Welcome to Democrats Abroad United Kingdom (DAUK)!

DAUK members receive a monthly e-newsletter on the first Tuesday of each month (in most cases…) with fun and useful information for Democrats in the UK.  Please forward to other Americans living abroad, and encourage them to join Democrats Abroad.

Table of Contents

1) From the Chair

• A Milestone
• President Obama & Democrats Abroad 45th Anniversary Celebration

2)  Speakeasy Gatherings in:

• Cambridge (October 7th)
• London (October 7th)
• Manchester (October 6th)
• Oxford (October 7th)

3) October 15th - Alastair Campbell Leaders and Influencers Speaker Series

4) November 4th – OBAMA+1: A Day to Celebrate

5) Want to Help Get Out the Vote for 2010?

6) Policy Action Network

7) Volunteer with Democrats Abroad

8) Join DAUK on Facebook & Twitter

9) Contact Us

Please do not reply directly to this email -- find all DAUK Contacts here: http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/927

1) From the Chair

A Milestone:
 
We are rapidly approaching a genuine milestone in the march towards a fairer, more just America.

By the time you read this, the Senate Finance Committee—having received the costing figures from the Congressional Budget Office—will have passed its version of health insurance reform.

Never has a bill designed to achieve universal coverage (or as near as we can get) been so close to passage.  And I am convinced that, this time--at long last--we will prevail.

It will be up to Majority Leader Reid to merge the two different bills that were passed out of the Senate Health and Finance Committees to come up with a bill that will pass the Senate.  And for Speaker Pelosi to do the same for the House.

Then the differences between the two bills will have to be reconciled by a Conference Committee.  We are not done yet….

But we are almost there.

We should continue to push for the best bill we can possibly achieve, but in the recognition that we will not get everything--at least not this year!

Yes, we should realize that this is not the last act in the effort to bring universal, affordable, quality health care to the American people.  And that is why it is so important that we continue to work for positive change and to retain and enhance Democratic majorities in the House and Senate in 2010.

Yes, we are almost there.  And yes, as Senator Kennedy said, the dream lives on—and the work continues.

*****
Remember how it felt when you heard that Barack Obama had won the Presidential contest?  Remember the excitement, the relief, the pride?

Rekindle that feeling, recapture that excitement and that pride, by joining your fellow Democrats in London on November 4th, the one year anniversary of President Obama’s election.

Yes, we have two events to celebrate on November 4th—the one year anniversary of the election of President Obama and the 45th anniversary of the founding of Democrats Abroad in London and in Paris in 1964!

For 45 years, Democrats Abroad has been fighting for the interests of Americans who live abroad, ensuring the right to vote for us and removing the barriers to full participation in American political life.

And we continue to do so, engaging Representatives and Senators in D.C. this past April to discuss the problems in the current tax system and in Medicare that affect overseas Americans.  And we continue that vigilance by ensuring that the interests of those of us who live overseas are fairly reflected in the current health care reform that is nearing passage.

Come join us for a special evening at the Photographers’ Gallery in London (near Oxford Circus) on the evening of November 4th.

See below for detailed information on this very special occasion.

2) Speakeasy Gatherings across the UK

Our regularly scheduled Speakeasies are a chance to meet like-minded Americans, have a drink, talk politics, or just make new friends. Speakeasies are informal and held throughout the country, usually once a month. Drop by and join us - and bring a friend! (We recommend you confirm using the email links below, as some re-scheduling may occur due to holidays or special events.)

Cambridge (October 7th):  from 6:30pm, Castle Inn Pub, 38 Castle Street

London (October 7th):  from 7:00pm, Duke of York Pub (upstairs), 35 New Cavendish Street

Manchester (October 6th):  from 7:30pm, Ducie Arms, 52 Devas Street

Oxford (October 7th):  from 7:30pm, Kings Arms, 40 Holywell Street

For more information: http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/3643

3) Leaders and Influencers: October 15th , An Evening with Alastair Campbell

Date: Thursday, October 15th
Time: 6:30 pm
Cost: £7 per person (£5 concessions)
RSVP: DAUKevents@gmail.com (subject line: “Alastair Campbell)
Venue: The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith St, London
Tube:  Westminster or St. James’s Park
Map

 Space is limited – please RSVP promptly!

Democrats Abroad is pleased to announce that author and political strategist Alastair Campbell will join us for a discussion of his remarkable life and career.

