When voters go to to the polls this November, they’ll have a clear choice—a choice between the Republican Party focused on Tea Party extremes or Democrats working to continue the progress we’ve made. Vice President Joe Biden laid out this choice in his speech earlier today at the Democratic Party’s summer meeting in St. Louis.

“When people start to look at the alternative, they’ll find this ain’t your father’s Republican Party. This is the Republican Tea Party. And what they’re going to find out is the choices are pretty stark. They’re going to see a Republican Party that is a combination of the old failed Bush policies and a new set of Draconian rules. They’re offering more of the past but on steroids. They have some new ideas, but the new ideas are taking the old ones and even further squeezing the life out of them....”

To determine what happens in November, it’ll take some serious work between now and Election Day. Here are two great ways you can help:

Commit to vote. Make sure your voice is heard in the important races in your area.

Host a door-to-door canvass next weekend to make sure your neighbors know about the upcoming elections. Our goal is to knock on 200,000 doors that weekend—it’s an ambitious one, but you can help us reach it by hosting an event.

As the Vice President said today, this election is about a choice “between Democrats and the Republican Tea Party, between Democrats and the party of repeal and repeat.” The President is moving the country forward, but we all need to get involved to make sure we keep making progress.

The first half of today's Women's Leadership Forum event was capped by appearances by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, who have worked closely together on issues from military families to their recent visit to Haiti.

Dr. Biden spoke about her work teaching at a community college, and some of the extraordinary women she’s met who are working to improve their lives and the lives of those around them:

“I am profoundly moved by the women I meet, whether in my travels or in my classroom each day, by their determination to learn, and their quest to make a better life for themselves and their families."

First Lady Michelle Obama then took to the stage, reminding the audience of when she’d last been with the group, at the Women’s Leadership Forum held in Chicago in 2008. The First Lady Lady spoke on what's changed since and what remains the same now:

“The last time we were together, it was back in late October of 2008, and you were all meeting in my hometown, Chicago…A lot has changed since we last met. But there’s one thing that hasn’t changed. Back then I talked about the issues that we face—from the economy, to health care, to education. And I said that these issues aren’t and they still aren’t about politics. They’re personal. And they’re personal for every single one of us in this room, and they’re personal for every single one of us in this country.

It’s easy to lose sight of that fact with all the back and forth that goes on here in Washington -- folks yelling at each other on TV so that little things get blown out of proportion and sometimes big, important things don’t always get the attention that they deserve.

But when Barack and I travel the country now and we spend time with ordinary folks, they don’t have much interest in the scorekeeping that goes on here in Washington. They really don’t…

The questions they ask have nothing to do with the daily chatter that goes on here, and it has everything to do with the struggles, the real struggles they’re facing in their lives. They tell us about insurance companies that refuse to pay for the treatment that they need, and they ask us, “What do I do now?” Or they tell us, “I’ve been out of a job for months.” And they ask, “What are you going to do to help folks like me?”

…They are the basis for every decision he makes—not whether it’s good politics, not whether it’s going to make good headlines, but whether it’s good for them and for their families."

The First Lady has made working with young people around the globe a priority, recently taking her first solo international trip to Haiti and Mexico. She told the story of a young woman she had met in Mexico City, and the stories like hers that show how women are the ones leading the fight to improve the world for future generations:

"I’ll never forget about a young woman that I met there named Maricela, who I met at a roundtable discussion with young leaders in Mexico City...Her father had passed away, and her mother -- she told a story of how she worked tirelessly to support her and her four siblings; said her mom was always the first one to wake up in the morning, and the last one to go to bed at night. But she told us about the fact that despite their hardships, her mother was determined to build a better life for her daughter.

...This is a story that is told every day all around the world, and right here in America -- a story about the strength and determination of women. Women who haven’t had much in their own lives, but who know exactly what they want for their children. Women who work those extra shifts, and make those sacrifices, so their daughters –- and their sons –- can have opportunities they never imagined for themselves.

I’m talking about women like Lilly Ledbetter, who kept on fighting for equal pay even when she knew that it was too late for herself, because she wanted something more for the women who came after her...I’m talking about women like Dr. Dorothy Height, one of my heroes -- who kept up the fight for civil and economic rights up through the final months of her life. She once said, “I want to be remembered as someone who used herself and anything she could touch to work for justice and freedom...I want to be remembered as someone who tried.”

And every day, across this country, so many women wake up every day and try -– using everything they have –- to make life a little better for others...and that’s what you all are doing—building a better world for our kids and grand kids. We need you to stay involved. When you need something done and you ask women to do it, it gets done."

This afternoon, Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) passed away at age 77. First elected in 1974, Congressman Murtha was Pennsylvania's longest-serving representative and the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress.

