Welcome
The Aiken County Democratic Party believes in and works toward a government that works for all of us and not one that caters to a few.
We believe in The United States Constitution, a living document that guarantees the rights of ALL citizens and has enabled this country to become what it is today.
We believe a quality public educational system. We believe in accessible healthcare for all.
We believe that rewarding honest, hard work with a living wage in a tax system that is fair, will build strong families.
We believe in commonsense reforms that give us cleaner air, water, and soil.
We believe in a strong, well-equipped military that will protect our borders and our freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution.
Let's work together to strengthen our beliefs to achieve our goal of becoming a better America for ALL of us.
Aiken County Democratic Party meets at 7 pm every month at The Aiken County Council Building. We meet to foster active interest in the local, state and national Democratic Party, to support campaigns and to engage in grassroots activism. See "Events" page for dates of the next meeting and updates of what happened at our last meeting!
Meeting Info
-- John Brecht
Aiken County Democratic Party Chairman
Why Obama will win South Carolina
Most pundits and even some senior Democratic Party officials in our state have said Sen. Barack Obama doesn’t have a prayer of carrying South Carolina in the fall election. He will.
History is, admittedly, on the side of the doubters. Since 1960, the only Democrat to carry South Carolina was Jimmy Carter from neighboring Georgia in 1976. In the seven presidential contests since then, Democrats have averaged only 40 percent of the vote. John Kerry got 41 percent.
But predicting the future based solely on the past is like trying to steer a car by looking backwards through the rearview mirror — often with the predictable results.
There are five reasons the results of an Obama candidacy in South Carolina will be different:
First, it’s time. Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come, and Obama’s time has come. Americans are ready for something fundamentally different in our national politics. Americans are fed up with politics as usual and the politicians who deliver it. They want to move beyond the stale division, the senseless partisanship and the corruption of special-interest politics. Obama represents this fundamental change.
Second, the map and the math will be different. Traditionally, the two parties analyze past election returns and focus on a dozen or so battleground or swing states and ignore the rest of the country. The South in general and South Carolina in particular have fallen victim to this traditional math, and we have been ignored as a safe Republican state.
But Palmetto state Democrats are excited and are turning out to vote in record numbers. In the presidential primaries, more Democrats than Republicans voted for the first time in many years, with Democratic turnout up 80 percent and Republicans down 25 percent from 2004. The number of African-Americans who voted in our state’s presidential primary more than doubled.
With the realization that Obama has a real shot at becoming the first black president, excitement will grow to a fever pitch in the African-American community. About 250,000 blacks are not registered to vote, and the Obama campaign has already launched an aggressive voter registration drive. Black turnout in November will likely increase by at least a third, maybe more, over ’04 — fundamentally changing traditional Election Day math.
Third, Democrats will be united like never before. Forget all the talk about the Clintons dividing the party. In order to repair the damage they have done to the Clinton brand, they will see it in their own self-interest to enthusiastically embrace and support Obama. I predict their rehabilitation performance at the Democratic Convention will make it seem like they were the ones who made Obama’s historic breakthrough possible.
Fourth, the money. When Obama made his first trip to South Carolina in January of last year, I suggested that with a strong online effort he could raise $500 million. His response was wide-eyed amazement and disbelief. Today, he has raised more than half this amount, and he’s just now secured the nomination. I predicted that by Election Day the combined Obama/Democratic Party effort will raise $1 billion — yes, “billion” with a “b’.
The impact on the state and local level will be dramatic. For years we Democrats have fanaticized about a strong, united party with an energizing message and adequate resources to run a truly coordinated campaign from the White House to the Court House. This time, it will happen.
Fifth, Sen. John McCain’s candidacy is fundamentally flawed. Just like Bob Dole in 1996, McCain is likely to fade into bit player. Everyone respects McCain’s service to the country; he is a true American hero. But that’s not the point.
He lacks a clear and compelling vision of where he wants to take the country. His plan for Iraq looks like more of the same. And when compared to Obama’s youth and charisma, he simply seems too old and tired.
The Obama campaign will also accelerate change politics in South Carolina beyond November. It already has. In the January primary, he brought out a whole new generation of young and black voters who, having tasted success, will not likely fade away but instead will demand more. And most importantly, there is now emerging a whole new generation of reform candidates, both black and white, who are committed to changing politics as usual — from the school boards to the courthouses to the State House.
So, it’s time. It’s time for us to quit gazing backwards in the rearview mirror into the political darkness of the past. It’s time for us to look ahead to the bright new day that is dawning in Palmetto State politics.
Chairman’s Message
News - scroll to the bottom of the page!
Keep scrolling down for Chairman’s Message and News
Even if you think you’re registered to vote, don’t take the chance -- double check your voter registration now. Vote caging is already being done this campaign cycle and it will continue all the way to November.
(h/t Crook&Liars)
If you need more information on where to go in your area to register or to check your current voter status, see "We the People" are the “Deciders!” below:
What the Fox News doesn’t cover about Senator McCain
Military Service and “Commander in Chief”
A Republican once said, when asked if military service made one prepared to be Commander in Chief:
"Absolutely not. History shows that some of our greatest leaders have had little or no military experience- Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Harry Truman was in the artillery in World War I, which was magnificent. Ronald Reagan did most of his active duty in the studio lots in California. It might be a nice thing, but I absolutely don't believe that it's necessary."
I believe that military service is the most honorable endeavor an American may undertake. But I've never believed that lack of military service disqualifies one from occupying positions of political leadership or as Commander and Chief. In America, the people are sovereign, and they decide who is and is not qualified to lead us.
That Republican --> Sen. John McCain!
In 2004, McCain said of the Swift Boat Veterans, "I deplore this kind of politics. I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable." LINK
One of the members of McCain’s new Truth Squad — Bud Day — was a member of the Swift Boat Veterans! LINK
The 21st Century GI Bill Signed Into Legislation!
June 30th, President Bush signed legislation that included the 21st Century GI Bill. In his signing speech, Bush praised himself and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for “work[ing] hard” to pass the legislation. LINK
Sen Graham voted against the 21st Century GI Bill and Sen. McCain didn’t show up to vote - LINK -- though Sen McCain took credit for it - WATCH the video here
What you don’t know can hurt us... ?
The Bush administration has a long and comical history of going to great lengths to hide bad news from the public. Read up on this subject at this LINK.
OK -- It's time to review how much less we know.
Eighteen things you've already forgotten about the media's flawed coverage of Iraq.
Read about it >> here
Retired Military analysts on TV - and the Pentagon
“...Hidden behind that appearance of objectivity, though, is a Pentagon information apparatus that has used those analysts in a campaign to generate favorable news coverage of the administration’s wartime performance...”
“Many U.S. military analysts used as commentators on Iraq by television networks have been groomed by the Pentagon, leaving some feeling they were manipulated to report favorably on the Bush administration, ...”
News
More News