"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
(The Governor's race is important, hear one of the candidates in person! - promoted by Ellinorianne)
Hello Friends Old and New,
I would like to invite everyone to a very special event for the next Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, tomorrow, August 11 in Santa Ana at Original Mike's at 7:30PM.
In case you don't know, Gavin is the Mayor of San Francisco currently serving his second term (he won reelection with over 72% of the vote!). He has been a positively transformative leader as Mayor of San Francisco, making radical improvements in areas such as homelessness, public transportation, public health and healthcare, equality of human rights, clean energy, and turning San Francisco into one of, if not the, Greenest City in America. Even Republicans I know who live in San Francisco readily offer that Gavin has done an outstanding job and vastly improved the city as Mayor! For more on Gavin, the man and his policies, please visit www.gavinnewsom.com.
So, here's the deal - donate $25, come tomorrow, meet and hang out with Gavin, and join me and a bunch of other passionate leaders and citizens for a drink as we look forward to a brighter California. If you are so inclined, you can donate $350 or $1000 and enjoy the benefits of being either a Co-Host or Co-Chair respectively. Student tickets are available for $15.
Below you will find the link to purchase tickets. Please e-mail with any questions.
I have one HUGE favor to ask - please forward this invite to anyone and everyone who might want to come or who might want to support the campaign. This is meant to be viral, to build momentum, and ultimately, to better California.
http://www.actblue.com/page/oc... Sincerely and thanks,
John Boyle
Co-Chairman, Los Angeles County
Green for Newsom
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...
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.
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?
