Manuel Perez is bringing a socially conservative, economically progressive county back to the Democrats.  Imperial County is one of the poorest in California.  It’s part of the California 80th  Assembly District, which reaches from Palm Springs to Mexico and Arizona.  dday gives the best brief of it here.   It’s not on the radar of some of the wealthy liberals in the west of the district, which is one of the reasons why we’ve lost this race to Bonnie Garcia over and over.  Imperial County has been voting against registration and handing victory to the Republicans, but it’s looking up in 2008.  Voters in Riverside and Imperial Counties have a winning progressive this year.

Manuel Perez was raised in both Coachella and Calexico, he does not dismiss the voters in Imperial County.  

“Manuel Perez has demonstrated the integrity, honesty and due diligence to bring forth the true representation of Assembly District 80.” — Victor Carillo, Supervisor District #1

  “I’m supporting Manuel Perez for State Assembly because he is the most qualified candidate and he is well versed in the Imperial and Coachella Valley.  I am confident that Manuel will keep the interests of the Imperial Valley at heart in the California State Assembly.” — Tony Tirado, Imperial County Democratic Central Committee Chair.

His healthcare priorities come from his binational research on the health of women farm workers, and his work with Borrego Community Health Foundation.  

The California Medical Association PAC and SEIU healthcare workers and nurses recently endorsed Perez, touting his healthcare advocacy and efforts to provide healthcare for all the residents in the 80th Assembly District.

Manuel Perez also earned the endorsement of the California Nurses Association.

“Manuel Perez is on the front line of the healthcare crisis, making sure kids see pediatricians and seniors receive needed medicine,” said Zenei Cortez, RN President California Nurses Association.  “He’ll provide fresh ideas and needed leadership in solving the state’s healthcare challenges.”

His education priorities come from his Schools not Jails experience and his budget battles on behalf of the students of the Coachella Valley Unified School District.  

The New River, and its toxic threat to the health of local residents, informs his environmentalism.   A grassroots organizer is running for state office, as a citizen, a teacher, a healthcare provider, and advocate for social justice.  The only Democrat in the race who speaks Spanish, the only Harvard graduate in the race who also knows poverty firsthand.  

Our most critical unions, key legislators, and advocates like Alice Huffman of the NAACP and Dolores Huerta, co-founder of UFW support Manuel Perez, which means he’ll actually get to take that information to the state legislature and get things done.  But it’s also going to take grassroots support of the currency persuasion.

On to the 2/3 majority.  Act Blue page for Manuel Perez -for California Assembly.  

Crossposted at dKos

Richard Oberhaus, Campaign Manager of the Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District Race, notified BlueBeaumontBoyz today that Pettis had obtained the endorsement of The Desert Sun.  Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman for over 13 years, former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, and Progressive Democratic Candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District, achieved what few, if any, previous Democratic candidates for State Assembly have accomplished in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys: Pettis obtained the solid endorsement of The Desert Sun.

Pettis has been viewed as the leading Democratic candidate by most observers in the 80th AD, obtaining endorsements from all of the Democratic Clubs who thus far have endorsed in the current race, from most of the Democratic electeds, from all of the Democratic electeds who have endorsed in the West Valley (Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City), and from the most active unions and locals in the district.  In addition, Pettis has raised more money in each of the last electronic reporting periods than all three of his primary opponents combined.  Pettis has also spent more money during each reporting than all of his opponents combined.  Finally, Pettis has also raised more money during the last electronic reporting period, February, than his the presumptive Republican nominee, Gary Jeandron.

The surprising aspect of the endorsement of The Desert Sun is that not once have they previously endorsed Pettis during any of his Cathedral City Council races.  In addition, The Desert Sun ritualistically endorses Republicans for higher office, including President/Vice-President, U.S. Congress, and CA Senate and CA State Assembly.  Only during the California State-wide races, do they stray from the Bush/Cheney/Bono Baxely Mack/Battin/Garcia fold when they endorse Sen. Diane Feinstein (D) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) for the U.S. Senate and others for State-wide office.

More below the flip…

The Desert Sun went beyond a bland endorsement and emphasized Pettis’ ties to the Coachella Valley communities, his organizational skills, his constituent service record, and his potential ability to ‘hit the ground running’ in Sacramento following the November elections.

Highlights of the TDS endorsement follow:

The Democratic candidates for the 80th Assembly District don’t differ widely on the issues, but Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis stands out because of his ties to the Coachella Valley.

