NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 27, 2015
CONTACT: Ann S. Gooding, [email protected]
401.272.3367 (o) 401.228.4846 (c )
DEMOCRATS LAUNCH NEW T.V. SHOW TO B ROADEN PARTY OUTREACH
Monthly Cable Program on Cox & Verizon to Feature Political/Government
Leaders Discussing Topical Issues
WARWICK, R.I. – Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman Joseph M. McNamara announced today that
the state Party will begin hosting a monthly cable television program, “Democrats Discuss,” featuring
prominent leaders in the Democratic Party and discussing political issues and how voters can engage.
The program began airing Friday, July 25, on statewide Interconnect C and featured the chairman as
moderator, and guests Michael Burk, president of the Rhode Island Association of Democratic City and
Town Chairs, and Robert Johnson, first vice president of that group. The episode, “City and Town
Political Structure,” talked about the role of city and town committees and ward committees; the
statewide association and its involvement with national, state and local campaigns; and current efforts
and importance of getting voters involved politically.
“This program is a great opportunity to engage Democratic voters and those who want to learn more
about or participate in our Party,” said McNamara. “Cable television continues to be a significant
medium by which we can reach, educate and involve voters in party and governmental activities – as
voters and maybe as candidates themselves.”
“We are thrilled to be able to share our story about Democratic Party politics on the ground level,” said
Burk. “We have a proud organization of dedicated community leaders and supporters, and we want to
continue to involve our many city and town residents in our campaigns and in public office: this program
will help us to reach those we might not otherwise reach.”
“Party structures and success are built on the shoulders of those who came before us,” said Johnson.
“I’m relatively new to this organization – ten years,” he jokes. “It’s time for a new generation of
Democrats to know they can and will make a real difference in this world, if they get involved.”
The half-hour program airs statewide every Friday at 9 p.m. on Interconnect C - Cox channel 15 and
Verizon channel 34; Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. on Verizon 31; and on Cox channel 18
(viewable in the cities of Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry, Exeter, North Kingstown, West Greenwich
and East Greenwich.)
Next month’s program will be taped August 25, and include guests Representative Marvin Abney,
Representative Grace Diaz (chair and vice chair of the State Party’s Affirmative Action Committee,) and
Jeffrey Padwa, state Deputy Treasurer and member of the Affirmative Action Committee.
They will discuss the upcoming 2016 Democratic Convention and the delegate selection process, to
engage typically under-represented Democratic voters. The Democratic National Committee is asking
all state parties to encourage women, African American, LGBTQ, youth, Hispanics, Asian American and
Pacific Islanders, people with disabilities, and Native Americans, to run as delegates for the Democratic
Convention, which will determine who the next presidential and vice presidential nominees will be. A
timeline of activities is detailed in the Revised Delegate Selection Plan, and available online at
www.ridemocrats.org/abouttheparty/Convention.
The Party will host a series of regional workshops about the Delegate Selection Process throughout the
month of September. Under the mandate of the DNC, that public outreach process must begin by
September 15.
The next episode of “Democrats Discuss” will be taped August 25 and begin airing on Friday, August 28,
on the same stations and times as the first show (see above.) The first show aired Friday, July 25.
***COVERAGE INVITED***
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