Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Activists, Reformers Now Control State Party
by Paul Hogarth‚ Apr. 27‚ 2009
Before the California Democratic Convention ended yesterday, delegates bucked the Party leadership on the May 19th ballot measures – by securing a “no endorsement” on Propositions 1A, 1D and 1E. State legislators and Party operatives pushed “yes” on all six measures, but enough of the grassroots who stayed for the tail end of the session refused to go along. I’ve been attending these Conventions for 12 years, and it’s clear now that activists and “reform” types run the Party – a stark contrast to how it once was. That’s because Howard Dean and Barack Obama brought in a new wave of rank-and-file members, and now we see the impact. College students have replaced the “professional” types that once dominated the Young Democrats caucus. Reformer Hillary Crosby won the race for State Party Controller, and even John Burton’s election as Party Chair is a good thing for the activist wing. Politicians must adapt to this change, and it’s clear some of them – like John Garamendi – still don’t get it. In the race for Governor, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was not well received at the Convention by delegates from his hometown – as he painted a rosy picture of how things are in the City. And while Chris Daly ran as a “reformer” in the race for Regional Director, other factors contributed his defeat.
Click the title for the whole article...
Before the California Democratic Convention ended yesterday, delegates bucked the Party leadership on the May 19th ballot measures – by securing a “no endorsement” on Propositions 1A, 1D and 1E. State legislators and Party operatives pushed “yes” on all six measures, but enough of the grassroots who stayed for the tail end of the session refused to go along. I’ve been attending these Conventions for 12 years, and it’s clear now that activists and “reform” types run the Party – a stark contrast to how it once was. That’s because Howard Dean and Barack Obama brought in a new wave of rank-and-file members, and now we see the impact. College students have replaced the “professional” types that once dominated the Young Democrats caucus. Reformer Hillary Crosby won the race for State Party Controller, and even John Burton’s election as Party Chair is a good thing for the activist wing. Politicians must adapt to this change, and it’s clear some of them – like John Garamendi – still don’t get it. In the race for Governor, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was not well received at the Convention by delegates from his hometown – as he painted a rosy picture of how things are in the City. And while Chris Daly ran as a “reformer” in the race for Regional Director, other factors contributed his defeat.
Click the title for the whole article...
When Women Run, Women Win!
CANDIDATES AND FUTURE CANDIDATES!
If you are running for office, considering a run in the future, or just want to know more about the process, this training is for you!
What: NWPC training: So you want to run for office?!
Where: College of Marin, Olney Hall
When: Saturday, May 9, 2009 9:30-3
Who: Experienced campaigners from the NWPC Coaching and Mentoring program, elected officials, campaign professionals and more
Join us for a comprehensive look at what it takes to be a candidate.
Agenda:
9:30: registration, coffee and mingling
10:30-12: From Supe to Sewer: A panel of elected officials talk about their experiences running, their best and worst moments, and more!
12-1: It’s Your Turn: Lunch with introductions (1 min. each) and a presentation by Emerge California, Democratic women’s training program
1-2:30: Fundraising, Phoning and the Fun of the Race: Learn from veteran campaigners and professional consultants how the race is run and won
2:30-3 Wrap up with guest speaker
Only $20 per person All welcome!
To pre-register send your check to:
NWPC Marin
PO Box 113
Kentfield, CA 94904
Please bring a sack lunch
Email Dotty for more information or to rsvp
coastlaw @earthlink .net
When Women Run, Women Win!
If you are running for office, considering a run in the future, or just want to know more about the process, this training is for you!
What: NWPC training: So you want to run for office?!
Where: College of Marin, Olney Hall
When: Saturday, May 9, 2009 9:30-3
Who: Experienced campaigners from the NWPC Coaching and Mentoring program, elected officials, campaign professionals and more
Join us for a comprehensive look at what it takes to be a candidate.
Agenda:
9:30: registration, coffee and mingling
10:30-12: From Supe to Sewer: A panel of elected officials talk about their experiences running, their best and worst moments, and more!
12-1: It’s Your Turn: Lunch with introductions (1 min. each) and a presentation by Emerge California, Democratic women’s training program
1-2:30: Fundraising, Phoning and the Fun of the Race: Learn from veteran campaigners and professional consultants how the race is run and won
2:30-3 Wrap up with guest speaker
Only $20 per person All welcome!
To pre-register send your check to:
NWPC Marin
PO Box 113
Kentfield, CA 94904
Please bring a sack lunch
Email Dotty for more information or to rsvp
coastlaw @earthlink .net
When Women Run, Women Win!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Draft John Garamendi For The 3rd CD
Tell John Garamendi that you want him to run for Congress in the 3rd Congressional district against Dan Lungren in 2010.
http://www.draftgaramendi.com/
http://www.draftgaramendi.com/
Political Training
This is local:
CAMPUS CAMP WELLSTONE: DEANZA COLLEGE CAMPUS CAMP WELLSTONE
May 15-16, Oakland, CA
Campus Camp Wellstone is a 1.5 day training program held on college and university campuses around the country. Our program is non-partisan, and welcomes both seasoned activists and those who are completely new to progressive activism.
We focus on very concrete skills, like the nitty-gritty of campaign planning, coalition building, and message development. We also teach students how to successfully recruit and retain volunteers and develop new leadership.
Campus Camp Wellstone is both serious and exciting-serious because you'll walk away with skills and tools for real-world campaigns, and exciting because it's participatory, vibrant, and led by young trainers. Our trainers are leaders in community organizing, labor, and non-profit organizations.
http://www.wellstone.org/training-calendar/campus-camp-wellstone-deanza-college
These are not exactly local, but they are good programs:
Democracy For America is organizing a 2-day Campaign Training in Redding, CA on June 27-28. Let us know if you can make it!