Pettis, 52, is a strong political tactician.  His strong suit is organization.  He communicates well with his constituents.  Navigating the state capitol scene will be critical to his – and the valley’s – success, but we believe he understands Sacramento and can hit the ground running there and that is what we need.

We also are confident Pettis would be visible in the district after being elected (BlueBeaumontBoyz note: unlike absentee Congresswoman Mary Bono Baxely Mack) – and that is an important part of the job.

Pettis is one of four Democrats vying for the 80th Assembly District seat in the upcoming June 3 primary…

…Pettis has been in office 14 years as a Cathedral City councilman.  He knows the Coachella Valley best.  He has strong relationships with local officials and understands local issues.

He has built a solid record of achievement while on the council, and we believe he is electable and will be effective in Sacramento.

While Pettis is good at playing politics, he has not been a councilman who has stood out in the crowd. He is not a top leader among officials in the valley.  He’s not a “go-to guy.”

That’s his downside.

But he does understand our issues and, of all Democratic candidates, he is (the) best choice to represent the needs of the Coachella Valley.

He plans to focus on bringing needed transportation infrastructure to our valley, as (well) as more jobs to the Coachella and Imperial valleys, better school funding and expanding incentives for green and renewable energy sources.

Pettis said he also will work on health insurance coverage for all Californians.  He wants all children younger than 18 to be covered by expanding programs.  He would push to expand tax credit programs to create more affordable housing and work to stabilize interest rates to fend off more foreclosures…

Pettis’ ties to the Coachella Valley are solid and complete.  According to the Pettis for Assembly website Pettis was born and raised in Duarte, California and has lived in Cathedral City since 1979.  After nearly 15 years in the hospitality industry, Greg ran for and won his seat on the Cathedral City Council in 1994.

Over the last 14 years, Greg has been instrumental in creating an economically vibrant community in Cathedral City with strong neighborhoods and a thriving downtown to attract good paying jobs as well as union jobs to Cathedral City.

The fact that Pettis has strong relationships with local officials is a given.  Pettis works well with both Democrats and Republicans on Cathedral City Council and in his other community activities as well.  Pettis has been endorsed for the 80th AD by Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Councilmember Rick Hutcheson, Desert Hot Springs City Councilmember Karl Baker, Cathedral City Councilmember Paul Marchand, former-Cathedral City Councilmember Sarah Digradi, Cathedral City Clerk Pat Hammers, former-Rancho Mirage City Councilmember Jeanne Parrish, former-Coachella Mayor Juan DeLara, El Centro City Councilmember Sedalia Saunders, and Coachella City Councilmember and former-Candidate for the 80th AD Gilbert Ramirez, demonstrating the depth and breadth of his support amongst electeds in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.

Pettis has also obtained the endorsement of every Democratic Club which has thus far endorsed in the 80th AD, including the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, the Inland Stonewall Democratic Club, the Palm Springs Democratic Club, the Pass Democratic Club, the San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club.  None of the local Democratic clubs has endorsed any of Pettis’ rivals for the Democratic nomination.

Pettis has also worked well with the local Democratic club leadership and has received the endorsements of the President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Will Pieper, the Vice-President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Chuck McDaniel, the Treasurer of the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Bob Silverman, Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Steering Committee Member Donald W. Grimm, Ph.D., the Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Sandy Eldridge, the Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club David Pye, co-founder of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Lisa Arbalaez, former co-chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Robert Lee Thomas, the President of the Pass Democratic Club Jacqueline Atwood, the Vice-President of the Pass Democratic Club Betty McMillion, Riverside County Democratic Central Committee Alternate Kira Klatchko, and former candidate for the 80th AD Mary Ann Andreas.

At the pre-convention endorsement proceedings in Moreno Valley prior to the California Democratic Party convention in San Jose, Pettis obtain more than 70% of the votes of the local party leaders to obtain the endorsement for the 80th AD race.  It was only due to a parliamentary procedure backed by literally only a relative few recalcitrants that revoked that endorsement.  Nevertheless, that action only served to strengthen the resolve of the Pettis campaign and his support amongs good Democratic activists in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.

The Pettis campaign has also received endorsements from most of the local progressive unions and their leadership because of his strong support for union and labor rights.  Pettis has the endorsement of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Building Trades of California, the California AFL-CIO, Cathedral City Professional Firefighters, San Bernardino/Riverside Counties Central Labor Council, San Diego/Imperial Counties Central Labor Council, Teamsters, Joint Council 42, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 440.  These are the unions who put progressive Democratic activist boots to the ground during local election campaigns.

