| (CF) |
Welcome to our chat! If you'll post questions I'll do my best to answer them as quickly as I can.
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| (Q) |
What do you think (not that you can read minds) Obama and Clinton will say this Friday in Unity, NH to truly bring their supporters together
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| (A) |
I know between those two great speakers and great Democrats they will find the right thing to say--Democrats have to come together because this is one election we can't afford to lose.
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| (Q)) |
Any chance we can convince Obama to take us seriously and can we deliver those 8 electoral votes
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I think they are going to take us seriously, and I absolutely believe we can win in SC if we all get together and work hard.
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| (Q) |
Is there any reason for Mr. Obama to select a running mate before the Convention in August
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| (A) |
The tradition has been to announce it right before the convention--I don't know why he would do it any sooner than that. His smart campaign staff will figure out the most advantageous time to do it!
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| (Q) |
Carol do you think Republicans are taking us serious this year?
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| (A) |
They'd better, because we are dead serious about winning!
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| (Q) |
Carol, there's a new book that I read a review about today written by smart, young republicans telling the party how to reorganize and rebuild their party. It was very interesting and I read that dems were warning each other that if the repubs read it, dems would be in trouble. Do you think the chances are reasonably good that the Dems will hold it together through the election?
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| (A) |
I believe we will. But maybe we should be reading the book, too--we might get some ideas that will help us. It's important that we listen to new ideas and ideas from young people. The Democratic Party has too often been stagnant because a bunch of old people like me haven't been willing to learn new ways of doing things
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| (Q) |
Anderson County is on board to GOTV for Obama. Tell us what we can do to help. It would help if we could have a surrogate at our BBQ July 5th
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| (A) |
We'll be meeting with county chairs in 3 weeks to help them draw up their plans for GOTV. I hope to get to your barbecue myself, but it's iffy. Maybe there's a strong speaker for Obama who will come. I'll try to think of someone.
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| (Q) |
Does SC still have uncommitted delegates?
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| (A) |
I think everyone has said who they'll vote for--maybe Gilda Cobb-Hunter hasn't announced her choice. But in the end all the delegates will support Obama.
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| (Q) |
Well, I have been wondering if Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will get the VP slot. Though I wonder how that would affect things in Kansas.
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| (A) |
She'd be a great choice. I've met her and she's very impressive
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| (Q) |
Forgive my ignorance, but how many total delegates does SC have?
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| (A) |
54
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| (Q) |
It would be really smart of the Dems to try stealing the Republican's ideas. It's certainly happened the other way
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| (A) |
As long as we don't steal their nasty attitudes!
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| (Q) |
In my walk-abouts so far, it is the Democrats that are on the side lines. The Republicans seem to be ready for change.
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| (A) |
The Democrats I talk to are enthusiastic about supporting Obama--they're fired up and ready to go!
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| (Q) |
Carol, do you have a VP preference
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| (A) |
Yes--but I change my mind every day! We have some really good governors and senators, and I keep thinking of another one who would be perfect. Fortunately Barack Obama has to make that decision, and I trust him to make a good choice.
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| (Q) |
Would Hillary accept a call to be vp? I know there's been a lot of speculation about egos.
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At that level of politics the egos fill up the room! I don't know if she would do it or not, but I expect whatever she decided would be based on more than just ego.
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| (Q) |
At the national level they are, but locally they are not.
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| (A) |
I hope you're wrong about that. We have folks coming to the SCDP every day eager to be put to work.
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| (Q) |
I've heard that most undecided voters actually make up their minds during the last two weeks prior to the election. Do you think the undecided vote will keep the election wide open until that time?
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| (A) |
I'm not sure whether there's a huge number of undecideds around the country, but unless it turns out to be a landslide I expect there will be some last minute shifting of opinions. Don't rule out an October surprise by one of the campaigns that will change some minds!
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| (Q) |
How do we keep those Democrats enthusiastic after the election?
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| (A) |
I hope the excitement of a new Democratic president will keep them excited about the potential to turn SC blue.
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| (Q) |
We've all heard that there will be millions spent by outside groups to influence this election - both for Obama and for O'Cain. When do you think this advertising will kick in and is it likely to be as brutal as we've heard?
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| (A) |
Some of it has already started. I saw a really good anti-McCain ad last night that's being run by Moveon.org, and I'm sure there are others. You can probably see that ad at www.moveon.org, but I saw it on cable news.
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| (Q) |
I'm curious to know what county parties are doing to gear up for November. Is it good for them to start efforts in the summer or fall?
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| (A) |
They need to be making their plans now--it's not at all too early. We're inviting all the county chairs to be here on July 19 to learn how to put together their campaign plans, but some of them already have things underway. Last year we gave all the counties some specific goals to meet to get ready for the campaign. If you don't know whether your county is meeting those goals, call your county chair and ask. Offer to help with one or more of the goals.
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| (Q) |
We need to concentrate on keeping the young people, that have finally realized that their vote/opinion does count, energized. I am afraid with all the excitement and "hoop la" over they will not cast their vote in November when we really need them.
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| (A) |
Believe me, we are looking for ways to keep them involved. But there will be a lot more hoopla in the fall--no way anyone can forget there's an election. One thing everyone can do to help is to contact the nearest college and find out if there's a voter registration program ready to go when students register in the fall. If not, set one up.
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| (Q) |
Yes, the "You Can't Have Alex" ad is very well done as well as tasteful. Do we, as a state party, have a rapid response team ready to counter any misleading attacks by our mendacious friends in the GOP?