On his passing today, President Obama said that following Murtha's career in the Marines, "Jack’s tough-as-nails reputation carried over to Congress, where he became a respected voice on issues of national security. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife of nearly 55 years, Joyce, their three children, and the entire Murtha family."

Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement:

“Today we mourn the loss of a great American figure who dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. Congressman Murtha had a storied 37-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps and in 1974 he became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress.

“Just the other day, Congressman Murtha became the longest serving Pennsylvanian in the history of the House of Representatives. During his career, he worked hard to bring tens of thousands of middle class jobs to western Pennsylvania. His legacy as a fighter for his causes and his constituents will be remembered long after his passing.

“Our thoughts and prayers today are with the Congressman’s wife, his children and his grandchildren.”

Donna Brazile, DNC Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation, energized a crowd of hundreds of African American leaders and voters on Thursday in Nevada.

Addressing more than 400 participants at the Culinary Training Academy in North Las Vegas, Vice Chair Brazile came with a strong message of support for her friend Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

As reported by the Las Vegas Sun, she told supporters, “Harry Reid is part of our family – not just the Democratic family or the black family but the American family. I am proud to be an African American for Harry Reid.” She continued, ”In the bank of justice, he has a full account. Some people don’t even have an account. He opened that account decades ago, long before it was fashionable to back this and support that. He opened his account because of his faith. And he believes that God made us all equal.”

Participants left fired up and ready to go with clear instructions to continue carrying the message of support for Senator Reid to others in their community.

Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Sam Liberman was thrilled with the turnout and said “Donna’s heart, humor, and keen insight are an inspiration to multiple generations of Democratic voters. Her support of Senator Reid is unwavering and much appreciated by Nevadans and Democrats across the country.”

You can read more about the event as reported by the Las Vegas Sun.

“Yesterday's ruling is a victory for all Americans who believe that every eligible citizen should have the right to vote and have their vote counted. It also represents a resounding repudiation of the Republican Party's trumped up claims of voter fraud. Our great nation was founded on the principles of equality and freedom, and our founders envisioned the right to vote as central to our ideals. Yet for years, Republicans have engaged in deplorable practices that intimidate voters and make it more difficult for them to cast their ballot.

“This is wrong, and it is illegal. As the court made clear, these types of actions stand in the way of Americans’ fundamental rights under the Constitution of the United States. Republicans would be better served trying to engage minority and under-represented voters rather than trying to intimidate them. Yet there is overwhelming evidence that these types of practices still occur, that Republicans have engaged in them in recent elections and that without a consent decree barring such actions Republicans will continue to have an incentive to engage in them. That Republicans, who attempted to use foreclosure lists in the 2008 election to deny people the right to vote in Michigan, even asked the court to nullify this decree, shows just how eager they are to continue engaging in practices to suppress the rightful votes of thousands of American citizens.

“These are not the ideals that our country was founded on, and they should not be tolerated. We applaud yesterday’s decision and recommit ourselves to fighting to ensure that the right to vote is fully protected. And we encourage Republicans to work with us to reform our electoral system to remove any impediments to voting and to ensure our voting rights laws are enforced consistent with the law.”

"I congratulate Curt Hanson on a successful campaign. His was a local campaign about local issues, and it is not surprising he was successful. Curt will make an excellent addition to the Democratic majority in the Iowa House. Congratulations to Speaker Murphy, Majority Leader McCarthy and the staff of the Iowa Democratic Party, for their outstanding effort and teamwork, and the victory that has followed.

"Democrats have been successful in the last two election cycles and tonight because we have recruited great candidates, followed through on the promises we've made and are governing the state responsibly.

"We will continue to build upon this strong organization and team approach as we prepare for statewide elections next fall. Tonight's results don't change our strategy for 2010. Tomorrow we will get back to work on candidate recruitment, fundraising and organizing. We have every reason to expect continued success."

"About 26 percent of the district’s 67,950 eligible voters turned out for Saturday’s runoff, an increase from the 20 percent voter turnout in the Aug. 1 primary."

"Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond, said: “This is a huge victory for the Senate Democratic caucus and a huge loss for the Republican Senate caucus.”

“The Democrats have won the last two special elections. So if there is another special election this year, momentum is clearly on our side,” Worley said."

Communications facilitates the DNC's interaction with the press. Using traditional methods of communication (e.g. press releases and media events) in combination with new media tools (e.g. web ads and online components) communications works to promote President Obama's agenda for change and provide support to our state parties and Organizing for America.  Through our rapid response, research efforts and regional press team, communications holds Republicans accountable, advance Democratic principles and help Democrats win elections.

The Finance department is responsible for all DNC fundraising activities including direct mail, telemarketing, internet fundraising, and fundraising events with principals and surrogates from the DNC and the White House. The finance department is focused on fundraising at all levels, from marketing, small donor grassroots events to high donor dinners.