Regarding potential work as a State Assemblyman in Sacramento, Pettis demonstrates that he already has strong ties to that body with his endorsements from State Assembly Speaker Pro-Tem Sally Lieper, State Assemblyman Mike Eng, State Assemblyman John Laird, State Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, State Assemblyman Mark Leno, State Assemblyman Ted Lieu, former-State Assemblyman Paul Koretz, and former-State Assemblyman Fran Pavley.  Given his relationships in the State Assembly, Pettis is poised to ‘hit the ground running,’ not having to learn either the ropes of the Assembly or the politics of Sacramento.

The Desert Sun is also accurate in portraying Pettis as ‘knowing our issues.’  Pettis makes it clear that he will work diligently to improve the quality of life of not only residents of the District, but also all Californians by working to bring healthcare and benefits to all children under the age of 18, by working to improve the local and state economies, and by protecting the enviroment.  More specifically, according to his website, Pettis has been a regional leader throughout the Coachella Valley, working on issues that impact the Inland Empire and all of California including:

(1) Negotiating the Multi-Species Habitat Plan to guide sustainable growth

(2) Serving on the Salton Sea Authority

(3) Conducting Town Hall forums on the future of health care in California

More on the relevance of the endorsement of The Desert Sun and its impact on the race shortly.  This writer has left messages for Greg Pettis, Candidate for the 80th AD, Richard Oberhaus, Campaign Manager, President of the Desert Stonewall Democrats George Zander, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Sandy Eldridge, but has not to date had their response to this exciting news.

Readers and bloggers have criticized the campaign in the 80th Assembly District as negative, nasty, and non-issues oriented.  This is the beginning of a series of blog posts on the reasons to support Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman and former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, in his race to become the Democratic nominee in the 80th AD.  Pettis has the support of every Democratic Club in the 80th AD that has thus far endorsed, including the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, the Inland Stonewall Democratic Club, Palm Springs Democratic Club, the Pass Democratic Club, the San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club.

In addition, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, the California League of Conservation Voters, California National Organization for Women, Equality California, HONOR PAC, Progressive Majority, amongst others, have endorsed Pettis based on his governmental experience, his achievements in the areas of healthcare, the economy, and the environment, and his plans for success in the 80th AD once elected.

According to the The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund website, The Victory Fund believes

“that true equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons will come when talented, committed and qualified openly LGBT individuals step up to lead their communities, to add their voices to the American political debate, and to show that what they want for their own families is the same as their straight colleagues; freedom to live their lives honestly, without fear and with hope.”

More below the flip…

More on The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund:

“The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the nation’s largest LGBT political action committee and the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. Since 1991, the Victory Fund and its national donor network have helped hundreds of openly LGBT candidates win election to local, state and federal offices.

“The Victory Fund provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly LGBT candidates and their campaigns. The Victory Fund staff of political professionals helps to recruit and vet qualified candidates, train them, and assist them in raising the crucial funds required to run for office.

“In addition to providing funding from our political action committee, the Victory Fund cultivates a national network of donors whose commitment to its mission results in vital support for our endorsed candidates.”

Clearly, the Victory Fund believes that Pettis is a talented, committed, and qualified openly LGBT individual who has stepped up to lead Cathedral City and his community, who is best suited to add his voice to the American political debate, and to demonstrate that he wants freedom for the LGBT community to live their lives honestly, without fear and with hope.

Other Democratic candidates for the 80th AD, even were they members of the LGBT community, would not qualify for the endorsement of The Victory Fund, as Rick Gonzales, a housing developer for Wells Fargo, and Richard Gutierrez, a dentist, both openly state during candidates forums that they will oppose Marriage Equality on the floor of the California State Assembly.  Victor Manuel Perez equivocates, stating that he supports equal rights for all individuals, however, he refuses to publically state that he would vote in favor of marriage equality in the California State Assembly.

The Pettis campaign issued a Press Release on October 4, 2007, announcing the Victory Fund endorsement.  Here is the text of the PR:

PETTIS ENDORSED BY VICTORY FUND

Democratic candidate for the 80th Assembly District, Greg Pettis, pulled in a national endorsement today with the announcement that The Victory Fund is supporting his campaign.

The Victory Fund is the only national organization that is dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. In 2006, 67 Victory Fund endorsed candidates were elected to office.

“As someone who has stood up for the rights of all people and against discrimination in all forms, I couldn’t be happier to have this endorsement,” said Pettis.

Pettis, who is serving his 13th year on the City Council of Cathedral City, has rung up a string of impressive endorsements recently including the San Diego Democratic Club, the California Building Trades and the San Bernardino/Riverside County Labor Council.

