From our political team, Crystal, JB, Ken, and Jerl:

Last week, the political team joined with over 200 Democratic staffers from the DNC 50-State Strategy Program, State Executive Directors and DNC staff to prepare for winning back the White House in 2008.

Housed at the Cleveland (Ohio) State School of Business, the program was non-stop with classes, best practice guides and hands on training using the latest tools out of the DNC. 

As we traded ideas and success stories across states, Ohio's Governor Ted Strickland shared his victory story and how Ohio Democrats won the governorship .

We also heard from David Boundy, the DNC Political Director, who laid out a framework on how Democrats will  take back the White House, increase our hold in Congress and win back governorships and state  legislatures across America.  While new technologies, state of the art targeting and new communications tactics will have a tremendous role in winning in 2008, it is "people talking to people" that will lead the way to victory. 

The political team is excited to be using this knowledge to strengthen what we already have in place, and more importantly, help us with improving the 58-county strategy in California. Many of the practices will be included in the CDP's upcoming campaign skill trainings across the state.   

It was exciting and inspiring to begin our 2008 field program and ground game this early.   We look forward to marching on to winning the White House.