Close Phone Bank Competition, Notre Dame Wins With 1,101 Calls
Phone Call Competition Held Nov. 12th!
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE V. INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON
NOW THAT'S REAL HOOSIER VALUES: THANK YOU HOOSIER CONGRESSMEN (ALL 5!) WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR AMERICA ACT! (Senator Bayh, We're Counting on You to Vote YES Next!)
Indiana College Democrats Call on Republican Party to Grab a Mop and Help Clean Up the Mess in Washington
Karl Rove and Howard Dean Debate Issues Before Overflow Crowd at DePauw
"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." -Senator Ted Kennedy (1932-2009)
CDIN Recieves National 2008-2009 "Rising Star" Award by CDA
The award was presented to the entire federation of the College Democrats of Indiana who worked tirelessly during the 2008 elections to elect Democrats. Together, the organization registered 36,450+ voters and were able to turn the state blue by electing Barack Obama by 26,000 votes. In South Bend, they opened the first-ever student-run College Democrats campaign headquarters in the nation. The students at Ball State University independently took on their school and local government in order to ensure student enfranchisement on Election Day. Purdue College Democrats worked cooperatively with their Students for Barack Obama group to rebuild their local Party and ensure fair treatment towards young voters. At Anderson University, a conservative christian college, the College Democrats tackled a tough audience to make sure their support for Democrats was known and spread. Additionally, the College Democrats statewide elected a countless number of State Legislators and local officials along the way. The Rising Star Award recognizes their efforts by honoring their potential to go above and beyond in the years to come.
The convention was held on the beautiful downtown D.C. campus of George Washington University and consisted of a diverse group of speakers and panelists including Governor of Virginia and Party Chairman Tim Kaine, Senator Arlen Specter, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Director of Organizing for America Mitch Stewart and OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird, Christine Pelosi, and many others. The convention included a variety of training sessions, caucus meetings and discussions to help each state federation and chapter head into the new school year ready to build on the enormous successes of the 2008 campaign. It also included various social events that allowed students from around the country to have fun and get to know each other better.
One thing was abundantly clear; the College Democrats have established themselves as a reliable and powerful element of the Democratic Party.
CDIN sends 10 to National Convention in Washington D.C.
Announcing the College Democrats of America Convention 2009 Registration! The CDA Convention will be held in Washington, DC, from Thursday, July 23- Sunday, July 26, 2009 on the campus of George Washington University.
This will be an exciting convention!! Join us as we experience Washington, DC, with a new administration, a Democratic Congress, and thousands of young democrats from around the country. Our convention will feature trainings, speakers, students from across the country, welcome receptions, and more!
A tentative agenda in addition to information on housing will be posted in the upcoming weeks. Please let us know if you have any questions at convention@collegedems.com. See you in DC!
Registration Rates Early Registration | April 27- May 31 $50
Click here to register
June 1- July 9: Regular Registration $65
July 23-26: On-Site Registration $100
CDIN Urges State Senators to Pass Bill 254
The College Democrats of Indiana (CDIN) are urging legislators to enact SB 254, a bill authored by Senator Jean Breaux, which would allow students who attend state universities to vote with their student identification cards. In addition to students, the bill allows for the IDs of Indiana National Guardsmen, the Defense Department and those in the Peace Corps to be used when verifying identity at the polls. This important legislation has been identified as "critical" by the state federation, and a number of individual chapters (Purdue, University of Southern Indiana, and Ball State University) have taken measures to hold their elected officials accountable.
Federation President Sean Dvorak said on Wednesday, that he did not see SB 254 as a partisan matter, but rather an issue of student voting rights. "The law regarding student voting rights has been settled for over three decades. The state should work hard to enfranchise student voters by broadening access to valid identification. Senate Bill 254 does exactly that." The organization is therefore encouraging state officials to keep the student amendment in SB 254 when it arrives in conference committee this week.
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE INDIANA SENATE
Univ. of Evansville Dems Cleanup Local Park
Univ. of Evansville Dems in coalition with the College Dems at University of Southern Indiana and other local Democratic groups honored the memory of President John F. Kennedy when they worked together to cleanup Evansville's Tepe Park on April 3rd. The united effort was to show solidarity toward building a more just and equal community.
Univ. of Southern Indiana Push Voter ID Bill
USI College Democrats are asking State Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, to vote yes to a bill that would allow college students to use student identification cards to vote.