“We’re building a strong base of support throughout California because my track record over the last 13 years is a good indicator that I’ll be able to help break the logjam in Sacramento on crucial issues like health care, economic development and protecting our environment,” Pettis said.

“With the support of groups like The Victory Fund, I’ll be able to take my message for a healthy California to all corners of this district.”

The Victory Fund joins a long list of endorsements for Pettis including AFSCME, the California Building Trades Council, Riverside/San Bernardino Counties Central Labor Council, San Diego/Imperial Counties Central Labor Council, Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Councilmember Rick Hutcheson, Desert Hot Springs City Councilmember Karl Baker, Cathedral City Councilmember Paul Marchand, El Centro City Councilmember Sedalia Sanders, and former Coachella Mayor Juan DeLara.

Pettis is considered the Democratic frontrunner in the race to replace Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (R), who will be stepping down due to term limits, thank God.  Pettis has raised more money and has more donors than all the other Democratic candidates combined based on the last filings with California’s Secretary of State.

A former Democratic rival endorsed Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman and former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, in his bid for the 80th Assembly District seat, according to The Desert Sun and the Pettis campaign.  Pettis already has the endorsement of every Democratic club in the 80th Assembly District that thus far has endorsed, including the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, the Inland Stonewall Democratic Club, the Palm Springs Democratic Club, the Pass Democratic Club, the San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club.

In addition, the former-candidate for the 80th Assembly District Mary Ann Andreas, former-President of the Sun City Democratic Club, Arnie Kaminsky, President of the Pass Democratic Club Jacqueline Atwood, Vice-President of the Pass Democratic Club Betty McMillion, the Treasurer of the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Bob Silverman, the President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Will Pieper, Vice-President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Chuck McDaniel, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Sandy Eldridge, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club David Pye, co-founder of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Lisa Arbalaez, former Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Robert Lee Thomas, Riverside County Democratic Central Committee Alternate Kira Klatchko, Paul Rasso, President of the Democratic Women of the Desert Nikki Stone, and other local Democratic activists have endorsed Pettis as the transformational candidate.

According to The Desert Sun reporter, Nicole Brambila,

Coachella City Councilman Gilbert Ramirez Jr., who was knocked out of the race for the Democratic nomination in March, threw his support behind the Cathedral City Councilman (Pettis) vying to replace outgoing Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City.

More below the flip…

The Desert Sun article continues:

Garcia cannot run again because of term limits.

“With our economy in recession and our kids facing budget cuts from Sacramento, we want leaders with a successful track record of showing up day in an day out and protecting vital services,” Ramirez said in a campaign press release.

“Greg not only has a track record of success creating jobs in Cathedral City, but also a sensible plan to cover every child with health care and to invest in our public schools. That’s the kind of tested and trusted leadership we need in Sacramento to turn our state in the right direction.”

Ramirez did not qualify for the race because he failed to get 40 Democratic nominating signatures. Only 33 of 68 of his signatures counted.

Pettis’ focuses on three major issues during the campaign, universal healthcare, the local economy, and the environment.  His ideas include:

Make health care more affordable and accessible by

Insuring every child

Expanding access to Medi-Cal and Healthy Families to cover those being priced out of the market

Protecting doctor choice

Encouraging preventative care

Working towards a universal health care system

Create good paying jobs and opportunities by:

Expanding enterprise zones

Micro-targeting loans to distressed communities

Supporting tourism and agriculture industries

Increasing investment in local higher education

Attracting green energy firms

Keep our air and water clean and protect our planet by:

Meeting the goal of 25% renewable energy by 2020

Expanding green building standards to reduce water use

Increasing recycling rates

Creating transportation options and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods to reduce sprawl

Protecting the Salton Sea from excess runoff  

The failure of the Federal Government to provide universal and affordable healthcare has negatively impacted the health and financial viability of American families.  As a result, community-based organizations and non-profits have had to pick up the gauntlet.  Desert Women for Equality is one such organization.  DWE provides free mammograms to the uninsured and underinsured women of the Coachella Valley.

This is a Press Release from DWE:

Desert Healthcare District (DHCD) has awarded a $40,000 grant to Desert Women for Equality’s innovative and successful “We Care” Free Mobile Mammogram Program so that the organization can continue providing free mammograms to uninsured/underinsured women who do not have a doctor’s referral for the test.

