While most political pundits are awaiting tonight’s results from the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, an even earlier contest has already been won by Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

That’s right — results are in from the Champaign County Democrats’ Presidential Penny Poll, and Sen. Obama has been declared the winner by a wide margin.  Obama’s penny “vote” total came to $26.23, which beat Hillary Clinton, the next closest candidate, by almost a 4-to-1 margin.  Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich came in third place, with former Sen. John Edwards a close fourth.

The Penny Poll was a featured attraction at the Democratic booth at several community events this past year, including the Champaign County Fair, Taste of C-U, and Urbana Farmers’ Market.  Participants were asked to place a penny in the bottle of the candidate (or candidates) of their choice.  Yes, it’s a completely unscientific poll, but it’s still a great sign of support in Champaign County for Barack Obama, as well as for the entire Democratic field, and the local Democratic Party.

Here are the results, in order, listed in total dollar amounts:

1.  Barack Obama … $26.23

2.  Hillary Clinton … $6.07

3.  Dennis Kucinich … $5.47

4.  John Edwards … $5.20

5.  Bill Richardson … $2.86

6.  Mike Gravel … $0.63

7.  Joe Biden … $0.58

8.  Christopher Dodd … $0.09

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Penny Poll, and thanks also to everyone who helped staff the Democratic booths where the Penny Poll was conducted!

Early this week (11/27) I filed a formal objection to including the Instant Runoff Voting for Urbana referendum on the February 2008 primary election ballot. For those who came in late on this issue, I’d like to share my reasons for doing this.

First, a disclaimer. I filed the objection on my own behalf, not as Vice-Chair of the Champaign County Democratic Party, and not at the request of the party or in collaboration with any official affected by the referendum. I object because I believe that IRV is a bad idea for progressive government in my home town. In my opinion, the petition itself and the concept behind it are flawed for technical, mathematical, and political reasons.

Technically, the referendum contained in the IRV for Urbana Petition is not a municipal referendum submitted to the voters for their approval. The News-Gazette reports that the proponents intend it to be a binding referendum, but it has about half the signatures required for such an initiative under 10 ILCS 5/28-7. It may not be an advisory referendum either, since it orders Urbana to enact, repeal, or amend such unspecified ordinances and statutes as required to implement a concept described in the petition. In any case, it is unclear about how it affects primary elections. Does it eliminate them, subject them to IRV, or leave them untouched? These ambiguities prevent voters from making an informed decision on the matter, so the petitions are void and the proposed referendum should not appear on the February ballot. (Since you ask, I think it does not affect primaries.)

Mathematically, the proponents are trying to achieve the impossible. IRV voting is, they claim, eminently more fair and democratic than the traditional “plurality” method. I disagree. Amateurs and experts tried for a hundred years to perfect a satisfactory voting methodology for elections involving more than two candidates. Several ingenious schemes were devised, but all were wanting in some respect. That is, every method proposed could produce results that would violate one of the fundamental principles of “fair elections”. Then, halfway through the 20th century, a young mathematician turned economist effectively ended the hunt by proving (Arrow’s Theorem) that an eminently satisfactory multi-candidate voting methodology does not exist. Since we currently employ a very democratic (understood by all voters) system whose effects and strategies are clear and tolerable, I suggest below that progressives in Urbana continue to make good use of the system we already have. The plurality method can be described as: “Vote for the candidate of your choice. Whoever gets the most votes wins”. Sometimes unsatisfactory? Perhaps, but Arrow showed that all methods are. Simple? Transparent? Easily verified? Universally understood? Absolutely.

Finally, at the practical political level, IRV will accomplish nothing for progressive government in Urbana. Our city has become a model of modern good government, a cosmopolitan oasis in central Illinois. We didn’t need to “fix” the vote-counting process to get this done. We built this city the old-fashioned way, with important issues, excellent candidates, generous donors, scores of organized, hard-working activists, and a progressive local Democratic party. Why should we now dismantle the very system that has worked so well for Urbana?

Change for its own sake is often a waste of resources, and it can sometimes be counter-productive. IRV proponents have the burden of proof to demonstrate that implementing a novel election scheme will produce significantly better results for Urbana voters without exposing us to unacceptable downside risks. I believe they have failed to meet that burden, and I cannot support IRV for Urbana.

Urbana Democrats Hiram and Jean Paley have a tradition of hosting a birthday party for their good friend, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, to celebrate his campaign for re-election. Local Democrats may remember singing Happy Birthday to the Senator at his November 2001 birthday party in Champaign.

The public is invited to help Senator Durbin celebrate his birthday at a fundraiser reception in his honor on Tuesday, November 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kennedy’s Stone Creek banquet facility in Urbana. Senator Durbin will be there to meet supporters, and he will speak and answer questions starting at 6:15 p.m. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and of course, birthday cake!

For more information, contact Hiram Paley at 384-8165 or by email at

hpaley@gmail.com

Senator Durbin will be on the ballot for the February 5, 2008 Democratic Primary election and on the general election ballot in November 2008.

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“Election Volunteers 2008: Making Friends While You Make A Difference”

Come meet like-minded people with a passion for politics. Enthusiastic, experienced volunteers will give brief presentations on important volunteer jobs available now and through the campaign season. There’s a volunteer opportunity to fit every interest. Find out all the ways that you can get involved, using your time and talents to make a difference in the 2008 elections.

