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The Demogram
The Official Publication of the Lewis County Democrats Summer 2008 Edition  First-time caucus attendees by show of hands at the County Caucus on April 19th at Toledo HS. Democrats come out in record numbers for '08 caucus seasonSelecting the Democratic Presidential candidate begins as a very personal choice. It starts with conversations at kitchen tables, water coolers and social events. It’s an exploration of our values and priorities. The process then moves to public forums where we are exposed to, perhaps even saturated with, the values and priorities of others - those who identify as democrats but have different needs or priorities. We examine why certain issues are important and how it may affect us personally. The discussion is often spirited and sometimes combative but it is a necessary step. We emerge with a sense of which candidate best represents not only our needs, but the needs of our community, state and country. This is where we here in Washington enter, “the Caucus Zone.” It’s not a time or place - but a process. We gather at our Precinct Caucuses with our neighbors and each select a handful of representative-delegates to the county caucus and continue this narrowing process onward to the state (WSDCC) and national (DNC) convention. Our Congressional District Caucuses elect delegates to the National Convention where the primary mission is to present a single candidate for the General Election. And while our passions are rightfully elevated during this process, it pales in comparison to the determination that we must muster to bring a Democrat to the White House. Now is the time for Lewis County Democrats to come together. Under an “umbrella”of unity we can forge a successful run for Democrats in 2008. We came out in large numbers for the precinct caucuses because we care strongly and want to make a difference. Let’s come together now to build a strong coalition. The Action Center is where you can find out about the many activities planned in the next few months and how your group can be involved.
But on May 17th, when Democrats from across Washington state flocked to their Congres- sional District Caucuses to elect delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Colorado, Judy Guenther (shown to right with State Party Chair Dwight Pelz) was among those elected as delegates. The 3rd Congressional District, which includes Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Pacific, Wahkiakum, and parts of Thurston county was allocated 5 of 51 national delegate slots. 129 people filed for candidacy in the 3rd and the competition was fierce. Congratulations to Judy for this well-deserved honor!
THIS BUD WAS FOR US - LEWIS COUNTY’S DEMOCRATIC LEGACY By Robert Schroeter We’ve all likely heard from a number of folks who came to this year’s presidential caucuses, saying afterward that they didn’t know there were so many other Democrats in their area. What many of us forget, and may need to be reminded, is that Lewis County has a strong Democratic tradition. From the 1960s through the 1990s, we were blessed with extraordinary State Legislators such as Senators Gary Odegaard and Stu Halsan, and State Representatives Joe Enbody and Dave Chappell. As we remember our great traditions, it seems like a great opportunity to recall one of those democratic lions – Hugh Kalich. Hugh “Bud” Kalich was a Lewis County Democrat who was admired and loved not only in our County, but throughout the State. Bud Kalich was known for straight talk. A Toledo native, Bud served his country in the Second World War. He returned to Lewis County and became a gypo logger and tavern owner in South Lewis County, before heading into county politics as a County Commissioner. From there, Bud moved on to a series of terms in the State House of representatives, serving as the 20th District Representative from 1965-1971 and from 1973-1977. Former State Legislator Ray Moore described Kalich as follows: “He didn’t have to think things over ad nauseam. Bud told you right off if he was for or against it. Really refreshing in this day and age when often legislators say, “I’ll have to think about that,” which often means they want to see if there is a poll on the issue or to check their large contributors. Bud had his own style—direct and now.” During an early debate in the 1960s over then moderate Republican Governor Dan Evans attempt at a state income tax, Kalich supported the measure by saying “Mr. Speaker, I’m tired of this argument. My mind’s made up. Call me when it gets to a vote. I’ll be across the street in the bar and I want to come back and vote for an income tax.” With such candor and plain speaking, one beat reporter described Kalich as “God’s gift to democracy.” Toward the latter days of his life, Bud Kalich described a talk he had about heaven with a friend in Chehalis. Kalich said about heaven that “it must be all right over there. I’ve known a lot of guys who have gone over and none of them came back, as far as I know, except one. And He only stayed for few days.” There are times when the spin, especially from this White House, seems to be a never ending merry-go-round. There are times when it seems that many politicians go so far astray in their debate answers that you can’t even tell what the question was to begin with. We can be proud that our party, the Democratic party, has given us leaders from Truman to Kennedy and many more who told it like they saw it and refused to sway in the wind. Bud Kalich was such an individual, and we can be proud to call ourselves as he did – a Lewis County Democrat.
Chair's Corner
Unity – That pretty much says it all. If you read the papers, watch the news you could easily believe that Democrats throughout the country are at each other’s throats. Karl Rove, now the political “expert” for Faux News gleefully states that we are a broken party and will have a difficult time in November because of it. Too often the talking heads and radio voices (many of whom learned as Republicans that you must toe the single party line at all costs and under all circumstances) have a difficult time understanding that we are a party of diversified thought, interests and ideals. There are even a few in our own party who are espousing the view that we are divided. They, like Rove and others of his ilk are wrong. I wish the people who are talking about disharmony would spend a week here, with the Lewis County Democrats. Clinton supporters, Obama supporters, individuals who have been involved for years and those who have never worked for a candidate or a cause in their lives have come together and are talking about how to make the Lewis County Democrats stronger and this county better. The enthusiasm and excitement that is growing daily has refreshed and reenergized me and many others who were beginning to wonder if change could happen. We can change the politics as usual here in the County – and as a unified force we will. Jan Nontell Chair, LCDCC |
It’s been twenty years since Lewis County Democrats were represented at the Democrat National Convention when Rita Cleary was elected as a delegate.