DHCD is a governmental agency that was established in 1948 by the State of California to improve and support community health programs within a 457-square mile service area in the Coachella Valley. “The DHCD grant not only provides DWE with necessary funding to sustain and grow our program, but it also recognizes the viability of the program and the great need there is for the services that we are providing to the community,” said Barbara Barrett, President of DWE. “DWE was founded by a group of community-oriented women and has been largely funded and supported by the local community. Now DHCD has joined us in our effort ,and we are very grateful for their support. and we hope that we can establish a long-lasting partnership with them. We are also now investigating the possibility of expanding our services and of offering free prostate cancer screenings to the men of our Valley. We need to keep them healthy too,” Barrett stated.

The grant will pay for individual mammograms given within the District. The DWE mobile mammography partner, Physician’s Diagnostic Imaging, brings mammography equipment to various pre-determined sites in the Coachella Valley. Women are screened on an appointment and walk-in basis, not needing a doctor’s referral. Clients who require follow-up care are then referred to free medical clinics and treatment centers for further medical assessment and evaluation. Since June 2006, Desert Women for Equality has completed 564 free mammograms. In 2008, six clinics were scheduled in the DHCD service area, and three clinics were scheduled outside the District in the cities of Coachella and Indio.

The “We Care” program is in direct alignment with the District’s strategic objectives – target access to breast-cancer screening, improve access to primary health care underserved communities, and facilitate access to health education, disease prevention and comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services.

DWE has planned the next “We Care” clinic at the Indio Senior Center for May 14, 2008, and will also offer other clinics in Coachella, Palm Springs, and Thousand Palms later this year.

To make an appointment for any “We Care” Free Mobile Mammogram clinic, please contact the DWE office at 760-325-4701.  To make a charitable donation, please send your tax-deductible check to Desert Women For Equality, 555 S. Sunrise Way, Suite 212E, Palm Springs, CA 92262. For every $80.00 that you donate, DWE provides one woman with a free mammogram. Check out the website at desertwomenforequality.com for more information on DWE and its programs.

The first thing I want to say is that I am nothing special nor more intelligent then anyone else.  The one thing that I am is an independent thinker who analyzes a situation and acts based upon what I feel is best, as opposed to acting based upon being part of an “in-group”, the “first-group”, the “cool-group”, the “trend-setting group”, or jumping on a bandwagon.  By the way, how many of you saw Robin Williams on Law & Order this evening and the commentary on “sheep” mentality in America?

I have been greatly disappointed in the future of the United States, generally, and each of us, specifically, since John Edwards (the adult wing of the Democratic Party) dropped out of the Presidential race.  I last and only posted on January 30, 2008 re “Unity Will Flow Naturally From Integrity & Credibility” and  on January 21, 2008 re “The Country Needs John Edwards To Stay In The Race All The Way To The Nomination”.  I never intended to post again since it took 25+ years since my disgust with the Democratic Party following the 1980 Presidential Campaign and the defeat of my candidate of choice in the Wisconsin Primary, Jerry Brown, until this past year when the leadership ideas, backbone strength, and bold courage of John Edwards got me excited again in a President and the Democratic Party for the first time since 1980.  However, the recent sequence of events caused me to be unable to stay silent and to at least make a record that I did my part and tried.  I know that there are many other JRE supporters who feel as I do.

Interestingly, in the midst of the Clinton-Obama unveiling during the past few weeks, the Jimmy Carter of 1980 has resurfaced with a meeting with the terrorist organization of Hamas that seeks to push the Israeli’s into the Sea and destroy the State of Israel.  I guess the botched helicoptor blunder-Iranian Hostage Rescue attempt in the Desert that any Israeli military officer could have advised would be a disasterous failure before it ever began was not enough of a legacy for Mr. Carter nor sufficient damage to inflict upon the Democratic Party.

Now, I have to watch as Mr. Obama, the great questioner of the judgment of Ms. Clinton about going into Iraq, now attempts to squirm and slither his way out from under the exercise of his judgment in his chosen faith leader for the last 20 years, including officiating his marriage, performing the baptisms of his two daughters, and inspiring his book.  Meanwhile, Ms. Clinton continues ahead in the pursuit of the very things that John Edwards legitimately questioned during the debates.  Unfortunately, the mainstream corporate media of America and the significant majority of each of us failed ourselves in not questioning each of the candidates with intellectual honesty and legitimate cross-examination.  Instead, it was easier, less work, and more entertaining (and perhaps more self-serving) to jump on the bandwagon and promote the glitz and glamor of a woman and a black man running for President and ignore JRE, except to cover the price of his haircut, the size and cost of his residence, and his connection to a hedge fund.  Meanwhile, now that it is too late we learn that (1) the income of the Clinton’s and Obama’s is consistent with the income of JRE; and (2) per www.opensecrets.org, the connection of JRE pales in comparison to the campaign contributions received by Ms. Clinton and Mr. Obama from the hedge fund industry, the health care industry, the insurance industry, lawyers, and lobbyists.  I guess you “gotcha” on the haircuts…nice-going corporate mainstream media and the majority of Americans who either continue to be sheep, motivated by pure selfishness without any regard for our fellow human being, and/or too lazy to think for yourself.

