Much to my surprise, I was elected to the DNC on Saturday. I ran on a platform of making the DNC more supportive of state and local parties. I look forward to finding out what really does go on at the DNC and using my new status to push state and local programs to keep the grassroots active and involved. Until we, the people who call themselves Democrats, move to take back our party, we’re just going to get more of the same.

I became an active Democrat only two years ago. Like many of you, I didn’t like the direction of the Party. I felt like my best hope to change things was to work within the system to try to bring it back to its roots and re-engage people. I am hopeful that many others like me will be elected this year as all the state parties reorganize and that we will form the proverbial camel’s nose under the tent. I urge the rest of you to get and stay involved. It feels like trying to turn a barge at times, but if we get enough tugboats pushing, it’s within reach. As I’ve said time and again, it doesn’t do any good to talk about “The Democrats, they need to do this or that.” We are the Democrats and what happens is up to us.

I also look forward to sharing the experience with you as I find out what one person can and can’t do at the DNC level. I didn’t post much during the leadup, because I didn’t want to jinx things, although I did get drawn into a discussion on BlueOregon, a local blog. I hope the conversation continues, because I am very interested in your thoughts about the DNC and what it can and should be doing.

I’ve included the speech I gave below the fold. Although I took aim at the DNC somewhat, I am not anti-DNC–I just want it to shift its focus a bit.

Our party stands at a crossroads. The directions we take now will determine both the course of the Party and the course of our nation and our democracy, for years to come. Today we elect the people who will help choose those directions. Many look at the DNC and talk about what it is and has been. I look at the DNC and see what it can be.

I am running today for several reasons.

First, I want the DNC to better nurture its grassroots by providing more support for state and local parties.

Second, I want to help choose a chair who will take us in a new and better direction.

Third, I want to help the DNC develop simple, clear messages that resonate with rural and urban voters alike.

And fourth, I want to help the DNC capitalize on the renewed interest in the party and the amazing new talent that has appeared all over the country.

The DNC must better support state and local parties. Washington-centered thinking just isn’t cutting it. While I’m under no illusion that can magically shower the local parties with money and programs, I will work hard to provide assistance sooner rather than later.

State races and state parties matter. If we should have learned anything over the past two presidential elections, it’s that state officials make a difference. Think how different our world might be had Bill Bradbury been in charge four years ago in Florida or this year in Ohio! The DNC must help build strong state organizations, and help elect Democrats to state offices and state legislatures. Without this, progressive change just won’t happen.

I see four specific things the DNC can and should do immediately:

One: Training. I’m proud to have helped invent basic training in Oregon for precinct people and canvassers. I will work to provide customizable, professional-level training programs for state and local parties.

Two: Financial assistance. Many state parties have no paid staff. Just $50,000 per state–only two million dollars–would enable every state to have a professional staffer. The DNC raised nearly $390 million over the election cycle, including $8 million following the election. Two million is well within reach.

Three: Better coordination with, and financial accountability to, states. Many of you shared my frustration and dismay at having DNC-paid canvassers or direct mail appeals show up without any notice to the state or local party. Not only did they burn turf and frustrate our volunteers, there is no accounting for how much money was raised or how it was spent. I will fight for a closer relationship, sharing of funds, and accountability.

Fourth: Improved technology infrastructure. The power of internet fundraising and volunteer coordination is obvious. The Dean, Kerry, and MoveOn websites showed the way. The DNC must harness that technology and make it available so that each state and local party doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel. I will work to make these resources available and usable for the smallest county parties.

We will elect a new chair for the DNC. I promise to support a candidate who is progressive, grassroots-oriented, and media-savvy. There’s a place in our party for corporate funding, but I’m much more excited to see the recent success of low-dollar fundraising and will therefore support a chair who emphasizes that. Our chair must be articulate, intelligent, and have fire in the belly. The Republicans give no quarter in the media, and we must not either.

Our messages aren’t working in many areas, particularly rural ones. The DNC must listen to rural voters and develop messages and goals that appeal to them and counter false stereotypes about Democrats. If elected, I pledge to travel throughout Oregon regularly to listen to your concerns and make sure your voices are heard.

Our party needs to be revitalized. We must harvest the new energy produced during this election and quickly move to involve people. The DNC can help by developing specific action plans that state and local parties can implement. We must make it exciting, worthwhile, and fun to be an active Democrat, no matter where you live.

I bring a new perspective and a fresh approach. I have been told that experience counts for this position and that mine may be lacking. I beg to differ. In my professional life my work has been to design products and processes that people find easy to use. I have learned there’s a limited time when people can view a system and see its problems. After awhile, participants get used to it and no longer see clearly what does and doesn’t work well. Experience, therefore, can be a handicap as well as a asset.

I believe we must blaze new trails at the DNC and I ask for your support to help make that happen. Thank you.