Diplomats Barred From Obama’s Berlin Speech

State Dept. Double Standard (Think Progress) - Diplomats Barred From Obama’s Berlin Speech, But Not McCain’s In Ottawa.

Deregulation Is Out Of Style

Deregulation Is Out Of Style: Saying Goodbye To The Revolution (Huffington Post) - Regulation Is In Again - Even With Republicans!

Barack Obama Acceptance Speech Party At Prince Bistro

Join a large gathering of fellow Collin County Democrats at the Prince Bistro on Thursday August 28 to watch Senator Barack Obama's acceptance speech of the Democratic Party's Presidential Nomination.

The Prince Bistro Grill has large screen TVs to watch Senator Obama's speech, tasty food and good drinks in addition to the excellent comaradary of fellow democrats.

Again, join us at 7PM on Thursday August 28 at the Prince Bistro at 1201 E. Spring Creek Pkwy Plano, TX 75074 - Google Map

Insurers Talk Health Care - Physicians Doubt Sincerity

Insurers talk health care: Physicians, advocates doubt sincerity of national campaign - Columbus Dispatch: With reform seemingly inevitable, the health-insurance industry launched a national campaign yesterday to craft a solution to soaring health-care costs and coverage rates. Read More

From Health Care for America Now, the coalition of doctors fighting for universal health care coverage.

An Outrageous Attempt by the Bush Administration

An Outrageous Attempt by the Bush Administration to Undermine Women's Rights - By Sen. Hillary Clinton (Huffington Post) "The Bush administration is up to its old tricks again, quietly putting ideology before science and women's health."

Hagel: Quit Talking About the Surge

Sen. Chuck Hagel: Quit Talking About the Surge! (Huffington Post) - Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, fresh from an Iraq trip with Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, said the Presidential Candidates should focus on the war's future and stop arguing over the success of last year's troop surge.

Job Losses Jump Again

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits jumped 34,000 last week, government data on Thursday showed, reflecting seasonal volatility typical at this time of year.

Initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits rose to a seasonally adjusted 406,000 in the week ended July 19, from a revised 372,000 the prior week, the Labor Department said. It was the highest reading since late March.

Matthew 25 Network

There’s a new religious political action committee, the Matthew 25 Network, that may very well have an impact on the political scene this year, far more than any religious progressives have had in quite a while. Keep in mind, the ads aren’t coming from Barack Obama's campaign organization or anyone associated with his campaign or the Democratic Party — this is an independent Christian PAC, targeting Christian voters, on Christian radio, with a Christian message.

Generation Gap Widens In 2008 Electorate

'Generation Gap' Widens In 2008 Electorate (WSJ Online) - Democrat Barack Obama has a strong lead among younger voters, and Republican John McCain is solidly in front among older voters. That divide has grown in the past month, according to the Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

Thousands Gather In Berlin For Obama

Pictures (here and here) of the crowd gathering in Berlin to listen to Barack Obama speak.
German papers put the crowd at over 200,000
Full Text Of Obama's Berlin Speech
Video of Speech on YouTube

Poll - Latinos Favor Obama

2008 National Survey of Latinos: Hispanic Voter Attitudes - The national survey, conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Hispanic Center, showed that 66 percent of Hispanic registered voters supported Obama, compared to 23 percent for Republican John McCain. The other 11 percent were undecided.

More than three-quarters of Latinos who had voted for Clinton now say they are for Obama. Clinton carried the Hispanic vote, an important Democratic constituency, by about a 2-1 margin in the primaries.

GOP Losing The New Media War

Democrats Dominate Internet Reporting (Politico.com) - Reported in political.com, "While conservatives are devoting much of their Internet energy to analysis, their counterparts on the left are taking advantage of the rise of new media to create new institutions devoted to unearthing stories, putting new information into circulation and generally crowding the space traditionally taken by traditional media. And it almost always comes at the expense of GOP politicians."

Meet The Candidates July 28 By TDWCC

The TDWCC has an exciting program planned for July! Dot Pitts and Judy Gasser will speak on issues related to the State Board of Education and the need to get more Democrats on the Board. To learn about SBOE, the current issues and actions taken by the board, go to the Action Alerts link from any TDWCC web page.

This meeting will also be an excellent opportunity to meet/speak to several of our candidates. In our June meeting members voted to make donations totalling $6,000 to our 8 endorsed candidates. We have invited the candidates to attend this meeting to have their check formally presented to them.

