Leah’s Preview of the National Western Draft Horse and Mule Show

After much anticipation, a panel of judges will choose tomorrow the official donkey mascot for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Our own Leah Daughtry will join Senator Ken Salazar, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Stulp, Elbra Wedgeworth of the Denver Convention Host Committee and National Western president and CEO Pat Grant to make the selection during the National Western Draft Horse and Mule Show. In preparation for the big event, Daughtry shares her thoughts on marrying Western values with a traditional Democratic Party affair such as the Convention and the inside scoop on her trip to Sheplers to buy her first pair of cowboy boots (which are still being broken in). And be sure to check back for photos and video of the winner on Sunday!

Saturday in Denver

Today, the Colorado Democratic Party sponsored its second annual Faith and Politics Conference at the Iliff School of Theology. I had the honor of delivering the opening keynote.

The topic was Engaged Spirituality, and I chose to share with the audience much of my personal path. For me, politics was the path by which I could bring concrete change to the community I call home. And it was in the Democratic Party that I found a mirror to my own values. I talked about the founding of the Faith In Action Initiative – my baby – which is not about helping elected officials quote scripture or go to church and clap on the beat but about encouraging them to talk about their values and what drove them to public service.

And I talked about the ways I’m bringing these principles to my work as CEO of the Democratic National Convention. A big part of that is our community service initiative. It has given us a rich sense of connection to the community – as well as a concrete way to demonstrate our Democratic values, with more than just words. But with action. Our efforts to green our Convention are another example. Our Party’s principles should be part of how we do business every day – from the selection of our office space and the procedures we put in place there to our hotel and transportation operations. That’s the best demonstration of our commitment to life change – every single day, not just when the cameras are rolling.

While south of town, we made a stop at Sheplers to shop for cowboy boots. The National Western Stock Show is upon us, and I wanted a pair to wear to the big event. National Western is offering a special class this year to choose an official donkey mascot for the Democratic Convention, and I’ll be on the panel of judges. I tried on a number of pairs and finally settled on a shiny chocolate brown, with light pink and tan stitching up top. I think I’m ready.

Viva Las Vegas

Leah Daughtry has logged a lot of miles throughout the state of Colorado as she’s teamed up with Democratic leaders to engage Colorado residents and activists in a dialogue about the 2008 Democratic National Convention. On Wednesday, January 9th, the DNCC will take the “Convention Conversations” series over the Colorado state line for the first time. Leah is teaming up with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for a community forum in Las Vegas — and we want you there.

WHERE:
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 525
760 North Lamb Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada
WHEN:
1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Please RSVP to rsvp@demconvention.com or (720) DNC-2008
Click here for directions:

DNCC Service Days: Urban Peak

At the beginning of this week, DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry and the DNCC staff were joined by Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter for this months DNCC Service Days project at Denvers Urban Peak — a non-profit shelter and service provider for homeless youth. The DNCC and the First Lady prepared a hot breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and festive holiday sweet rolls for the youth at Urban Peak. Following the meal, Leah presented the organization with a box filled with clothes and other warm items such as gloves and hats donated by the DNCC staff for the cold weather months. Watch this video to see the event first-hand.And be sure to check out this story from the Rocky Mountain News.

Here’s a bit of what they had to say:

Daughtry, chief executive officer of the Democratic National Convention Committee, asked how the pregnancy was going. They talked about the need to take prenatal pills. Cousins, while eating crispy bacon smothered in maple syrup, proudly told her about getting an apartment and saving some money.Around the trio, video cameras rolled and the cafeteria at Urban Peak in Denver on Monday morning was filled with a cacophony of voices – troubled youth and those cooking breakfast for them in the kitchen on the other side of the counter.

Among those cooking was Colorado’s first lady Jeannie Ritter and the staff of the DNCC.

Notes from the Road

I had the pleasure of speaking at the Colorado Democratic Party’s annual gathering at the Renaissance Hotel in Stapleton this morning. There was a light snow on the ground but the winter weather didn’t keep any of our party faithfuls from coming out to hear from great Colorado leaders like Governor Ritter and state Chair Pat Waak.

