#cdp09 Day 3 Recap & Full Review

by: atdleft

Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 10:05:53 AM PDT

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...

A Stroll Down Memory Lane: Day 2 of the CDP Convention

by: joeesha

Sun Apr 26, 2009 at 10:44:05 AM PDT

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.

CDP Convention Coverage - Next Three Days

by: ocprogressive

Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 16:31:11 PM PDT

We anticipate some real tension between the legislators and the grassroots elements of the party about the upcoming ballot initiatives.

Progressives and some major groups including the California Nurses Association and the SEIU are adamantly opposed to the complex package of bills that make the state even less governable. As Brian at Calitics says

When the time came to make a decision on the propositions, it was with a heavy heart that I chose to oppose Prop 1A. I understand the difficult position that the legislators face. Republicans in the Legislature are amusing themselves with death-talk of the California state government.  It really is quite scary stuff. Yet despite the loaded gun pointing to our head, it is imperative that California has a government moving towards a more functioning structure, not in the other direction.

Props 1(A-F) don't solve the structural problems that have been created by the huge cuts to state revenues that we have seen under Schwarzenegger, over $7 billion a year in lost revenue while expenses have held steady, when adjusted for inflation and population growth.

(Through some perverse logic, the tax cuts in the car tax shows up as an expense on the state budget. The car tax expensing and the two billion a year to pay back the money we borrowed to pay for the car tax cut make up almost all of the "increase" in spending that conservative blowhards keep talking about.)

We're looking forward to talking to political junkies and some of the few people who actually understand the state budget.

Four Obama Inspired Lessons for California Democrats

by: Michael Fox

Thu Jan 29, 2009 at 17:26:29 PM PST

The Obama campaign should serve as a master class in winning elections for Democrats.

Unfortunately, not enough California Democrats are playing attention to the Obama campaign's most important lessons.

As the effects of the state's budget crisis and the nation's economic meltdown hit more and more California voters, the Democratic Party has a once in a generation opportunity to convince voters that it that will protect and defend their interests far better than the Republicans, as well as make fundamental and progressive changes in the way that California is governed.

But to do so will require that Democrats embrace and implement the lessons of the Obama campaign.

These lessons are:

1. Blame Republicans and Present a Democratic Solution
2. Use the Internet
3. Expand the Electorate
4. Champion the Middle Class

Let's look at them one at a time.