Candidates Committed to Attend Are:

• Tom Daley, candidate for US Representative, District 3
• Glenn Melancon, candidate for US Representative, District 4
• Eric Roberson, candidate for US Representative, District 32
• Judge Jim Jordan, candidate for Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice
• Judge Don B. Chae, candidate for 5th Court of Criminal Appeals Justice, Place 3
• Victor Manuel, candidate for Collin County Commissioner, Precinct 3

Top ten reasons to attend the TDWCC meeting on July 28th:

# 10 – Network with Democratic activists as we turn Collin County BLUE

# 9 – Learn ways to become active with TDWCC, the Obama Campaign, and the campaigns of state and local candidates

# 8 – Sign up to participate in events – Election Worker Training, YD Concert, Balloon Festival, Acceptance Speech Party, Annual Fundraiser Dinner … and more!

# 7 – Sign up for the Acceptance Speech Party at Prince Bistro on 8/28 (in lieu of our Aug meeting)

# 6 – GOTV! Sign up for Phone Banks in July and August!

# 5 – GOTV! Sign up to be trained as an Activity Supervisor!

# 4 – GOTV! Recruit others to help

# 3 – Learn about our super-duper fundraiser dinner – and be eligible for a prize!

# 2 – Listen to our guest speakers, educators Dottie Pitts and Judy Gasser, explaining the issues of the State Board of Education and actions we can take

And the #1 reason to attend: meet your candidates as the TDWCC presents donations to their campaigns.

When: Texas Democratic Women of Collin County Monthly Meeting on July 28th at 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Meeting Location - Map
Collin County Community College
Founders Hall, Room 149, Shawnee Room
Preston Ridge, 9700 Wade Blvd, Frisco TX 75035
CCCC campus East of Preston on Wade

Voter Registration Team Meeting

This week The Frisco Democratic Party Meetup Group is meeting in Frisco at the Starbucks on 423 at Lebanon Road, also called Boyd Road. The goal of the voter registration team is register voters in all parts of the county and have at least one voter registration drive from now, until the last day that we can register in order to be able to vote in the upcoming election.

Time:	Sunday, July 27 at 4:00 PM
Duration:	1 hour
Host:	Amy Manuel
Location:	Starbucks (Frisco, TX) 5605 Fm Road 423 Frisco, TX 75034 View Map: Google Maps MapQuest Yahoo! Maps
Directions:	From Hwy 380, go south on 423 through Frisco. From 121, go north on Main Street through The Colony.

Click here to view the invitation and submit your response

Wanted - Precinct Chairpersons

Please contact the Democratic Party Of Collin County for details about becoming a Precinct Chairperson before the Democratic Party’s Executive Board meeting on 7/23/08. Phone the Democratic Party Office at 972-578-1483 - Today!

Precinct Chairperson Positions Are Open In The Following Collin County Precincts:

3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18, 22, 30, 37, 38, 41, 42, 46, 56, 65, 73, 74, 75, 78, 87, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98, 99, 100, 105, 111, 112, 113, 114, 118, 120, 122, 123, 129, 130, 137, 138, 140, 142, 143, 145, 147, 148, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155

The next Democratic Party Of Collin County Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 at 7:00 PM at Collin County Community College, Spring Creek Campus.

Collin County Community College
Spring Creek Campus
2800 E Spring Creek Pkwy Plano, TX 75074

Noriega Speaks At VFW Sherman July 29

Meet the Democratic Candidate for the U.S. Senate

Lt. Col. Rick Noriega

Reception & Dinner

Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 5:30pm – 9:00pm

VFW 1707 Baker Rd., Sherman TX

Featured: Guest Speaker Rick Noriega, Candidate for U.S. Senate

Texas State Representative, Military Veteran Iraq War

Lieutenant Colonel - Army National Guard

With a Reservation:

Reception from 5:30pm to 7:15pm

Reception & Dinner - $50

Dinner from 7: 15pm to 9:15pm

Dinner Only - $25

At the door: $30 for dinner; $55 for dinner & reception

For reservations call 903-891-3063 (Dem HQ) or 903-786-4424

Casual Dress

Please RSVP BY: July 22, 2008

Map

Ann Richards Dinner

You are cordially invited to attend

The Ann Richards Dinner
Saturday, August 16, 2008
6:00 - 7:00 PM

Heritage Ranch Country Club
Fairview, Texas
Map
(465 Scenic Ranch Cir., McKinney, TX 75069)

Cash Bar
Silent Auction
Dinner

Reserve your table now before the August 1 deadline!

$50 per Plate
Table of 10 Plates for $500
Event Sponsorship (Suggested levels $1000, $2500, $5000)

Plan to join Democrats from Collin County
Speakers Include:
Rick Noriega, Democratic Candidate for the U.S Senate
John Sharp, Ann Richard's former State Comptroller
Senator Royce West, Col.
and other invited guests

---------------------

The Democratic Party of Collin County
2504 K Avenue
Suite 200
Plano, Texas 75074
972-578-1483

FAQs on working the polls - Sat. 7/26

Calling all Democrats - -we need you to work the polls on Election Day, Nov. 4. If you can't commit to a whole day, can you be a poll watcher or poll greeter for a few hours?