Ohhhhhh, I am sure that many, many wish that JRE was still around.  By the way, neither JRE nor his supporters owe Ms. Clinton or Mr. Obama anything.  The job of Mr. Obama and his campaign and Ms. Clinton and her campaign is, was, and continues to be showing JRE and his supporters why they should put their support behind one of them.  Thus far, Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton and their respective campaigns have failed miserably.  Perhaps, I set the bar too high, but merely saying you are better than John McCain does not cut it.  I could write pages and pages of why John Edwards is the better candidate, as an individual, and the best Democrat to defeat John McCain, but the time for that has come and gone.  I have yet to see any meaningful, credible, showing by either Ms. Clinton or Mr. Obama that they will carry the torch lit by JRE (although neither had any problem stealing his ideas while he was still campaigning).

I then look to our local election and observe the venomous remarks being made in our local Assembly race.  The self-serving agenda behind such remarks is so obvious, while the goal motivating such remarks moves further and further away.

In the middle of 2007, I was very excited for the first time in over 25 years about the future of our country because I finally saw a person who had the courage, intelligence, and strength to lead our country with integrity and honesty motivated by fairness and justice for all.  As we approach the middle of 2008, I am as disgusted as I was in 1980 and I have seen nothing on the national or local level to cause me to feel otherwise.  I am greatly saddened that the same circumstances that launched Reagan into the White House in 1980 will likely launch McCain into the White House…because of a haircut…unbelievable.

I appreciate that some (or maybe many) of you will not like the content and/or tone of this message.  Perhaps, I could have written this more eloquently and been less direct and candid.  I wrote this the only way I know how.  Therefore, I hope that you will take a look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself the tough questions raised by this message before the tempting immediate knee-jerk reaction to just say that I am a jerk expressing sour grapes.  You see, I do not think I am much different than the very people Mr. Obama or Ms. Clinton need to win the Presidency and calling me a jerk or full of sour grapes is going to lead to the other John (McCain) being the next President of our United States of America.

I feel that each of us have failed the generation of our kids.  By the way, the more power, influence, and/or money that you have reflects the greater failure that you have been because you have had a greater opportunity to make a positive difference.  I hope that our kids can overcome our failure.

XPosted 4/26/2008 11:22 PM PDT on MyDesert.com in blog by BluePalmSpringsBoyz

At the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Monthly Meeting earlier today, according to an email that I just received from Chuck McDaniel, Vice-President, the DHSDC unanimously endorsed Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman and former Mayor Pro-tem of Cathedral City, for the Democratic nomination for the 80th Assembly District to succeed the termed-out, thank the deity, Bonnie Garcia (R).  Pettis’ rivals for the nomination garnered not a single tally in the endorsement process today.

Pettis has been either City Councilman or Mayor Pro-tem of Cathedral City for the last 13 years and has served with distinction in other local governmental positions in the region as well.  McDaniel, also a union official with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 440, was enthusiastic in his support of the Pettis candidacy, having worked with Pettis in numerous capacities and in many local elections during recent years, including Mary Ann Andreas’ candidacy for the 80th AD and Steve Clute’s candidacy for the 80th AD.

More below the flip…

All of the other local Democratic clubs who have thus far endorsed have endorsed Pettis for the 80th AD seat.  These clubs include but are not limited to the Pass Democratic Club, Desert Stonewall Democrats, Palm Springs Democratic Club, Inland Stonewall Democrats, San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego Women’s Democratic Club.  Club leaders also endorsing Pettis include Pass Democratic Club President Jacqueline Atwood, Pass Democratic Club Vice-President Betty McMillion, Desert Stonewall Democrats Vice-President Roger Tansey, DSD Treasurer Bob Silverman, DSD Steering Committee Members Sandy Eldridge, Donald W. Grimm, Ph.D., Jono Hildner, James Reynolds, Greg Rodriguez, Robert Lee Thomas, and Lynn Worley, Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair Sandy Eldridge, Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair David Pye, Desert Hot Springs President Will Pieper, and Desert Hot Springs Vice-President Chuck McDaniel, Sun City Democratic Club President Arnie Kaminsky, Democratic Club of Moreno Valley President Paul Rasso, and Riverside County Democratic Central Committee Alternate Kira Klatchko.  Not a single Democratic club in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys has thus far endorsed another candidate besides Pettis for the nomination.

