Two weeks ago, I traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with DNC Chairman Howard Dean and about 20 DNC members from throughout the nation. Our meeting, a focus group working on African American issues, was productive and every bit worth the experience.

Our discussions were very open and honest as we discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the African American community in particular states, Missouri included.

Governor Dean’s Message to You

The new DNC will be run like a business, with financial and social interests at the heart of its efforts. No segmenting, a party for the true blue. Recover over the loss, the mourning period is over and it’s time to pull your boots by the straps and let’s get to work now. Dean continued, “Don’t get comfortable...focus on the future.?Raise money, forward lists, create local work groups, strengthen community organizations, and find causes that promote democratic efforts, principles and values on a very local level.

The DNC Example & Diverse State Parties

When I entered the DNC headquarters, I expected to see cubicles with subtitles such as “Women? “Hispanics?and so on. I expected to see a plethora of white men similar to both the Missouri Republican and Democratic State Parties. I was struck by the openness of the offices and most of all the new complexion of the DNC staff. For a moment I thought I was back in Joe Maxwell’s office or Atlanta, but instead it was the DNC headquarters.

The example, Chief of Staff , DNC Pollster, Fundraiser, College Campus coordinator—all African American. First time ever has this been the case and all at once. True amazement! According to The American Prospect Online article “The Chairman’s Colorful Cabinet?writer Jamal Simmons states, “Other Democrats should follow Dean’s lead and begin an internal effort to do what we have been asking private corporations to do for years: diversify senior management.? Simmons continues, “That means we should recruit, train, and hire more black campaign mangers, fund-raisers, researchers, ad-makers and pollsters…A team with diverse backgrounds and ideas will only help our party reconnect with the American people.?(May 2005)

Personally, I think the party has a much better scorecard when it comes to hiring women. But as for minorities, newcomers, and the Who’s Not, the Missouri State party should feel less than confident for their efforts.

Inclusion of the Young and People of Color

At this meeting I discussed access for younger people and people of color. During my short political tenure and my experiences during this April’s elections and the Washington University sit-in/hunger strike, it became more apparent that we should do a better job to incorporate our young people from all backgrounds into the interests of the Missouri State Democratic Party. I stated at the meeting that our young people must have access to mainstream politics in Missouri and then let's elect them. Rather than always pushing the Who’s Who out front, a distasteful tradition in my mind, w! e should aggressively seek the Who’s Not. I am just a little biased since this is the group I came from. It is the commitment of the DNC to seek out, train and develop on-going relationships with political newcomers from the grassroots.

Supporting African American statewide candidates

The Missouri State Party has the best opportunity to support African American candidates, like Kelvin Simmons, Ronnie White or another A-list candidate. However, across the country state parties provide structural prohibitors which prevent African Americans from succeeding statewide. The last time I can remember the Missouri State Democratic Party supporting an African American for a statewide office was in Alan Wheat’s bid for U.S. Senate. Does Missouri have to wait for another 20 years to pass for this to occur again? This should not be the case in Missouri!

It is the DNC’s commitment moving forward to support African American candidates for statewide offices throughout the country and the heart of America. Yes indeed, it is a new day in American politics. And our democratic success is dependent upon substantive changes in state committees across the country.

The Ultimate Marriage

Everyone knows the marriage between institutional knowledge and emerging young political stars and advocates is a difficult challenge to overcome. It is incumbent upon us to do our part to push a real progressive agenda that is inclusive of all.

In our meeting with Chairman Dean, we addressed the causes that lead to the ultimate failure of our Democratic success. The top complaints were the following: Arrogance of political insiders during campaign, wrong messaging, last minute or no synergy into communities, and the lack of a 30-year plan (similar to republicans long term efforts).

Switching gears? The most interesting “bit?of information we heard is that state committees will be subject to strict quality assurance measures before DNC funds are distributed to state parties, much different process than in previous years. The most stunning measure is that state parties must prove the diversity of their staff and minority-driven projects. With this in mind, it should be obvious to state committees across the nation that the environment must make a change for the better.

Oh, and by the way…Missouri is a Purple State

As some of you may recall, Chairman Dean announced on Meet the Press, with Tim Reussert, that states which are considered RED States, like Missouri, are for all practical reasons truly Purple states. At our meeting he said we needed to remember that some states are a little deeper purple than others...almost blue. Sound familiar?