Everyone who knows me knows I’m pretty passionate about the candidate recruitment and using YDs to take advantage of the way Nebraska’s politics is going to work until 2010.

I want to throw something else out… voter registration.
How many people do you think we could register over the summer? I think even passive registration drives (like setting up a table at North and South Omaha HyVees) we could pick up a lot.

I think UNOdems / YDs should set a goal to register 1000 people this summer on our own, before the fall semester even starts.

Wouldn’t it be nice to take back the registration advantage in Omaha?

I believe I have said this somewhere on another blog, but I believe that it is important for us or for any organization to stay “healthy” it needs to evolve. Clearly, the UNO Democrats have evolved. The Young Democratic Cacus has evolved. Since our groups have evolved, some of roles have changed. Part of that evolution is now possibly taking on the role of finding canidates to run for public office. I strongly believe that is role that we can take on. The only question that I have is, are we ready to take on that role? The jury is still probably out on that, but we are closer than we have ever been before.

Someone brought up the notion of a rallying point. It seems like every campaign has some sort fo rallying point. Hell, even the Kerry/Edwards ticket talked about the idea of hope is on the way. Although they were not effective in conveying that idea, there is something to having a rallying point. Another thing I have said is that I don’t want to see us (Dems) be a party of negativity and opposition. If we are truly the “progressive voice of Nebraska” we need to offer something positive and hope. We need to start rallying around positive ideas that bring hope to the nation. Being a democrat is not just about defeating republicans in elections, it is about supporting the progression of society.

There is something to be said about closeness, the bonds, and friendships that are made within in organization like the young democrats, especially among UNO Dems. This is something that we can really promote. This can be a rallying point. It can be a part of our sales pitch to recruit new democrats.

Although these thoughts may seem ideal, they are truly not that far out reach. This can be done. We can build up this party. Maybe all these thoughts, theories, discussions, and suggestions start with the city elections coming up. Everything has a beginning, it is possible that the beginning lies within the elections. Only time will tell.

Whether you’re a member of the UNO College Dems, the UNL College Dems, County Party Central Committee member, are interested in helping the African-American Caucus or the Women’s Caucus —- always remember, there is more organizing work to do than we have people to do it.

So let people know about what they can do to help restore democracy in their neighborhoods, on their campus, in their workplace, at their social clubs, or on their online community.

Cause if you don’t organize, then who will?

If we build the Democratic Party to it’s fullest potential — organized caucuses, organized County Party Organizations, organized e-precincts, organized campuses — candidates for all offices will come, run, and win as Nebraska Democrats.

As the saying goes, “you can’t hit a triple without touching first base!”

First and foremost, I strongly recommend to keep the fundamental objective of the organization similar to what it is now. It´s not broke, so lets not fix it. Continue with the fundraising/recruitment campaign on campus that has brought in so much publicity and membership. Change our messages, change some products if you want (Did I hear someone say ¨Girls of the College Dems Calender¨ with Gary D as Miss December? just kidding ladies, dont be offended), but I would not let up on the recruitment effort.

Second, I think we need a hook; something to keep people coming. Last semester it was a mix of controversy, anti-Bush sentiment, the elections, etc. This semester I don´t honestly know what it is, but whatever you all are doing, it sounds like it is working. If John´s idea is plausable, that could be a great hook, something to rally around. If not, there are thousands of other things we can do as a college democrat organization that haven´t been done before. Either way, we need to give people a reason to want to be a UNO College Democrat.

My third suggestion is to maintain the closeness in our organization. I honestly feel that the group I left last winter was one of friends, not just acquaintances who visited once a week to slander the Republicans. I would do anything to make sure that the business side of the organization gets done, but not by overpowering the social side of the organization. After all, friends working together to rid the state of Republicans (a lofty goal, and no I am not talking about genocide) is a lot more effective than a group of strangers sitting around cracking elephant jokes. Believe me, I enjoy that too, but what I am trying to say is that we have an opportunity here. An opportunity to offer new members a place to go, friendships to make, and an opportunity to make a difference together in the state we live it.

Good luck with the remainder of the semester. Finish Strong. See you all in less than two months.

Chad Brakhahn

The Nebraska Democratic Party is working hard to make sure that we run great candidates up and down the ballot in 2006. In fact, I just got back from a several-day trip around the western part of the state, where I met with potential candidates and local activists.

We have alot of work to do before Election Day 2006, and the NYD (and its local groups, like the UNO College Democrats) are an integral part of this. It’s important that Young Democrats help us identify candidates, but we also need Young Democrats to help us with their shoeleather and their idealism: we have doors to knock, voters to register, and a state to win back in 2006.

And, if you haven’t heard: in the next few weeks we’ll be relaunching nebraskademocrats.org. It will include new grassroots organizing tools and an upgraded blog.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any ideas or suggestions.

Thanks for your hard work and your great blog!

Ian Russell
Field Director
Nebraska Democratic Party

Sorry about that!! Don’t worry, that’s probably the last posting from me from now on!!

Also, not to take from the wonderful discussion, I think we need to be careful about “outting” candidates before they are ready to declare.