To learn what election workers and poll watchers do, attend the next DPCC Meeting on Sat. July 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Collin College, Spring Creek Campus. Experienced Election Judges will provide an overview of the election day process and announce when more classes will be conducted.

Collin County Community College
Spring Creek Campus
2800 E Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, TX 75074
Map

Election Workers

The Democratic Party of Collin County must have your help!

Democratic Party of Collin County needs Election Clerks, Poll Greeters and Poll Watchers to work on Election Day, November 4, 2008. If you can work all day, half a day or even just a few hours, please call to volunteer!

Volunteer Poll Workers Help Ensure the Integrity of U.S. Elections - PLEASE volunteer to serve your country on Election Day!

To volunteer - phone the Democratic Party Of Collin County Office at 972-578-1483.

You are eligible to serve as an election day poll worker if you:

• Are registered to vote in Collin County
• Fluent in English (second language desirable)
• Do not hold an elected office
• Are not a family member of an elected official on the ballot
• Are not the employee of an elected official
• Enjoy interaction with the public
• Able to take direction well and not easily distracted
• Have dependable transportation to the Election Polls
• Can work variable or long hours on election day
• Are 18 years or older

Hours of service (approximate):

• Presiding Judge: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., depending on voter turnout and time it takes to deliver supplies to the Election Administration office when the polls close.
• Alternate Judge: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., depending on voter turnout. Dismissed by Presiding Judge
• Clerks: Hours designated by Presiding Judge

General Job Duties:

• Qualifying the voter
• Assisting the voters with the election equipment
• Opening and closing the election polls

Job Duties:

• Presiding Judge: arrange and set up voting area, complete paperwork, return materials to Election Administration at the end of voting, assign duties to clerks, contact Elections Administration for voter verifications or equipment questions, manage the polling location.
• Alternate Judge: work as directed by Presiding Judge, stand in as Presiding Judge if they are called away from the polling location.
• Clerks: qualify voters and assist the voters as they cast their ballot.

Texas election officials looking for workers for polls in November

To volunteer - phone the Democratic Party Of Collin County Office at 972-578-1483.

Schedule of Election Worker Training Given by the Collin County Elections Office

Election Day Law Seminar for New Judges/Alternates	Plano	Mon, Sept 29, 2-4PM	Collin Co. Sub-Courthouse, 920 East Park Blvd, Plano. Limited seating available - call Patty (972-547-1901) at the Collin Co. Elections Office to schedule attendance.
Election Day Law Seminar for New Judges/Alternates	Plano	Tues, Sept 30, 9-11AM and 2-4PM	Collin Co. Sub-Courthouse, 920 East Park Blvd, Plano. Limited seating available - call Patty (972-547-1901) at the Collin Co. Elections Office to schedule attendance.
Early Voting Equip Training	McKinney	Thurs, Oct 2, 10-12PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Law Seminar	McKinney	Sat, Oct 4, 9-11AM and 12:30-2:30PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equip Training	Plano	Mon, Oct 6, 9-11AM and 2-4PM	Collin Co. Sub-Courthouse, 920 East Park Blvd, Plano. Limited seating available - call Patty (972-547-1901) at the Collin Co. Elections Office to schedule attendance.
Election Day Equip Training	Plano	Tues Oct 7, 9-11AM and 2-4PM	Collin Co. Sub-Courthouse, 920 East Park Blvd, Plano. Limited seating available - call Patty (972-547-1901) at the Collin Co. Elections Office to schedule attendance.
Election Day Equip Training	McKinney	Wed, Oct 8, 2-4PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equip Training	McKinney	Wed, Oct 9, 2-4PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equip Training	McKinney	Wed, Oct 10, 2-4PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equip Training	Plano	Tues, Oct 14, 2-4PM	Collin Co. Sub-Courthouse, 920 East Park Blvd, Plano. Limited seating available - call Patty (972-547-1901) at the Collin Co. Elections Office to schedule attendance.
Election Day Law Class	Frisco	Tues, Oct 14, 6:30-8:30PM	Preston Ridge Campus 9700 Wade Blvd, Frisco
Early Voting Law Class	McKinney	Wed, Oct 15, 2-5PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equip Training	Plano	Thurs, Oct 16, 9-11AM	Collin Co. Sub-Courthouse, 920 East Park Blvd, Plano. Limited seating available - call Patty (972-547-1901) at the Collin Co. Elections Office to schedule attendance.
Election Day Law Class	McKinney	Thurs, Oct 16, 6:30-8:30PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equip Training	McKinney	Fri, Oct 17, 2-4PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equip Training	Plano	Tues, Oct 21, 9-11AM	Collin Co. Sub-Courthouse, 920 East Park Blvd, Plano. Limited seating available - call Patty (972-547-1901) at the Collin Co. Elections Office to schedule attendance.
Election Day Law Class	McKinney	Wed, Oct 22, 2-4PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equipment Training	McKinney	Thurs, Oct 23 9-11AM and 2-4PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equipment Training	McKinney	Sat, Oct 25 9-11AM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equipment Training	Plano	Tues, Oct 28, 9-11AM and 2-4PM	Collin Co. Sub-Courthouse, 920 East Park Blvd, Plano. Limited seating available - call Patty (972-547-1901) at the Collin Co. Elections Office to schedule attendance.
Election Day Law Class	McKinney	Wed, Oct 29, 2-4PM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equipment Training	McKinney	Thurs, Oct 30, 9-11 AM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day Equipment Training	McKinney	Fri, Oct 31, 9-11AM	University Drive Courts Facility, Central Jury Rm, 1800 North Graves St, McKinney
Election Day		Tues, Nov 4, 7AM to 7PM	Your Precinct’s Polling Place

