"The most consistent and smartest thinking and writing about progressive politics isn't happening in Sacramento, but being churned out day after day on sites and by organizations like Calitics, Orange County Progressive, and the California Budget Project." - CalBuzz
My goodness, what a convention we had! The "mainstream" corporate media may have just seen it as a massive foodfight, but beneath the surface something amazing happened. As I saw and Calitician Robert Cruickshank noted, the "Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party" finally started to take control of the CDP.
Progressives flexed their muscle yet again at this convention, showing that they are the force to be reckoned with in the party - even if progressives did not always speak with a single voice. The refusal to endorse Propositions 1A, 1D and 1E was a sign that progressive delegates are not going to be dictated to by Democratic leaders, and that they feel empowered to say "No" when it is warranted. That's a sign of a healthy and mature progressive movement. People power is here in the California Democratic Party - and although it has yet to find sustained expression, it's only a matter of time before that power revitalizes the party.
As all of you who followed my Tweets saw, the vote was close on all the May Special Election Initiatives. And yes, debate was heated. But while the "mainstream" reporters were just focusing on how "divided!!!!" we were (like this was the first time?), they missed what the rest of us saw. They missed the progressive grassroots taking charge, speaking truth to power, and letting their voices be heard at what's supposed to be their convention.
Let me explain my thoughts some more after the flip...
Progressive delegates continue to mix things up at the convention, this year fighting against party endorsement of the May 19 State Propositions proposed by Democratic legislators and the governor.
Progressives Flex Their Muscles Progressives have been flooding into the party since Howard Dean burst onto the scene in 2004. His appearance at the convention Sunday morning drew one of the most enthusiatic responses from the delegates all weekend, demonstrating his influence still moves the party's grassroots. At the last convention, progressives won a fight to endorse Mark Leno over establishment candidate Carole Migden.
This year, led by blogger Brian Leubitz of Calitics, progressive delegates flexed their muscles again, successfully opposing endorsement of props 1-A, 1-D and 1-E.
Crosby Rides Delegate Anger They also succeeded in channeling their anger at outgoing state Party Chair Art Torres by electing Hilary Crosby as state controller. Unfortunately, that meant punishing the former controller Eric Bradley for Torres' sins.
Delegates have long been angered over Torres inexplicably giving millions of the party's money to former Senate Leader Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and the election of Crosby was their revenge.
Gavin Sprints Into the Future The race for governor also heated up with Gavin Newsom emerging as the early challenger to whom many perceive as front runner, Attorney General Jerry Brown.
Brown, who has yet to enter the race, had little presence at the convention, other than his speech on Saturday and a "Recession Reception" at the former Governor's Mansion.
Newsom had the most memorable line of the whole convention, asking delegates if they wanted a "stroll down memory lane" with Brown.
And Brown's event played into that assessment. Staged at the governor's mansion, whose last resident was Brown's father, the vibe and music was definitely from the '70s. The only thing missing was Linda Ronstadt and Pet Rocks.
Newsom's posse resembled the youth movement that was so important to Obama's victory, blanketing the convention with water bottles, signs, buttons and tons of volunteers. Newsom's candidacy was a hot topic among the delegates. And Saturday night's Wyclef Jean block party cemented the notion in many delegate's minds that Newsom was young and fresh. (Although most of the delegates over 40 were in bed by the time the party started.)
Remains of the Days Based on the weekend's events, I'm left with a couple of questions:
Can Newsom keep up the momentum built at the convention. Can he draw away some of the Labor support that seems to be solidly behind a Brown candidacy?
Will progressives move from being a spoiler at the state conventions to an actual place at the table in the state party?
So we got a major surprise? Yes, indeed, Hilary Crosby won the CDP Controller race. While everyone was expecting John Burton to win the Chair's race in a landslide and nearly everyone gave Alex Rooker the upper hand in the Female Vice Chair's race, no one was really expecting the CPA from the rural north to pull off a win like this. The Controller's race was close, with Crosby winning with only 54% of the vote, but nonetheless she won.
So what else from yesterday was newsworthy? Both Russ Warner (CA-26) and Francine Busby (CA-50) announced they will be running for Congress again at the Red to Blue Dinner. Resolutions (respectively) calling on the investigation of Jay Bybee and for oil severance made it through the Resolutions Committee. Barbara Boxer said she's "open" to investigating and possible impeaching Jay Bybee for his role in approving torture. Gavin Newsom gave his endorsements on the May Props: Yes on 1A & 1B, No on 1C, 1D, 1E, & 1F. He said he could not allow the fiscal crisis to worsen (his opinion if 1A & 1B fail), but refused to support any more cuts to mental health and early childhood programs. Oh yes, and Barbara Boxer said she will wait to look over the May Props with Dianne Feinstein before they release a joint endorsement.
So what to look for today? Resolutions! Yes, the resolutions that survived Resolutions Committee will be up for a vote among the full delegation today on the floor. In addition to the ones I mentioned above, also expect a highly contentious vote on endorsing Props 1A-1F. Although it easily passed the committee, the delegates may be more inclined to listen to Senator Boxer in passing on endorsing any of them.
As always, we'll betweeting everything happening today. And tomorrow morning, expect a full report from me. Now how quickly can I put this Macbook away to get down to the convention center?
(Btw because my phone refuses to cooperate with my Photobucket, I can't post pictures right now. However, you may feel free to check out my pics at Facebook.)
Oh, what a day! Former State Controller Steve Westly told the CDC that he supports a new California Constitutional Convention to change the state's unworkable tax and budget laws. Current Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced at Netroots Nation plans to study building a "Wiki" into the SoS web site to allow voters to edit initiative ballot statements. The Progressive Caucus turned raucous as bylaws amendments and officer candidacies were vociferously debated. CDP Officers, like current CDP Controller Eric Bradley, were out and about talking with the delegates. Oh, and did I mention Gavin Newsom is running for Governor?
These are just a few of the things that happened yesterday at the California Democratic Party Convention in Sacramento. But today, expect more glitz, glam, and all around pizzazz as the speeches (from Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, Jerry Brown, Antonio Villaraigosa, and more!) and the CDP Officer ballots roll out. Also expect much preparation for floor fights tomorrow over Props 1A-1F. As always, you can follow the latest news from the convention by following our tweets @ocprogressive and @atdleft. Gus, Joe, and I will be tweeting as much as we can from the floor, the blogger gatherings, the luncheons/dinners, and just about anything and everything else that's happening.
But in the mean time, please enjoy these random shots from yesterday and see more here! :-)
I'll try to do full diaries on the California Democratic Party Convention this weekend as often as I can. But in case you can't wait for my full diaries, please check my constant updates at Twitter with the #cdp09 tag. I have my smartphone with me now, so I'll be providing updates throughout the weekend.
So if you want the latest on the CDP Convention, please follow my Tweets with the #cdp09 tag & please stay tuned here at OC Progressive for all updates from Gus, Joe, and me.
Wow! This should be fun. Wyclef Jean, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Biz Markie, and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson all at the same block party? And happening during the CA Democratic Convention? Why not join in on the fun?
