County dems set platform at convention

Lacking candidates for the number of local offices up for election this year, Whitman County Democrats focused on crafting their platform at the party’s biennial convention Saturday.

About a dozen party members gathered in the conference room of the Hilltop Inn and Suites in Pullman for the convention Saturday morning.

Party leaders noted the sizeable reduction in attendance in this year’s convention from the last in 2008, when the party was driven by students pushing for the election of now-President Barack Obama.

“I know we’re here in smaller numbers, but we have to remember we still have a lot to accomplish this year,” said Richard Law, chair of the county party.

Though most offices in the courthouse and two seats in the Legislature are on the ballot this fall, local Democrats have not put forth a candidate.

“Whitman County, as we all know, is a red county with a blue-ish center in Pullman,” said Law.

Pat O’Neill rode the strong Democratic vote in 2008 to be elected county commissioner. O’Neill did not attend the party convention.

Carolyn Cress, vice chair of the party, said they would instead focus efforts on raising funds for the re-election of U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who faces a wide field of GOP challengers this year.

With candidate selection off the table, the county’s minority party focused instead on crafting its policy framework.

While most of the platform followed the 2008 form, several new planks were added.

Generating the most discussion was a resolution submitted by Law that called for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to restrict the rights of corporations.

The resolution was aimed at reversing the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that ruled limits on corporate campaign contributions are unconstitutional.

Many thought an act of Congress would be a better solution because it would be quicker, but Phil Wandschneider of Pullman stressed the Supreme Court decision reversed legislation and an amendment would likely be necessary to restrict such contributions.

Cress introduced a plank to support state legislation introduced by Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, to institute an income tax on individuals who earn more than $200,000 per year and couples earning more than $400,000.

Other new planks called for banning prescription drug advertisements, requiring state or federal governments to reimburse doctors and hospitals for caring for the uninsured and calling for more carefully targeted student achievement standards in public schools.

In other business, Whitman County democrats selected delegates to the state convention in Vancouver, June 25-26.

Selected as delegates were Daniel Wandschneider, Carol Reed, Crystal Ainardi, Philip Wandschneider, Dave Gibney, Susan Schipman, Jane Guido and Bradley Blum, all of Pullman.

Also attending as the local party’s state committee representatives are Carolyn Cress of Pullman and James Downes of Albion.