everyone was very excited and happy for me – and asked me if I knew who Senator Obama was going to pick for his VP.

The text message came in long after I had gone to bed, so like most Americans, I woke up to the news that Senator Joe Biden was selected for the Vice Presidential nominee. I’m happy with the news. Biden is currently in his sixth term in the Senate and has served for the sixth-longest period among current senators (fourth among Democrats). He is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and he has also served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gG5ssh)

This same evening we had good friends from Bend, OR, in town for a visit, Susie and Caleb Neubauer. So great to spend time with friends and neighbors – no time to pack for Denver!

One hitch in my exciting National Convention experience, last night I suffered a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage (bleeding in my right eye). It doesn’t hurt, but it looks AWFUL!!! Maggie Lee keeps looking at my eye and telling me it looks creepy. The Oregon delegation is in the same hotel as Fox News – I wonder if they’ll single me out as a representative wildeyed Democratic delegate? I consulted with my friend, Gaye, who is a medical doctor and she advised me there is nothing I can do about it but wait for it to heal over the next few days. Maybe wear an eye patch.

I just read an email from a delegate who is already in Denver to attend the Stonewall Democrats conference, KC Hanson. KC attended a Delegate Bootcamp and one of the many tips she received is to bring lots of aspirin for potential altitude headaches. Then I did some research on my eye condition and was advised to avoid taking aspirin. Wouldn’t you know it.

Joel took Maggie to Hood River for the Wedstock festivities – they left a couple of hours before I did. This allowed me to focus on last minute details of packing and starting this entry. Our dear friend Tom DeMeo gave me a ride to the airport so that I had plenty of time to check my bag and get through security. I actually had time to pick up a bottle of wine for my Denver host, Brad Wright and play a round of yahtzee with a woman in the bar.

My plane to Denver boarded at 7:30 PM and I arrived on schedule at 11:30 PM. It took awhile for me to collect my luggage and get myself to the spot Brad designated for us to meet. The airport and roads were practically deserted. Brad lives in the Highland District of downtown Denver. Just shy of 3 miles from the Pepsi Convention Center and Invesco Field. It would have been nice to be able to stay with Brad instead of the Hyatt Regency Tech Center which is many, many miles far away from Denver. But, given the need to pick up my credentials every morning at 7:00 AM, Brad’s wasn’t an option. HIs home was a wonderful place to stay for my night in Denver.

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The Country Needs Hillary Clinton Supporters

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 20th, 2008 at 12:42 am EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

The country needs Hillary Clinton Supporters!!!

I recently received a 4 page memo written by the former director for women’s outreach for Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, Dana Singiser. Ms. Singiser is now a senior adviser to Senator Obama’s presidential campaign.

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/obama-signs-clintons-womens-outreach-director-2008-07-08.html

The title of the memo is, “Does McCain have a Woman Problem?” The memo goes into some detail and uses footnotes to document statistics and review McCain’s blatantly “anti-woman” stances on the following topics:

Equal Pay
Healthcare Costs
Women’s Reproductive Rights
Access to contraceptive rights & family planning services
Economic & retirement security

I can’t attach the memo to my blog to share with all, but if you request a copy by commenting to my blog or send me an email, I will be happy to share it. It should be helpful for everyone who is trying to be a fully informed voter and especially helpful to those who are working on behalf of Senator Obama.
If you’d rather have something short and sweet (also footnoted), check out this top 10 list provided by MoveOn.og:

10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):

John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1
According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2
His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.3
McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."4
The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.5
He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.6
Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."7
McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.8
McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."9
He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.10

John McCain is not who the Washington press corps makes him out to be. For footnotes and to help get the truth out about John McCain, sign up here:

http://pol.moveon.org/mccain10/email.html?rc=homepage

Thanks!

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Vote Absentee and Vote the Entire Ballot!!!!

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 19th, 2008 at 6:43 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

Monday evening I attended a meeting of the Democratic Party of Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District committee with U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-3rd). Rep. Blumenauer gave a very exciting presentation describing all the Senate and Congressional seats in play across the country and the prospects that the Democrats have a serious chance of picking up significant numbers of seats in both Houses of Congress. Perhaps even a filibuster proof majority in the Senate!
If you’re not sure which races are in play in your state, please check out the following websites:

U.S. Senate:
http://www.dscc.org/races

U.S. Congress:
http://dccc.org/page/content/races

Unfortunately, the Republicans have deep pocket donors, including one billionaire who plans to give the RNCC $200 million. Hard to compete with that!

