Voter Registration Assistance – June 5th 2010, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
If you would like assistance registering to vote and live in the Oslo or Drammen area, members of the board are available to help. On Saturday, June 5th 2010, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. we will be at the following locations to help you. Stop in!
- Drammen – Baker Hansen by the train station
- Frogner – Kaffebrenneriet Løvenskioldsgate 2
- Majorstuen – United Bakeries Valkyriegata 9-11
- Røa – Baker Hansen Vækerøveien 207
- Sentrum – Kaffebrenneriet Universitetsgata 18
- Vinderen – United Bakeries Slemdalsveien 63B
FIRST AMERICAN TOWN MEETING: A SUCCESS
By all measures, the first Town Meeting sponsored by the American Embassy for Norwegian-based Americans was an impressive success. Over 270 US citizens joined the get-together, which had to be moved from the Embassy to the Bristol Hotel in central Oslo due to strong interest from the American-Norwegian community.
For the more than 270 Oslo-based Americans, it was an evening of networking and renewing country ties. US Ambassador Barry White hosted this First Town Meeting which was designed to orient Americans living in Norway on Embassy activities and the diplomatic support it could provide.
The Embassy was represented by Cherrie Daniels (Head of Political and Economics Section), Colonel Don Keply (Defense Attaché), Eric Carlson (Regional Security Officer, US Department of State), Hester Kerlick (Vice Counsel), and Kelji Turner (discussing the new American Embassy). Rodger Deuerlein (Head of the US Embassy Consular section) served as MC for the event.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP. TAX CHALLENGES. NEW EMBASSY – AND MORE
In the more than an hour of presentations, Embassy personnel and a range of organizations supporting Americans in Norway informed Town Hall attendees on a wide range of issues. Everything from security in Norway and dual citizenship issues, to insurance for permanent residents and the increasing sophistication of the Norwegian view of American politics. And from financing aspects of education abroad and tax-related challenges to drivers license renewal and plans for the building of the new US Embassy.
The formal part of the meeting was followed by a stimulating Q&A session that lasted for nearly 40 minutes. For a more detailed summary of the Town meeting, read the Town_Hall_Meeting_Minutes_12/05/2010.
DEMOCRATS ABROAD WAS THERE
“The event was also an opportunity for those of us at Democrats Abroad to let people know about our activities to get out the vote,” said Lisa Cooper, Chairperson for Democrats Abroad in Norway (DAN) and one of the members of the panel of American organizations that supported the Embassy at the Town Meeting.
“We also talked about our other activities to help connect Americans here – and keep them up-to-date on political issues where they can have some impact,” she added.
Other organizations represented were Chrys Hellum, President of the American Coordinating Council of Norway (ACCN); Jason Turflinger, Managing Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Norway (AmCham); Sarah Øverland, President of the American Womens’ Club (AWC); and Ken Burton, Chairperson for Republicans Abroad Norway (RAN).
MID-TERM ELECTIONS: GAME CHANGING POTENTIAL FOR DEMOCRATS
The upcoming US mid-term elections have the potential of changing the game for the Obama Administration. A possible shift in control in congress could threaten the President’s agenda – so every vote counts.
With President Barack Obama half way through his first term in office, the US Mid-term Elections will be held on November 2. At that time 435 members of the House of Representatives will be up for election. In addition, one-third of the Senate — or 34 Senators — will be elected, and 37 State Governors will be on the ballots. A number of local issues will also be up for consideration in state elections.
If history repeats itself, the odds can favor Republican gains in the House and Senate. The party in power usually loses seats, but the mid-terms are also seen as a referendum of the sitting President and his party.
HOUSE: CONTINUED CONTROL?
Polls indicate that 164 House seats are solid Democrat and another 64 are leaning Democratic with some 30 seats too close to call. Democrats now hold 257 seats, 39 seats more than the minimum needed for control. If Republicans were to pick up the high side of the 20-to-50 seats that some polls now predict, that could mean a shift of control in the House of Representatives that would threaten the President’s agenda.
However, a recent New York Times/CBS poll indicates that Americans feel President Obama better understands their needs and problems and has made more of an effort to be bipartisan than Congressional Republicans. So that may help counter balance some of the normal drop for the party in power.
SENATE: A MORE UNSTABLE BALANCE?
In the Senate, the current balance is 57 Democrats, 41 Republican and 2 independents who caucus with the Democrats. Current polls indicate that of the 36 Senate seats that are up for election, 7 are solidly Democrat and four are leaning Democratic. On the Republican side 12 are solid and 8 are leaning Republican. Five of the 36 seats are up for grabs.
