Central Valley Democrats get energized at Fresno convention
by Randy Bayne
The Bayne of Blog Notes

Democrats from across the Central Valley gathered in Fresno on Saturday to hone their focus on the coming three election onslaught that is headed our way in 2008. Starting with the February 5 Presidential Primary there will be three statewide elections in the coming year. Of course, you already knew that, but a little reminder of the work we have ahead is often helpful.

That is what this convention amounted to, a reminder of what lies ahead and an encouragement that the fight is winnable.

State of the Valley
The convention started with a panel discussion on the "state of the valley." The panel consisted of Juan Arambula, Assemblyman from the 31st District; Michael J. Rubio, member of the Kern Co. Board of Supervisors; Dr. John Suen, Professor, CSU Fresno; Lloyd Carter, a local attorney and host of a monthly radio talk show on KFCF in Fresno; and Tom Boyajian, a Fresno mayoral candidate.

A wide range of subjects was discussed. Education, water, development, air quality, crime -- a seemingly unending list of issues that need to be addressed in the valley. Each one could take an entire article, and I won't go into details here. The discussion left me with a feeling that we need to stop being shortsighted and quit looking only for the short answers to complicated and wide ranging problems that are as related and intertwined as they are diverse.

CDP Chair Art Torres
After the panel, CA Democratic Party Chair Art Torres addressed the crowd. Most of his comments centered on the current attempt by the Republicans to steal the 2008 election in California by placing an initiative on the ballot to change the way electoral college votes are divided. He referred to a recent news report that I also commented on about homeless people being given meals in exchange for their signatures on petitions. Torres also said that if the initiative qualified, he would immediately file a law suit to keep it off the ballot.

State of the State
A second panel, this one on the state of the state, followed Torres' remarks. On the panel were Juan Arambula; Augustine Ramirez, Organizer for the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union (ILWU); Devin Carroll, of Health Care for All; Derek Cressman, author of The Recall's Broken Promise — How Big Money Still Runs California Politics; and Chris Acree, Executive Director of Revive the San Joaquin.

As you can guess, the subjects ranged from labor and the need for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, to health care and the need for single payer, to campaign finance.

To rousing applause, Devin Carroll said, "we can't cover everyone unless we end private insurance," in his statements about health care. He also said that passing an SB 840-like law through initiative isn't reality because of the money it would take. Single payer advocates would be "outspent by $40 million by the insurance and pharmaceutical companies." He also gave some credit to John Edwards' insurance plan as "having some merit."

"SB 840 is a good vehicle for education," said Carroll, "even if it doesn't pass."

Updates from Party Leaders
Martha Gamez, Deputy Political and Outreach Director for the CDP gave an update on the state party's "58 county strategy."  Henry Vandemeir, President of the California Democratic Council (CDC) and Helen Acosta, Southern Regional Vice President of the CDC talked about building coalitions and empowering Democratic clubs and central committees.

State of the Nation
The final panel discussion of the day was the best one. It featured Professor John Sims, co-editor of the Journal of National Security Law and Policy speaking on justice courts and national security; Brian Rouch, a lecturer on renewable fuels who spoke about transportation and bio fuels; Jessica Smith-Bobadilla, an immigration attorney on immigration; Pete Mora, Iraq veteran and former Special Operations intelligence officer who spent some time as an "intelligence gatherer" at Abu Ghraib; and Tom Gangale, author of From Primaries to the Polls: How to Repair America's Broken Presidential Nomination Process.  This was a very interesting and informative panel.

Address by Secretary of State Debra Bowen
Before ending the day, delegates were treated to an address by Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

She opened by talking about what the Secretary of State does. It comes down to education. "You have to teach democracy," she said. Curriculum developed by the U.S. to teach other countries about democracy isn't even used here in the U.S., yet our young people know relatively little about civics and democracy. She asked us to join with her in "pushing for some changes" in civics education. "I cannot reach 22 million people by myself," she said. "I need your help."

She then talked about the successful attempt to change the term "absentee voting" to "vote by mail." As of January 1, the law changes so that the more accurate term "vote by mail" will be used in California elections.

Bowen spent the bulk of her speech talking about her efforts to bring secure elections to California. She said our voting machines ought to be at least as secure as slot machines and talked about the issues of accessibility. Her biggest issues are transparency and auditability. "All we want to do is accurately reflect the will of the voters," she said.

She also spoke briefly about efforts to get young people more interested in voting. She wants to give high school students more and easier opportunity to work at polling places so that they can get a hands on feel for what voting and the electoral process are all about. The goal is to pique their interest and have it continue into adulthood.

It was a great convention and perhaps something the Fresno organizers will continue on an annual or semi-annual basis.

Photos courtesy of Randy Bayne

Comments

[John Gavin]

I am a mainstream Liberal Democrat. I voted for Kerry, Gore, Clinton, Clinton, Dukakis, Mondale, Carter and Carter. I am a parent. I am a small business owner. I am a tax payer. I do not have a political blog. I have never been accused of any crime. I am not a member of a lunatic fringe. I am part of the heart and soul of the Democratic party, and I strongly disapprove of Senator Feinstein and her Bush-enabling votes. It's time to censure her and know that it's time for her to chose whether she stands with us, or with the Bush-Lieberman wing of the party.

[T Murphy]

Feinstein and her husband are profitting from the Iraq war.

www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/49970/ She has to go.

[MikeF]

I also disapprove of Sen Feinstein actions lately. Why is she trying so hard to do EXACTLY what BushCo wants? Why would she think that supporting Mr 24% (You Hear That Diane!!! Lower than Nixon!!!) is such a great idea. She will continue to make tons of money from the Democratic pork as well, more probably, since they aren't going to stop the war in the near future.

[Terrible]

I'm curious. Are there any CA Democrats who aren't war profiteers and/or fascism supporters? Or is DiFi the only one?

[JohnO]

Feinstein is a DINO at this point. She has voted in line with Bush on several very important issues lately when there is no reason to compromise or even discuss some of his insanities, and certainly no reason to support those positions. Most importantly, those votes had to do with our basic liberties, which she has no power to make deals over.
What we really need to be doing is not just censuring her, but figuring out a way to put a REAL Democrat, who votes with the will of the people in mind, in her place. Diane has let down California and national Democrats badly.

Why is the party trying to squelch her censure?

[thomas Fath]

Since when is voting against the fourth and eighth amendments of the Bill of Rights considered mainstream Democratic. Diane Feinstein has been the lynch pin for President Bush to get unconstitutional votes through to protect his own criminality. Her recent votes on FISA and Mukasey have been unconstitutional, and corrupt. Is that what the Democratic party stands for?

[Frank Maschkowski]

no links on this website for mail in vote.

voicemail system down

if the dem party would only get everyone on mail in vote especially certain minorities we would be rid of the rep terrorists and live happily ever after. why am i still a member of dem party?
3107344149