Ron Oden, former Mayor of Palm Springs, is just starting his introductory remarks.  It’s a packed room here at the Palm Desert Library’s Community Room.  I recognize many faces here, the Democrats have been waiting for this for a long time.

I’ll do my best to transcribe below.

Oden:

Two elected offices:  Desert Community College District, and 80th AD.  She’s been elected here, not once, but twice.  She knows this area, and has history here.  Last Dem elected to the 80th, I remember how excited we were to win that seat, and I believe we’ll be excited again.

Elected Caucus Chair in her first term, ranked as the top legislator in her class in the Assembly.  Tapped by Gray Davis to head up Housing and Community Development.  Active, involved, will get the job done.

For the last ten years she’s run an affordable housing nonprofit.  Articulate, approachable, knowledgeable.

Great pleasure to introduce our rep for the CA-45th

Julie Bornstein (paraphrased):

Introduced Ralph Waite (Pa Walton, for those netroots folks who remember The Waltons).  Introduced other local leaders.

Built Ted Williams field with a grassroots group, made her realize how important it was to know the needs of your community.

Couldn’t sit comfortably by on the sidelines  at this time.  Call for the honorable traditions of our country.  Honor, accountability, fairness.

Why has government asked our military to serve repeated tours when

Why special benefits for corporations

Whey when affordable healthcare so hard to afford, leaders refuse to help.

Affordable housing.

Fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq.  For the killed, injured, loved ones of such, a notable day.  26th birthday of her son Ryan, serving in Iraq for the DoD.

Tactics on prisoners that are abhorred.

Properly care for our injured.

Diminished our credibility, capacity to address conflicts

Three trillion dollars, with CA carrying a disproportionate cost.

Cut taxes, borrowed overseas to pay for this.

Who isn’t fearful about the economy?  Food prices up, people can’t feed their children, jobs going overseas, healthcare out the window.

I have the expertise in housing and economy.

We can relegate the American Dream to the history books, or renew its promise.

Regain respect of community of nations, clean energy, affordable healthcare and decent, affordable housing.  Reestablish accountability in govt and responsibility to the taxpayer.

Ship of state is floundering, but this ship is ours to right.  

wanted to do that when she came here.  Children raised here, mother died here.  

Political Roundup

Sunday – March 16, 2008

Democrats recommend Julie Bornstein & Greg Pettis

The California Democratic Party Region 19 Pre-Endorsement Conference on March 13th in Moreno Valley counted primary endorsement votes cast by delegates from county Democratic clubs. Region 19 includes Assembly districts 64, 65, 66 and 80; State Senate district 37; and Congressional districts 44 and 45. According to Riverside County Democratic Central Committee member Richard Oberhaus, delegates from the Coachella Valley area (including permissible absentee votes) favored Julie Bornstein as the Democratic Primary Candidate in the 45th Congressional District and Greg Pettis as the Democratic Primary Candidate in the 80th Assembly District. The conference also endorsed Arthur Bravo Guerrero as the Democratic Primary Candidate in the 37th State Senate District. Since each candidate received more than 70% of the delegate votes cast, all three will be on the Endorsement Consent Calendar of the California Democratic Party State Convention in San Jose on March 28-30, 2008.  

Democratic assembly candidate out of the race

Announced Democratic assembly candidate Gilbert Ramirez, Jr., failed to submit sufficient eligible signatures in order to qualify for the 80th Assembly District primary election. The filing cut-off date has now passed. The four remaining Democrats in the running are Rick Gonzales, Richard Gutierrez, Manuel Perez and Greg Pettis.

RCDCC elevates one of their own

Members of the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee(RCDCC) have filled an interim vacancy by elevating delegate alternate Richard Oberhaus to join them as a member of their Inner Sanctum. He’s also manager of the Greg Pettis for Assembly campaign.

