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Thursday, March 13, 2008

Hoping you can help with a real solution to the FLORIDA and MICHIGAN problem

Hello:

I'm involved in an effort that might interest you, and MoveOn.org. You can read more about what we are trying to do here: http://1stcontact.newsvine.com/_news/2008/03/08/1352290-a-real-solution-to-the-fl-and-mi-problem - a copy of this article follows my signature.

If you could just take a moment to read the linked article. Then if you are interested in helping do just three things:

Make a few phone calls - preferably to the Obama campaign (866) 675-2008 - once the voice system starts in press 6 to speak with a volunteer.
The offices of Nancy Pelosi - (202) 225-4965 Tell her, inviting the Carter Center in to mediate a solution the FL and MI mess is something EVERY democrat would respect.
Go to the MoveOn.org website suggestion page and email them about this effort - ask for their help. We need it now - things are unfolding fast in FL. You can find their suggestion page here: http://pol.moveon.org/feedback/fb/form.html?tp=suggest
Forward this email to eveyone you know who might be interested.
Go to a Yahoo group that has been set up for the purposes of coordinating this effort and join us. The group was set up today - so it's still small. But, the last few days 100s of people from both MI and FL have been calling the Obama campaign offices. We are getting though too - they are starting to notice - but we have to keep the pressure on. This group was started today - so that we can all work together. So, please, after you make a few phone calls, forward this to your friends, take just a few moments and join the group. You can access the group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CarterCenter/
Obama's website tells us:

I'm asking you to believe, not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington.... I'm asking you to believe in yours.
Let's do the work of living up to what he is asking of us, let's be the change we've been waiting for and do the work of getting the Carter Center involved in this process

Michelle Meyer 1stcontact@charter.net
***********************************************************************************

A real solution to the FL and MI problem
While the democratic national party leadership wrings its hands over FL and MI and allows the media to have a field day with the whole situation, there is a real solution that is fair to all parties.
Ask the Carter Center to come in and mediate a solution between all involved parties. That's what the Carter Center does, well its one of the things the Carter Center does. And it does it very well too.
The Carter Center has been in operation for 25 years now. Founded in 1982 by former Democratic President, Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter, the Carter Center helps resolve conflict in the world. Its mission statement calls for the prevention and resolution of conflict as well as the enhancement of democracy.
The Carter Center lists dozens of elections that it has been involved in. From small local elections in China, to elections in South American Countries and the Mideast, former President Jimmy Carter and his team have developed a reputation for fairness. The Carter Center Democracy Program claims to have assisted 69 elections in 27 countries. They will only become involved in an election if they are invited.
The Democracy Program describes its duties on the Center Website:___________________________________
Before an election, Carter Center observers meet with election officials and party leaders to discuss electoral procedures. Sometimes they mediate election disputes and help all sides to agree on election rules. During this phase, assessments are made of the voter registration process, voter education efforts, and the fairness of the campaign "field of play."
On election day, observers are dispatched with systematic survey forms to urban and rural areas to witness preparations at poll openings, voting, and vote counting to try to determine whether the vote was secret and fair at the sites they visited. In addition to talking with polling site officials and party witnesses, observers talk with citizens and note any complaints.
After polls close, delegates observe the counting of votes and the delivery of ballot boxes. Then, the entire delegation meets to discuss its observations and issue a statement of findings as a group. If necessary, qualified high-level observers can serve as mediators to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power.___________________________________
Barack Obama has called America to a new kind of politics. He has called for a politics of bringing people together and solving our problems by sitting down at the table with all involved parties and working out solutions. The problems of super delegates and the FL, MI primaries could derail the Democratic nomination process. If there were ever a problem in politics that demanded all sides to come together and find an equitable and peaceful solution this is it.
The Carter Center specializes in mediating and observing election processes. But, they will not become involved unless invited. The leadership of Democratic National Party seems to be doing nothing but wringing its hands over the whole mess. Barack Obama's campaign is focused on uniting this country and solving problems by consensus. That is why he has so much appeal with so many people.
We (constituents of the Democratic Party) have a vested interest in moving beyond the division of this primary season - we've every right and responsibility to take charge of our own party. So, I've a few suggestions:
On Monday morning:
1. Call Barack Obama's campaign headquarters. Request that they ask the leadership of the Democratic National Party to invite the Carter Center for the purpose of mediating a solution to the FL and MI primary problem. Obama Campaign Headquarters: (866) 675-2008 - once the voice system starts in press 6 to speak with a volunteer.
2. Call The Democratic National Party headquarters. Request that they invite the Carter Center into this process for purposes of mediating a solution to the FL and MI primary problem. The phone number is: (202) 863-8000
3. Call Democracy For America. Request that they call on the Democratic National Party to invite the Carter Center into this process for purposes of mediating a solution to the FL and MI primary process. The phone number is: (802) 651-3200
4. Use the weekend to email all your friends and relatives about this plan. Link them to this article. Let's draft the Carter Center for an equitable solution to this problem and live up to the hope of Barack Obama's campaign - that America can move beyond the divisive politics of the past.
5. Use this weekend to link this article to every website you can think of who would have an honest interest in a fair and equitable solution to this problem.
6. If anyone knows the phone number for MoveOn.org (3.3 million members we can tap into) or any other phone numbers we can flood on Monday morning, post them here. Let's draft the Carter Center and bring this problem to a fair solution for all.

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