Last week, the Indiana House of Representatives amended Senate Bill 254 to authorize university ID cards as a valid form of voter identification. The proposed bill also carried a new amendment that states no ID card expiration date or indefinite expiration date is required in order for the ID to be valid.
In past elections, USI students could not use their ID cards because of the required expiration date. But in light of the possible bill, USI College Democrats say the change would help create more student voters. MORE
Purdue College Dems Hold Press Conference, Question Voter ID Laws
Legislation passed by the Indiana House this week would grant college students at state universities the right to vote with their student IDs, even those without expiration dates. The House amended Senate Bill 254 to extend the student ID provision, and the bill was passed Thursday by the Democratic majority. It will now go to a conference committee for the Senate and House to iron out differences in the legislation.
State Rep. Randy Truitt, R-West Lafayette, voted against the measure because he said it's not difficult for students to obtain a state-issued driver's license or ID. "If they want to vote, they should go get an ID with an expiration date and register accordingly," Truitt said.
But the Purdue College Democrats criticized Truitt's vote Friday. The group wants to see Purdue IDs, which do not carry a printed expiration date, allowed for voting purposes. Eddie VanBogaert, president of the Purdue College Democrats, said, "Truitt, who represents the majority of campus, says that he supports Purdue University students, but is asking his colleagues to oppose the measure. Unfortunately those two positions cannot be reasonably reconciled." MORE
2009 CDIN Convention a Success!
On Saturday, March 28th, the College Democrats of Indiana hosted its annual convention at the University of Notre Dame. The convention began with social activities on Friday night including bowling with the Mayor of South Bend Steve Luecke and officially began Saturday with a day filled with trainings, speakers, and planning sessions. The College Democrats were joined by several elected officials including Congressman Joe Donnelly, Indiana Speaker of the House Pat Bauer, State Representative Ryan Dvorak, and State Representative David Niezgodski. Approximately sixty attendees from twelve universities across the state attended the anticipated convention.
For the last year, the College Democrats of Indiana have been led by IU-South Bend student, Caitlin Worm. On her tenure as President she states:
“I am proud of my time as president of the College Democrats in the state of Indiana, especially during the elections of 2008. Resources and tools I have gained from the Democratic National Committee and College Democrats of America are invaluable. We worked hard to lay the groundwork to make the 2010 elections a banner year for the organization. I have confidence that the new leadership will take an even more visible role in creating change in Indiana over the next year.”
College Democrats across the state voted unanimously to elect Sean Dvorak, IU-South Bend, as the 2009/2010 President of the organization. His work on campaigns and with community organizations will strengthen the ongoing success of the state federation. A complete listing of the final newly elected executive board is as follows:
President – Sean Dvorak, Indiana University-South Bend
Vice-President - Chris Rhodenbaugh, University of Notre Dame
Political Affairs Director – Mike Uehlein, Ball State University
Finance Director – Katie Shircliff, University of Notre Dame
Communications Director – Andrea Watts, Ball State University
Membership Director – Eddie Van Bogaert, Purdue University
Convention Schedule and Details
FINAL NOTES FOR THE 2009 ANNUAL COLLEGE DEMOCRATS CONVENTION
March 28, 2009 | University of Notre Dame | South Bend, IN | LINK TO MAP
REGISTRATION: Same dayregistration and registration check-ins are from 9:00AM-9:45AM outside of Debartelow Hall Room 141. In respect for our guest’s limited schedules, we will begin the convention exactly at 10AM.
DRESS CODE: The dress code is casual. Wear something comfortable – if, to you, that means wearing a suit and tie, knock yourself out. No sweat pants please. ;)
CAMPUS MAP: A campus map is included as an attachment in this email. The convention will be held in Debartelow Hall Room 141 on the south end of the building. Park in visitor parking. Lunch will be served in the Knights of Columbus Hall near the main circle on campus, we will all walk there together at noon.
TONIGHT! FRIDAY NIGHT: We will be meeting up informally for dinner at a local restaurant and going bowling afterward. Participation is optional, and the evening is at cost to you.
· 7PM: Hacienda Mexican Restaurant | www.haciendafiesta.com | approximately $5-$12 per person
3903 Portage Avenue - Suite H South Bend, Indiana 46628 | LINK TO MAP
· 9PM: Chippewa Bowl with South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke | $8 for two games and shoe rental
Other options available. i.e., you can just hang out and have fun, you don’t have to bowl.
