CNMI 4 Bernie at Philadelphia
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My name is Stephen Woodruff, and I am a Bernie Sanders delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July from the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI ). I am the authorized representative for Bernie in the NMI and lead the Bernie component of the NMI delegation.
NMI Democrats caucused on Saturday, March 12, 2016, with sites on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan -- the three main populated islands. Bernie won on Saipan -- the most populous island -- in a close contest that would have yeilded a 3-3 delegate split for NMI pledged delegates. The smaller islands went heavily for Hillary Clinton, however, resulting in a final delegate count of two for Sanders and four for Clinton.
Prior to the Democratic Caucus in the NMI, I laid out my views in an article for the local papers urging participation in the caucus. The NMI has two local dailies; my piece appeared in both the Marianas Variety and the Saipan Tribune.
The other Sanders delegate is Abby Gail Iderbei , and our alternate is Vincent Bidez . Here is an article in the Marianas Variety on the caucus.
Officially, the NMI is the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or CNMI .
Travel to Philadelphia for the Convention will be extraordinarily expensive for delegates from the CNMI. The NMI is 7,825 miles (great circle) from Philadelphia, a very long trip (over 23 hours, at best). Hotel accomodations may run as much as $3,500 per delegate for the duration of the Convention. Ground transportation may add another $600. Meals and incidentals will also be a substantial cost. Finally, we need to budget for logistical support and costs to maximize the effectiveness of the NMI Sanders delegates.
Although I am attorney, I am financially challenged at present. I have practiced mostly public interest and human rights law over the past 20 years. In the process, I have made enemies among the powerful, who in recent years have done everything possible to attack my livelihood. Consequently, I am completely unable to self-finance my trip to Philadelphia.
If possible, I will bring my three youngest children (ages 17, 12, and 11) with me to Philadelphia for the educational experience. All three of them are extremely interested in the Presidential race this year, and Philadelphia, of course, is one of the nation's most historic cities. Incidentally, I am a single parent for these youngsters.
I need to raise at least some of the money in the next couple of weeks to purchase airline tickets and the rest (or as much of it as possible) by July 1. Each NMI Bernie delegate is fundraising for their own expenses but I regard myself as having a special responsibilty for our group and our success at the convention, I want to be sure to be prepared for any contigencies. Funding raised through this page will be used not only to support me with Convention related expenses but also for logistical support under my direction and to help guarantee we all work effectively in Philadelphia.
I don't need to tell you how important Bernie's political revolution is or how challenging our work will be in Philadelphia. If you are reading this page, you already know. I will be there to fight for the platform and everything else we can accomplish for the future of our nation and our children and life on this planet. For now, I just want to express my sincere gratitute for whatever contribution you feel able to make.
I am always eager to hear the thoughts and concerns of supporters. Here are some ways to find out more about me or communciate with me directly:
Daily Kos: scwlaw
Reddit: scwlaw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.c.woodruff.3
Website: www.WoodruffLawOffice.com
2014 Campaign Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006318908851&fref=ts
NMI Democrats caucused on Saturday, March 12, 2016, with sites on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan -- the three main populated islands. Bernie won on Saipan -- the most populous island -- in a close contest that would have yeilded a 3-3 delegate split for NMI pledged delegates. The smaller islands went heavily for Hillary Clinton, however, resulting in a final delegate count of two for Sanders and four for Clinton.
Prior to the Democratic Caucus in the NMI, I laid out my views in an article for the local papers urging participation in the caucus. The NMI has two local dailies; my piece appeared in both the Marianas Variety and the Saipan Tribune.
The other Sanders delegate is Abby Gail Iderbei , and our alternate is Vincent Bidez . Here is an article in the Marianas Variety on the caucus.
Officially, the NMI is the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or CNMI .
Travel to Philadelphia for the Convention will be extraordinarily expensive for delegates from the CNMI. The NMI is 7,825 miles (great circle) from Philadelphia, a very long trip (over 23 hours, at best). Hotel accomodations may run as much as $3,500 per delegate for the duration of the Convention. Ground transportation may add another $600. Meals and incidentals will also be a substantial cost. Finally, we need to budget for logistical support and costs to maximize the effectiveness of the NMI Sanders delegates.
Although I am attorney, I am financially challenged at present. I have practiced mostly public interest and human rights law over the past 20 years. In the process, I have made enemies among the powerful, who in recent years have done everything possible to attack my livelihood. Consequently, I am completely unable to self-finance my trip to Philadelphia.
If possible, I will bring my three youngest children (ages 17, 12, and 11) with me to Philadelphia for the educational experience. All three of them are extremely interested in the Presidential race this year, and Philadelphia, of course, is one of the nation's most historic cities. Incidentally, I am a single parent for these youngsters.
I need to raise at least some of the money in the next couple of weeks to purchase airline tickets and the rest (or as much of it as possible) by July 1. Each NMI Bernie delegate is fundraising for their own expenses but I regard myself as having a special responsibilty for our group and our success at the convention, I want to be sure to be prepared for any contigencies. Funding raised through this page will be used not only to support me with Convention related expenses but also for logistical support under my direction and to help guarantee we all work effectively in Philadelphia.
I don't need to tell you how important Bernie's political revolution is or how challenging our work will be in Philadelphia. If you are reading this page, you already know. I will be there to fight for the platform and everything else we can accomplish for the future of our nation and our children and life on this planet. For now, I just want to express my sincere gratitute for whatever contribution you feel able to make.
I am always eager to hear the thoughts and concerns of supporters. Here are some ways to find out more about me or communciate with me directly:
Daily Kos: scwlaw
Reddit: scwlaw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.c.woodruff.3
Website: www.WoodruffLawOffice.com
2014 Campaign Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006318908851&fref=ts
Organizer
Stephen C. Woodruff
Organizer
Saipan, MP