For Senator Obama and down ticket Democrats across the country, it’s going to come down to voter turnout. The numbers have to overwhelm the corrupt or faulty electronic vote counting machines and the right wing Democratic voter disenfranchisement tactics such as:

Poll taxes (fees paid for birth certificates or Driver’s License/State I.D. some folks wouldn’t otherwise need);

Voter caging (contesting the rights of others to vote by sending letters to highly mobile demographics (college students, active duty and reserve military personnel). When the letters are returned, those voters are put on a list to be challenged when they show up to vote.

Insufficient numbers of voting machines in areas with large numbers of Democratic voters (college towns, urban neighborhoods). This creates massive lines requiring voters to take hours from work or to not vote.

Excessive or confusing new voter I.D. requirements and insufficient efforts to educate voters before election day. People without sufficient I.D. must vote on a provisional ballot that will only be counted after they have been determined to be legitimate.

To avoid these problems and to ensure there is a paper record of your votes, please consider voting by absentee ballot:

http://www.fvap.gov/overseas-citizens/request-registration-absentee-ballot/index.html

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It's Time to Have Multicultural U.S. President

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 15th, 2008 at 5:46 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

As a Chinese American who sometimes feels like one of a few token Asians attending Democratic Party of Oregon events, I am especially looking forward to meeting other Asian American delegates from across the country during the national convention. In my previous entry you can see that the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) groups are planning a number of exciting trainings and workshops.

Although I am 100% Chinese, I am 4th generation American born on my dad's side and 2nd generation on my mom's side. Growing up in La Mesa, CA (a suburb of San Diego), I was 1 of 3 Asian kids in La Mesa Dale Elementary school. The vast majority of my friends have always been white. I don't really think of myself necessarily as Chinese American. I think of myself as American.

After reading Senator Obama's "Dreams From My Father" (A must read for all book clubs - beautifully written and thought provoking). I realize that my experience is similar to someone who is bi-racial: I look Chinese, but culturally, I am living a wonderful white American suburban life. Now that Joel and I have our own precious bi-racial daughter, Maggie Lee, I am making a more conscious effort to honor and celebrate our Chinese heritage. Maggie Lee is very conscious and proud of being half Chinese and half Wisconsin.

Although I am voting for Senator Obama because he best represents my positions on the whole gambit of issues facing our country and the world today, I am incredibly excited that the presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate for the 2008 election comes with a multicultural heritage. The following excerpt from a recent press release sums it up nicely:

“I am honored to be a member of the steering committee for AAPIs for Obama Leadership Council,” said Irene Natividad, former National Chair of AAPI Women for Hillary. “I look forward to working with Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders across the country as we share with AAPI voters that Barack Obama's story is our story, and there is no better champion of the issues that are important to our community than Senator Obama.”

“Barack Obama epitomizes all that is possible in this great country of ours,” said Jadine Nielsen, former Hawaii State Director for John Edwards. “He was born and raised in Hawaii, a majority AAPI state, and he spent time as a child in Indonesia. His family members include a sister who is half-Indonesian and a brother-in-law who’s Chinese-Canadian. He is a candidate who reflects our multi-cultural society at its best.”

For Immediate Release _August 8, 2008 _Obama Press Office: 312-819-2423

To read the full press release and to see a list of AAPI Executive and Steering Committee members:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/konrad/gG5KKj

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Anticipating the Schedule for Convention Week

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 15th, 2008 at 4:19 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

The invitations are coming in daily by email and snail mail. Here’s a sample:

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24TH

Asian American and Pacific Islander Summit sponsored by Colorado AAPI Democrats, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, Asian American Action Fund, DNC Vice Chair Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15) and Obama for America AAPI Vote Team (I had no idea there were all these active AAPI Democrats out there!)

Tikkun session on Domestic Policy: A Spiritual Progressive Vision for American Society

MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH

DNC APIA Caucus Meeting
Come find out how we will engage the AAPI community and deliver 270 electoral votes for Barack Obama. Meet AAPI candidates and elected officials from across the country. Finally, learn about the latest trends and strategies to increase AAPI civic participation, including AAPI youth engagement.