New sheriff riding herd on Mydesert.com flame throwers

There’s a new sheriff in town on the MyDesert.com website. This preemie offspring of The Desert Sun newspaper, in common with similar websites, attracts a few whose communication output efforts resemble hot flames. Their less than gentle style can be unpleasant and a few nasty comments have led more civilized types to discontinue participation. System administrator Matt Wolfe recently posted admonishments to those who  need to practice restraint. It’s no longer acceptable to engage in name calling (including “jerks” and “bimbos”), or to suggest that someone leave the system and go elsewhere. The new word of the day from the guy with the six-shooters is “just stay polite to one another”. This will be good news to followers of political stories. Politics habitually attracts the most fervent of adherents including a few who sometimes engage in rather heated exchanges when commenting about story – or in responses to each other. Looks like hot-blooded political aficionados had better practice buttoning the old lip if they hope to avoid the new sheriff.

Log Cabin Republicans: some uninterested in marriage

Log Cabin Republicans, busily surveying their membership, have reported the following opinion data. On the  issue of identity,

“58% say they are Republican first, then gay or lesbian and 46% say that Freedom to Marry is not an issue to them or say it’s a waste of time for Log Cabin”.

Guess few have received marriage proposals. Maybe they’ll find a bit of inspiration from their upcoming April 10-13, 2008 national convention in San Diego. They’ve picked a real winner to deliver their keynote address, for it’s none other than that infamous, unconfirmed, temporary, former U.N. Ambassador and recess appointee: John Bolton (remember him? – bet his fee for this appearance won’t break the bank!). Those convention seats must be filling fast so hurry if you plan to catch this one.

Julie Bornstein for Congress campaign kick-off

A campaign kick-off for 45th Congressional District Democratic Candidate Julie Bornstein is set for 10:45 a.m. in the Palm Desert Library Community Room on March 19th. There’ll be a 2:00 p.m. repeat at the Riverside Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley. It’s also been reported that Bornstein has received the endorsements of both California U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

Assemblyman Merv Dymally here for Greg Pettis

Special guest Assemblyman Merv Dymally headlines the Friday March 21st fundraiser for 80th Assembly District Democratic Candidate Greg Pettis. Hosts Brian Buchan and Jaime Rook will be joined by P.S. Councilman Rick Hutcheson, Ed Torres, Doug Wylie and others who pony up $100, $500, $1,000 or more (or less) to attend this two-hour event. For information or reservations phone 760-841-3189 or email [email protected].

Coachella Valley Summit – A party for Manuel Perez

A Coachella Valley Summit is the theme of a March 29th fundraiser for 80th Assembly District Democratic Candidate Manuel Perez. The event, taking place at the Gonzalez Ranch in Coachella, features “Texano Music, Food, Drinks and Fun”. Phone Carlos Gonzalez at 760-899-6163 for information. The campaign recently received endorsements from California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and celebrated labor leader and civil rights champion Dolores Huerta.

Democrats of the Desert 2008 Annual Awards Dinner

Political pundits Stephanie Miller and Jim Ward will entertain during Democrats of the Desert 2008 Annual Awards Dinner on April 5th at the Rancho Los Palmas Resort. This politically significant “Cocktail Attire” event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. followed by 6:30 p.m. dinners for $100 or $1,000 for tables of 10. Phone 760-328-9425 for information.

Desert Stonewall Democrats mixer in Desert Hot Springs

The first in a series of Desert Stonewall Democrats mixers is planned for the home of Karl Baker, Jr., in Desert Hot Springs at 5:30 p.m. on April 12th. RSVP by email to [email protected] or phone 760-320-5787.

Democrats to elect delegates to national convention

Democrats in the 45th Congressional District are invited to caucuses for the election of delegates to the national convention in Denver. Any registered Democrat may attend the April 13th gathering and participate in a caucus for either of the two presidential candidates. Caucuses will follow 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. registrations. The Barack Obama caucus will meet at the Desert Unity Center in Palm Springs to elect one male delegate. The Hillary Clinton caucus will meet in Cabazon to elect 1 man and 2 women as delegates.