225 W Chippewa Ave South Bend, IN 46614 | LINK TO MAP
Questions, call me at 574-910-2148 or the convention chair, Eileen Flanagan at 714-642-9083.
The tentative schedule of events is as follows:
Friday
5:00 PM Canvass with Obama For America
7:00 PM Dinner
9:00 PM Bowling with Mayor Steve Luecke at Chippewa Bowl
Saturday
9:15 AM Registration (until 9:45)
10:00 AM Introductions
10:05 AM Speaker: Representative Joe Donnelly
10:20 AM State of the State Federation
10:30 AM Ice Breaker
10:45 AM Constitutional Plenary Session
11:25 AM Video: Representative Dennis Kucinich
11:30 AM Speaker of the Indiana House B. Patrick Bauer
12:00 PM Luncheon w/ Local Elected Officials
1:15 AM Speaker: State Representative Ryan Dvorak
1:30 PM Training: Utilizing Party Resources
2:10 PM Video: Congressman Brad Ellsworth
2:15 PM Training: Fundraising
3:15 PM Individual College Meetings
3:45 PM Speaker: State Representative David Niezgodski
4:00 PM Recap of Convention. Establish future goals of CDIN
4:15 PM Elections
Announcing: 2009 Annual CDIN Convention, March 28th
This year's annual CDIN convention will take place on March 28th from 10AM-5PM at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. Enjoy a day of meeting like-minded students and leaders from across the state while learning about how to take a more active role in your Party and communities. Names of speakers/guests and details TBA. Please contact your chapter leader for registration information. Informal festivities will take place on Friday, March 27th and limited housing will be available on a first come first serve basis. The convention is free and lunch on Saturday will be provided; however, please bring money for your extra meals, transportation, and lodging (optional). Contact your chapter president for information on how to register or contact Eileen Flanagan, 2009 CDIN Convention Chair, at 714-642-9083. Visit the facebook event site: http://tinyurl.com/d3xucw .
College Democrats Introduce Obama Campaign Manager at DePauw University Visit
Plouffe began his address by stating, [Download Video: "Plouffe's Welcome" - 696kb] "It is good to be in Indiana, which is blue on that electoral map for the first time in far too long." The Hoosier state, usually the first to be declared for Republican presidential candidates in each election, went Obama's way in 2008. It was the first time a Democrat carried the state since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
Indiana was the last of 18 states put on the Obama campaign's battleground list and "the state we wanted the most," Plouffe said tonight.
[Download Audio: "People Power" - 562kb] "The notion of us winning Indiana without a grassroots campaign is just completely nuts," Plouffe asserted. "If we had run a lot of TV ads here and the candidate came occasionally and we had a decent field operation, we would've lost by 6 points. We wouldn't have won Florida, we wouldn't have won Ohio. We had millions of people out there who were giving us money they couldn't afford to give, time they didn't have to give. Half of the people who gave money or volunteered for our campaign had never done so before in American politics. Think about that, that's a shocking number." MORE
IU College Democrats Install Drywall in Memory of MLK
In response to President Barack Obama's call to service, several students from Indiana University-Bloomington gathered on a cold Saturday morning to lend a hand to the Monroe County Habitat for Humanity. Along with local community members students help put on siding and install drywall. While the students didn't enjoy waking up before 8 am on a Saturday they all said that they feel it is important to contribute to their community in any way they can. The Indiana University-Bloomington College Democrats are looking forward to future endeavors with local volunteer groups in Bloomington and create real change in their community.
CDA Winter Policy Conference, Jan. 16-20th
CDA is thrilled to announce our Winter Policy Conference which will be happening in conjunction with President-elect Obama's Inauguration. This is momentous occasion and shining moment for our generation. We will host policy panels and organizational meetings on Jan. 17th at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters in addition to participating in Inaugural events throughout the week. Click here to check out some of the exciting events we have planned for the week.
Announcing College Democrats MLK Service Day, Jan. 19th
In 1994, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others. As a tribute to that legacy and the very real needs of our nation, the President-elect and Vice President-elect will launch a national organizing effort on the eve of their Inauguration to engage Americans in service. This national day of service will fall on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19, 2009 and, unlike past calls to service, President-elect Obama will ask Americans to do more than just offer a single day of service to their cities, towns and neighborhoods. We encourage all College Democrats chapters in Indiana to take part in service activity during this day. Click here for project ideas.
