Tag Archives: CDP Convention

Obama Has Their Heart, Hillary Has Their Head

At the press conference I posted about over at ATM Watch, a journalist told Hillary the following regarding the delegates on the floor:

“Obama has their heart, you have their head.”

Now, Obama hasn’t spoken yet (he’s on at 2pm) but his campaign is certainly the most visible here at the convention and you get the sense that his supporters are the most passionate. And while there was some excitement on the floor in anticipation of Hillary’s speech, mostly among young women, there was very little as she was actually speaking. And her speech reflected why.  She committed the cardinal Democratic sin: making a laundry list of what she will do as president.

More…

As a wise woman leaned over and whispered to me, “she has no thesis.” This is in stark contrast to Obama whose entire campaign is about the overarching theme of a new kind of politics. What does Hillary offer other than experience and a husband whom we all would on some level love to see back in the White House? Whatever it is, she didn’t make the case on the floor today. You sort of get the sense that she’s written off a certain segment of the Democratic primary electorate and she made no effort to win them over today.

Obama Has Their Heart, Hillary Has Their Head

At the press conference I posted about over at ATM Watch, a journalist told Hillary the following regarding the delegates on the floor:

“Obama has their heart, you have their head.”

Now, Obama hasn’t spoken yet (he’s on at 2pm) but his campaign is certainly the most visible here at the convention and you get the sense that his supporters are the most passionate. And while there was some excitement on the floor in anticipation of Hillary’s speech, mostly among young women, there was very little as she was actually speaking. And her speech reflected why.  She committed the cardinal Democratic sin: making a laundry list of what she will do as president.

More…

As a wise woman leaned over and whispered to me, “she has no thesis.” This is in stark contrast to Obama whose entire campaign is about the overarching theme of a new kind of politics. What does Hillary offer other than experience and a husband whom we all would on some level love to see back in the White House? Whatever it is, she didn’t make the case on the floor today. You sort of get the sense that she’s written off a certain segment of the Democratic primary electorate and she made no effort to win them over today.

Hillary Clinton Hides from Iraq Mistake in Convention Speech

Ouch. Senator Hillary devoted barely any time to Iraq in her CDP Convention speech. She didn’t admit she made a mistake, even though she had the perfect opportunity. Really, I’m shocked by what she didn’t say.

She had a nice laundry list, but how can she avoid the biggest issue in the race? When she finally mentioned Iraq, she lost the crowd. I really don’t see how she can campaign in this environment without admitting her mistake.

Iraq is the issue and the fact Clinton refuses to acknowledge her mistake is going to dog her through the race — ending up in every newspaper article about the race. Why is she listening to the people who are telling her this makes sense?

McNerney and Brown Treated Like Rock Stars

Tonight’s party is going to be huge. But not nearly as huge as the rock star treatment Congressman McNerney and Charlie Brown are received. They are getting mobbed in the hallways, huge applause when they speak and many of the conversations involve the potential of a Special Election in the fourth congressional district.

California Democrats are fired up and the appears to be nearly universal agreement that we simply must win these to seats. These two are the toast of the convention and everyone is excited about their people-powered campaigns.

So even if you can’t join us tonight, please make a contribution and be part of the movement to win both seats!

Art Torres Welcoming Address


CDP Chair Art Torres is welcoming the press. This is the first convention in San Diego — which he makes a point to stress is now a blue city. Nancy Pelosi rocks. Torres is also proud of Feinstein and Boxer and Miller and Lantos. Charlie Brown is one of the best candidates Democrats have had in a long time. The early primary is great for the state. Eight video cameras and around 40 journalists. Good stuff.

UPDATE: I got to ask a question on the 58 state strategy, Torres gave huge props to Dean and said it is strategically imperative for us to increase our registrations everywhere, specifically mentioning McNerney and Brown.

Funny pic in the commments.

May the liveblogging commence!!!!

Just got to San Diego for the convention–I’m posting from my satellite internet connection.  I’m at the workshop for new delegates right now, with rebelatheart sitting right behind me and cmanaster sitting right beside me.  rebel says hi to the whole calitics audience!

Hi everyone!! This is rebelatheart – I just wandered into the New Delegate session and was lucky to sit behind hekebolos =). I’m going to be running around alot so won’t be able to blog as much as some of the other guys, but I trust they will do a great job. See everyone who’s goinig to the blograiser tonight!!!