The New Media department specializes in online organizing, advocacy, and fundraising, communicating directly with the DNC's long-time subscribers as well as folks from the Obama campaign and newly-recruited members. By using the DNC's and OFA's own websites and email lists, as well as social media such as Facebook and Twitter, the New Media department is continuing to build on the Obama Campaign's success to harness online interaction and participation to help pass the President's agenda and elect Democratic candidates across the country.

The Office of the Secretary coordinates the planning of all National Committee, Executive Committee and Standing Committee meetings. This office also serves as the DNC’s liaison to the National Committee members. As the Party’s official record keeper, the Secretary’s Office maintains the DNC’s official membership lists and coordinates archival storage of the Party’s official records. It also compiles the list of National Convention delegates, oversees convention voting operations, and publishes the Official Proceedings of each convention.

The DNC Operations Department is responsible for management and monitoring of the committees day to day business and legal activities. The department ensures that the operations are efficient and effective and that the committee resources are managed in a way that allows for the implementation of the strategic plan as determined by the Executive Director.

Organizing for America is building on the movement that elected President Obama by empowering communities across the country to bring about an agenda of change. As a project of the DNC, OFA's primary focuses are mobilizing and organizing our nationwide grassroots movement to support President's Obama's agenda and help elect Democratic candidates.  While the national headquarters is housed within the DNC, OFA has staff in states throughout the country.

Party Affairs and Delegate Selection (PADS) oversees the institutional affairs of the Democratic National Committee: Party rules, the delegate selection, DNC and Convention standing committees, official appointments and nominations, and early preparations for the Convention.

Political develops and implements the coordinated campaign strategy on behalf of the DNC with Democratic candidates at federal, state and local levels. The Political department also coordinates the interaction between the Party, State Parties, and allied organizations.

The Research Department is responsible for both the long and short term needs of the DNC. In the short term they provide the necessary facts for the rapid response required when promoting or defending the administration, including health care and the economy. They also focus on long term research concerning potential political opponents and third party groups. In addition, they maintain a very large television archive which the DNC and Democratic allies use for rapid response.

The Voter Protection Department provides the DNC with guidance on voting rights and election administration issues. Recognizing that protecting the right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, the work of the department begins well in advance of Election Day. Working with Donna Brazile, DNC Vice Chair for Voter Registration and Participation, the department monitors developments in state and federal election law, and coordinates with the Party at the local and national level to promote laws and policies that advance the right to vote. Through the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute, the voter protection department seeks to engage and educate voters about their rights, update voters on recent developments in the law, and encourage their participation in the political process. Working with state counsel and individualized state-based coordinators, the department helps develop programs to ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast a ballot and that every vote is fairly and properly counted.

Visit the Wyoming Democratic Party's website

Following the Democratic Presidential primaries and caucuses of the 2008 presidential nominating campaign the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee, at the request of then Senator Obama, drafted a resolution calling for a commission to review and recommend changes to the 2012 nominating process. That was adopted on August 25, 2008 by the full Democratic National Convention and thus created the Democratic Change Commission.

The first part of the resolution outlines the structure and purpose of the Commission. According to the resolution, the DNC Chair has to appoint 35 members, who must represent the diversity in our Party, to sit on the Change Earlier this year Chairman Kaine announced the 37 Commission members, including two co-chairs. These members are grassroots activists, local and federal elected officials, labor leaders and a wide range of other backgrounds. Here is a full list of the commission members and their biographical information. We will be introducing several members from the Commission throughout our coverage of the Commission's work. We welcome questions you would like to ask them and we will try to present several of the top ones during upcoming interviews.

The resolution's next sections outline the areas the commission will be charged with improving. The first area the Commission must review is the nominating calendar, the scheduling and sequence of presidential nominating events (primaries and caucuses). The Commission is charged with making recommendations to significantly reduce the number of unpledged delegates (also know as super delegates). Finally the Commission must consider ways to improve caucuses to increase the ability of Democratic voters to participate.

During the 2008 nominating process the Democratic Party was able to bring its ideas and messages for improving government to every state in the country. We were able to reach new voters and engage many long time voters. This success was critical to our victory this past November. We learned a lot from the nominating process and believe through improvements we will be able to continue to reach new Americans and build on our success.

We look forward to providing you access and coverage of the work of the Commission. If you have questions please share them in the comments.

Congratulations Mike, the youngest state party chairman of either party. Check out the Wisconsin Democratic Party's website for more information.

“Today, we were fortunate to have had three excellent candidates who waged hard-fought campaigns. Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe, and Brian Moran each made phenomenal efforts in their quest to represent the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia . However, in this race, as in every election, only one person can claim victory. Tonight is Creigh Deeds’ night.

“The election of Senator Deeds tonight as the 2009 Democratic nominee for governor is an incredible victory for Virginia—and its citizens. Senator Deeds’ victory is a clear signal Virginians want to keep our state moving forward, and I am pleased to extend my congratulations to my friend and colleague on this critical accomplishment.

“As Virginia continues to weather the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, we need elected leaders with the savvy and the courage to make the tough decisions to get our economy back on track. With his years of dedicated public service and real-world experience, Creigh is the ideal leader to keep Virginia the Best State for Business, the Best-Managed State , and the Place Where a Child is Most Likely to Succeed in Life. I’ve worked closely with Senator Deeds over the years and I am confident he will do what’s right for our communities and our Commonwealth.

“I know from experience that Virginia is a place where Democrats have won—and will continue to win—because we take a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to politics and governing, instead of an ideological one. We’re known for being problem-solvers and unifiers and we pursue policies that work for Virginia families.

“Creigh Deeds has always been able to bring people together, build consensus, and deliver results. That’s exactly the approach that Virginians have supported over the past eight years, and I have no doubt that Creigh will work in a bipartisan way to keep building on the progress we’ve made.

“In the coming months, Virginians will have the chance to decide who we want to be the chief steward of our resources and the kind of leader we feel will ensure the best opportunities for our families and our future.

“The choice is clear: Creigh Deeds is the best candidate to continue the work begun by my administration — and the Warner administration before ours — while positioning us for future achievements.”

Last Sunday, Governor Kaine had a chance to go head-to-head with Republican Chairman Michael Steele on NBC's "Meet the Press." He took the opportunity to discuss some of the important issues facing America, and to show folks what the President and our party have to offer.

Afterward, many of you submitted your thoughts on the program. Here are just a few of the comments we've received so far:

Alma from Moneta, Virginia:

My husband and I watched the show today and thought Governor Kaine did a great job representing the Democratic Party and our issues. Keep up the good work!

Terry from Miami Beach, Florida:

I thought the Governor listened carefully, respectfully and responded thoughtfully. The best line was his response to Steele: "The party of no shouldn't now become the party of no empathy."

Ellen from Las Vegas, Nevada:

I liked it. The segment was the most civilized debate on differences I have heard in a long time. It has been a while.

Julie from Carmel, Indiana:

I enjoyed the conversation between Governor Kaine and RNC Chairman Michael Steele. The Democratic Party needs to stress more than ever that we are a party that includes people with all different views on all subjects ... It is easy for us now to stand back and let the Republicans dig their hole but the American people will look to us to have a clear, detailed and inclusive message as we move forward.

Thanks to everyone who tuned in yesterday, and everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. We hope to continue hearing from you in the weeks and months ahead. It will take all of us working together to continue to grow this party, and to meet the challenges we face as a country.

Thank you for your support,

Jen

Jen O'Malley Dillon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

John Burton is widely considered one of the most effective and experienced legislative leaders in the State of California - if not the nation. He began his career as a Deputy Attorney General, served as the President of the Young Democrats, and won election to the County Central Committee. He then served as a State Assemblymember, President of the California Democratic Council, Chair of the California Democratic Party, U.S. Congressmember and as President pro Tem of the California State Senate. After being termed-out of the Legislature, he created a foundation which has raised millions of dollars to assist homeless and foster care children across California.

With a consistent 100% voting record throughout his career from environmental, labor, and human rights organizations, the California Journal wrote: "Burton is trying to do right by some of the least among us.... There’s a sense that he’s not wielding or exercising power for the sake of power itself; the things he’s trying to do have a real purpose behind them."

John Burton wrote the laws that make California better:

• Established landmark farm mediation for farm workers and the UFW;
• Achieved DNA testing to free the wrongly convicted and help identify guilty parties
• Secured prevailing wage rates for construction and building trades and restored the 8-hour day;
• Guaranteed CalGrant college scholarships for every student with financial need;
• Led the effort in the State Senate to pass the nation's first state law requiring automakers to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from cars;
• Increased aid for the elderly, blind and disabled;
• Facilitated agreement to save Headwaters Forest Preserve and Farallones Marine Sanctuary; prohibited offshore oil drilling along the Point Reyes seashore;
• Enacted historic levels of support for mental health and juvenile crime prevention programs;
• Overhauled the state’s flawed child support collection system;
• Increased affordable housing and helped fight homelessness with a $2.1 billion bond issue; and
• Set tough campaign contribution limits and increased public disclosure of contributions.

You can learn more about the California Democratic Party at their website http://www.cadem.org.

You can read more about John Burton and the state party at calitics.com one of the credentialed blogs from the 2008 Democratic National Convention.