With 76 people in overflow attendance, the North End Drinking
Liberally chapter recently became the 17th in Colorado, joining the
230 chapter’s nationwide.
Drinkingliberally.org calls itself, “An informal, inclusive
progressive social group. Raise your spirits while you raise your
glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking
Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to
talk politics.”
Only California, with 20 chapters, has more than Colorado.
Drinking Liberally was started in the Hell’s Kitchen area of New
York in 2003.
The north end inaugural meeting was at the Shops at Briargate
Champps Restaurant & Bar Jan. 8.
Lucy Wolboldt was the organizer for the inaugural meeting. She
said Drinking Liberally is “nonpartisan, doesn’t endorse
candidates, no petitions are circulated and the meetings are open
to the public.”
Helping Wolboldt with the evening of introductions was Jan
Hejtmanek, who made a bid for Colorado House District 20 for the
2006-08 term.
Among the night’s speakers was John Morris, El Paso County
Democratic Party Chair, who applauded Hejtmanek for finding
Democrats in the north end of the county.
Jay Fawcett’s policy center will roll out a healthcare proposal,
“Pioneer Pragmatism,” Jan. 23 in the Carnegie Room at the downtown
library.
Two candidates announced their intentions. Allison Hunter will
not run against Doug Bruce in House District 15; Chyrse Exline will
run for the House District 14 seat.
Howard Cook announced the opening of the El Paso County Obama
for America headquarters at 3895 N. Cascade Ave., Suite
201.
Rick Haas was applauded for his work in obtaining the Colorado
Democratic Convention for Colorado Springs. He also took the time
to share thoughts on John Edward’s presidential
candidacy.
The only other Drinking Liberally chapter in Colorado Springs
opened in October 2005 and meets the first and third Tuesday of
each month at the Coffee Exchange on Tejon Street. J.J. Courtright
of the Colorado Springs Drinking Liberally chapter congratulated
the north end chapter for its turnout.
“The highest turnout we ever had was 70, so you now have
bypassed us in your first meeting,” Courtright said.