The Democratic National Committee (DNC) began a new day on Thursday, September 16, 2010. DNC Chairman Tim Kaine and other senior DNC staff persons met with several influential and progressive African American bloggers including Kristal L. High, Editor in Chief of Politic365.com, Garlin Gilchrist II, Center for Community Change, Leutisha Stills of Jack and Jill, Debbie Hines of LegalSpeaks, representatives from Blogging While Brown and several other online media outlets. In an effort to boost the percentages of African American voters in the mid term elections, the DNC is reaching out to the black blogosphere to help with the efforts.
The Democratic party is the party of inclusion and the meeting is just one example of it. DNC Chair Tim Kaine, as a former civil rights lawyer, knows that everyone must come to the table to be fully represented and inclusive in the process. Involving African American bloggers is one link in the chain that has not been fully utilized in the past. Reaching out to all segments of the population is the goal of the DNC. There are already community and grass roots organizing efforts on the ground that stretch all across America. DNC Chair Tim Kaine stressed the importance of keeping first time voters from 2008 involved in the vote process. Of the 15 million first time voters in 2008, approximately 5 million were African American. The majority of those 5 million were women.
Despite high unemployment in the African American community, President Obama has already accomplished more in his first 18 months than most other presidents. The success of the mid term elections is getting the story out to African American voters and others. Progressive African American bloggers promise to implement new ways to get the message across and to get out the vote in November. The crucial message is the President cannot move forward with his agenda without help and inclusiveness from Congress. Telling the story and accomplishments of the President is crucial to getting out the vote for Democrats. But this is not just about the mid term elections, the DNC is looking to further engage African American bloggers in 2012 and beyond.
It’s definitely a new day at the DNC.
Debbie Hines, Esq. writes on race, women and law from an African American female lawyer’s viewpoint. She holds a Juris Doctorate from George Washington University Law School and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Villager says
I participated in the discussion by conference call from Cincinnati OH area. I’m glad to see DNC making this first step. I’m hopeful that they will follow-up with more steps along the way…
peace, Villager