Hoosier Mayors say their cities need auto bailout approved
The mayors of two Indiana cities heavily dependent on manufacturing jobs say the proposed federal loans to the Big Three carmakers are needed to prevent widespread unemployment and major losses to their communities' tax bases. Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold and Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight said the auto industry's presence in their cities is so large that a failure of the companies would be devastating. MORE
Indiana Officially Becomes a Blue State!
What a remarkable year. For the first time in 44 years, Indiana will deliver its 11 electoral votes for a Democrat. After months of tireless campaigning, President-Elect Obama's historic campaign has propelled Indiana onto the national stage. Now, it's our job to stay there! Thanks to your hard work, endless canvassing, generous contributions and support, we turned the Hoosier state blue. Congratulations to all of you, and to all of our wonderful candidates who ran so strongly in each of their races. Stay tuned for information regarding our Holiday Ball, a time for all of us to once again gather together. MORE
Yes we did!
An Irish Bellwether for Obama? - The Nation
The Northern Indiana College Democrats--led by students from Notre Dame and Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB)--formed their own political action committee this winter (they've raised over $10,000) and opened a campaign office in South Bend in September. They expected fifty people to show up for the office opening; 300 came. According to Spencer Howard, the president of College Democrats at Notre Dame, "as far as we know, it's the first and only College Democrat-run campaign office in the country."
MORE
College Groups Push the Vote
Just inside the front door of a Mishawaka Avenue storefront, college students who probably should be doing homework are making phone calls. In the back, previous editions of this newspaper are protecting a garage floor used to paint signs. This is headquarters to the Northern Indiana College Democrats — representing five different chapters from around St. Joseph County. MORE
Christian campuses play more visible role in campaigns
The 2008 presidential campaign will be remembered for feeling like one of the longest in history. But it may also be remembered for the visible role that Christian colleges played, going back at least to June 2007. MORE
College Republicans & Butler University policy spoil it for everyone
Debate and "Rock the Vote" event cancelled after College Republicans back out. The Butler College Democrats plan to co-host a "Rock the Vote" event with the Campus's chapter of College Republicans was forced upon them by University officials who mandated such an event be "bipartisan." However, after the College Republicans backed out, all of the College Democrats planning and hardwork was abruptly put to a halt. The bands and speakers (including former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, State Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker, and State Representative candidate Ed Delaney) were quickly informed the event was off. MORE
CDIN to Partake in "Treats 'N' Votes" Canvass on Halloween
CDIN Chapters acrossed the state will take part in a special Halloween themed canvass for Barack Obama and/or the Democratic candidates of their choosing. Students will be delivering candy and literature from house to house instead of collecting it, all while wearing an optional Halloween costume. Click on "Action" above to download official literature.
LONG THOMPSON, INDIANA DEMOCRATS LAUNCH
“ROAD TO CHANGE TOUR”
INDIANAPOLIS – As Election Day quickly approaches, today the Hoosiers for Jill Long Thompson Campaign announced the launch of its “Road to Change Tour,” a statewide barnstorming tour that will take the Democratic ticket to 56 different communities over 10 days.
The “Road to Change Tour,” will officially kickoff this Friday with a rally in the parking lot behind the Hoosiers for Jill Long Thompson Campaign Headquarters in Indianapolis. The tour will then move to Rushville and Connersville, before heading to southern Indiana for events throughout the weekend. MORE
College Students Nationwide Still Face Stumbling Blocks
"If you're a homeless person, you're allowed to write down the landmarks that you live around," says Zach Pilchen, president of College Democrats at William and Mary, pointing to a space on Virginia's form reserved for that purpose. "But you can't register from a dormitory." Win Sowder, who took over as Williamsburg's registrar in 2007, says her office no longer asks about domicile or restricts student voting. MORE
Anderson College Democrats Work for Obama at Faith-Based School
After a few years in inactivity, the College Democrats reorganized this year with seven involved members. Their faculty advisor is Terri Austin, the incumbent candidate running against Burrows in House district 36.
