TDWCC in the Press As TDWCC continues our hard work to fulfill our mission to  Educate, Activate, and Elect, the press in Collin County and beyond are taking notice and reporting our various activities.   June 25, 2008 McKinneyNews.net article TDWCC Endorses Obama, Campaign Contributions Totalling $6,000 Also Granted Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC) members met and cast two very important votes on Monday.  Having endorsed eight candidates at its April meeting, the group voted to make significant contributions in support of their campaigns. The donations, totaling $6,000, will be formally presented to candidates at the TDWCC July meeting.   $1,000 - Rick Noriega, candidate for US Senate $1,000 - Tom Daley, candidate for US Congress, District 3 $1,000 - Glenn Melancon, candidate for US Congress, District 4 $1,000 - Jim Jordan, candidate for Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice $500 -  Susan Strawn, candidate for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 3 $500 -  Don B. Chae, candidate for 5th Court of Appeals Justice, Place 3 $500 -  Victor Manuel, candidate for Collin County Commissioner, Precinct 3 $500 -  Eric Roberson, candidate for US Congress, District 32 TDWCC by-laws prevent the group from endorsing one Democratic candidate over another. As such, at the April endorsement meeting the position of President was not considered. TDWCC was excited to be able to put this to a vote of their members in June. The group voted unanimously (with one abstention) to officially endorse Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States "I was pleased to see the result of the vote, a true indication that our group is unified in support of our nominee," said TDWCC President Barb Walters. "We are ready to move forward and work to elect Senator Obama and other Democratic candidates in Collin County and statewide."   May 22, 2008  TDWCC featured in Judge Jim Jordan's video released on YouTube Judge Jim Jordan is running for Texas Supreme Court Justice.  As such, he sought the endorsement of TDWCC by filling out our survey and speaking/answering questions at our April endorsement meeting.  Parts of that meeting are featured in his new campaign video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfOcdzDW0gk    May 12, 2008 Dallas Air America Group Newsletter article Arianna visits North Texas    On May 7th, Texas Democratic Women of Collin County, the North Dallas Texas Democratic Women and Dallas County Democratic Party welcomed Arianna Huffington, who spoke about her latest book "Right is Wrong: How the Lunatic Fringe Hijacked America, Shredded the Constitution, and Made Us All Less Safe." Speaking to crowd of approximately 200 people, Ms. Huffington shared the premise of her book and her personal campaign:  as Democrats, we must stand up to the Fringe Right agenda and the unconscious Media and do all we can to keep John McCain out of the White House.  Before her lecture, about 40 guests gathered to enjoy hors d'oeuvres and wine while getting an opportunity to speak to Ms. Huffington directly.  "I was happy to meet people tonight who confessed to also being former Republicans," Ms. Huffington announced at the beginning of her lecture.   Given the event was at the Plano Convention Center, many of those in the audience laughed knowingly.    April 29, 2008 McKinneyNews.net article (A similar article appeared in Frisco-Online.com on May 1, 2008 and the Dallas Air America Group Newsletter and the front page of Pegasus News on May 5, 2008) TDWCC Endorses Candidates This just in from Texas Democratic Women of Collin County: The packed room of approximately 60 people at the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC) monthly meeting on Tuesday (misprint: Monday) was yet another example that Democrats in Collin County are excited to participate in the political process this year. At this meeting, TDWCC voted to endorse the following Democratic candidates.  -Rick Noriega for United States Senator -Tom Daley for United States Representative, District 3 -Glenn Melancon for United States Representative, District 4 -Eric Roberson for United States Representative, District 32 -Jim Jordan for Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice -Susan Strawn for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 3 -Don B. Chae for 5th Court of Appeals Justice, Place 3 -Victor Manuel for Collin County Commissioner, Precinct 3 TDWCC does not endorse one Democratic candidate over another. Therefore the position of President was not up for a vote. These endorsement decisions were a critical step in determining allocation of TDWCC Get Out The Vote (GOTV) resources. With a GOTV office in Plano and an active team of volunteers who made over 3,000 calls for the Primary, TDWCC is ready to work hard to make a difference for these candidates.  TDWCC began their endorsement process at their March meeting. Those in attendance submitted candidate questions, which were compiled into surveys for Democratic candidates. Candidate survey responses were made available to the public on the TDWCC website (www.tdwcc.org). Candidates who sought endorsement by completing the survey were placed on the endorsement ballot at the April 28th meeting. Members voted to endorse all candidates on the ballot. While this meeting was important for completing the endorsement process, it was also an excellent opportunity to meet, hear from, and ask questions of some of the candidates. Candidates in attendance who spoke and answered questions were Daley, Melancon, Roberson, Jordan, and Chae. Noriega, who lives out of the area, sent a representative.    