Art Torres just got done welcoming us all, and made specific mention of Jerry McNerney and Charlie Brown, as well as the CA-42 race for us Southern Californians.  Don’t forget to attend the Brew House!

Hack Express to San Diego

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketBrian and I were on a flight that was appropriately titled the Hack Express. We had consultants behind us, next to us, ahead of us — it was pretty ridiculous. Hell, even Jonell was on the flight. Juls met us at the SD airport and reported a similar experience on her flight from Sacto. I’m sitting in the media room, next to Carla Maranucci, who wrote:

The reception given the candidates, appearing before the Democratic true believers in the nation’s most populous state, will be scrutinized for their ability to fire up the grass roots and reach out to the thousands of potential backers. And they’ll be judged by political pundits on their reception from the crowd and the strength of their organization’s effectiveness at the convention.

With nearly a year to go until the Feb. 5 primary, the unusually robust presence of presidential candidates at a state convention dramatizes not only the increased clout of the donation-rich California in the 2008 presidential race, but the increased excitement of Democrats regarding their potential to take back the White House.

Everyone is excited about tonight’s party. More as it comes.

Pre-Convention Notes

The approximate schedule for the convention, per Art Torres, is as follows:

Friday evening:  Chair’s Welcome Reception, with Presidential candidate Senator Mike Gravel and Congressman Jerry McNerney.

Saturday morning: Speakers include California’s Democratic statewide Constitutional officers and U. S. Senator Hillary Clinton.

Saturday lunch: Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata, and Congressmember Zoe Lofgren.

Saturday afternoon: Speakers include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U. S. Senator Barack Obama, U. S. Senator Christopher Dodd, and Congressman Dennis Kucinich.

Sunday morning: Speakers include former U. S. Senator John Edwards and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

(Of course, Friday night conflicts with the spectacular Blue House at the Brew House event, so why even bother to mention it?)

Apparently demand is so high that observers will not be allowed in if they haven’t purchased entry already, and the lunch and dinner events are sold out.  The party definitely has some energy this year, and that’s a good thing.

Another tidbit: as a delegate, I’ve been getting nonstop calls and mailers from various interest groups.  And without question, the most organized and persistent group is the one opposed to the tollway through San Onofre Beach.  I’ve received 2 mailers, 4 phone calls and several emails.  There’s some do-re-mi behind that organization.

What Real Accountability Looks Like: A CDP Audit Committee

There’s obviously been a lot of chatter about what resolutions to support at the CDP Convention this weekend (incidentally, the Resolutions Committee will only allow about 10 to get to the floor, and unless you get a buttload of signatures, that’s all that will be voted upon, so choose wisely).  I’m going to make a plea for one that would actually change the way that the Party conducts its business.  I don’t think there can be any more important a proposal, one that would demand accountability from the CDP and move us on a course to a 58-county strategy, than the resolution to form a standing Audit Committee as a change in CDP Bylaws.

What we’ve been talking about these past couple days is how the CDP can best allocate its resources to give Democrats in the state the best opportunity to succeed.  Any business dealing with such massive asset allocation would consider it a duty to check the books every once in a while and see how things are going.

Right now the CDP does not really do this.  A seat on the Finance Committee is pretty much closed unless you are a major donor, can pull in major donors, or you promise your first-born son to the Chair.  And the accountability for the decision-making on what candidates to support or to not support is practically non-existent.  We know that $4 million dollars left over from the last campaign was magically transferred to Fabian Nunez’ account for Assembly caucus work (some would say services rendered from AT&T).  That money should not have been available at the end of an election season.  Yet there is no transparency in the process.  This is why there needs to be a change in the bylaws to allow an Audit Committee.

In a very smart and studied explanation of how this would work, the authors of the proposal state:

An audit committee is an operating committee whose members are normally independent of the management of the organization and/or drawn from outside directors.  Audit committees are formed to assist the management of an organization by providing an independent review of the effectiveness of the organization’s financial reporting process and internal control system(s).  Responsibilities of an audit committee typically include:

Overseeing the financial reporting process.
Monitoring choice of accounting policies and principles.
Monitoring internal control process.
Overseeing hiring and performance of the external auditors.