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| (A) |
Yes, we do. But it's not as effective as I'd like it to be, so we're working to improve it.
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| (Q) |
Carol, what happened in the last Democratic Primary? Why did so few people vote Democratic?
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| (A) |
The numbers were down over the presidential primary, but you'd expect that. We actually had more voters this time than in our 2006 gubernatorial primary when there were 2 statewide candidates running television and radio and doing there best to turn out voters. This time there was almost no visible campaign statewide, and turnout was high only where there were very active local or legislative races. I don't think we can base projections for November turnout on the June primary. There is always heavy turnout in a presidential election, and this time I predict we will set records.
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| (Q) |
Has the state republican party presented an issue "hot button type" for the general election on the ballot to inspire republicans to come out to vote?
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I don't think so. There might be some local referenda, though.
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| (Q) |
How does the SCDP plan to respond to the misinformation? There is sure to be Swift Boat type advertising and rumors about Obama being Muslim.
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| (A) |
I'm sure there will be that kind of ugliness. We will follow the Obama campaign's lead on how they want us to respond. They'll be providing guidance to us on a good many things during the fall, and we will do our best to do everything just the way they want us to.
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| (Q) |
What's our answer to the SC Hotline? Isn't there some kind of distribution media like that through which we can create our kind of misinformation
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| (A) |
I don't want to create misinformation. The truth helps us. What I do wish I could create is a larger population of openminded, thinking South Carolinians who are willing to listen to the truth!
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| (Q) |
Mrs. Fowler, This question is from my mother. SHe was wondering what main thing should she say to her Senior friends that would help turn this state blue?
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| (A) |
Seniors can be a huge help. The first thing each of them can do is sign up to have a Neighborhood Headquarters. The next thing they can do is make sure everyone they talk to, from neighbors to church friends to their hairdresser, is registered to vote.
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| (Q) |
I know the Obama Campaign has started getting its operations set up in every state. Have they mentioned to you when they expect to be fully operational in SC?
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| (A) |
Within a month is what I've been told.
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| (Q) |
I've told my people that we are running an Obama style campaign - no ugliness
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| (A) |
That's excellent. I think voters respect a candidate who refuses to participate in trashing other people.
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| (Q) |
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said misinformation. What I really meant was a channel for pumping all the news that's good for Dems, or from the Dems perspective
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| (A) |
You can always go to our website, and there are a few others like Crack the Bell that have our perspective. But I don't know of a Democratic counterpart to the SC Hotline. Maybe someone else does and can let us all know.
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| (Q) |
When will Obama have a field coordinator in SC and will it be a South Carolinian do you think?
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| (A) |
I think they'll have someone here within the next few weeks. Don't know who it will be. The SC Democratic Party is going to have Kyle Cox, who was one of the architects of Obama's campaign here, helping us out until November. He's not from SC, but he liked it here and wanted to come back.
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| (Q) |
How do we reach Dems who still have hurt feelings about Obama's nomination?
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| (A) |
It's hard when your candidate doesn't win, but I hope all SC Democrats, no matter who they supported, will realize that if we don't come together we are playing into the hands of the Republicans. This country can't afford for us to let our differences elect John McCain. And I believe the Clintons and the Edwardses will help their supporters see how important unity is.
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| (Q) |
I know this may be slight off subject, but I was busy campaigning today and I ran into a very right sided republican that said he did not take The State because it was Democratic slanted - I quit the paper because I thought it was Republican slanted - which is it?
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| (A) |
I'm never sure what anyone at the State is thinking. Or even if they're thinking. It's not much of a paper and it seems to be getting worse.
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| (Q) |
Thank you so very much, Carol. You too, Jay. I am looking forward to helping y'all out any way I can. But I must depart for the evening.
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| (A) |
Thanks-we need all the help we can get
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| (Q) |
Is he the guy who was supposed to be so good with numbers? I know there was someone here that was calling the shots during the primary.
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| (A) |
He is very good with numbers. Now all we have to do is raise enough money to put all his wonderful ideas and programs to work!
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| (CF) |
And speaking of raising money, one of the things we want to spend it on is Obama material. We'll be buying our own bumper stickers and yard signs for the fall, and we need to spend about $25,000 on them--in case anyone wonders what happens to the money around here! We have a few bumper stickers, and are asking for small (or large, of course) donations when people come to pick one up. So if you need one for your car drop by the SCDP.
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| (Q) |
Any thoughts on the impact of the mccain/obama energ plans?
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| (A) |
This country is in such a deep energy hole that it's going to take years to pull us out of it--there aren't any quick fixes. But I believe Obama and his advisers can come up with plans that will put us on the right road for the future.
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| (Q) |
Carol, thank you for another great Yellow Dog chat!
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| (A) |
It's runoff day and the polls are about to close. I hope everyone voted. Thanks to everyone who joined us. I'll look forward to doing this again soon.
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| (Q) |
Can we send a check and get a bumper sticker? Can you buy them online at the SCDP?
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| (A) |
We aren't selling them online, but if you send a check (address the envelope to me) we'll send you one. For all kinds of materials like that you can always go to www.demstore.com. It's a business, not the party, but they're pretty good.
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| (Q) |
Ms. Fowler, As a South Carolina Delegate At LArge and as I continue to do all I can whenever I can to engaged people in this civic process I wondered are other specific duties that I can do or should do?
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| (A) |
You're doing a great job already.
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| (CF) |
Good night! |