March 11, 2008 Frisco-Online.com (A similar article appeared in McKinneyNews.net on 3/7/08 entitled GOTV Efforts Successful: Democratic Women Get Out The Vote) Texas Democratic Women of Collin County Primary Election Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Efforts Exceed Expectations When Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC) put together our Primary Get Out The Vote plan, we were optimistic about what we could accomplish, but the eagerness and determination of Democratic volunteers in Collin County has been more than we could have hoped for.  We sent out a call for volunteers and the response was outstanding: we held 5 voter registration drives, knocked on 225 doors, and made 3,125 calls!  Volunteers logged a total of 198 hours of hard work. As everyone has heard by now the election and caucus turnout was record breaking. TDWCC member Nanci Huskey attended Precinct 78 and the “facility was too small for everyone.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the county. President Barb Walters was an Election Judge and agreed it was a “wild and crazy day and good for Democrats!” Member Linda Magid said caucusing was a highlight of her life and she wants to be a delegate “all the way to the national convention in Denver.” TDWCC plans to continue GOTV efforts and maintain this level of energy through the general election in November!   March 4, 2008  Three TDWCC Board Members Asked to Blog on Primary Election Day for Glamour Magazine As part of their coverage of the Primary election, Glamour magazine invited TDWCC Board members Kelly Drill, Meredith Fisherman, and Kelley Van Auken to blog about their experience on March 4th.  Below are excerpts from each of their blogs. Kelly Drill:  I'm another proud member of Texas Democratic Women of Collin County, here in Plano, just north of Dallas...  As I drive around town today, I see Obama and Hillary signs on every corner. In a part of the country where nobody seems to wear their politics on their sleeve, I am absolutely amazed at the kind of excitement this primary has generated. I'm heading out to caucus in about an hour and I can't wait to see what kind of turnout there is. It will definitely be an exciting evening. Meredith Fisherman:  I'm a GOTV co-chair for the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC). This group has been instrumental in my overall political experience. I felt so helpless in the reddest county in Texas alone. However, I soon found out that there are many women here who are "yellow dog" democrats. I have found a home!   Kelley Van Auken:  I am the Get Out The Vote Co-chair for Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC). Our organization does not endorse one Democratic candidate over another during the Primary, but we do GOTV to inform and turn out Democrats. So far during this Primary we have made over 3,000 calls! As I type I am in the TDWCC office with volunteers phone banking. Democratic politics and activism is alive and well in Texas! We can't wait to actively support our Democratic nominees in the coming months.   February 29, 2008 Dallas Voice (A similar article appeared in Frisco-Online.com on 3/3/08)   January 24, 2008 The Dallas Morning News: Letters from Murphy, Plano Including letters from TDWCC members Lynn Wolfe and Prissy Wisnewski RE: Giving up a lost cause - Democrats missing in actions, says Chuck Bloom of Plano... Below are some excerpts from their responses. To read the full article, click here. Lynn Wolfe - Mr. Bloom may be removing the Collin county Democrat sticker from his car while Mr. Piknkos encourages him to move to Dallas, but I'm going to stay put and work like a yellow dog to help my party... Prissy Wisnewsky - ...I say put your money and time where your mouth is. There are tens of thousands of Democrats in Collin county, and many have chosen to stay locked in their closets and not voice their true beliefs. Many just go along to get along. It's time to take a big step out and stand up for a competitive mutli-party county and to say enough is enough.   December 20, 2007 The Texas Blue: On the Record  featuring TDWCC Pres. Barb Walters By Grace Stevens The Texas Blue is a popular blog.  They have a regular article called One the Record.  In the past they have mostly interviewed Chairs of Democratic parties in various Texas Counties.  Seeing how active Texas Democratic Women of Collin County has been in our community they invited President Barb Walters for an interview.  Below are some excerpts.  To read the full article, click here. What are you looking forward to in the coming cycle? I look forward to more Democrats being elected, and especially to winning back the presidency. My hope is that the outcome will be a return to a two-party system, distinct separation of the 3 branches of government and a return to more civil discourse. What has been the most valuable lesson you have learned in politics? There is power in one vote — be informed, spread the word, and vote.   August 2, 2007 Op Ed in Dallas Morning News Regarding TDWCC's July Meeting By TDWCC Member Joan Cross Below is an excerpt.  To read the full article, click here. I hate to be negative, for I am known for my positive nature and how it radiates to the people I know.  After awhile I got sick of me and entered into one more new experience.  I went to a meeting of the Democratic Women in Plano and actually left with a wonderful spirit.  The large room was filled, and they started on time.  Their organization was excellent, and the program was outstanding.  