Pettis stated, “I am indeed grateful for the confidence that the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club has shown in my candidacy and for their generous support.  The local clubs, especially the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, have long been a source for the volunteers in any successful Democratic campaign in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.  I deeply appreciate the work that Will Pieper, Chuck McDaniel and the Club membership have done thus far with my campaign, and I look forward to continue working with them during the primary and general election campaigns.”

In a related positive note, at tonight’s Pass Democratic Club Annual Unity Dinner at the Morongo Resort and Casino in Cabazon, McMillion gave a wonderul personal introduction to Pettis during the night’s festivities that was only outshone by that given to Secretary of State Debra Bowen.  McMillion noted that ‘all’ of the desert clubs have fully supported Pettis’ candidacy, especially at the pre-nomination convention in Moreno Valley where 70%+ of the delegates voted to endorse, and continue to provide active and full support for Pettis.  Most in attendance were pleasantly surprised at the length and depth of the support from the platform.  Kudos to McMillion!

Following Pettis’ introduction, McMillion gave a brief intro for Victor Manuel Perez, Candidate for the 80th AD, alluding to the fact that Perez might have some school involvement.  Perez, his campaign manager, and another in his contingent were then seen leaving the ballroom before Bowen’s introduction and speech.  Some Democratic activists in attendance, myself not included, wondered about the propriety of Perez’ sudden departure and the unintended message to Bowen.

This week, three members of the Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) endorsed the candidacy of Rick Gonzales for the 80th Assembly District to replace the termed-out, thank God, Bonnie Garcia (R).  Gonzales works for Wells Fargo as a comunity housing investor.

The news behind the endorsements is that this is a repudiation of the leadership of Victor Manuel Perez on the board and of his Candidacy for the 80th AD.  Seems that Perez’ major claim to the nomination is his ‘credentials’ on education.  Backers claim that Perez has the unified backing of the education community in the Coachella Valley.  Not.

More below the flip…

Perez serves on the CVUSD and the executive committee as its Vice-President.  As such, Perez was intimately responsible for the ill-advised decision on the part of the board to seek Federal funds that, according to The Desert Sun, lead to the CVUSD being the only board in the state threatened with state sanctions to actually be placed under state-sponsored trusteeship this year (see my previous posts).  The state made it clear that acceptance of the funds by CVUSD board was the primary determining factor in its decision to place the board and the Superintendant under state trusteeship.

Now, three of the members of the CVUSD board, Gloria Maldonado, Anna Rodriguez, and Maria Elvia Rios, according to the Rick Gonzales for State Assembly website, have rejected the candidacy of Perez and have endorsed Gonzales.  Whether they repudiate Perez for his part in the ill-conceived decisions of the board or for other reasons remains to be seen.

As they have done to others during the campaign in the Coachella Valley and here on Calitics, including with this blogger, the Perez campaign is attempting to smear the actions of these three boardmembers and to label them as the problem with the CVUSD board.  (This approach seems so familiar.  Remember the Bush tactics used against its detractors?)  Rather than innuendo, mudslinging, and slander, it is up to the Perez campaign and its blogger to address the voting patterns of Perez and the CVUSD boardmembers for the benefit of the reader to see if in fact these were recalicitrant board members or if they were in fact the ones who were shall we say ‘transformational.’

Oh, and just to be fact-based, here is the evidence for the fact that the education community in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys are not supportive of Perez for the 80th AD:

Rick Gonzales for Assembly Endorsements in Education:

Gloria Maldonado, Coachella Valley Unified School Boardmember

Anna Rodriguez, Coachella Valley Unified School Boardmember

Maria Elvia Rios, Coachella Valley Unified School Boardmember

Irene Padilla Salazar, Vice-President Brawley Elementary School District

Marion Long-Former Imperial Valley Community College Board Member

Norma Sierra Galindo– Imperial Valley Community College Board

Louie Wong– Imperial Valley Community College Board

Carlos Acuña– Imperial Valley Community College Board

Tim Asamen – Former Westmorland Elementary School Board Member

John Moreno — School Administrator, Calexico Unified School District

Enrique “Pinky” Alvarado–Calexico Unified School Board

Eduardo Rivera –Calexico Unified School Board President

Enrique “Pinky” Alvarado–Calexico Unified School Board

Eduardo Rivera –Calexico Unified School Board President

Gloria Santillan — Former Brawley Union High School Board Member

Helen Noriega — Brawley Union High School Board Member

Rusty Garcia — Brawley Union High School Board Member

Joe Padilla — Brawley Elementary School Board Member

Cesar Guzman — Brawley Elementary School Board Member

Michael Romero — Brawley Educator

Kathy Prior — Brawley Elementary School Board Member

More on the various candidate stances on education later this week.