Asian Pacific American Power Hour: 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Tikkun session on Healing Israel/Palestine and How to Avoid War with Iran

Tikkun session on The Global Marshall Plan

PDA: Healthcare not Warfare panel discussions (Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Barbara Lee, Norm Solomon, John Nichols, et al)

Unconventional Women: A symposium uniting 3000 women and advancing their political leadership and participation.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26TH

AAPI Grassroots Training and Strategy Session

Emily’s List Reception featuring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Hillary Clinton and Special Guest Michelle Obama

PDA: Media Reform and Clean, Fair, Transparent Elections panel (Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Tom Hayden, Steve Rosenfeld, John Bonifaz, Mimi Kennedy, et al)

Hispanic Institute Panel Discussion: Culture Wars: The role of Race, Gender, Ethnicity, Religion and Values in the Fall Campaign. Moderated by Dan Abrams. Panelists: Gov. Bill Richardson (NM), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN), Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (DLC Chair), Richard Wolffe (Newsweek), Markos Moulitsas (DailyKos)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27TH

DNC APIA Caucus Meeting
Delegates can get your AAPI X270 organizing toolkit. Find out about the new Neighborhood Leader Program that will help you organize from home. Finally, hear from AAPI community leaders about the best community organizing they have accumulated from experience.

Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next Administration featuring former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and a panel discussion with people form the Council on Foreign Relations and the Josef Korbel School of International Studies

Winning Health Care Reform in 2009: invited speakers include Senator Edward Kennedy, Senator Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Edwards and many more

PDA: Economic Justice/Ending Poverty panel (Rep. Jim Mcgovern, Rep., Barbara Lee, David Sirota, et al)

Delegate Service Day: Delegates will participate in projects to contribute and celebrate the people and organizations making positive change and strengthening communities in Denver.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28TH

PDA: Constitutional Law & Congress (Vincent Bugliosi, Rep. Robert Wexler, Rep. Keith Ellison, et al)

Whew!!! And the invites keep coming!

We are told our days will start at 7:00 AM with credentialing. We are frequently reminded, “DON’T BE LATE!!! If you don’t pick up your credentials at the appointed time – you might not get into the convention that day.” Breakfast will run from 7:30 – 9:00 AM. Breakfast is the most likely time when we might get a personal audience with Senator Barack Obama. The convention starts sometime between 4:00 – 6:00 PM and runs until 9:00 PM. Evening receptions start at 9:30 PM.

We’ve also been getting helpful tips from experienced convention delegates: DRESS COMFORTABLY!!! Denver will be hot, but public transport and the convention center will be air conditioned and we won’t be walking distance to our hotel. Comfortable shoes are especially important - we will be on our feet 18 hours/day. The altitude will give us headaches - avoid alcohol and caffeine (at least on the first day) and know that the dry air will bother those who wear contact lenses.

As I see other Oregon delegates at various events around town we are all starting to feel giddy with excitement. One week to go!!!

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The Democratic Party Platform - What's it all about?

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 12th, 2008 at 1:19 am EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

After the disastrous Presidential elections in 2000 and 2004, where partisan Secretaries of State in Florida and Ohio blatantly disenfranchised massive numbers of voters, used faulty election machines or substandard ballot paper (resulting in hanging chads, etc), and then refused to conduct a recount when their elections were contested, I decided to work on reforming our election system.

Ultimately, that led me to serving on the Democratic Party of Oregon’s Platform and Resolution Committee. My goal was to ensure the DPO’s platform included election reform as one of our top priorities. We succeeded in that effort and we are currently working with Oregon’s Elections Office to develop a rule for conducting post-election audits among other things such as open source software, election day voter registration, and instant runoff voting.

While my priority issue has been election reform, the DPO Platform covers a wide array of important issues including:

Affordable Health Care,
Living Wage jobs,
Equal Rights for All People,
Public Education that facilitates Life Long Learning,
Fair and responsible Revenue Policies,
A Viable Economy that Supports Oregon’s Farmers, Ranchers and Foresters, and Ensures Workers Rights, Including Retirement Security,
Opposing Privatization on of The Vote and Guaranteeing Transparent Elections that Reflect the Will of the People,
Preserving Our Personal Freedoms, While Ensuring our Safety,
Demanding Honesty, Integrity and Competence in Government,
Practicing Conservation While Tapping Human Ingenuity to Fuel the Future,
Engaging the World through the Strength of Diplomacy, Justice, and the Rule of Law

Although the meetings are tough as folks work through the language to make sure the intent is clear and comprehensive and cannot be misconstrued, the effort is valued by the broader members of the Democratic Party who can limit their time to a day at the County or Caucus level and/or a day at the state platform convention level. The complete DPO platform and legislative action items can be found at the following link:
http://www.oregondemocrats.org/platform-resolutions-and-endorsements

In mid-July Senator Obama called for citizens across the country to host house parties so that anyone who wanted to weigh in on the development of the Democratic National Committee’s Platform could do so. I attended such a house party in my neighborhood, hosted by Sue Staehli. About 20 people attended and we managed to identify 3 topics we wanted to focus on: promoting election reform; promoting a green economy, and realizing a unified America. We broke into 3 groups to flesh out some specific actions that should be taken in each of these areas. This gave me the opportunity to share the DPO's election reform priorities both within Oregon and for the National Platform. Everyone left feeling very satisfied that their voices will be heard and reflected in the process of developing the National Platform for the Democratic Party.