Where: October 10, 2007, 7 P.M. at Champaign County Democrats Headquarters, 14 E. Washington St., Champaign

Program: Former State Representative Helen Satterthwaite will speak about running for office and being an election judge; Dorothy Neumann will explain the process of voter registration; and other volunteers will cover working for the Democratic Party, working for a candidate, poll-watching, getting out the vote, becoming a precinct committee person, door-to-door and telephone canvassing, making and delivering yard signs, public relations work, office duties, and outreach activities such as staffing booths at fairs and local events, walking in parades, and participating in community activities.

Admission is free, refreshments will be served, and the public is welcome. Sponsored by the Champaign County Democrats.

The public is invited to attend the next Issues Forum, scheduled for Wednesday, September 12 at 7:00 pm at Democratic Headquarters, 14 East Washington Street in Champaign. The forum will focus on “Election Reform.” Democratic State Representative Mike Boland (71st District) will speak on the system of public funding for elections already in place in Arizona and elsewhere, that permits candidates to run with no special interest funding. There will also be a discussion of Instant Run Off Voting for elections. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Champaign County Dems thank the Meet-Up Committee leadership group: Peggy Kovacic, Dorothy Neumann, Astrid Berkson, Debra Schrishuhn, Helen Satterthwaite, Laura Wetzel and the entire committee for their work in organizing the issues forum events.

Democrats are invited to picnic in the park this Sunday, September 9, at Eisner Park in Champaign (across the street from Huber’s, between Church & University streets)from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. But the real fun starts at noon, when the Champaign County Democrats will play the UI College Democrats in a rematch, 16″ slow-pitch softball game. Two years ago, the Champaign County Democrats challenged the U. of I. College Democrats to a game of softball, and the unthinkable happened — the older Dems won!
Whether it was their years of experience that gave them the edge, their power hitting, or dumb luck, they will tempt fate again this Sunday. Come out and play or cheer them on.

The Democratic Picnic will begin immediately after the game, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Even if you can’t join us for softball, make sure to join us for great food, fun, and music. Barbecue legends, Democrats Lloyd Carter & Lee Roberts are cooking the BBQ.
Lee will take off his chef’s hat and put on his country hat to play live bluegrass music with his friends in the band, The Corn Desert Ramblers. Barbecue fare, and beer, wine and soda will be provided, potluck picnic. Bring a dish to share if you can.
Suggested donation is $10 for adults, children are free. Hope to see you Sunday!

The public is invited to attend the August forum on Public Radio sponsored by the Champaign County Democratic Meet-Up Committee, on Wednesday, August 8. The event begins with a tour of the WILL Radio facility–participants should assemble at Campbell Hall on campus, 300 N. Goodwin Avenue, at 7:00 pm. After the tour, the meeting will continue at Champaign County Democrats headquarters office at 14 E. Washington Street in Champaign, with a presentation and question/answer session with WILL Radio Station Manager Jay Pearce.

Jay will discuss the important role of public radio in today’s media stream, and current issues in public radio legislation and funding. Historically, public media have been funded in two year blocks in advance, then on time. The money for the fiscal year starting Oct 1, 2006, did not start to arrive until Feb of 2007. Congress keeps up a stealth warfare of amendments to cut their funding and to destroy their independence. A proposal has been offered to end all funding for high tech equipment, which, of course, they must have to operate effectively.

Public Radio supporters will want to attend this informative event and find out how to im. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Call 359-3760 or email at info@champaigncountydemocrats.org for more details.

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate and Illinois favorite son Barack Obama will be in Champaign on Monday July 30th for a fundraiser at the Great Impasta. The event starts at 9:00am. The minimum donation is $100, but you can get in for $50 if that is all you can afford. For more info please call Zach Koutsky at (312) 550-6758.

The July 11 issues forum sponsored by the Democratic Meet-Up Committee will focus on the Iraq War. The public is invited to attend this free event held on Wednesday, July 11 at 7:00 pm at Champaign County Democratic Headquarters, 14 E. Washington Street in Champaign. The program details:

Visit with some “Unsung Heroes”–
Meet members from organizations who support local military and their families:the Champaign County Veterans Association, Marine Comfort Quilts, the Champaign-Urbana Military Moms Prayer and Support Group, and the Danville VA Hospital. These groups do so much to benefit our military and their families - and we wanted more people to have the chance to learn about the good they are doing here in central Illinois.

View the documentary film, “Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers”
Robert Greenwald’s 2006 Brave New Films documentary, tells how corporate power has affected our national defense and our soldiers, and how it has created problems for the United States in Iraq. This important film wasn’t widely promoted locally when it came out in 2006. Still timely, the information presented is vital to every American, regardless of political persuasion. If you haven’t seen “Iraq for Sale,” see it with us!

Support our troops by donating needed items to send to deployed service men and women and for the Danville VA Hospital
We are collecting new DVDs (G and R rated only) for the Champaign County Veterans to send to our active duty deployed military and also personal and recreational items for patients at the Danville VA Hospital. Also, the Danville VA Hospital needs items for their patients. Here is the most recent wish list.
Personal Comfort Items: spray deodorant, mouthwash, hair brushes, combs, hand liquid soap, bath powder, disposable razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream, pre-shave, after shave lotion, individual bags of snacks.
Volunteer Clothing room Needs: Mesh or canvas drawstring duffel bags, Briefs or boxers (NEW) - small sizes only, LIKE NEW or NEW tennis shoes - men’s sizes 8 1/2 to 10 1/2.
Individual Gift Items: Paperback puzzle books (word search, sudoku, etc. - LARGE print is nice…), Poster art with markers (Dollar Store - $1 - $2), Gas cards, Phone cards

Bring your donations to the July 11 event. You can also donate items at the Champaign County Democrats’ booth at the Urbana Market in the Square, in Lincoln Square’s parking lot every Saturday morning (May - November).