We had a great group of folks in attendance and they gave me a very warm welcome. There was definitely a tangible sense of excitement in the room when the topic of the Convention came up. Once again, it was clear to me that this state is poised and ready to host the best Convention our country has ever seen.

Folks were particularly interested in our citizen photo journalism project that aims to showcase the spirit of the West to the many visitors planning their trips here next summer. It’s an easy way for people outside of Denver to get involved in the Convention experience. So I hope you too will get out your digital camera and help us show the world the Rocky Mountain West as it turns a lovely shade of blue.

Convention Conversations – Boulder

This Wednesday, DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry visited Boulder, Colorado for the third in an ongoing series of Convention Conversations. Joining Daughtry on stage was Colorado House Majority Leader Alice Madden. In addition to offering information on how Boulder residents and members of the local business community can get involved in the Convention experience, a good portion of the discussion focused on organizers’ efforts to “green” Convention planning. During the forum, Leah introduced Andrea Robinson, the first ever Director of Greening for a Democratic National Convention. Watch this video to hear Leahs remarks from Boulder and learn a bit more about the newest addition to the DNCC team.

 

To read more from media on this event click here, here and here.

Q&A with DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry

During the December 2007 RootsCamp training session in Denver sponsored by ProgressNow, participants had the opportunity to ask DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry questions about the 2008 Democratic National Convention. In this video, you can watch the questions asked by the community as well as Leahs responses. If you’d like to participate in the conversation, visit our blog at www.demconvention.com and post a comment in the comments section.

A little taste of Denver in Vienna (VA)

I had the chance to introduce my new Governor, Colorado’s own Bill Ritter, to the DNC membership this afternoon. He gave a great speech that highlighted the lessons to be shared from the West and the pragmatic, forward-looking leaders of the region tackling big problems. And in Denver, he said, we will choose with one voice a leader who will move us forward as a country

He also noted with pride that we’re working in Denver to put on the greenest Convention ever.

To close the day, the Host Committee held a reception for DNC members to offer them a little preview of next August. On the menu: Boulder Fries on the Fly, Rocky Mountain Buffalo Sliders, Tostadas and “Denveritas” to drink. Two big screens featuring local landmarks and landscapes and music including at least a song or two from The Fray.

Time to take my shoes off – it’s been quite a day.

Notes From the DNC Fall Meeting in Virginia

Greetings from Vienna, Virginia, where the Democratic National Committee is hosting its Fall Meeting. The DNCC team is here in f

orce as well. We’re staffing a Convention Information Center today and tomorrow, offering a full slate of info on our host city and Convention planning to date to DNC members and other attendees from the Democratic family. We’re even offering Convention “credentials” to those who stop by – lovely souvenirs, although (before you get in your car and head over) they won’t get you into the Pepsi Center next August.

Over in Bloggers Alley, we have information on blogger credentialing in Denver. We also briefed state party chairs yesterday on our new DemConvention State Blogger Corps, and the plan was met with an enthusiastic response.

I also spent some time yesterday during the Faith In Action meeting discussing ideas for how we can bring the faith community into our Convention experience. Many inclusive ideas were put forth by the FIA members – a dialogue we’ll be continuing in the months ahead.

Later this afternoon, I’ll be introducing Colorado’s own Gov. Ritter when he speaks before the general session. I’ll check back in after that.

Update: You can see my introduction of Gov. Ritter and Gov Ritter’s remarks to the DNC Fall Meeting here.

Below are some photos of Gov. Ritter and I delivering our respective remarks.

Welcome to the DNCC Blog

Greetings – I’m Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. I’m excited to be one of the first to welcome you to our new blog – and even more excited to say that my very first blog post is happening right here right now on our Convention blog. Let this big step for me be an indication of our commitment to embrace technology and online tools throughout our Convention planning process. I intend to be back as a voice with frequent updates for you via this forum. So bookmark this page, add us to your RSS feed – whatever it is, don’t be a stranger. We want this to be an active conversation. The more we hear from you, the better that dialogue becomes. Until next time……