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/31999-dfa-campaign-training-in-redding
Localize This! Action Camp
Join us July 13-18
on Vashon Island
Cost: $200-500 sliding scale
Open to ages 18 and up
Pre-registration and deposit required
http://backbonecampaign.org/page.cfm?id=151#
Ongoing:
DFA Night School: Citizen Lobbying
Event Date: May 26, 2009
Event Time: 8:30 PM EDT
on-line
CAMPUS CAMP WELLSTONE: DEANZA COLLEGE CAMPUS CAMP WELLSTONE
May 15-16, Oakland, CA
Campus Camp Wellstone is a 1.5 day training program held on college and university campuses around the country. Our program is non-partisan, and welcomes both seasoned activists and those who are completely new to progressive activism.
We focus on very concrete skills, like the nitty-gritty of campaign planning, coalition building, and message development. We also teach students how to successfully recruit and retain volunteers and develop new leadership.
Campus Camp Wellstone is both serious and exciting-serious because you'll walk away with skills and tools for real-world campaigns, and exciting because it's participatory, vibrant, and led by young trainers. Our trainers are leaders in community organizing, labor, and non-profit organizations.
http://www.wellstone.org/training-calendar/campus-camp-wellstone-deanza-college
These are not exactly local, but they are good programs:
Democracy For America is organizing a 2-day Campaign Training in Redding, CA on June 27-28. Let us know if you can make it!
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/31999-dfa-campaign-training-in-redding
Localize This! Action Camp
Join us July 13-18
on Vashon Island
Cost: $200-500 sliding scale
Open to ages 18 and up
Pre-registration and deposit required
http://backbonecampaign.org/page.cfm?id=151#
Ongoing:
DFA Night School: Citizen Lobbying
Event Date: May 26, 2009
Event Time: 8:30 PM EDT
on-line
U.S. Sen. Specter changing to run as a Democrat
click the title for the story...
Once Al Franken is seated as the junior Senator from Minnesota, Senator Spector will make the Democrats filibuster proof!!!
Once Al Franken is seated as the junior Senator from Minnesota, Senator Spector will make the Democrats filibuster proof!!!
TOP TWENTY REASONS WHY PROPOSITION 1A IS A BAD IDEA
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is for 1A
Tying the Legislature’s hands behind its back is the wrong way to do a budget - We’ve learned that with Props 13 and 98.
In times of recession, the need for State services increases.
Californians only receive 4 years of new taxes in exchange for a permanent spending cap. Permanent cap, temporary revenues = BAD DEAL.
Allows short-term legislators to defer a real budget solution until they are gone
Proposes to fix a symptom rather than the underlying problem
True budget reform must address the structural deficit – 1A does not do this.
Constitutionally removes essential flexibility to deal with the State’s fiscal needs – prevents the Legislature and Governor from setting priorities essential to a particular time.
In financially difficult years will hold State spending at a level that is too low to guarantee adequate services and in good years restricts State from increasing revenues
Undermines our system of checks and balances by allowing the Governor to unilaterally make mid-year cuts without consulting the Legislature
Hastily drafted, behind closed doors, in secret, in the dead of night, without a single hearing or independent analysis
Dictates a shift in spending that can’t be changed, regardless of future needs
Could require cuts to public education, health care, public safety and others in good times
Will not do what it promises and instead will lead to deep cuts in service
The League of Women Voters urges a NO vote
Most observers expect painful degradation of service
Mandates a permanent spending cap
Prohibits legislators from taking full advantage of additional revenues when California comes out of the recession
Shifts responsibility for future budget decisions away from the legislature and onto invisible state employees
Does not fix fundamental budget problem - California is one of only three states requiring a two-thirds legislative majority to pass a budget. Republicans continually hijack the process!
--from Kathy Neal, Dan Wood, and Mario Juarez
Tying the Legislature’s hands behind its back is the wrong way to do a budget - We’ve learned that with Props 13 and 98.
In times of recession, the need for State services increases.
Californians only receive 4 years of new taxes in exchange for a permanent spending cap. Permanent cap, temporary revenues = BAD DEAL.
Allows short-term legislators to defer a real budget solution until they are gone
Proposes to fix a symptom rather than the underlying problem
True budget reform must address the structural deficit – 1A does not do this.
Constitutionally removes essential flexibility to deal with the State’s fiscal needs – prevents the Legislature and Governor from setting priorities essential to a particular time.
In financially difficult years will hold State spending at a level that is too low to guarantee adequate services and in good years restricts State from increasing revenues
Undermines our system of checks and balances by allowing the Governor to unilaterally make mid-year cuts without consulting the Legislature
Hastily drafted, behind closed doors, in secret, in the dead of night, without a single hearing or independent analysis
Dictates a shift in spending that can’t be changed, regardless of future needs
Could require cuts to public education, health care, public safety and others in good times
Will not do what it promises and instead will lead to deep cuts in service
The League of Women Voters urges a NO vote
Most observers expect painful degradation of service
Mandates a permanent spending cap
Prohibits legislators from taking full advantage of additional revenues when California comes out of the recession
Shifts responsibility for future budget decisions away from the legislature and onto invisible state employees
Does not fix fundamental budget problem - California is one of only three states requiring a two-thirds legislative majority to pass a budget. Republicans continually hijack the process!
--from Kathy Neal, Dan Wood, and Mario Juarez
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