Any shift in power to the Republicans will make it even more difficult to bring desired legislation to the Senate floor.
WHAT ABOUT THE STATES?
Gubernatorial elections will also be held on November 2nd –37 states and two territories will hold elections for governor. Currently 20 seats are held by Democrat incumbents and 19 are held by Republican incumbents. Polls indicate that 3 of the Democratic Governorships are safe, and 5 are leaning Democratic. Five of the Republican seats are safe and 9 are leaning Republican – with 15 governorships that are up for grabs. So a lot is at stake in the various state governments as well in the mid-term elections.
YOUR VOTE COUNTS !
A heavy Democratic turnout of those energized to vote for the first time in the 2008 elections, might turn the tide, making it easier for President Obama to carry out his agenda. This is what the Democratic National Committee is calling its 50-State Strategy.
The President and the Democratic Party are committed to keeping the nation safe and expanding opportunity for every American. That commitment is reflected in an agenda that emphasizes strong economic growth, an overhaul of regulations governing the financial industry, affordable health care for all American, and freeing ourselves from oil dependency through the investment in renewable, alternative energies. It also focuses on ending the war in Iraq while refocusing our efforts on dealing with the post-September 11 world; protecting the environment, and working for open, honest and accountable government.
Elections are often won on a narrow margin, so every vote counts, and organizing voter registration and voting from abroad can push the game-changing potential of the mid-term elections in the right direction.
Town Hall Meeting at the Embassy on May 12, 2010
Embassy of the United States of America
Henrik Ibsens gate 48
Oslo, Norway
Message to U.S. citizens residing in the Oslo area.
The Embassy wishes to invite U.S. citizens to a meeting at the Bristol Hotel ((Kristian IV’s gate 7) on May 12, 2010 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
The Ambassador and Embassy officials will talk about topics we believe are of interest to U.S. citizens residing in Norway including U.S. – Norway relations, security and safety issues and consular services. The American Chamber of Commerce, Democrats Abroad, Republicans Abroad and the American Women’s Club will also provide information about their organizations.
Please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible if you would like to attend. Space is limited. R.S.V.P. by sending an e-mail to osloamcit@state.gov with your full legal name. Please remember to bring your passport for ID purposes. Due to security procedures at the Embassy, we recommend you arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the meeting starts.
We look forward to seeing you at our Town Hall Meeting.
2010 Primary Elections by Month
February
Illinois- February 2
March
Texas- March 2
May
Indiana- May 4
North Carolina- May 4
Ohio- May 4
Nebraska- May 11
West Virginia- May 14
Arkansas- May 18
Kentucky- May 18
Oregon- May 18
Pennsylvania- May 18
Idaho- May 25
June
Alabama- June 1
Mississippi- June 1
New Mexico- June 1
California- June 8
Iowa- June 8
Maine- June 8
Montana- June 8
Nevada- June 8
New Jersey- June 8
North Dakota- June 8
South Carolina- June 8
South Dakota- June 8
Virginia- June 8
Utah- June 22
July
Georgia- July 20
Oklahoma- July 27
August
Kansas- August 3
Michigan- August 3
Missouri- August 3
Tennessee- August 5
Colorado- August 10
Connecticut- August 10
Minnesota- August 10
Washington- August 17
Wyoming- August 17
Alaska- August 24
Florida- August 24
Louisiana- 1st Party Congressional- August 28
Arizona- August 31
September
Guam- September 4
Virgin Islands- September 11
Delaware- September 14
District of Columbia- September 14
Maryland- September 14
Massachusetts- September 14
New Hampshire- September 14
New York- September 14
Rhode Island- September 14
Vermont- September 14
Wisconsin- September 14
Hawaii- September 18
October
Louisiana- State Primary and 2nd Party Congressional- October 2
Check how your Rep. voted on the Health Care bill
Dear Members,
After 100 years of debate, 7 different presidents, Obama managed to pass a Bill for health care reform. At this link you can check to see how your rep voted – and thank or spank them with a single
click:
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5831/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=367&track=seiu
House passes health care bill on 219-212 vote
Washington (CNN) — President Obama won a historic victory in the struggle for health care reform Sunday as the House of Representatives passed a sweeping bill overhauling the American medical system.
The bill passed in a 219-212 vote after more than a year of bitter partisan debate. All 178 Republicans opposed it, along with 34 Democrats.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/21/health.care.main/index.html?hpt=T1
Democrats Abroad Norway (DAN) Appoints New Press Secretary
(Oslo, 19 March 2010) Democrats Abroad Norway (DAN) today appointed Brad Larson as its new Press Secretary to replace Carolyn Haneberg. In this capacity he will be supporting DAN Chair Lisa Cooper and the Democrats Abroad Board in development of a communications strategy, increasing contacts with the media and liaison with the Press Office of Democrats Abroad in Washington.
