Power Up! at the 2008 Majority Council Conference

The Majority Council Conference is an opportunity for EMILY’s List Majority Council members to meet the progressive candidates, activists, pollsters, and journalists who are shaping political life in the U.S.--and a chance to re-connect, re-energize, and rev-up our commitment to restoring progressive values to government.

Meet the pro-choice Democratic women candidates you are helping to elect . . . hear from the strategists who are orchestrating Democratic victories across the country . . . and network with like-minded EMILY’s List members who are a critical part of our plans for victory in 2008.

There has never been a more important election, and there will never be a more crucial time to get involved.

POWER UP!

THE 17TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON, D.C. LUNCHEON WITH

FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT

After eight years of arrogant, “cowboy” foreign policy, our country needs to make radical, positive change in the way we both act and are perceived in the world. Our 2008 keynote speaker, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, will talk about the extraordinary opportunities and serious challenges we face and the importance of electing a Democratic president to guide us through this uncharted period in U.S. history. As a special bonus, you will join 1,000 EMILY’s List members at our annual Washington, D.C., luncheon.

HOW WOMEN WIN

A CASE STUDY OF DONNA EDWARDS’S VICTORY

In February 2008, Donna Edwards defeated a 16-year House veteran and is now poised to become the first African American woman to represent Maryland in Congress. EMILY’s List political and WOMEN VOTE! staff will share how we mobilized our resources to help build an effective campaign and turn out the women who voted for change and made Edwards a winner.

OUR GAME PLAN ON THE GROUND: WOMEN VOTE!

WOMEN VOTE! Director Maren Hesla and pollster Molly O’Rourke will examine key factors in the 2008 election, where all signs point once again to the importance of women voters in creating Democratic victories from the White House to state and local offices. Is it “the economy, stupid” again in 2008? How do we derail Republican efforts to exploit wedge issues like immigration and gay rights? We’ll share the targeting and mobilization strategies that will ensure victories for Democrats at every level in November.

BUILDING A WORKING MAJORITY

In 2006, we took back the House and Senate, but the Republicans have never let up in their efforts to thwart Democratic change. In 2008, Democrats need to increase our majorities to help our new Democratic president lead our country in a different direction. Fortunately, there are a record number of new opportunities to take Republican seats. More than 28 Republicans are vacating their House seats and Democrats are well-positioned to pick up additional Senate seats. At the conference, we’ll introduce you to the EMILY’s List candidates running for the U.S. Congress and you'll see why we believe they will be the winners of 2008.

MEET AND MINGLE

WITH EMILY’S LIST CANDIDATES

Over cocktails, you’ll socialize with some of the most powerful political leaders in Democratic politics-- EMILY’s List candidates, elected officeholders, and Majority Council members from across the country.

HEADS OF STATES

We’ve invited our dynamic U.S. Senate and gubernatorial candidates, including Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire and Governor Christine Gregoire in Washington to join us for an invigorating dinner discussion about both their fights to bring progressive values to statewide office. Gregoire, who won election by 129 votes--the narrowest in state history--will share her plan to win what promises to be a hard-fought reelection campaign. Former Governor Shaheen will talk about her rematch to take this seat from Republican Senator John Sununu.

CAN’T STOP POP

Thanks to your support over the past seven years, the Political Opportunity Program (POP) has recruited and elected a farm team of hundreds of women state and local leaders across the country. We’ll be joined by Karen Bass, speaker-elect for the California state Assembly (and first African American woman to serve as speaker of any state Assembly), and former Colorado Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, who is now taking the next step and running for Congress. Both of these inspiring women, along with other special guests, will share their experiences and lend their unique insights into the crucial role POP plays in preparing women for higher office.