Spencer Critchley's blog
Politicians' Web town halls boost their approval ratings - Nextgov
Posted October 28th, 2009 by Spencer CritchleyLawmakers' Internet-based town hall meetings increase constituents' approval ratings for the politician, enhance citizen engagement in politics and ultimately impact the probability of participants voting for that member of Congress, according to a new Congressional Management Foundation report. CMF Executive Director Beverley Bell said online meetings offer lawmakers a flexible tool for communication in addition to traditional in-person meetings, tele-town halls and newsletters. "People like hearing from - and feeling heard by - their representatives in all formats, including online," she said Monday.
Researchers from CMF, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, Northeastern University, Ohio State University, and the University of California-Riverside found that members who engaged in online town halls experienced an average net approval rating jump of 18 points with similar increases in trust and perceptions of personal qualities. Town hall meetings also attract people from demographics not traditionally engaged in politics as well as those frustrated with the political system. About 96 percent of those polled said they would like to be included in similar events in the future.
WhiteHouse.gov Goes Drupal | Personal Democracy Forum
Posted October 25th, 2009 by Spencer CritchleyWow.
300,000 strong for health care reform
Posted October 21st, 2009 by Spencer Critchley
The target was 100,000. But volunteers across the country blew past that goal by early afternoon yesterday. New goal: 200,000. The result? More than 300,000 calls in one day! All in support of the health care reform this country needs so badly.
And Monterey County Democrats were part of it. When health care reform is achieved, people like these callers will have the quiet, lasting satisfaction of knowing they helped make it happen:
"I think the overwhelming message with yesterday's calling was gratitude. People still want to talk about their health care stories. Many are so grateful that the Democratic Party hasn't given up this fight. We kept hearing thank you, thank you, we know you are in a battle, so thank you for fighting for me." - Teri Short
Coverage of Camp Obama in Salinas
Posted March 29th, 2009 by Spencer Critchley |
Democrats and UFW members gathered in a beautiful setting at the foot of the Gabilan Mountains Saturday, March 28. They were there to learn organizing techniques developed by Cesar Chavez and brought into the Internet age by Barack Obama. KION-TV captured some of the event - click to go to the video page. |
The Obama for America Staff Ball
Posted January 21st, 2009 by Spencer CritchleyClick the arrow to begin navigating the slide show:
The final 2009 Inauguration celebration: a ball for the Obama for America staff, featuring entertainment by Arcade Fire and Jay-Z, and appearances by actor Kal Penn, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden and President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
"Just for tonight, revel in what you did," said Plouffe, looking out over a crowd of thousands of staff and their companions. "You elected the President of the United States of America. You changed the course of history." Plouffe said that for him all the hard work had led up to the moment when he could say, "President Barack Obama," whereupon the president and first lady walked onstage.
Volunteered for Obama? You won the election
Posted November 19th, 2008 by Spencer CritchleyTake it from the inner circle of the Obama campaign, as recorded late on Election Night by CBS' "60 Minutes" (emphasis mine):
Asked how they won states like North Carolina and Indiana, [campaign manager David] Plouffe told Kroft, "Well, first of all, we believed we could. I mean, I think part of it is not being afraid to venture out and try [to] win in what has been considered hostile territory. But we also had these volunteers. And without them, the idea of winning North Carolina and Indiana would be a bridge too far. And our campaign was the art of the possible because of these millions of people out there. You know, if we decided we wanted to go register 500,000 people in a state, we could because of them."
That is exactly what they did in North Carolina, where race did matter when it came to registering huge numbers of minority voters. Plouffe called it growing the electorate, and it changed the political map. In Indiana, the number of Obama field offices, staffed mostly by volunteers, outnumbered the McCain campaign 44 to none.
They used Internet sites like Facebook and Twitter to engage young voters. They canvassed neighborhoods street by street, identifying supporters and entering the information into a central database. It helped them determine who had voted early and who might need a ride to the polls on Election Day.
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Farr Perfect on Conservation Votes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The League of Conservations Voters this week awarded Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) a perfect 100 percent rating on its annual National Environmental Scorecard.
The scorecard is used by the group as a yardstick to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health and energy issues.
“Even as Congress continues to work on creating jobs and jumpstarting our economy, we have to keep an eye on the bigger picture,” Rep. Farr said. “Making sure we protect the environment, preserve green space and address climate change all have long-term ramifications we can’t ignore.”
The 2009 Scorecard included 13 House votes, ranging from clean energy and climate change to public lands and wildlife conservation.
“The successes of the first session of the 111th Congress, including passage of comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation in the U.S. House, clearly demonstrated a down payment on the change that voters sought in 2008,” said League of Conservations Voters President Gene Karpinski.
The full 2009 National Environmental Scorecard can be found at www.lcv.org/scorecard.
Carmel Fisherman Appointed to Regional Fishery Council
WASHINGTON, D.C. – David Crabbe, a longtime fisherman from Carmel, has been appointed to the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The Pacific Council is one of eight regional bodies that manage offshore fisheries. The Pacific Council is responsible for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.
“David is a perfect fit for this position, with the heart of a fisherman and the brain of a scientist,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who wrote a letter supporting Crabbe’s appointment.
In his letter, Rep. Farr wrote: “David continues to be an important leader on the conservation issues facing today's fisheries, especially the urgent need for achieving sustainability so that our nation's fishing heritage and coastal economic vitality can be perpetuated.”
The councils, established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, create comprehensive plans for marine fish stocks in their regions. Among their goals is to fulfill the act’s charge to end overfishing of 41 stocks by 2010. NOAA’s Fisheries Service works closely with the councils during plan development and also reviews, approves and implements the management plans developed by the councils.
“We welcome the new and returning appointees to these important councils. They play a critical role in ensuring sustainable marine fisheries, which are in turn vitally important to coastal communities and coastal economies,” said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. “This is an exciting and challenging time for fishery management, and the councils’ efforts ensure that the public is well represented in this process. These are the experts -- fishermen and scientists, leaders in their regions -- who will help us achieve sustainable fisheries and maintain vibrant fishing communities.”
Council members represent a variety of interests, from commercial and recreational fisheries to environmental concerns to academia. A total of 72 members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. Crabbe was part of a group of 30 who were named or reappointed for the next term, which begins August 11.
Elkhorn Slough Foundation Receives $3.9 Million Grant
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Elkhorn Slough Foundation has been awarded a $3,940,734 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The coastal restoration funds were included in the Recovery Act, which was signed into law in February.
“Funds from the Recovery Act continue to flow into communities throughout the nation, injecting needed capital into economies and creating jobs for local residents,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). “As with all the other projects that we’ve seen locally, this project will save local jobs and pump more money into our ailing economy.”
The Elkhorn Slough grant will provide long-term protection and erosion control for seven acres of tidal wetlands and protect critical coastal infrastructure. The selection of projects was a highly competitive process and evaluated a variety of biological and economic criteria.
California will see nine NOAA projects funded for a total of more than $31 million. These projects are expected to create 190 jobs statewide. Nationwide, 50 coastal restoration grants were awarded for a total of $167 million
"These Recovery Act projects will put Americans to work while restoring our coasts and combating climate change,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “They reflect our investment in sound science and commitment to help strengthen local economies.”
NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco added: “NOAA is investing in green jobs for Americans to restore habitat for valuable fish and wildlife and strengthen coastal communities, making them more resilient to storms, sea-level rise and other effects of climate change. In addition to the immediate jobs created by the projects, stronger and healthier coastal communities will boost our nation’s long-term economic health.”