Republicans for DC Voting Rights

The DC delegation to the Republican convention has come to the Twin Cities with a clear sense of purpose on DC voting rights. As detailed by the Washington Times and in DC Convention Chair Jim Katdke's blog, they came to Minnesota with a mission to include support for the DC House Voting Rights Act into the national Republican platform. While their efforts were not as successful as they had hoped, all the DC delegates we've met have reiterated their commitment to working for DC voting rights.



Pictured here are (left to right): Eugene Kinlow (DC Vote Outreach Director), Ambassador Tom Korologos, Secretary Ann Korologos, Robert Kabel (Chairman of the DC Republican Committee), and Craig Max.

All the action isn't in hotels and convention halls. Not at all. DC Republican and Alternate Delegate to the convention, Patrick Mara, hit the streets with DC Vote this afternoon. We made friends of the two-legged and four-legged variety. Now that's what I call successful outreach!

A Grand Old Party for DC Voting Rights in the Twin Cities

That's right folks -- DC Vote has landed in the Twin Cities of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We have seen the Rockies and now we are trooping across the prairie, bringing our message of taxation without representation. We spoke to a gander of Democrats last week, and this week, we're chatting up a gaggle of Republicans.

We tried to reach First Lady Laura Bush, but for some reason, this video feed only worked one-way. Alas and anon.

Rally for DC Voting Rights at the Denver Mint

In 2008, the U.S. Mint denied the DC Government's request to print "Taxation Without Representation" on the DC quarter.

Well, let's just say that didn't go over so well. Six months of pent-up frustration at this additional insult to DC residents came spilling out this morning in front of the Denver Mint.

(Councilmembers Jack Evans, Muriel Bowser, and Chairman Vincent Gray in front of the U.S. Mint)

Approximately 150 DC voting rights supporters, DC delegates, and elected officals said their 25 cents at the corner of Cherokee & Colfax streets. Cars passing by honked and a number of pedestrians received wooden nickels which explained that American democracy isn't worth more than a wooden nickel without a vote in Congress.

(A portion of the crowd at the mint)

The photos tell the story better than words.

(Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Councilmember Jack Evans, Council Chairman Vincent Gray, and Mayor Adrian Fenty)

(John Capozzi bringing the passion at the Mint)

What other delegation has got a music video?

DC residents didn't just bring their passion for DC voting rights to Denver. Nope, they brought go-go.

These thumping local beats crossed the plains and hit the Mile High Country with force. In fact, the whole country heard some go-go just before Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton called for passage of the DC House Voting Rights Act on the convention floor. And, not just any go-go. Check out the video below and learn more about the fly "Demand the Vote" single just waiting to be downloaded onto your iPod.

Ekua Boateng - Volunteer Superstar

Once in a while, there comes a volunteer who is no ordinary volunteer. Serving the cause of DC voting rights above and beyond the call of duty, these superstars radiate such immense passion for the cause that all pales in comparison.



Ekua Boateng is one such volunteer. She not only holds the DNC record for petition signatures gathered, but also bagged more swag in less time than thought to be humanly possible. If you think this is excessive superlative, you have yet to meet Ms. Boateng.

DC Vote salutes Ekua for all her help in spreading the word about the denial of democracy in our nation's capital.

16th Street Ped Mall for DC Voting Rights

At 11:15 AM Mountain Standard Time, passersby on the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall of Denver, CO reported being inundated with material calling for an end to taxation without representation in our nation's capital.

Witnesses recalled seeing a throng of eight volunteers in coordinated clothing passing out bumper stickers and soliciting signatures for petitions with unusual rapidity. While these accounts have only been confirmed thus far by the Washington Post and DCist, the DC Vote Blog has secured the following photos from a source which has asked to remain anonymous.

Judging from the photos, it appears that Janice Davis, 2nd Vice President of the National Federation of Democratic Women was one of those successful in their outreach attempts.

Also evident from these photos is one Eugene Dewitt Kinlow appearing to be completely in his element -- outreaching to the world about DC voting rights.

If you have any additional sightings of events of this nature, please send tips to the DC Vote blog forthwith.

The Republican at the DNC

Famous Republican Abe Lincoln hit the streets of the Democratic Convention today. MSNBC took notice. And so did Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (no doubt he agreed to take the picture because of his strong support of DC voting rights).



But there's nothing to illustrate the bipartisan bonhomie of DC voting rights than posing with plushie political mascots!