Collin County Early Voting Locations and Times

Collin County Calendar

Early Voting Locations, Dates and Hours General and Special Elections Collin County, Texas November 4, 2008 Polling Place Address City Directions Collin County Elections Admin. (Main Early Voting Location) 2010 Redbud Dr., Suite 102 McKinney E. of Hwy 75 Allen Municipal Courts Facility 301 Century Pkwy Allen E. of Hwy 75/ S. of McDermott Collin County Government Center 210 S. McDonald McKinney HWY 5 (McDonald & Davis) Carpenter Park Recreation Center 6701 Coit Road Plano Between Legacy & Spring Creek CCCCD-Preston Ridge Campus 9700 Wade Blvd. Frisco E. of Preston Road CCCCD-Spring Creek Campus 2800 E. Spring Creek Pkwy. Plano E. of Hwy 75 Christ United Methodist Church 3101 Coit Plano SW Corner of Coit & Parker Harrington Library 1501 18th St Plano E. of Hwy 5 Murphy City Hall 206 N. Murphy Road Murphy N. of FM 544 PISD Administration Center 2700 W. 15th St Plano Between Custer & Independence Parr Library 6200 Windhaven Pkwy Plano Off Communication Drive Renner Frankford Library 6400 Frankford Dallas Hillcrest & Frankford Wylie Municipal Building 2000 N. Hwy 78 Wylie N. of Downtown --------------------------------------------------------- Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Oct 19 Oct 20 Early Voting 8am-5pm Oct 21 Early Voting 8am-5pm Oct 22 Early Voting 8am-5pm Oct 23 Early Voting 8am-5pm Oct 24 Early Voting 8am-5pm Oct 25 Early Voting 7am-7pm Oct 26 Early Voting 1pm-6pm Oct 27 Early Voting 7am-7pm Oct 28 Early Voting 7am-7pm Oct 29 Early Voting 7am-7pm Oct 30 Early Voting 7am-7pm Oct 31 Early Voting 7am-7pm Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Election Day 7am-7pm

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Early Voting Locations, Dates and Hours General and Special Elections Collin County, Texas November 4, 2008 (Temporary Branch Locations) Polling Place Address City Directions Celina City Hall , Oct 20 & Oct 21 only 302 W. Walnut Celina --- Anna City Hall Admin Blding , Oct 22 & Oct 23 only 111N. Powell Pkwy Anna --- Farmersville City Hall , Oct 24 - Oct 26 only 205 S. Main Farmersville --- CCCCD-Central Park Campus, Oct 27 - Oct 31 only 2200 W. University Drive McKinney --- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Oct 19 Oct 20 Early Voting 8am-5pm Celina Oct 21 Early Voting 8am-5pm Celina Oct 22 Early Voting 8am-5pm Anna Oct 23 Early Voting 8am-5pm Anna Oct 24 Early Voting 8am-5pm Farmersville Oct 25 Early Voting 7am-7pm Farmersville Oct 26 Early Voting 1pm-6pm Farmersville . Oct 27 Early Voting 7am-7pm Central Park Oct 28 Early Voting 7am-7pm Central Park Oct 29 Early Voting 7am-7pm Central Park Oct 30 Early Voting 7am-7pm Central Park Oct 31 Early Voting 7am-7pm Central Park Nov 1

Important Note: Eligible Collin County registered voters (with an effective date of registration on or before November 4, 2008) may vote at any of the above early voting locations.