Pass Democratic Club Fourth Annual Unity Dinner

Special guest speaker Secretary of State Debra Bowen will help Pass Democratic Club celebrate their Fourth Annual Unity Dinner on April 26th in the Grand Ballroom of Cabazon’s Morongo Resort & Casino. Dinners are $65, $550 for tables of 10, and $40 for students. RSVP phone by March 26th to 951-769-6636 or 951-849-4986.

Democratic Presidential Primary delegate counts

CNN Election Center reports the following delegate count totals from the ongoing Democratic Presidential primaries. Barack Obama leads with 1,404 pledged plus 207 superdelegates for a total of 1,611. Hillary Clinton trails with 1,243 pledged plus 264 superdelegates, for a total of 1,480. A candidate needs 2,025 delegate votes to win the party’s nomination. According to CNN, “There are currently 4,048 total delegates to the Democratic National Convention, including 3,253 pledged delegates and 795 superdelegates.” The next primary election will be in Pennsylvania on April 22nd.

EVENTS CALENDAR

03/17/08 – St. Patrick’s Day/John F. Kennedy observance and celebration in front of Palm Springs City Hall.

03/19/08 – 45th Congressional District candidate Julie Bornstein campaign kickoff, Palm Desert Library.

03/21/08 – 80th Assembly District candidate Greg Pettis fundraiser, Brian Buchan & Jamie Rook residence.

03/25/08 – Palm Springs Democratic Club monthly meeting, home of Co-Chair Sandy Eldridge

03/28/08 – California Democratic Party State Convention in San Jose (through 03/30/2008)

03/29/08 – 80th Assembly District candidate Manuel Perez Coachella Valley Summit party/fundraiser

04/05/08 – Democrats of the Desert 2008 Annual Awards Dinner at Rancho Las Palmas Resort.

04/12/08 – Desert Stonewall Democrats monthly meeting at Desert Pride Center in Palm Springs.

04/12/08 – Desert Stonewall Democrats  mixer in Desert Hot Springs, home of Karl Baker.

04/13/08 – Democratic party caucus to select Obama & Clinton delegates to the Denver convention.

04/19/08 – Democrats of the Desert monthly meeting in the Cathedral City Senior Center.

04/26/08 – Pass Democratic Club 4th Annual Unity Dinner, Morongo Resort & Casino Grand Ballroom

06/03/08 – California Primary Election Day.

08/25/08 – 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo (through 08/28/2008)

11/04/08 – 2008 General Election for President,Vice President and other political offices.

01/20/09 – President George W. Bush scheduled to become former President George W. Bush

CLUB and CANDIDATE WEBSITES

Democratic Women of the Desert – www.democraticwomenofthedesert.org

Democrats in Sun City – none

Democrats of the Desert – www.desertdemocrats.org

Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club – none

Desert Stonewall Democrats – www.desert-stonewall.org

Palm Desert Greens Democratic Club – none

Palm Springs Democratic Club – www.palmspringsdemocraticclub.com

Pass Democratic Club (Banning) – www.passdems.org

Riverside County Democratic Central Committee – www.dccriverside.org

The California Democratic Party – www.cadem.org

Calitics Coachella Valley website – www.calitics.com/tag.do?tag=Coachella+Valley

Julie Bornstein for Congress website – www.juliebornstein.com

Paul Clay for Congress website – www.paulclay.org

David Hunsicker for Congress website – www.hunsickerforcongress.com

Arthur Bravo Guerrero for 37th State Senate District – www.guerreroforsenate.com

Rick Gonzales for 80th Assembly District – www.friendsofrick.com

Richard Gutierrez for 80th Assembly District – www.drgutierrezforassembly80.com

Manuel Perez for 80th Assembly District – www.manuelforassembly.com

Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District – www.gregpettis.com

__________________________________

Bring our MONEY back to the Valley

Elect a Democrat!

Well, it has come to this.  Local progressive Democratic activists have for years attempted to work with The Desert Sun, aka The Pro Bono Sun, and, more recently, mydesert.com, to have more accurate and fair reporting on local politics.  But, the Pro Bono Sun and mydesert.com has been oblivious to the changing demographics in the Coachella Valley and continues to inaccurately and unfairly represent local Democrats.