Brad Larson
“We’d like to welcome Brad to the Democrats Abroad team. This position is critical for DAN in many aspects as the media coverage and attention to initiatives from President Obama has been extremely high,” Lisa Cooper says. “That focus will only increase as we move toward the mid-term US Congressional elections.”
Brad is uniquely qualified to support the Board in this demanding position. He followed the political process closely while working in Washington for 12 years, serving in the Washington Office of a International Paper Company. He handled both communications and Government relations for the firm, following a range of emerging issues including environment, energy, taxes, corporate governance and international relations.
He is able to build a bridge to the Norwegian culture following 26 years in Norway – handling corporate communications for such firms as Elopak, SysScan (Kongsberg), Elkem and Dyno Nobel. Since 2005 he has been running his own communications consultancy WordFlow and serving as a partner in the Interaction Consulting Group. He also teaches courses in PR and Communications at the Norwegian School of Management (BI).
Carolyn Haneberg
“In Carolyn Haneberg we have a tough act to follow,” says Brad Larson. “She handled relations with the media with extreme skill during the election of Barack Obama and also the heavy media pressure generated by his Nobel Peace Prize award and the following trip to Oslo.”
“These are challenging times ahead with the upcoming mid-term elections and a large number Democratic open seats. This makes it all the more important for Democrats worldwide to get out the vote,” he says. “We have a job to do. Issues like Health Care, Afghanistan, the current Financial situation and the polarization of political debate in the US make our involvement critical.”
Brad sees three areas requiring communications focus in the coming months. These include increasing coverage and understanding of issues such as the ones above and also support of DAN events aimed at increasing membership and facilitating contact between members. By far the most important focus, however, will be support of activities to increase voter registration and promote political activity for all Democrats in Norway.
“Live Video Broadcast” of the People’s Peace Prize Buffet from Oslo, Norway
The People’s Peace Prize Buffet is “sold out” but we welcome you to the Rica Hotel after the parade for a free reception in the hotel’s lobby where we will be serving Gløgg and Peppercake.
We are doing our best to make available additional spaces for the buffet but we can not promise this will be possible! Please do not make the long trip to the Buffet just to be disappointed that no additional “last minute” spaces are available though you are still welcome to the free reception in the lobby.
LIVE VIDEO
For everyone all over the world who aren’t able to attend, we shall provide a “Live Video Stream” of the Buffet from the Rica Hotel at http://www.livestream.com/WiHood beginning at 18:30 – 22:30 (GMT+1), Thursday- December 10th. Please share the link with your friends and family so they too may share in this wonderful experience and day!
Thank you,
Democrats Abroad Norway
Torchlight Parade and People’s Peace Prize Buffet – December 10th, 2009
You are cordially invited to march in the Torchlight Parade and enjoy the People’s Peace Prize Buffet on December 10th, 2009
American Coordinating Council of Norway (ACCN) and Democrats Abroad Norway (DAN) are celebrating President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize with two special events:
Torchlight Parade
Meeting place:
Youngstorget, Oslo (located between Storgata and Møllergata)
Plan and timing:
5:30 pm: Marchers gather at Youngstorget at a meeting place marked by American flags. (Torches may be purchased at Youngstorget, Kr. 20 per piece)
6:15 pm: Parade leaves and proceeds past the Grand Hotel.
6:55 pm: President Obama plans to greet parade-goers from a balcony at the Grand Hotel.
7:15 – 7:45 pm: Gløgg and gingerbread cookies served at the Rica Victoria Hotel for members.
People’s Peace Prize Buffet
A delicious finger food buffet will be served, giving diners a chance to eat and mingle. Be prepared for surprises throughout the evening!
Location:
Rica Victoria Hotel, Rosenkrantzg 13, Oslo, tel: (+47) 24 14 70 00
Map: (click here)
Time:
Buffet is from 7:45 pm – 10:00 pm.
Cost:
Kr. 225 per adult, Kr.100 for children 6 to 12.
Prepayment is required!
How to Register
Step 1: Go to: www.democratsabroad.no/events to register and get payment information.
Step 2: Prepayment is required! Kr. 225 per adult, Kr. 100 children 6 – 12.
- Include your name and “People’s Peace Prize Buffet” when paying.
- NO REFUND!
Step 3: Bring a copy of your confirmation email to the People’s Peace Prize Buffet