Yale College Democrats Rock the 2010 Elections

Was it vetted? (0.00 / 0)

The references to Obama could be taken as a veiled criticism of a Yale professor and war hero. I'm wondering if this is a wise move by the Yale Democrats.

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by: dkfennell @ Tue Sep 21, 2010 at 15:04:49 PM UTC

Very funny @dkfellenn (0.00 / 0)

But on a serious note, we really do want input on how you think we can hype this election season.  These candidates need students to make calls and knock doors.  However, we have seen extremely low interest at Yale (we are working on publicity campaigns now) and around the state.  How do we make the issues of this election real and meaningful for college students?  

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by: Stango @ Tue Sep 21, 2010 at 16:38:04 PM UTC

I attend another University out of state (0.00 / 0)

And I must say

A. I'm impressed by your organization. The  Young Dems on my campus are laughable.
B. We've had the same sorts of problems engaging people on campus.
C. Have you checked out Trick or Vote? We're hoping that it'll be a good way to get people excited about canvassing right before the election.

http://trickorvote.org/

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by: MBethel @ Tue Sep 21, 2010 at 16:44:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

re: I attend another University out of state (0.00 / 0)

Trick or Vote looks just quirky enough to be effective.  We will definitely look into it and will spread it around the state.  Thanks for the tip.

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by: Stango @ Tue Sep 21, 2010 at 16:53:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Making issues "meaningful for college students"? (4.00 / 2)

Don't know if I can really help you there Stogna. When I went to college, way back in antediluvian days, we felt that issues like civil rights, ending a war or anti-poverty efforts were motivating enough for us to organize. In the days after the Republicans stall ending DADT again, when 2 wars keep raging (with one of the "heroes" a revered prof there) and when poverty is at the highest level since before I went to college, I'm not sure if there is really anything "meaningful for college students." Especially since Yale Democrats seem unwilling to rock the boat. If you just want to turn the organization into another Society Club, you could probably get better pointers from a Republican blog.  

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by: dkfennell @ Wed Sep 22, 2010 at 12:36:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Social Club? (0.00 / 0)

The Yale Dems are developing major elections efforts for this Fall:

-A massive on and off campus voter registration drive on October 9th (we have already registered 122 new voters this semester)
-Weekly canvasses
-Tuesday phonebanks with Organizing for America
-A campus wide Elections Kick Off on 9/27 with Rep. DeLauro, AG Blumenthal, and many other elected officials and candidates
-Debate watching parties, rallies, insane GOTV operations and oh so much more...

Wow! What social clubs do you belong do that does this? I want to join!

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by: MBethel @ Wed Sep 22, 2010 at 14:24:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

to clarify (4.00 / 1)

Don't know about that last sentence zinger, but...

There are organizations that support the status quo wherever it takes them, and there are organizations around particular principles, ideals that they work from and rally around and that propel their actions.  Im any group of any kind, the leadership and the members need to be aligned in the type of organization they are intending to be.

In the former, the organization is a service organization that exists not to change the status quo, but either to serve it or with no opinion about it. Both provide some sort of value, but of differing emphasis.    If you have decided to be there, no matter what, for any candidate with a D by their name, then that's pretty much a self definition of an auxiliary function.

The immediate need is served by such organizations.  They may e.g. collect canned goods for homeless shelters, but poverty is not addressed as something to get rid of -- it's something to be ameliorated.  Likewise, supporting any and all Democrats makes belonging to the party/getting tons of support as a candidate does not address the philosophical direction of the party.

Campaigns don't happen without phone bankers, envelope stuffers, and so forth.  In fact, when it comes to executing, the  volunteer who is willing to do exactly what they are asked however menial the task and do it well, without having an opinion about it, makes the campaign's life easy.

dkfennell is pointing to movements - and sometimes organizations - that are moved by a desire to mobilize to address societal issues, or have rallying principles that guide their actions, beyond membership.  In other words, to gain the help of such folks, there is a requirement that their values not be dismissed, their future not compromised, and their assistance not taken for granted.  DFA and moveon would seem to be cut more from this cloth.

Being a willing worker in the context of a greater goal may be a more modern approach to volunteering than volunteering for volunteering's sake.

I think it's important to keep close tabs with the members in a group to find out what type of organization they think they joined -- an organization with a job or a mission, or a job within the context of a mission -- and to find out more about what matters to them and who is speaking to what matters.  

What makes the members excited?  Are they hoping to participate in something bigger than themselves -- or do they focus more on an effort to support and perpetuate the D party in any form it chooses?

Are they proud to be affiliated with the party -- or not?  Do they believe the party will make their future better - or not?  How do they feel about the ability to influence the quality of their lives via politics/government?

What do they actually know about the tasks those up for election or reelection will be charged with carrying out?
If one doesn't know, it's even harder to get psyched about that particular race.

If people seem only to come around when the latest rock star candidate emerges, then how strong is the commitment they feel that the party has something to offer in and of itself? (And note, I am not questioning the commitment, I am looking at what the leadership has succeeded in conveying to grassroots, or not.)

Is the Young Dem organization interested in providing political leadership, or does it envision its role as a group looking to make a difference in any candidate's race with the right party affiliation?  How much is the YD leadership a reflection of members' attitudes and values and how much is there a disconnect?

Is there a disconnect between what people who participated in 08 were seeking and what they are finding in 2010?

If the party at the national level is in any way ultimately turning out to be making it harder to engage YDs, then taking the time to understand the stated reasons for less participation of such a smart and articulate group and conveying  these perspectives as a group to national leadership could be a "stop the music" type valuable contribution.  

It would be interesting to hear more from the perspective of students.

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by: greenpeas @ Wed Sep 22, 2010 at 16:17:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Articles (0.00 / 0)

Some great articles on our 2010 Election Kickoff event:

http://newhavenindependent.org...

http://www.yaledailynews.com/n...

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by: Stango @ Wed Sep 29, 2010 at 17:21:56 PM UTC