Case in point, the recent article which listed the four Democratic candidates for the CA 80th Assembly District that listed only three of the candidates and omitted the name of Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro-tem of Cathdral City and Candidate for the 80th AD.  Inaccuracy at its worst, or prejudice at its best.

More below the flip…

Last week, the Pro Bono Sun and mydesert.com corrupted an article on the ineffectual representation of Rep. Mary Bono Baxely Mack (R-CA) in the 45th Congressional District.  The Gannett news empire, of which TDS is apparently a not-so-integral part, posted an amazing story about Mack ranking 309 out of 425 Congressmen and Congresswomen in the current Congress re power and legislative skill.  Scathing journalism, truth to power.  TDS however watered down the article, incorporating the two powerful U.S. Senators in CA, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA), and reworded the title of the article and the text to mask Bono’s ineptitude.

Must be nice to be a friend of TDS (was that the picture of the TDS hierarchy at Mack’s wedding?  Talk about conflict of interest).

The Pro Bono Sun is oblivious to the fact that the Coachella Valley is changing and the progression is probably irreversible.  During Election 2004, Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Coachella, and Indio all voted a majority for Kerry/Edwards over Bush/Cheney.  In 2000, when the CA 80th Assembly District was formed, Republicans held an advantage over Dems.  Now, as of February 2008, Democrats outnumber Republicans by almost 15,500!  Together, Democrats and Decline to State voters amount to 51% of the voters in the 45th Congressional District where Rep. Mary Bono Baxely Mack holds onto the district by the tips of her French nails.

Last Saturday, representatives from the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, the Palm Springs Democratic Club, the Democrats of the Desert, and the Palm Springs Democratic Women have launched a media watch group for the most egregious news media venture in the Coachella Valley: The Desert Sun (aka, The Pro Bono Sun).  These clubs plan to also include the other Democratic clubs and our allies in the Coachella Valley in our efforts to track the inaccuracies and bias of The Pro Bono Sun and mydesert.com.

(Remember the Democratic Unity Rally for the New Hampshire primary where 75-100 activists gathered at the Look Patio Bar & Restaurant and where the Republicans had nothing scheduled?  The Pro Bono Sun took quotes from Democratic Rally organizers Greg Rodriguez and Rob Simmons for sure.  But, even without any event, The Pro Bono Sun tracked down three, count them, three Republicans to counter.  No Republican party, three quotes.  Democratic Unity Rally, two quotes.  Interesting.)

The Times, er, The Sun, it will be achanging.  Otherwise, the media watch wars begin.

California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and celebrated labor leader and civil rights champion Dolores Huerta endorse Manuel Perez, Candidate for the 80th Assembly District.

“I feel honored beyond words”, says Mr. Perez, “to have received this support from two of California’s most distinguished leaders.  Both Dolores Huerta and Senator Romero have worked hard for those who have been marginalized and underrepresented.  I will attempt the same.”

This is one of the few California state seats in play this year, and the demographics indicate it should be blue by now.  Manuel Perez is an organizer, a healthcare provider, and a powerful progressive voice for this region.  Good thing I listened to netroots nags and ran for state delegate, because now I’ll have the honor of endorsing him this Thursday at our Pre-Endorsement meeting, and caucusing for him at the State Convention.   For your people-powered politics fix, read more about Manuel Perez on the flip.

Crossposted at Daily Kos http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…

Coachella School Board Trustee Manuel Perez grew up in both Coachella and Calexico, graduated from public schools and then from UC Riverside before coming home to teach. He later earned a Masters of Education from Harvard, worked as an organizer and health researcher and now provides health care access to thousands of families as Director of Community Health and Advocacy for a Community Health Foundation.  He and his wife Gladys are raising their family in the same community where they grew up, teaching their sons the same values they learned from their parents. – from latest press release from Agxibel Barrajas

For those who’ve already read David Dayen’s excellent profile on Manuel Perez, you know that UFW is integral to Perez’s life story.  Manuel had a date to introduce Dolores Huerta to the folks at the 1st Annual Southern Region Promotor Conference a few weeks ago, but had to miss it when he returned to Harvard to accept a 2008 Harvard Graduate School of Education Alumni of Color Achievement Award.  Clearly she has forgiven him.  About that conference, one Perez has worked hard on for many months:

