PRESS RELEASE from Democratic
National Committee
For Immediate
Release
March 23,
2009
Contact: Caroline Ciccone
Gov. Kaine
Names Democratic Change Commission To Recommend Changes to
2012 Presidential Nominating Process
Congressman James
Clyburn and Senator Claire McCaskill to Serve as
Co-Chairs, Kaine Says
Washington, D.C.— Today, Governor Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Democratic
National Committee, announced the 37 member Democratic Change
Commission, which will recommend changes to the Democratic Party’s
rules for the 2012 presidential nominating and delegate selection
process. Governor Kaine also announced that he has named
Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina and Senator Claire
McCaskill of Missouri as Co-Chairs of the Change Commission.
“This Commission will focus on reform that improves the presidential
nominating process to put voters first and ensure that as many people
as possible can participate,” said Kaine. “I want to thank all
the members of the Commission who have agreed to serve, including
Congressman Clyburn and Senator McCaskill who have graciously agreed to
serve as co-chairs.”
Governor Kaine went on to say that he hopes to work with the Republican
National Committee on a common approach that puts voters first.
President Obama first announced his intention to form the Democratic
Change Commission in August 2008, during his presidential campaign.
Delegates to the Democratic National Convention adopted President
Obama’s proposal on Monday, August 25, 2008.
The Democratic Change Commission will address three issues: 1) changing
the window of time during which primaries and caucuses may be held 2)
reducing the number of superdelegates and 3) improving the caucus
system. A copy of the convention resolution establishing the
Commission is below. The Commission must issue its report and
recommendations to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee no later than
January 1, 2010.
The Commission is made up of 35 members and two co-chairs and
represents a diverse mix of DNC members, elected officials,
representatives of State Parties, academics, labor, business,
grassroots activists and other Party leaders. A complete list of
the Commission’s members is below.
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Co-Chairs:
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Congressman Jim Clyburn
Columbia, South Carolina
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Senator Claire McCaskill
St. Louis, Missouri
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Commission Members:
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Grassroots Activist Jeremy Alters
Miami, Florida
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Political Strategist Jeff Berman
Washington, DC
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Grassroots Activist Ashley Bliss
Atlanta, Georgia
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State Representative Dan Blue
Raleigh, North Carolina
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Political Strategist Bill Carrick
Los Angeles, California
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Mayor Michael Coleman
Columbus, Ohio
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Political Strategist Jeff Forbes
Washington, DC
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Grassroots Activist Joan Garry
Montclair, New Jersey
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State Chair Larry Gates
Overland Park, Kansas
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School Board Member Adelita Grijalva
Tucson, Arizona
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Professor Rob Hampshire
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Former State Chair Ned Helms
Concord, New Hampshire
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Former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman
McLean, Virginia
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Chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
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IBT President James Hoffa
Detroit, Michigan
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Grassroots Activist Roseanne Hope
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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State Senator Steven Horsford
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Grassroots Activist Suzie LeVine
Seattle, Washington
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UAW CAP Director Dick Long
Detroit, Michigan
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Grassroots Activist Andres Lopez
San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Former Attorney General Patricia Madrid
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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DNC Member Debbie Marquez
Edwards, Colorado
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State Senator Iris Martinez
Chicago, Illinois
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Delegate Jennifer McClellan
Richmond, Virginia
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Secretary of State Linda McCulloch
Helena, Montana
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Attorney General Tom Miller
Des Moines, Iowa
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DNC Member Minyon Moore
Washington, DC
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Grassroots Activist Sunah Park
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Campaign Manager David Plouffe
Washington, DC
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Grassroots Activist Rebecca Prozan
San Francisco, California
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DNC Member James Roosevelt, Jr
Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
Lakewood, California
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AFT President Randi Weingarten
New York City, New York
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State Chair Meredith Wood Smith
Portland, Oregon
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Grassroots Activist Martin Yeung
Rapid City, South Dakota