Kellermeyer said he expected membership in College Democrats to be triple what it stands at now. While Barack Obama has strong support among the student body...MORE
Respect Our Vote: College Democrats Launch Nationwide Campaign to Protect Students' Rights
With millions of young people preparing to cast their first vote, a shameful Republican misinformation campaign has emerged across the country. Inexperienced voters and young people are extremely vulnerable to miscommunication campaigns, and Republicans in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Virginia and all across the country have taken advantage of this over the past few weeks and months. In Colorado, Republican county clerk falsely informed out-of-state students attending Colorado College that they could not register to vote in Colorado if their parents claimed them as dependants on their taxes. In Virginia and South Carolina local registrars have intentionally lied to students registering to vote, telling them "you can't vote here." Indeed Republicans are discouraging young people from voting across the country, and these tactics must stop now. MORE
IU-Bloomington College Democrats Register Ten Times the Number of New Voters than their Republican Counterpart | On-Campus Early Voting Begins
Bloomington College Democrats have stepped up to register over ten thousand new voters this fall! MORE
Early voting is now open at IU-Bloomington until November 4th. For more information on early voting click here.
Jill Long Thompson Rocked the Debate Last Night!
"There were virtually no sparks until near the end, when Long Thompson accused Daniels of mishandling money from the Toll Road lease. 'He has invested almost one-third of the money that came in from that contract in junk bonds, in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae -- very high risk and unacceptable," Long Thompson said. "Not only that, he doesn't even have an investment policy for those funds.'" MORE
Jill Long Thompson @ Obama Rally in Indianapolis
John Edwards to Speak at IU-Bloomington
Former presidential candidate John Edwards, who in August admitted he had an extramarital affair while his wife battled cancer, will speak Nov. 11, at IU, just one week after the presidential elections. MORE
College students gear up for presidential election
"I think young people felt disillusioned with politics for awhile," Dietz said. "Our voice hasn't been heard for a long time. Washington has been controlled by special interest groups and the same old-boy network of politicians for long enough that we felt we couldn't make a difference. But now I think we have a really good chance to take back our government and fix a lot of the things that have gone wrong and change the way Washington works."
David Dietz - DePauw College Democrats President
MORE
540,000 New Hoosier Voters, and Counting
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — Indiana has about 540,000 new or updated voter registrations since January, and Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita predicts a 65-percent turnout of registered voters on Nov. 4. That would be the largest voter turnout since 1992. MORE
New poll shows tight race for president, governor
6:23 PM CDT, October 1, 2008 SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A new statewide poll has found tight races for both president and governor in Indiana.
The South Bend Tribune/WSBT poll released Wednesday found 46 percent of likely voters favored Republican John McCain for president while 45 percent said they supported Democrat Barack Obama.
The same poll found 47 percent supported Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels while 46 percent said they support Democrat Jill Long Thompson.
The poll's margin of error was plus or minus four percentage points. MORE
ISU students debate war, economy, and environment
Analyssa Noe, a junior legal studies major, spoke on behalf of Democratic candidate Barack Obama during the student debate while Brent Ellis, a sophomore economics major, and Jenna Butler, a senior legal studies major listen. MORE
Ball State OK with voting site on campus
President of the Ball State University Democrats Mike Uehlein knows how much of a difference eight days can make in college politics.
When the Sept. 9 Delaware County Election Board meeting began, Uehlein was confident in his joint statement with Campus Republican President R.J. Crace in support of the early voting satellite office on campus. Now Uehlein is fighting partisanship on both the campus and county level. With the election board set to meet today on the early voting issue, Uehlein said campus has came a long way in a little more than a week.
"This is the most energized I've seen this campus about any issue," he said. MORE
College Democrats open headquarters in South Bend
Notre Dame's College Democrats recently collaborated with other local schools to open a democratic campaign headquarters in South Bend, with the goal of helping elect Senator Obama in the November presidential election.
"We want to help elect Senator Obama and all the other candidates we are working for," Notre Dame's College Democrats president Spencer Howard said. "And in the broader scheme of things, [our goal] is to put the country on what we consider the right track." MORE
After months of raising money through various fundraisers and donations from South Bend residents, the office opened Thursday with an open house attended by a couple hundred interested students and members of the South Bend community, Howard said.
CDIN to Send Four to DNC Convention
Eight Indiana College Students slated to attend the historic 2008 CDA and DNC Convention in Denver. The students will come from Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana University-South Bend, and Purdue University. The students will attend trainings, speaking engagements, and celebrations, as well as take part in the DNC day of service, from August 22nd - 28th.