Hello everyone,

As you know, Promotores from the Imperial and Riverside Counties have been working diligently to organize the 1st Annual Southern Region Promotor Conference entitled, “The People’s Conference-Sharing, Teaching and Learning for Social Change and Well Being.”   It is scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Desert Mirage High School.  There will be many great workshops offered and the keynote will be legendary UFW organizer Dolores Huerta.  This conference is strictly for Promotores and we expect approximately 200 from throughout our regions.  However, if you would like to participate in the conference by hosting an informational/educational booth please let us know asap.  Because of our target population, the conference will be entirely in Spanish, but there will be translation services in English.  Attached are the registration form, a map, and a list for housing accommodations in case you may need a place to stay.  The attachments are in Spanish, including the Registration form.  However, if you need some help with the form, please do not hesitate to contact Poder Popular at 760-398-5327.  We are very excited about the event and we look forward to building and organizing community health with you.

Thank You,

Manuel Perez, Ed. M.

Southern Region Promotor Task Force-Member at Large

Director of Community Health and Advocacy

Borrego Community Health Foundation-

Centro Medico Coachella, Oasis, Cathedral City

This region was recently a Republican stronghold, but thanks to Bush, the neocons, and the general failure of GOP policies, Democrats are coming on strong in this region.  We have a real chance to elect a powerful liberal in the 80th, one who can advocate for better schools, equal access to health care in the context of his own experience in the field, one who can advocate for gay rights in Spanish.  This is who we need representing a region from Palm Springs to Calexico.  We need Perez in Sacramento, and now Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta have joined John Conyers, Joe Cota, Esteban Torres, LIUNA Local 777, and host of others in support of his candidacy.  

More photos here

So-called Pres. George W. Bush initiated a war of aggression and limitless occupation against the sovereign nation of Iraq in order to exact revenge on Sadaam Hussein over Hussein’s assassination attempt on former Pres. George H.W. Bush and to secure Iraqi oil for Bush’s Texas oil cronies.  Sen. John McCain and Rep. Mary Bono Baxely Mack, absentee Congresswoman, have supported every Bush war policy without reservation.  In fact, McCain is prepared for the U.S. to continue the occupation of Iraq ‘for 100 years.’

The U.S. Army recently released a study on the impact of the Bush war of aggression on the mental health of U.S. troops (The Associated Press, by Pauline Jelinek, dated March 7, 2008).  The findings of the report are devastating to the Bush occupation efforts and reveal the harmful impact on a significant percentage of U.S. troops.

More below the flip…

More than 27% of U.S. troops on their third or fourth combat tour suffered anxiety, depression, post-combat stress and other problems.  More than 12% of U.S. troops on their first tour suffered similar mental health problems

Suicide rates “remained elevated” in both Iraq and in Afghanistan.  Four suicides occurred last year in Afghanistan and 34 either confirmed or suspected suicides in Iraq.  If all suicides are confirmed, this would be the highest suicide rate since the Bush war of aggression began

The percentage of soldiers reporting depression in Afghanistan was higher than that in Iraq, and mental health problems in general were higher than they had previously been in Afghanistan.  The adjusted rate in 2007 for depression in Afghanistan was 11.4% compared with 7.6% in Iraq

83% of U.S. troops in Afghanistan reported exposure to traumatic combat events, a key risk factor for poor mental health among the troops

Spreading U.S. troops out in Afghanistan tended to isolate troops and made it more difficult for them to obtain mental health services in Afghanistan

About 29% of U.S. troops in combat outposts in Iraq reported that it was difficult to obtain mental health services in Iraq.  About 13% of U.S. troops not at outposts reported similar difficulty

U.S. troops receiving “Battlemind” training reported fewer mental health problems than those who did not.  The training teaches U.S. troops and families what to expect before troops depart for the Bush occupation of Iraq and what common problems to look out for when troops readjust to Stateside life following deployment

29% of U.S. troops feared seeking mental health services would harm their careers, down from 34% in 2006.  Fears of seeking mental health services would prevent many from getting help for anxiety, depression, and post-combat stress and would exacerbate the symptoms

89% of U.S. troops reported that their unit’s morale was neither high nor very high, down from 93% in 2006.  79.4% reported neither high nor very high individual morale, down from 81.7% in 2006.

