Daily Herald, May 3, 2009
Caleb Warnock

To be about the business of winning was the vow of Utah County Democrats at their county convention on Saturday.

Democrats made significant fundraising gains in Utah Valley in 2008 and garnered thousands of new votes compared to other years, but they failed to actually win a single seat. Building on those gains was the theme on Saturday.

"We have to celebrate our gains," said state party chair Wayne Holland. "We have made two consecutive gains in two election cycles."

Utah County Democrats raised $80,000 in 2008, compared to $7,000 in 2006, said Richard Davis, county party chair.

"The Republicans, however, raised $150,000," he said. "We were outspent two-to-one. We have a lot of ground to cover."

In 2006, there were fewer than 100 donors to the party. In 2008, that number jumped to more than 1,300, he said.

Now, local Dems must build on the momentum by recruiting and training candidates, raising money and volunteering to help candidates, Davis said.

"Please volunteer," he said. "We really need your help."

At a meeting held March 19, 2009 at the Provo City Library at Academy Square, the Central Committee of the Utah County Democratic Party voted 51 to 7 to approve a new party constitution.

Ratification of the new constitituion required a two-thirds vote of the Central Committee, which consists of precinct chairs and vice chairs, legislative district chairs, and executive officers.

Addressing deficiencies in the previous constitution, the new constitution, which was presented by the Rules Committee, provides a mechanism for making amendments. The new constitution has been posted to the party website under the "Our Party" menu item.

In addition to ratifying the new constitution, the Central Committee approved motions to defer voting on amendments and bylaws to a time no later than six months in the future, and to permit the Rules Committee to consider and make recommendations about the proposed amendments.

In the spirit of inclusiveness, the Central Committee approved an allowance for ideas and input regarding amendments and bylaws to be received from all members of the Utah County Democratic Party.

Dear Fellow Utah County Democrats:

I've been reading a book by James Carville and Paul Begala titled Take It Back: A Battle Plan for Democratic Victory.  Carville and Begala were instrumental in the 1992 electoral victory of Bill Clinton.  They've also worked as political consultants for other Democratic candidates.

The book was written before the presidential election, which may lead some people to say that it is irrelevant now.  However, their message is highly relevant to us in Utah County.  We're still working on Democratic victory.  We're still trying to "take back" a two party system and legislators that care about human needs more than they do a rigid ideology of "no government."  We want to "take back" ethics and compassion and a higher quality of life for all citizens of Utah.

Here are some of their key points that are relevant to us: