On Monday, the Dems hosted Mary Glassman, First Selectman of Simsbury, who is currently exploring a run for governor of the state. Glassman spoke about her background as a native of Connecticut and the importance that education played in her own upbringing and success, using it as a basis for her call to improve education and opportunity in the state so as to prevent the current “brain drain” of young graduates leaving the state. She highlighted ideas such as increased transportation to Boston and New York and a Connecticut “Research Triangle” between Yale and UConn as proposals that would help to counter the current problems.

Press and pictures below:

She Wants YOU to Stay in Connecticut

Glassman

On Thursday, February 25th, the Dems hosted “Racing to the Top: Education Reform in New Haven and Connecticut” to kick off efforts for education reform in the state of Connecticut. Featuring performances from WORD, Yale’s spoken word performers, and an address from New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr., the event was a major success. Numerous students showed up to listen to the progress of education reform in New Haven, which is serving as a model for some in the state legislature, as well as others nationwide. Lobbying Coordinator Mike Gocksch ‘12 then spoke to the students about how they could become more involved in encouraging the state legislature to reform education, gathering petition signatures and letters from the students to send to leaders in Hartford.

Branford’s common room was invaded this past Monday by politicians from all over Connecticut. The Dems hosted Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, introduced by Dems’ President Ben Stango as “our next Senator,” who spoke about the his plans and vision for Connecticut and the country. Beginning with his ardent support for a federal consumer protection agency, Blumenthal continued, mentioning his support for further financial reform, military tribunals, federal education reform, and reforming the rules of the filibuster in the Senate.

Following the Yale Law alum, Yale College alum Susan Bysiewicz, the current Secretary of State of Connecticut running to become the state’s next Attorney General, spoke on the state of the campaign, and the issues she would pursue most as Attorney General, such as controlling the state’s energy costs, the highest in the continental United States.

Also present at the meeting were Aldermen Mike Jones and Roland Lemar, New Haven’s state Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield, and former Alderman Gerry Garcia. Lemar is seeking election as a state representative, while Garcia is running to follow Bysiewicz as the next Secretary of State.

Press roundup and pictures below.

Obama becomes issue in CT Senate race

Blumenthal not sure if Obama will campaign

Blumenthal unsure if he wants Obama to campaign for him

Blumenthal noncommittal on Obama help in campaign

Yale politicians talk elections

Blumenthal speaks to Yale Dems

Blumenthal Runs Away from Obama

Blumenthal and Bysiewicz

This past Monday, the Dems co-hosted an immigration panel with MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) de Yale. The panelists, Prof. Michael Wishnie of the Yale Law School, Kica Matos, formerly of the New Haven Mayor’s Office, Dartmouth Professor Lourdes Gutierrez Najera, and Henry Fernandez of the Center for American Progress, who spoke about the current state of immigration reform in the United States, the effects of the Obama administration has had on it, and the experiences of immigrants in New Haven and around the country. After an hour of discussion, the panelists joined students for small group discussion, question-and-answer sessions.

This past Monday, Rudy Marconi, First Selectman of Ridgefield and current exploratory candidate for governor, visited the Dems and spoke about his plans to reform education, transportation, and the Connecticut economy, as well as his avid support for public financing of campaigns. The New Haven Independent was on-hand at the event (see their coverage below).

Mr. Clean Money Comes to Town

Marconi

On Monday, the Dems hosted Ned Lamont, formerly the Democratic nominee for Senate and currently exploring a run for governor of Connecticut. The Yale SOM graduate spoke at length about the state of Connecticut’s economy, his plans to remedy what he called Connecticut’s “brain drain,” and how his business experience makes him uniquely qualified to create more jobs in the state. Press coverage below, as well as our own photos of the event.

Lamont SOM ‘80 talks to Dems

Lamont: “I Won’t Fight With One Arm”

Lamont

This evening, the Yale Dems gathered at Blue State Coffee to phonebank for Martha Coakley in the Massachusetts special Senate election. After two hours, fifteen volunteers made 570 calls to help elect the State Attorney General on January 19th. See some of our awesome volunteers in action:

Coakley Phonebank

This evening, the membership of the Yale College Democrats elected the 2010 executive board. The races featured well-qualified candidates and many were decided by very close margins. The outgoing board would like to thank all who ran, and express their hope that all Dems members will continue to be involved in the coming year. Check out the board page for the new board, and below for photos.

Board Elections

The Dems have been up to a lot this semester, shown here in two albums, one from our event with Howard Dean, and the other with pictures from a number of Dems events.

Howard Dean

Fall Semester 2009

This past Wednesday, the Dems held a rally to show student support for health care reform that ensures coverage for all Americans. We heard from Dr. K.J. Lee, a renowned ear, nose, and throat doctor and health care policy advisor, who urged us to fight for reform and listed some ways that our health care system can be made more efficient. After the rally, we called Sen. Joe Lieberman to tell him why it’s imperative that he support comprehensive health care reform, and why it matters to us as college students.

Yale Student Democrats To Hold Health Care Rally

Yale Dems keep up the activism [Cross Campus]

Health care reformer describes cost-saving options

May They Please Speak With Joe?