In Iraq, 72% of soldiers reported knowing someone seriously injured or killed

U.S. troops reported an average of only 5.6 hours of sleep nightly in Iraq, significantly less than that needed to maintain optimal level of performance.  This puts U.S. troops at greater risk for harm.  Officers appear to significantly underestimate the impact of sleep deprivation.

Almost 33% of U.S. troops in Afghanistan were highly concerned that they were not getting sufficient sleep, and about 25% reported falling asleep during convoys last year thereby increasing their risk for harm.  16% of U.S. troops reported taking psychiatric medications during 2007 (there was no figure for the percentage of troops who were prescribed psychiatric medications and who were not taking them), and about half of those were sleep medications

(XPosted 2/29/2008 6:14 PM PST on MyDesert.com)

The Children’s Defense Fund’s (CDF) Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.  CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations.  CDF has never taken government funds.

Annually, the CDF Action Council compiles a Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard for U.S. Senators and Representatives.  In the Scorecard, 100% represents an excellent voting record on children’s issues while 0% represents a terrible record in the estimation of CDF.  Sen. John McCain ‘achieved’ a score of 10%, the lowest of any U.S. Senator.  McCain supported only one CDF position, opposed one other CDF position, and voted ‘Not Voting’ on the other eight bills.  Either McCain is anti-children or is yet another absentee Republican leader when it comes to important issues.

More below the flip…

In 2007, U.S. Senators were graded on their votes on ten different issues that CDF supported:

(1) 2008 Budget Resolution (Measure was Agreed To)

(2) Extend Health Coverage to 3.1 Million More Uninsured Children (Agreed To)

(3) Extend Health Coverage to 3.2 Million More Uninsured Children (Passed)

(4) Fund Child Health and Education (Agreed To)

(5) Give Children a Head Start (Agreed To)

(6) Help Youth Pay for College (Agreed To)

(7) Increase Funding for Education for Children with Disabilities (Failed)

(8) Increase the Minimum Wage (Passed)

(9) Protect Children from Unsafe Medications (Passed)

(10) Support Education for Children of Immigrants (Failed).

In 2007, 50 U.S. Senators, including 44 Democrats, 4 Republicans, and 2 Independents had excellent scorecards, that is, 80% or higher.  The following Senators had excellent records: Blanche Lincoln D-AR (80%), Mark Pryor D-AR (90%), Barbara Boxer D-CA (90%), Dianne Feinstein D-CA (100%), Ken Salazar D-CO (90%), Joseph LIeberman I-CT (100%), Tom Carper D-DE (100%), Bill Nelson D-FL (90%), Daniel Akaka D-HI (100%), Daniel Inouye D-HI (100%), Tom Harkin D-IA (100%), Richard Durbin D-IL (100%), Evan Bayh D-IN (100%), Richard Lugar R-IN (80%), Mary Landrieu D-LA (80%), Edward Kennedy D-MA (90%), John Kerry D-MA (90%), Benjamin Cardin D-MD (100%), Barbara Mikulski D-MD (100%), Susan Collins R-ME (90%), Olympia Snowe R-ME (90%), Carl Levin D-MI (100%), Deborah Stabenow D-MI (100%), Norm Coleman R-MN (80%), Amy Klobuchar D-MN (100%), Claire McCaskill D-MO (80%), Max Baucus D-MT (80%), Jon Tester D-MT (80%), Kent Conrad D-ND (90%), Byron Dorgan D-ND (90%), Ben Nelson D-NE (90%), Frank Lautenburg D-NJ (100%), Robert Menendez D-NJ (100%), Jeff Bingaman D-NM (100%), Harry Reid D-NV (100%), Charles Schumer D-NY (90%), Sherrod Brown D-OH (100%), Ron Wyden D-OR (90%), Bob Casey D-PA (100%), Jack Reed D-RI (100%), Sheldon Whitehouse D-RI (100%), James Webb D-VA (90%), Patrick Leahy D-VT (100%), Bernard Sanders I-VT (90%), Maria Cantwell D-WA (90%), Patty Murray D-WA (100%), Russell Feingold D-WI (100%), Herb Kohl D-WI (100%), Robert Byrd D-WV (90%), and Jay Rockefeller D-WV (100%).

Five of 100 U.S. Senators had failing grades, that is, 20% or lower:  Jim DeMint R-SC (20%), James Inhofe R-OK (20%), Tom Coburn R-OK (20%), David Vitter (20%), and John McCain R-AZ (10%).

Yes, out of 100 U.S. Senators, McCain ranked the lowest of any on the CDF scorecard, lower than any Democrat and lower than any other Republican.  McCain voted ‘nay’ to Extend Health Coverage to 3.2 Million More Uninsured Children, a measure that passed in the Senate.  McCain voted ‘not voting’ on all of the other bills except for Increase the Minimum Wage where he voted ‘yea’ on a measure that passed.

In comparison, Sen. Hillary Clinton D-NY obtained a 70% rating while Sen. Barack Obama obtained a 60% rating.

You be the judge.

I just received this Press Release from the Campaign of David Hunsicker, Democratic Candidate for the 45th Congressional District to replace the absentee Congresswoman, Mary Bono Baxely Mack (R-CA) who presently resides in Florida with her husband number three, Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL).

Hunsicker’s Press Release is as follows:

On February 27, 2008, I officially declared as a Democratic Party candidate for nomination/election of the office of United States Representative, 45th Congressional District to be voted for at the Statewide Direct Primary Election to be held June 3, 2008 and requested my name and ballot designation to appear on the ballot as:  David E. Hunsicker.  This information was certified by Julie A Caban, Riverside County Election Official on February 27, 2008.

Federal Election identification number is C00442822.  

Thank you,

David E. Hunsicker

XPosted 2/14/2008 12:00 AM PST on MyDesert.com

Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for President has little to say about the rights of the LGBT community or its issues on his campaign website at JohnMcCain.com.

Under the link “Human Dignity & the Sancitity of Life,” McCain lists (1) Overturning Roe V. Wade, (2) Promoting Adoption, (3) Protecting Marriage, (4) Addressing the Moral Concerns of Advanced Technology, (5) Protecting Children from Online Predators, and (6) the Greatest Concern is to Serve the Cause of Human Dignity.  As you might guess from the above headings, McCain and his campaign is pandering to the so-called Religious Right community.

More below the flip…

More specifically, according to About.com: Gay Life, McCain has a spotty record at best on the LGBT issues themselves.

(1)  McCain on Gay Marriage: McCain opposes Marriage Equality, but believes the issue should be left up to the states.  McCain voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, but according to McCain’s campaign website,

“[He] believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation.”

I am guessing that in the case of Marriage Equality, McCain does extend his greatest concern to serve the cause of LGBT dignity or, perhaps, does not include the LGBT community within the context of the Human community.

(2) McCain on Gays and Lesbians in the Military: McCain believes the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been effective and should be left untouched.  At the 2007 GOP debate at Saint Anselm College on Jun 3, 2007, McCain said,

“We have the best-trained, most professional, best- equipped, most efficient, most wonderful military in the history of this country, and I’m proud of every one of them. There just aren’t enough of them. So I think it would be a terrific mistake to even reopen the issue. The policy is working. And I am convinced that that’s the way we can maintain this greatest military. Let’s not tamper with them.”

How is including LGBT community members in the Armed Forces “tampering” with the military?  McCain fails to explicate his position or clarify his terminology.