Jeff Berman, National Delegate Director, Obama for America summarizes this effort to include views from citizens across the country as follows:

“We closely reviewed all 1,200 reports and the message was clear -- Americans are hungry for change on the economy, health care, energy, and the environment. Other top issues include education, national security, foreign policy, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Your ideas and your language are being directly incorporated into the platform. And when the final draft is posted online after the convention, your Platform Meeting will be listed as a contributor. Thanks to the commitment, passion, and energy of ordinary Americans like you, the Listening to America open platform was a resounding success. Together, we are rewriting how priorities in Washington are set.”

Check out some press coverage of the Listening to America Platform Meetings and let's keep the momentum going:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/listeningresults

And so, what began as a seemingly lonely effort to restore integrity to our country’s election system has become a realization that if you believe you can make a difference, find the time to join forces with others who share your concerns, be persistent and patient, we can all make a difference. More importantly, Senator Obama, a demonstrated by his historic Presidential campaign, is committed to bringing as many Americans as possible into defining and participating in the Democratic Party.

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A Family Reunion

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

I recently returned from my husband’s family reunion in Lisbon, NH. Salters came from across the country and around the world and I was elated to find the majority of them are avid Obama supporters. Even the children who came from Madrid and Zurich are excited about the prospect of a President Obama. Niko, a 12 year old cousin from Madrid, went to the opening of an Obama campaign office in Missouri with his grandparents before the reunion. Niko is so excited and knowledgeable about Senator Obama he declined to let his grandmother make a donation on his behalf and insisted on donating $20.00 of the $100.00 his parents had given him to spend during his vacation in America. He bought an Obama t-shirt and some buttons which he shared with his young cousins. Natalya, a 7 year old cousin from Zurich, brought a book about Barack Obama with her – when I expressed interest in the book she started flipping the pages to show me pictures of Senator Obama.

Another highlight of this trip was spending time with Aunt Jean, a life-long Republican who, after reading Senator Obama’s 2 books: “Dreams From My Father, “ and “Audacity of Hope” re-registered as “unenrolled” so that she could vote for Senator Obama in the Massachusetts “modified closed” primary. I had to confess that I had not yet read the Senator's 2 books and Aunt Jean graciously offered to take us to a bookstore so that we could get the books to read during our vacation. We bought "Dreams From My Father" on CD so that we could listen to it as we toured New England. Our 8 year old daughter, Maggie, even enjoyed listening to the Senator's grammy award winning book. Usually Maggie's lobbying us to play the Radio Disney channel in the car! I also found myself totally absorbed in "Audacity of Hope," staying up late and waking up early to read so as not to interfere with precious time visiting family and friends.

Everyone needs to read these books, ESPECIALLY if they have any concerns about whether Senator Obama is qualified to be President or are skeptical about his stand on policy issues ranging from Iraq, women's rights, human rights, civil rights, education, universal health care, etc. THANK YOU Aunt Jean for motivating me to read and listen to Senator Obama's books "now" instead of "when I can find the time"!!!

Needless to say, it was incredibly uplifting and heartwarming to be among family from all over the country (Missouri, Georgia, Wisconsin, California, New England) and the world who are all so excited for me as a delegate and who are all doing their part to help Senator Obama become our next President.

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Pre-Convention Events

By Betsy Tam Salter - Aug 8th, 2008 at 11:44 am EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

Since being elected as an alternate delegate for Obama on June 21st I have been to a flurry of pre-convention events interspersed between two family vacations: a week in San Diego and 10 days in New England.

In mid-July I was invited to a party hosted by a Clinton delegate. The goal was to figure out how we could unite the Democratic party behind Senator Obama. It was eye opening to witness the depth of the emotion the Clinton supporters felt over their candidate’s loss in the primary election. Despite Senator Clinton’s endorsement for Obama and her withdrawal from the primary, her supporters were not yet ready to follow Clinton’s lead to make sure that Senator Obama will be our next President. One Clinton supporter who did not hesitate to get behind Obama helped me understand why it’s particularly difficult for Clinton supporters to switch gears. Unlike previous primary elections where voters only invest a few months of passion and energy for their candidate, Clinton supporters have been with her since Bill Clinton first ran for President in 1991. Hopefully as time passes, the stark differences between McCain and Obama and the repercussions for the future of our country will enable Clinton supporters to enthusiastically get behind Obama.