Not only California Teachers Association, but the CSEA supports the CA 80th AD’s People Powered candidate:

The California School Employees Association has endorsed Democratic candidate Manuel Perez for 80th Assembly District, the campaign said today.

Perez, who is a Coachella School Board trustee, is vying to replace Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City. Garcia cannot run again because of term limits.



“Manuel Perez is clearly an education leader,” Ellen Soto, CSEA chapter president at Coachella Valley Unified School District, said in a press release.



“Manuel is rolling up his sleeves and working hard every day to improve schools and create educational opportunities for our kids. Manuel’s leadership has brought $250 million to the Coachella Valley to build new schools and modernize classrooms.”

Here is his ActBlue page, mijos.

This race is getting more interesting every day, with PolitickerCA.com starting to pay attention.  What Finnigan missed in his preliminary article is that Perez’s support isn’t dependent on his facility in Spanish, but his stellar grassroots work in the district.  

XPosted 4/25/2008 10:36 AM PDT on MyDesert.com in blog by BluePalmSpringsBoyz

Been away on vacation and come back to major doin’s on the 80th Assembly District campaign trail.  Nicole Brambila (staff writer for The Desert Sun) penned an interesting article today (on mydesert.com) that explains that the Fair Political Practices Commission needs more time to investigate the claim by Greg Rodriguez, candidate for the Palm Springs Unified School District, Hillary Clinton delegate to the Democratic National Convention this summer in Denver, and a supporter of the Greg Pettis for 80th AD that the Victor Manuel ‘Slick Manny’ Perez campaign violated campaign ethics.

Here are portions of Brambila’s article:

The Fair Political Practices Commission requested more time to look into whether it will investigate a formal complaint against an 80th Assembly District candidate (Perez).

Greg Rodriguez, who supports Democratic candidate and Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis, filed the complaint against Democratic candidate and Coachella school board trustee Manuel Perez on April 4, accusing him of failing to disclose who paid for his campaign advertising…

More below the flip…

Now, it seems that Dale Wissman, a supporter of Perez and a labor relations representative with the California School Employees Association, filed a FPPC complaint against Richard Gutierrez, another Democratic candidate for the 80th AD.  This after the Perez campaign went off the deep edge about the Rodriguez complaint.  Interesting, what apparently is good for the goose has become good for the gander.  The Perez campaign complaint against Gutierrez claims that Gutierrez had not submitted semiannual and pre-election campaign statements nor disclosed contributor information.

The FPPC was created in a ballot initiative in 1974, investigates violations of the Political Reform Act and can assess a $5,000 administrative penalty. A violation of the political reform act is a misdemeanor.

The only other Democrat in the June primary race is Rick Gonzales, a community development manager for Wells Fargo.  Apparently, the Perez campaign also has plans for Gonzales, according to my source at Palm Springs Village Fest last evening.  In my estimation, the Perez campaign has suffered greatly in the past weeks under the examination of the media regarding Perez’ failures as Vice-President of the Coachella Valley Unified School District.  Recently, the State of California placed only the CVUSD out of 97 Districts threatened under trusteeship for the CVUSD board and Superintendant’s failures to achieve academic goals under the Federal program “No Child Left Behind.”  And, recently, in a significant blow to the Perez campaign, two of his colleagues on the CVUSD endorsed Gonzales for the 80th AD race.  Seems that even his acquaintances and friends are questioning Perez’ capabilities and accomplishments!

The presumptive Republican candidate, former Palm Springs Police Chief Gary Jeandron, is running unopposed and has his own problems.  This blogger has reported extensively regarding Jeandron’s failures on the Palm Springs Unified School District as it was also threatened with trusteeship for academic failures and for his failures as Palm Springs Police Chief in his failure to develop and institute an significant department program to address the problem of crime in the neighborhoods or to deal with the methamphetamine crisis in Palm Springs.  Jeandron has consistently been an absense on the PSUSD and in the PSPD in the development of any program that would help to achieve community goals.

The campaign intensifies and fur flies.