Campbell is best known for his role as New Labour’s chief spokesman. Having guided Tony Blair through the 1997 election victory, Campbell stayed on as one of the Prime Minister’s most trusted, high profile and colorful advisors. His official title was Director of Communications and Strategy, but he was often cited as ‘the second most powerful man in Britain’.

Vividly fictionalised as the expletive-laden Malcolm Tucker in BBC’s The Thick of It and memorably portrayed in the Oscar-winning film The Queen, don’t miss your chance to measure the man against the myth.

 Campbell’s memoir The Blair Years will be available for signing at the event.

4) OBAMA+1: A Day to Celebrate!

November 4th, 2009, is the 1st anniversary of the historic election of President Barack Obama. At Democrats Abroad, we have double cause for celebration. It is also our own 45th birthday this year. Please join us in London for the grand finale of Democrats Abroad's global party honoring 45 years of 'going the distance' for overseas Americans... and raise a glass to our 44th President one year on!

WHAT: Anniversary celebration with wine and canapes
WHEN: Wednesday, November 4th, 7:00-9:30pm
WHERE: The Photographers' Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies St, London W1
COST: £50 per person*
RSVP: obamaplusone@democratsabroad.org.uk

The Photographers' Gallery is London's premiere venue dedicated exclusively to photography. During our event, a curator will be on hand to discuss the exhibition "Open See" by American photographer Jim Goldberg. http://www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?pxid=956

Proceeds from this event will benefit Democrats Abroad as we prepare for the crucial 2010 midterm election. In the House, we have 83 frontline Democratic incumbents across the country, including 49 in districts won by McCain. In the Senate, five Democratic incumbents face tough reelection challenges and at least seven seats look ripe for Democratic pickups. With your help, Democrats Abroad can make the difference in races across the country!

*Advance payment required. RSVP for payment details. While foreign guests are welcome to join you, payment can be accepted from U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.

If you are interested in joining the host committee for this event please email: chair@democratsabroad.org.uk

5) Want to Help Get Out the Vote for 2010?

The voter registration committee is laying the ground work for our 2010 voter registration drive.  We will hold our next meeting on November 16th at 6:30 in central London. Please email DAUKVote@Democratsabroad.org.uk if you want to help with voter registration.  If you want to get involved right now, we could use your help in contacting a few American organisations, schools, companies or clubs where we would like to do voter registration. We will provide you with the names to contact. Please email DAUKVote@Democratsabroad.org.uk if you are interested.

6) Policy Action Network – Alert!

Action alerts!  The Policy Action Network is currently focused on the issues of the progress of health care reform and environmental legislation.

Health Care Reform:  Help us get DAUK members phoning/writing Senators in critical states.

The Health Care group is organizing phone-banking to support President Obama’s plan.

We will ‘reach out’  to DAUK members in those states where Democratic Senators need our encouragement to support this healthcare reform.  And we need help.  Get involved by contacting: healthcareteam@daukpan.org.uk to volunteer or to find out more.   

We are also updating the website pages www.daukpan.org.uk/node/44. Please go to the Healthcare Forum http://daukpan.org.uk/forum/13 for the latest updates and to discuss the issues.

 The Environment and Energy Security PAN is monitoring the progress of  key legislation on controlling carbon emissions and the upcoming negotiations in Pittsburgh and Copenhagen. Final details of activities are being arranged.  Contact eesteam@daukpan.org.uk.

For information on other PAN activities, contact Elaine Capizzi at pancoordinator@daukpan.org.uk

7) Volunteer with Democrats Abroad

Are you interested in helping with the 2010 elections, supporting DAUK and meeting new people?

We need assistance with organising and running events, stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, finding interested Americans in the UK to join us, etc….the usual stuff!

Join the list of DAUK volunteers for future needs:

volunteers@democratsabroad.org.uk

In your email reply, please let us know what you would like to do and any particular skills and/or contacts you have in the UK or the US.  

8) Join us on Facebook & Twitter

Connect with fellow DAUK members on Facebook & Twitter:

Facebook: Search under Groups:
Democrats Abroad
Democrats Abroad UK
Young Democrats Abroad UK

Twitter:
* DemsAbroad

9)  Contact us

Click on the link below to access the DAUK contacts page, which includes contacts and links to:

* Join Democrats Abroad
* Volunteer with DAUK
* Chapter / Regional Contacts
* Press Liaison
* Democrats Abroad UK Officers
* Mailing address, fax, other
* Register to Vote / Email to Send Questions

Full List of Contacts and Links: http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/927