As expected, the U.S. Senate failed to reach the two-thirds majority (67 votes) needed to convict President Donald J. Trump on incitement of insurrection, the single count against him in his second impeachment trial. But unlike his first impeachment trial in 2020, seven Republican Senators voted with Democrats to hold Trump accountable for triggering the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that caused the deaths of five people including a Capitol police officer. Mitt Romney had been the only Republican to vote guilty on one of two counts in his 2020 impeachment trial.

Somewhat surprisingly, North Carolina's Richard Burr was among the Republicans voting guilty on Saturday. Senator Burr has announced he will not run for reelection in 2022. According to The News & Observer, Burr released a statement saying "By what he did and by what he did not do, President Trump violated his oath of office to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Burr said, "The evidence is compelling that President Trump is guilty of inciting an insurrection against a coequal branch of government and that the charge rises to the level of high Crimes and Misdemeanors." See the News & Observer article here.

Unlike Burr, most Republicans twisted themselves into knots trying to justify acquittal votes after impeachment managers from the House of Representatives built a stunning mountain of evidence showing that Trump knowingly goaded his followers to attack the Capitol and then refused for hours to call them off as members of his own party begged for his intervention.

After he voted to acquit Trump, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said "Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day," McConnell then claimed that he believed that convicting Trump after he left office was unconstitutional. North Carolina's other Senator, Thom Tillis, also voted to acquit.

The voter support organization You Can Vote Is holding virtual organization meetings on February 24 and 27 to get ready for important municipal elections to be held this year. You Can Vote plans in-person events by June, if it's safe, but the group says it's fired up to get started now. The February meetings will include a review of 2020, a year in which a record number of people voted in North Carolina. They will also look ahead to voter education and other efforts for 2021 and 2022. You can RSVP for the Wednesday, February 24, meeting (click here) that will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., or you can opt for the Saturday, February 27, meeting (click here) scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m. You can submit meeting questions in advance by emailing [email protected].

We now have 2 precincts left that still need organizers, H01 and M07. Help us reach 100%!

You do not have to live in the precinct to volunteer to organize it. The work involves calling, emailing, setting up a Zoom meeting or working with a Zoom facilitator to set it up, conducting the meeting, electing Precinct Officers and County Convention delegates and submitting a meeting certification which reports the results.

If you can help, please email Susanne Werner (2^nd Vice-chair), [email protected], using 2021 Precinct Organizers in the subject line.

Annual precinct organization meetings are taking place from March 6 to March 20, all by Zoom! Don’t miss out on all the 2022 midterm election action - it all starts in the precincts. Candidates are already announcing, and we are organizing for victory. Contact your precinct chair or meeting organizer at www.newhanoverdems.org for the pre-registration link. You must pre-register to attend your precinct meeting. If you are not sure of your precinct, go to https://elections.nhcgov.com/ > Check Registration.

NHCDP To Vote On County Officers in April

NHCDP will vote for new officers at the County Convention in April, including Chair, 3 Vice Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer. If you are interested in serving or know someone who may want to serve, please contact any of the existing officers.

You Can Vote Organizational Meetings -- February 24 and 27

When: Wednesday, February 24, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 27, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Where: Zoom. Click here to RSVP for Wednesday meeting or here RSVP for Saturday meeting.

Each session will include a review of voter support activities from 2020 and preview plans for 2021 and beyond.

Winter Meeting of State Executive Committee -- February 27th

When: Saturday, February 27th

Where: Zoom. Details Here: https://www.ncdp.org/2021-winter-sec/

This meeting will select the slate of NCDP Officers for the next two years, consider resolutions and review proposed revisions to the Plan of Organization.

Precinct Organization Meetings -- March 6th - March 20th

When: March 6th - March 20th

Where: TBD by Precinct Organizers. Some on Zoom

These organizational meetings are critical to our effectiveness going forward to 2022 and 2024.

Upcoming Democratic Events To Note On Your Calendar

2021 County Convention Meeting – Saturday, April 10th

2021 (Makeup Date) County Convention Meeting – Saturday, April 17th

2021 Congressional District Convention Meeting – Saturday, May 22nd

2021 Summer SEC Meeting – Saturday, August 7th

Best,

Richard Poole, Chair

News Content by James Cummings

If you have any announcements, comments, questions or concerns regarding this email series, please contact the Editor here.

Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party

Mailing Address:

NHCDP

PO Box 3446

Wilmington, NC 28412

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

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