Yep. I'm done.
Why?
Because it's 5:38 AM and I've been awake for more than 23 hours straight, that's why!
See, I woke up very early yesterday (Saturday) morning to head on over to the Democratic State Convention in Detroit. There was an excellent panel put on by the Justice Caucus titled "Building a New, Winning, Progressive Democratic Coalition in Michigan." The panel was led by former Lt. Gov. John Cherry, who served Michigan for 28 years as a state representative, state senator (including as Senate Democratic Leader), and Lieutenant Governor under Jennifer Granholm.
My biggest takeaway? We need to focus on how we can help each other. One of the panelists - the chief of staff to UAW President Bob King, whose name escapes me - mentioned that if not for the help of unions, we wouldn't have made anywhere near as much progress on civil rights as we have. That kind of unity will be important going forward as we fight for our values and strive to elect more and better Democrats. (Other panelists included Albert Garrett; attorney Mark Bernstein of the well-known Bernstein Law Firm; and voting rights champion/2010 Secretary of State nominee Jocelyn Benson.)
The day also featured the election of state congressional district party leaders, including the re-election of longtime MDP Chair Mark Brewer, First Vice Chair Tina Abbott, and Kent County's own Lupe Ramos-Montigny as Second Vice Chair. The plenary session featured keynote remarks by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who will be seeking her third term next year.
Overall people at the Convention were quite energized and looking forward to what's next, despite the disaster we went through on November 2.
Each Congressional District caucus elected district officers as well as delegates and alternates to the State Central Committee. I was elected to the 3rd District Executive Committee, a few days after filling a spot on the Kent County Democratic Executive Committee. Needless to say, I'm hitting the big time in West Michigan Democratic politics!
Which is why I am leaving Daily Kos - so I can go to bed and rest up!
But I'll be back in the afternoon/evening!