The Nebraska Young Democrats State Convention was Saturday in Lincoln, and many many UNO College Democrats were there.
If you missed it, you missed some fierce debate, invigorating speeches from candidates and guest speakers, lots of talk about the future of our party, and of course some serious unwinding when it was all done.
In the end 5 UNODems ran for offices, 7 were nominated, and 1 was elected. There were also some very important changes to our constitution debated, and mostly, passed. I’ll leave all the other opinions and thoughts out of the main post and leave them to you…
How did you feel about the convention? How do you feel about our role in the future of the NYDs? And for the non-UNODems there: what was the perspective from “the other side of the aisle?”
Update: Young Democrats Convention yields energetic members - Daily Nebraskan
Well, the convention did last forever and a day, but I did enjoy some of the heated debates that arose between the Lincoln and Omaha people there. I definitely think we are becoming a very large force in the NYDs when we probably didn’t have as much say and clout as we do now since our group has grown so much. Give us another year or two and we will very likely outweigh the Lincolnites at the convention. My favorite part of the meeting was when we broke into groups and shared ideas on what to do to at a grassroots level to help out. I was able to get some really good ideas from people in other areas and also help out those in smaller towns trying to get something started. The convention was great, but you know my favorite part was the killer after party!
The convention this year had a great turnout and I was really impressed with all the enthusiasm and determination all the YDs have maintained (despite the elections)! After talking a little bit with Ryan and hearing several of you speak, I’m really interested in exchanging ideas and maybe even attending a meeting next time I’m in the big ‘O’. Oh, and Layne, congrats on your win. And I think the UNLYDs will be glad to take on your challenge to outweigh you at the 2006 convention! I think it would be appropriate to quote our man Dubya in saying, “Bring ‘em on!”
You guys are great! Thanks to everyone for making this convention a great one!
Stephanie Gaulin
UNLYD, treasurer
I had a good time at the convention…it was a bit long though.
I do think we have some good people in office.
I was kind of upset to see an “aisle” between Lincoln, omaha and the lone grand islander.
Daniel O
There were some interesting, heated, emotional, and loud discussions about this topic monday night. A lot of what was said I’m not sure belongs out here in the weblog land either.
But let me say that, on behalf of at least a majority of the UNO group that attended Saturday’s convention:
A sincere thank you to any deligate who showed up without having made concrete decisions about who they would vote for; weighted speeches and other information carefully, and then cast their vote for the candidate they truly thought would help lead our group best over the next two years.
As outgoing NYD president, thanks to all of you from UNO that attended the convention. You helped set a record, as we doubled the attendence from last year.
Believe it or not, this convention made great progress in bridging the divide between Lincoln and Omaha. We’ve got a lot of important work to do, and great folks on the NYD executive committee and at chapters like yours that are up to the task. There is a role in NYD for anyone that wants to work. Thanks for your passion, your energy, and your ideas.
Greetings UNO YD’s!
I am so honored and excited to have been elected to serve as the new President of the Nebraska Young Democrats. The dedication and energy displayed by all delgates to our recent state convention was inspiring. I believe that our adherence to core Democratic values like access to affordable health care, living wages for those who work full time, safe workplace enviroments, a strong public education system, and the basic protection of our civil rights in fact demonstrate we have far more in common with eachother reagardless of geographical divides.
Our continued unity is our strength. I am eager to lead, with your help and guidance. I plan to focus on recruiting Young Democrats to get involved in the political process and to run for office.
On to Victory! Democratically yours, Danielle
To everyone that attended the convention. Thank you.
A big thank you to everyone that voted for me last year. That took a chance on an unknown and believed that grassroots people can contribute to the political spectrum in Nebraska politics.
I am glad that Howard Dean is our new chair because he gets this. Sometimes having someones endorsement doesn’t mean jack if you don’t have passion! I say to everyone let’s kick some butt this year.
I had a really great time at the convention. It was awesome to see some different democratic faces for a change…not that I don’t like you guys or anything! I love you all!
Anyway, the convention was awesome and I wish I could have gone to the “killer afterparty”…but someone was not answering my phone calls so he/she could tell me where the party was…hmmm. Sorry I missed it!
I was a little bit disappointed with all the conflict between Lincoln and Omaha. It definitely seemed like there was some sort of a competition of how many omahans/lincolnites could get elected. Omaha is becoming a strong voice within NYD…yay UNO College Dems. We all rock!
Thanks to all of you who are driving the UNO College Democrats and Nebraska Young Democrats to unrivaled levels of success. I cannot wait to get back and continue working with you all. Keep Fighting for America. Without the good 48% that you all make up, America would be a laughingstock to the entire world. Without the dissent you cause on the inside of our nation, the rest of the world would judge all Americans by our cover, Mr. Bush, and I think some of us deserve a little more credit than that. Thanks for all you are doing. I can´t wait to be there fighting with you all.
UNO YD’s-
Our NYD executive committee is starting to plan our goals and a timeline for the next year. Let me know your thoughts. I appreciate any input. You can email me at
danielle@nebraskayoungdemocrats.org
Thanks!
I didn’t feel much of a “competition” between the Lincoln and Omaha YDs at the convention, but I completely agree that the “isle” between us created some sense of division. I really enjoyed meeting all of you and I’d really like to get to know you better. Let’s do our best to bridge any gap there might be. You’re welcome at any of our meetings/events any time you’re in town. Feel free to contact me (sgaulin1@bigred.unl.edu), Trevor, or any other UNLYD member if you want some more information! I think we can learn a lot from each other and cultivate some new ideas and great energy! Keep on fighting!
Stephanie Gaulin
Thoughts and observations…
1) I also get my news from Jon Stewart
2) UNO, you should be congratulated for having an impressive and excellent site
3) The after convention party was killer and I am looking forward to several more
4) Post-convention analysis: (forgive me if this gets too long)
One of the topics talked about after the election was that there was a culture division between the blue states and the red states. East and West coasts vs the Bible Belt and the South. One could even argue there is a “division” here in Nebraska; from Omaha to Lincoln, to Kearney, to Fremont, and even up to Wayne. I don’t see “division” or the “other side of the aisle.” All I see is different views and philosophies about issues that we care about. If anything, there is one thing that binds us together. We are Democrats. We are proud to be Nebraska Democrats.
One question that my mind kept asking was with all the positive vibes coming out the convention, Where do we go from here and how are going to get there? I believe Howard Dean said it best, in order to compete nationally, we must compete and support Democrats on all levels. With that being said we have the re-election of Mike Fahey and the Lincoln city council elections in May. If the NYD are to be a power in this state, it starts here with these elections. If we are able to mobilize that can only strengthen our efforts in 06.
To be a factor in 06, we need to be organized and working together. It has never been about Omaha vs Lincoln vs the 3rd CD. It is about coming together as YDs. The major issues of today, like health care, social security, education, and even the draft, have a greater impact on our generation than anybody currently in Washington. Now is the time to take these issues and make them our own. Right now we have the opportunity to seriously influence the direction of the party. We do have the power. I realized people have their own takes on Zell Miller, but there is one statement I believe in. I am a Democrat. I am proud to be a Democrat, and I will be a Democrat till the day I die. It is time to take the state back.
-Adam Johnson
1st CD, Fremont