| What I saw at the convention on Saturday: Growing excitment about San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's race for governor, a visit to the Governor's mansion with Jerry Brown and a contentious Controller race that turned out to be not much of a race. And a former Fugee! Newsom gave a great speech on Saturday, which featured a line that was on many delegates lips throughout the day. "So what are we going to do next year - will we offer the voters of California a stroll down memory lane, or a sprint into the future?" Newsom asked. 
Newsom's speech, his continual recitation of his progressive record in San Francisco and the organization he had in Sacramento this weekend have greatly raised the profile in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor. But Attorney General Jerry Brown, who is expected to run for governor, but hasn't declared so yet, had a few things to say as well. He touted his record and the record of his father in his speech to delegates. He worked the crowd like he was running at his "Recession Reception" at the former Governor's Mansion, and many Jerry Brown 2010 buttons were spotted. 
Eric Bradley lost his re-election bid to Hilary Crosby. Bradley unfairly wound up as the target of activists angry at outgoing Party Chair Art Torres for giving millions away to former State Senate Leader Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. In reality, it probably doesn't matter much who the controller is, the real power will still reside with new Party Chair John Burton. 
Torres was honored on Saturday evening at a tribute dinner, and every speaker at the convention has had kind words for the outgoing chair, who has been the party chair for 13 years. Later, hundreds partied at the Wyclef Jean Block Party sponsored by Newsom. A good time was had, but many were expecting a larger crowd. 
This morning, the only exciting thing on the Democratic menu, is the question of whether the delegates will support an endorsement of the state budget propositions, particularly 1A. More on that later. |
