The Draft's first-time excursion to SC a big success

April 28th and 29th was our first foray into South Carolina. The SC Democratic Party held their annual JJ Dinner Friday night and a state convention on Saturday. This was the first event we have attended where another potential '08 candidate was the keynote speaker. Gov. Vilsack of Iowa was the speaker for the JJ Dinner friday.

Our National Director Eddie Ratliff joined Georgia Director Mike Love and myself in Columbia. While the location of our table was not exactly prime real estate Friday night, we had a great location on Saturday for the convention. Our goal was to find a few volunteers and potentially a statewide director. We have some good leads that we will be following up with this week.

Since Friday night was just the dinner, we had quite a few "cruisers" come by the table and take a peek. We had the video playing as well. Just about everybody took literature. We handed out over 700 pieces of literature, 300 buttons and 150 bumper stickers.

Saturday was a completely different story. We had a constant flow of people from about 9:15 - 1:30. Most knew a little bit about Warner from his visit in February. Those who didn't were extremely impressed with his record. I can't tell you how many times we heard "We need a guy like this!" I was surprised be the number of people who either have lived in Virginia or have relatives there.

The press was light but Eddie did get a chance to speak with an Associated Press reporter and a reporter from the Columbia daily paper.

Let's take a moment to reflect back on a huge weekend. We had volunteers at events in 3 states. We came in contact with over 2500 Democratic activists. Thanks to everyone involved for making this the most successful period since we started!

Now we need to step it up once again as well prepare for events in Ohio, Florida, Tennessee and Nevada.

One last thing....I saw this in the Raleigh News and Observer from Friday - http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/433523.htmlWarner's warriors Among the attendees at the Democratic party's North Carolina Jefferson-Jackson dinner Saturday night will be a group of people pushing former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to run for president in 2008.
The Draft Mark Warner group will pass out literature and bumper stickers at a table at the party fundraiser, being held at 7 p.m. at the North Raleigh Hilton for prices ranging up to $250.

Great work this weekend!!!!!
Steve Deak, Southern Regional Director
Draft Mark Warner 2008

Photos: (click to enlarge)

# 1 Draft Team-Steve Deak, Mike Love & Eddie Ratliff
#2 Georgia Director Mike Loves Shows Warner Video to Visitor
#3 Steve Deak, DMW Southern Director pitches Gov. Warner for President

Other photos not shown above:
# 4 Draft Founder Eddie Ratliff networks with former Congresswoman
#5 Folks signing up in real-time to join Draft Mark Warner
#6 The Draft Table ready for visitors