Every new decade, we are forced by various constitutions (federal and state), court decisions, legal frameworks, local charters, and other socio-economic-cultural-political precedents, to do a census count. This is essentially a precursor to reapportioning lines for legislative (and election/EDs) districts: on all levels of government (federal/state/local). You can say that it’s a tradition now.

Let me qualify that census counts are not used only for redistricting/reapportionment. It has become a tremendous tool/weapon in the arsenal of politicians, planners, pusillanimous-people, programmers, prostitutes, pimps, prognosticators, priests, policy-makers and the like.

You can also say that traditionally there are fights (expectedly) around issues dealing with redistricting/reapportionment. It can be rather contentious. It can be mind-boggling. The lengths that individuals in both the republican and democratic parties go to maintain power is something worthy of intellectual examination and meticulous scrutiny. The hope being (of course), that the more we study this as a phenomenon, the better the chances that we will eventually get to do it right.  read more »

[Note: Dave was co-Chair of the NYSDC during the Spitzer administration and previously led DL21C, the well-regarded activist group. This landed in my inbox last night, and I think it's quite on point enough to share.]

An urgent appeal from Dave

Friends, there is a very important election Tuesday that could decide the path of our Country for years to come. There are many critical races here in New York, but there are two I want to highlight for you.

Two great Democrats, Tom DiNapoli and Eric Schneiderman are running for State Comptroller and Attorney General. If we allow these seats to fall into Republican hands, the new occupants – no matter how moderate they might seem, will be high-profile all-stars for the Republican Party nationally. The Republican Party will use these spots to raise money for Republican candidates for Congress and the RNC, to promote a right-wing agenda nationwide.

We must must MUST keep these seats in Democratic hands!  read more »

We're in the home stretch. What happens in the next ten days will determine who governs this state for the next two to four years, who draws the district lines, and who makes decisions about your kids' future.

NY Dems:

Gillibrand, Schneiderman, DiNapoli, & Jacobs to lead rallies in Manhattan, Nassau County, and Westchester County
This Saturday at 11 am Democrats will be holding a massive statewide day of action to build energy and spread the Democratic message.

Dubbed “Mobilizing for Victory,” Democrats will hold simultaneous rallies in Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Suffolk County, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo – followed by a coordinated canvassing operation to reach out to everyday New Yorkers on behalf of the entire Democratic ticket.

The show of force comes as the Democratic coordinated campaign ramps up its efforts going into the all-important final stretch. Since kicking off just three weeks ago, the Democratic Coordinated Campaign has already set up shop with 13 regional field offices, knocked on close to 200,000 doors, and called well over 100,000 voters.

Check the link for a list of locations and get out there.

From now until election day you can spend a weekend making history. This election will decide whether we can continue to rebuild America and effect progressive change or if Republicans will force us backed to failed Bush policies. You can help beat back two Bush Republicans, one in NY State and one in Pennsylvania.

This comes from Act Now:

...join ACT NOW as we team up with Organizing for America and other progressive organizations to go door-to-door on behalf of Congressman John Hall.

RSVP for our Saturday and Sunday canvasses

John Hall represents a historically conservative district, but has been a strong progressive vote in Congress, supporting health care reform, financial reform, and the stimulus package. His opponent, Republican Nan Hayworth, is a self-avowed Reaganite, who believes that the way to prosperity is a freeze on all non-military discretionary spending, a freeze on stimulus spending, and repealing health care reform.  read more »

Harold Ford jr.'s run for Senate is dead...

"A penny for the old guy"

Hillary Clinton, the very accomplished, brilliant wife of a very popular President, moved to New York to run for the Senate. She was widely criticized initially as a "carpetbagger," but in the end won our confidence and won her Senate seat. Hillary is an exceptional person and NY State appreciates exceptional people even if they come from elsewhere. Even though it didn't pass Congress (due to the exact same Democratic divisions and Republican obstructionism we are seeing now), I think many appreciated her efforts and recognized her Healthcare plan as something America sure could have used.

Harold Ford, jr., the failed Senate candidate from Tennessee and Wall Street fat cat, somehow convinced himself he was as exceptional a person and Hillary Clinton and thought he could follow in her footsteps. Moving from Tennessee he thought he could waltz into the Senate, banking on dissatisfaction with so-far only appointed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.  read more »