Allowing LGBT community members to serve openly in the U.S. military is a matter of Human Dignity, and McCain refuses to accord respect to the LGBT community in a fashion similar to that accorded to the heterosexual community in the military.  McCain also does not address the fact that the U.S. military loses millions of dollars of tax payer money each year in attempts to enforse the DADT policies.

McCain fails to address the fact that many Arabic-English and English-Arabic translators are discharged from the U.S. military each year due to DADT.  Finally, the United States is one of the few Western countries to disallow LGBT members from serving in the its Armed Forces, yet, the military leadership is coming around to a more progressive perspective.

McCain on Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA): McCain voted against ENDA and prohibiting job discrimination based upon sexual orientation.

McCain on Federal Hate Crimes Legislation: While in the Senate, McCain voted against extending the definition of hate crimes to include sexual orientation and opposed the so-called Matthew Shepard bill on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

McCain on HIV/AIDS: McCain’s stance on HIV/AIDS is ambiguous at best. When asked in the New York Times political blog McCain Stumbles on H.I.V. Prevention about the use of contraceptives or counseling to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, McCain said,

“You’ve stumped me. I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was.”

“You’ve stumped me?”  “I’m not informed enough on it?”  “I have to find out what my position was?”  The United States, California and the Coachella Valley have been ravaged by HIV/AIDS, and McCain is either uninformed or incompetent on the issue.

How can a World Leader be unaware of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the Nation?  Oh, I forgot, the Republican Party has a long history of neglect on the people affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS from former President Ronald Reagan who refused to utter the words “HIV” or “AIDS” throughout most of his Presidency, to President George H.W. Bush and so-called President George W. Bush who attempted to either reduce funding for HIV/AIDS, attempted to pit the HIV/AIDS community against other chronic illness communities, or attempted to gut HIV/AIDS programs in this country.

McCain is more of the same.  Ignorant, ill-informed, AIDS-phobic, and incompetent on the issue.

XPosted 2/16/2008 3:08 PM PST on MyDesert.com in the BluePalmSpringsBoyz blog

The California Secretary of State has released the most recent Report of Registration as of January 22, 2008 by State Assembly District.  The picture looks bleak for local Republicans as registration figures for the Yacht and Country Club Party are decreasing while that for local proud, progressive Democrats and their supporters are increasing.  This does not portend well for the presumptive Republican candidate, Gary Jeandron.

In the CA 80th Assembly District, there are now 168,497 registered voters.  This includes 52,367 voters in the Imperial County portion of the district and 116,130 in the Riverside County area.

Democrats now have 28,542 registered voters in Imperial County and 48,429 in Riverside County for a total of 76,971 registered voters.  Democrats now consist of 45.68% of the overall voter registration in the 80th Assembly District.

More below the flip…

On the other hand, Republicans have 13,567 registered voters Imperial County and 47,934 in Riverside County for a total of 61,491 registered voters.  Republican voter registration is now only 36.49% of the overall registration in the District.

Remember when Republicans dominated the voter registration figures and they held a tight grip on local political machinery in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indio, Coachella, and Palm Desert?  Well, as the Poet sang, “The times, they are achangin’!”

Decline to State now has 8,446 voters in Imperial County and 15,955 in Riverside County for a total of 24,401 voters.  Decline to State voter registration is now at 14.48% of the voter registration in the 80th Assembly District.

The bad news for the Yacht and Country Club party begins at the fact that Democrats now outnumber Republicans in the District by 15,480 voters!

The news gets worse, as Decline to State Voters have recently been casting votes for Democratic candidates across the Coachella Valley.  John Kerry succeeded in winning a majority vote in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, and Coachella in 2004 in part due to the voting pattern of the Decline to State voter.  When Decline to State registration figures in the District are added to the Democratic figures, then proud progressive Democrats and their allies outnumber Republicans in the 80th Assembly District by almost 40,000 votes!

With the California Republican Party (CRaP?) in disarray and in deep financial debt, November looks to be a devastating year for the Grand Old Party in the CA 80th Assembly District in 2008.

More bad news for the local Republican machine in a later post on the changes in the 45th Congressional District.  They and not a recent marriage may send the local absentee Congresswoman into early retirement.