The Obama campaign is hosting weekly DNC delegate conference calls on Fridays at 6:00 PM PST. The conference calls are helpful for learning about new developments in plans for the national conference in Denver. We also received a foreign policy briefing in conjunction with Senator Obama’s trip to the middle east and Europe.

As a delegate I have been motivated to attend every event to which I have been invited. So far this includes the opening of the Obama campaign office in SE Portland, a Multnomah County Precinct Committee Person (PCP) happy hour at a downtown restaurant/pub, a DNC platform development house party, a Multnomah County Democrats picnic/potluck, and a Bus Project house party. I was also elected to serve as an Assistant District Leader for House District 46. In the remaining 2 weeks before I head to Denver I’ll attend a gathering for the Oregon delegation at Congressman Blumenauer’s home, a house party fundraiser for 2 of my fellow delegates and 2 fundraisers for Representative Jeff Merkley’s Senate campaign.

I am also honored and grateful to my friend Nancy Matela who is graciously hosting a fundraising dinner for me on August 15th. Last spring, the Democratic Party of Oregon advised prospective delegates we should prepare for convention travel expenses on the order of $1,500.00. This is a huge investment in our democracy for our single income family and we greatly appreciate all the support we will receive from our family and friends.

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June 21, 2008 State Convention Day!!

By Betsy Tam Salter - Jul 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pm EDT

Also listed in: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Obama

I closed my campaign by sending out an endorsement email that promoted my alliances with Carla "KC" Hanson, Sue Hagmeier, Bob Stoll, Shane Jackson, Kari Chisholm and Maui Meyers. I also endorsed several of the highly deserving front-runners who were not able to return the favor: Pat Ackley, Jill Thorn, Becky Gladstone and Lupita Maurer. My hope was that if 2 of them could get elected as PLEOs, there would be room on their ballots and their supporters ballots to vote for me as an at-large candidate.

Nancy Matela and I headed for Monmouth, OR at about 9:30 AM. It was a beautiful day and I was so nervous and excited! Nancy drove so that she could leave earlier if necessary. We arrived by 11:00 at the historic Western Oregon University and the place was already hopping with campaigning candidates. We spent the next 2 hours lobbying each other and the other delegates for votes. It was a bit overwhelming, but Nancy helped me focus on meeting and greeting some of the more influential participants like Governor Barbara Roberts and Jefferson Smith. In addition to pledged votes we were trying to get my badges on as many lapels as possible.

My badges, by the way, were designed by my brother Mike. Mike is an amazing and creative graphic artist and computer whiz. He really should turn his talent into a profession. The badges he designed for me were composed of the Obama logo with a democratic donkey pasted over the red/white stripes and "Vote Betsy Salter National Delegate" pasted over the blue/sun.

Finally it was 1:00 PM and time to start the voting. First the men PLEOs (Party Leaders/Elected Officers). Maui made it onto the second ballot. Maui, KC and Nancy had all had a chance to meet and took a liking to each other so we were particularly thrilled for Maui. Unfortunately, Maui would have to take his chances as an At-large candidate.

The female PLEOs were next. I was banking on two on my slate of women winning as PLEOs to make room for me as an At-large candidate on a number of delegates ballots. Lupita Maurer and KC Hanson pulled it off!!! My chances of getting on the 2nd at-large ballot were looking better.

Next the male at-large election. Out of 200 candidates,only 3 could be elected as 2 delegates and 1 alternate. Maui and Shane didn't make it onto the 2nd ballot, but Bob Stoll and Kari Chisholm did. Sadly, neither of them won an at-large delegate seat in the end.

Finally, the female at-large election. We had less than 200 candidates and we had 5 at-large and 1 alternate seat to fill. I was #5 of the top 12 candidates, making it onto the 2nd ballot. I was very nervous giving my 1 minute speech, but my supporters assured me I had done well. Maui was eager to return to Hood River where his 3 young kids and restaurants awaited him. He almost left before finding out whether I made it onto the 2nd ballot. KC badgered him into staying and Maui's vote made the difference in the end. I made it onto the delegation as the at-large female alternate by one vote!

I am so thrilled to be on the Oregon delegation going to the National Democratic Convention!!!!

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