Judy Bevans, chairwoman of the Vermont Democratic Party, suggests party members who miss the political activity of an election year go across Lake Champlain to Plattsburg Sunday and help Democrat Bill Owens who faces two competitors in a special congressional election.

Bevans explained in her e-mail the significance of the race: "Since this is the only congressional race on the November ballot in 2009, the outcome will have far reaching effects for our nation, as a whole. The far right is trying to paint this race as a referendum on the Tea Party movement. Extremists like Sarah Palin, Rep. Michelle Bachmann, and former Senator Rick Santorum have all endorsed Conservative Doug Hoffman, and are rallying right-wingers from all corners of the country."

Bevans argues that helping to elect the Democrat would show that "Americans are still behind President Obama."

The Vermont Democratic Party earlier urged activists to help out in Maine where there is a referendum to repeal the state's same-sex marriage law.

Robert Dempsey, the party's executive director, said it is important to give activists things to do since Vermont doesn't have a fall election.

"The point is, we have a couple of initiatives and candidates we fully support," Dempsey said. "We are the Democratic Party. We have a Democratic member across the lake. We are just trying to help some of our brothers and sisters."

-- Nancy Remsen

Labels: Judy Bevans, President Obama, Robert Dempsey, Vermont Democratic Party