It was an educational experience with no evil words about other parties. The program this week (must have been sent by a higher power) educated me about a group called the International Rescue Committee.  It is a Dallas Peace Corps that I had never heard about.  This organization is not helping the immigrants who voluntarily leave their countries.  It helps refugees.  Refugees have been forced to leave their countries as a result of well-founded fear of persecution.   July 28, 2007 TDWCC Women's Museum Event in the Plano Insider, McKinneyNews.Net, and Frisco-Online.com To read the text of the below article, click here.   April 26, 2007 Debate Watching Party in Plano Insider   August 21, 2006 National Public Radio (NPR/KERA) interview with Democratic candidate for Governor Chris Bell The interviewer pointed out that the last Democratic statewide win was in 1994 and asked why Chris Bell thought he could break the losing streak.  Chris Bell used the Meet the Candidates forum put on by DPCC and TDWCC as an example of the change sweeping Texas.  Chris Bell said:   “…I feel very good about it, not so much from what I see in places that are traditionally Democratic strongholds here in Texas for the Party, but in places that you wouldn’t expect any type of Democratic activity whatsoever.  The other day we were in Plano and y’all were enjoying your 8th straight day of 100+ degree temperatures, I think it was 108 degrees that day, and I thought – Oh good, we’re going into the most Republican area in the entire state, on a 108 degree day, there’s just going to be a giant crowd (said with sarcasm).  Well, there was a giant crowd and there were over 300 people that showed up on a Saturday afternoon…I have to think that people are fed up and they are crying out for change.”        June 26, 2006 Plano Star Courier article Barb Walters and Prissy Wisnewski both agree; it’s all about family values. President and Vice President, respectively, of the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC), the two friends are dedicated to educating women, grooming leaders and getting them involved with the Democratic Party. According to Walters, the mission of the TDWCC is to elect Democrats on the local, state and national level. With approximately 95 members and growing, the TDWCC comprises women whose focus is on access to affordable health care and a living wage for everyone, a safe and secure family environment, fiscal responsibility, and honesty and accountability in our officials. Co-chairs of the membership committee of the Democratic Party of Collin County , the two wanted to breathe more life into existing groups and further their knowledge on pending issues. “We’re looking for women with the same wants and Democratic views,” said Wisnewski. “Who have a passion for issues that affect themselves and their families.” They are trying to get the word out and have elected temporary officers. They are also working on an agenda. “Volunteering for the DPCC has grown in leaps and bounds,” said Walters. The group is looking for poll workers at each election and doers and organizers. They want to try to teach everyone who has an interest, and they always want people to vote. The TDWCC meets one Monday each month, and although they are geared toward and focused on women, men are also welcome. Trying to get Democrats in office, the county party has a large network consisting of friends, teachers and church members. The two women actually got their start through the networking process. Having known each other two years, last summer they discovered their shared passion. The two decided to make a concerted effort to form a group of Democrats focusing on the needs and views of women; working for the total balance of women. At the time, they were on their way to see Cindy Sheehan, an anti-Iraq War activist who attracted international attention for demonstrating at a peace camp outside President George W. Bush’s Texas ranch. The demonstration was for her son, Casey Sheehan, who was killed during his service in Iraq. They now have a weekly newsletter and get their info out via the county party Web site. Everything is collaborated with the county party and plans are to have a link within the party Web site that directs people to the Democratic women’s site. Scheduled tentatively for July 15 is the Grass Roots Training, at which the group plans to educate those who are new to the political process and refresh the political skills of those who are more experienced. The new organization is promoting candidates such as U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Ann Radnofsky, who is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. “Our goal is to elect more and have more run,” said Wisnewski. According to Wisnewski, a lot of women have a voice, and the TDWCC wants to hear them. A community volunteer all her life, Walters became more of an activist while working at the county party office during the 2004 presidential election. She lives in Plano with her husband. Wisnewski is an educational diagnostician for the special education department in Plano. She and her husband, Dave, have always been very active in church and children’s activities and both grew interest in politics and became active in the county party after the 2000 election. The TDWCC will have a car and float with the county party in the July 4 parade in Plano. The leaders are tentatively planning a fund-raiser in August. The group meets from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at Lone Star Crossing, 5800 Coit Road in Plano. The next meeting is on July 24.