David Leland's announcement letter, sent out Jan. 6, 2005

[letterhead] David J. Leland   361 Walhalla, Columbus, OH  43202  Phone 614.262.5896  Email LelandODP@aol.com

Dear Fellow Democrat:
 
The contest for DNC chair should not be about an individual, or even a political party.  It has to be about our future: a future based on the promise that America can succeed when every individual has a fair and equal opportunity for success.
 
I am a candidate for DNC Chair because I believe in the promise of America. 
 
Because of history, institutional advantages, profile and the ballot line, our Party is in the best position to take advantage of the movement to take back our country.  It has often been said that a person can accomplish anything…as long as he/she does not care who gets the credit.  I would be honored to be your choice as DNC Chair…not to be the “star” of the party, but rather the person who is dedicated and focused to bring our Democratic Party family together in this fight for the very soul of our nation.
 
I bring a unique experience to this position:  experience in fundraising and media relations; experience in running for and holding public office; knowledge and experience in party structure, grassroots politics and other issues confronting state parties; knowledge you get from being a full-time party chair for seven years; experience working for two labor unions; experience as a national mediator; and experience with the internal operations of the DNC.  And all this comes with a Midwestern heritage and a keen sense of purpose.
 
The following outlines the direction I want to help you take the Democratic Party:
                                                        
Ø      “Brand” the Democratic Party.  We must pull together the great talent in our Party to distill a clear, positive and powerful message about who we are and what we stand for.  Once that is accomplished, we must integrate the message into all facets of Party communication and organization.  Americans must be able to understand and to say with conviction and without hesitation what being a “Democrat” means.  During my race for Ohio House, I was able to beat a 6-term incumbent in a 61% Republican district by framing the debate.  We need to do the same.
 
Ø      Fight back!  Today, talk radio and some cable news outlets have reverted to the methods of the partisan press of the 1800s.  They provide propaganda and talking points for like-minded individuals.  We must fight back, using all means of communication at our disposal, from cutting-edge technology and specialty communication outlets to the old-fashioned weekly newspapers.  We need to systematically and aggressively drive our message in every city and village in America.  Our efforts in Ohio involved use of newsletters, daily faxes, Internet message services, radio actualities to over 200 radio stations, letters-to-the-editor, etc.  As Chair, I gave over 7,100 interviews for media outlets worldwide – none was too small to get our message out.
 
The DNC communications staff should also be structured to organize and direct our talented and diverse group of current and former officeholders, one of whom will be our next President, to act as media spokespersons for our party on critical issues.
 
Ø      “All politics is local.”  Build up state and local party infrastructures with money and staff and the latest technology.  We cannot speak to and reach the people of this nation without strong, structured local party networks.  This involves listening to and empowering local office holders and community leaders who have the knowledge and credibility to communicate our message to their friends and neighbors.  These individuals need the resources to succeed and must be an integral part of the party building process.  Strengthening and building state and local party operations is not just a slogan to me.  For seven (7) years as the full-time chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, I implemented these suggestions in my state, and worked through the DNC and the ASDC to assist other state parties.
 
Ø      Involve everyone.  Everybody who wants to help should be welcome.  We do not have a Democrat to waste!  Our party is about inclusion, not exclusion of people or ideas.
 
Ø      Fundraising.  To accomplish all of the above, we must build upon the fundraising success of Terry McAuliffe using all the tools: direct mail, telephone solicitations, one-on-one meetings and the Internet.  I enjoy fundraising and I have made it a top priority.  For the past fifteen years, I have directed record-breaking fundraising efforts on the local, state and national levels.  I have also conducted fundraising seminars across the country.  As Chair, I will continue to do this and include the DNC development staff and others.  We will fan out throughout the United States, teaching Democrats at all levels how to raise money.  Everyone can and must do it.  They just need to know how.
 
Ø      Stop re-inventing the wheel.  Work with groups like Democratic Gain and other groups, to maintain an ongoing relationship with our campaign staff.  These people should be involved in various opportunities within the party and with its allies.  There are numerous campaigns, associations, foundations, unions and corporations that need the expertise these folks can provide.  The DNC should act as a clearinghouse to help place these individuals to help them grow and prosper, so that they will be available when the need arises.
 
Ø      Remember what we stand for!  This last point is probably the most important.  As Americans, there is more that brings us together than separates us.  We all want to live in communities that are safe and clean.  All Americans want to know that if they work hard, they can make a good living for themselves and their families.  All Americans want better lives for their children, and most Americans wish to treat their fellow citizens with the same respect and dignity they expect in return.  Republicans win when they magnify the minor differences among us.  Democrats win when we speak of our common aspirations.
 
America is the nation we love today because of generations of strong Democratic Party leadership.  This is the foundation that we must build upon as we go forward.
 
I look forward to working with you as we fight for our country… and all that it stands for!
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
David J. Leland