Peickert Responds to Ferraro and Bisceglie

Recently, Democratic precinct committeepersons received a letter from Gayl Ferraro and an e-mail from Rob Bisceglie. (Editor note: The text of Ferraro's letter can be read here and Bisceglie's email is here.) I want the chairs and township precinct committeemen and other members of your organization to know that neither Operation Turn DuPage Blue nor I have any intention of getting drawn into a "he said/she said" type of political posturing especially when we need to spend our time meeting recruiting deadlines so that we can, at long last, elect Democrats in DuPage.

Let me just say this: I adamantly disagree with Rob's recollection and Gayl's characterization of the events of the last nine months and have e-mails and other correspondence to substantiate my position. I will be happy to speak with anyone who wants to hear my recollection of events and see the supporting documents.

From this point forward, I will keep all of my focus on doing more of the work that OTDB has been doing since early January. For example, at an OTDB phone bank on Saturday afternoon, we recruited three more Democratic precinct committeemen. They and the many others who have joined OTDB because of our extensive and ceaseless outreach will have the opportunity in February to run as elected precinct committeemen. And, prior to the phone bank, OTDB helped organize a petition-signing event for DuPage Democrats running for public office.

Under the leadership of a very capable steering committee, OTDB has involved the Democrats of DuPage in meaningful and productive political work. In just the past nine months, OTDB has:

• Coordinated and fielded over 300 people in ten parades from March to September,


• Conducted three precinct committeeman trainings,


• Hosted author and politico Dick Simpson to address the unique needs of this election cycle to our members,


• Generated unprecedented energy for Democratic politics in DuPage through the use of our various media and personal outreach efforts,


• Supported the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans golf outing to honor the inspiring work of fellow Dem candidate Dirk Enger,


• Attracted and hosted a premier national campaign training (Wellstone Action) to the heart of DuPage County,


• Arranged and hosted a professional media and message discipline training for 2008 local candidates,


• Organized a fundraiser to support previous Democratic candidates, who showed the courage to run against the DuPage Republican machine,


• Created an unmatched data base, e-newsletter and web presence that draws in new active Democrats everyday and developed an aggressive and highly effective precinct committeemen recruitment program.

In situations where townships and the county were doing good outreach, OTDB has been in attendance consistently. OTDB:

• Sent two steering committee members to the Bloomingdale/Wayne Democrats fundraiser and parade.


• Supported the recent Milton Township fundraiser in which OTDB Executive Director Amy Tauchman played a major role. I attended along with several OTDB steering committee members. (Neither Rob nor Gayl nor any of the county officers was there.)


• Host sponsored the Naperville Township Democrats fundraiser attended by a number of OTDB members including myself.


• Recruited between 50 and 60 Democrats to march in the Naperville Labor Day parade. I marched with many OTDB members many of whom rejoined the parade to march with Lisle Township. (Neither Rob nor Gayl was there.)


• Supported the county golf outing by participating as a hole sponsor.


• Participated in the county precinct recruitment effort. (Neither Rob nor Gayl participated.)


• Co-sponsored a Labor Day picnic with Addison, York and Bloomingdale Township Democrats. (Neither Rob nor Gayl nor any other county officer was there.)


• Co-sponsored a booth this summer at the Back to School Fair in Wheaton along with the York Township Democrats. Doug Cole, Dan Bailey and I were there all day. (Neither Rob nor Gayl nor any other county officer was there.)


• Marched in numerous parades in conjunction with six of nine Democratic townships since March.


• Held two fundraisers: one to help defer the legal bills for Rita Gonzalez and me and a second to support OTDB's precinct work. Both fundraisers were attended or supported by several township chairs. (Again, neither Rob nor Gayl nor any other county officer participated.)

As to comments made about my attendance at county meetings, it was made manifestly clear that my participation and offers of assistance were not welcomed. So, I have been focused on accomplishing through OTDB, with much success, what Democrats have not been able to accomplish by working under the county organization as it is currently operated.

It is not divisive to speak your mind about a system that has not been as effective as it needs to be. And it is not sensible to continue following that same pattern of leadership and expect miraculously different results. However, in order to dispel any lingering perception of divisiveness, OTDB will happily forego the rigors of a special election and will not oppose Rob for interim chair. And, so there is no misunderstanding, I will run for the position of Chair of the DuPage County Democratic Party at the 2008 county convention when all of the newly elected precinct committeemen will be allowed to vote for the person they believe should lead the party for the next 2 years. Any debate or discussion of the future of the party can continue after the candidate petition drive is over and the petitions are filed.

As to the concept of unity, please take a look at the names on the proposed Democratic cabinet posted on turndupageblue.com for the past two weeks. Among them you will find several current county officers and chairs, members of OTDB and new Democratic activists we have garnered along the way. Sweeping changes in the times and in the electorate demand that Democrats broaden our coalition and sharpen our tactics and resolve. I believe that OTDB and I have done just that and we have the results to show it.

We do not intend to stop until the Republican hold on DuPage County has been relinquished.

It is time to get Democrats elected in DuPage.

I may be reached by e-mail at BobPeickert@msn.com or by phone 630-421-2405.

--Bob Peickert

Update: Added links to Ferraro and Bisceglie's messages.