This essentially would act as a financial oversight committee that could make recommendations on how to best allocate resources.  They would also ensure that the “financial statements” of the CDP meet with the approval of all of the “shareholders,” in other words, us.

The California Democratic Party (CDP), a dues membership organization, directs the expenditure of tens of millions of dollars each election cycle, most of which is subject to compliance guidelines governed by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA).  The CDP commissions a bi-annual internal audit and an annual audit.  Information regarding distribution of the auditor’s reports has not been disclosed to the general Party membership. Under the Nonprofit Integrity Act (SB1262), the annual audit of non-profit organizations required to register with the California Attorney General’s registry of charitable trusts must be made available within 24 hours to any member of the public who requests it. Although the CDP is not subject to that requirement, accountability to its donors would be served by adhering to the same standards for other organizations which raise their funds primarily from donors.  The CDP’s auditor has reportedly been retained in his current capacity for nearly ten years.  Most organizations change auditors every five years.  Best practices, along with SB 1262 requires an audit committee for organizations with annual revenue of over $2 million, and the CDP certainly meets that criterion.

As for whether a resolution is in order, it would actually entail changing the CDP Bylaws.  If enacted, an Audit Committee would be formed, just as we have a Rules Committee, Platform Committee, et al.

Here’s what else I like about it: the Audit Committee would ensure regional diversity.

To ensure the Audit Committee’s continuity from term to term, the Audit Committee should have as many members as there are regions (21), with terms both staggered and elected.  The first election would be for all regions; half of those elected serving for four years and the other half for two years).  Three subcommittees would be formed: Finance, Performance and Compliance, with seven members each, respectively:

The Financial Audits Sub-Committee – would deal strictly with financial matters (allocations and expenditures)

The Performance Audits Sub-Committee – would deal strictly with the Party’s performance to assess whether it is achieving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the employment of its available resources.

The Compliance Audits Sub-Committee – would deal strictly with legal reporting matters and responding to published laws and regulatory agency requests.

We should not have to hear about $4 million dollar expenditures in the newspapers.  We should not have an unaccountable system where money flows to various people for inscrutable reasons.  We, as Democrats, deserve to have an independent board auditing the CDP, to ensure accountability and efficiency.  And once that happens, more money can be freed up for the kind of year-round blanket organizing that you need in order to make this Party grow throughout the state.

Get Active This Weekend in OC!

If you’re in need of some good actions to get involved in this weekend…
Well, here it is! If you’re looking for progressive action to take in Orange County, look no further than here! Today, we have Barack Obama’s “Hope. Action. Change.” community gatherings throughout OC… Again, here’s a great chance to get involved and make a difference in this Presidential Campaign! Also today, YOU have a chance to TELL ME whatever you want about what you think is the best solution to Bush’s Blunder in Iraq.

Oh yes, and we’ve got EVEN MORE happening tomorrow! Why don’t you join me after the flip to see what’s happening in your neck of the woods…

Today:

Barack Obama Community Gatherings

Basically, we’ll be talking about ways for us to get involved with the campaign. As LOCAL volunteer grassroots activists, we have a unique chance to reach out to our family, friends, and neighbors in our community. Now that we California Democrats will be picking our nominee in February, we have a great opportunity to reach out to our fellow Democrats, and let them know that THEIR VOTES MATTER.

The event is TODAY at 12:30 at the Sea Country Community Center in Laguna Niguel. For more info on today’s event, GO HERE.

And oh yes, if you can’t make it to Laguna Niguel on Saturday, then PLEASE drop by any of these other OC for Obama community gatherings:

Santa Ana at 2:00 PM

Huntington Beach at 2:00 PM

Irvine at 12:45 PM

Orange at 2:00 PM

Fullerton at 8:00 PM

Buena Park at 2:00 PM

Aliso Viejo at 12:00 PM

San Clemente at 12:30 PM

OC Democrats Talk About the Iraq War

The Laguna Woods Democratic Club wants to give Orange County Democrats a chance to tell their representatives to the state party how they feel about ending the Iraq War. On March 31, the club will be hosting Defining the New Direction: Orange County Democrats Voice Their Views on the War in Iraq. This will give Democrats from throughout Orange County a chance to talk to the delegates who will be representing them at the CDP Convention next month about how, when, and why they want to see the Iraq War end. As the delegates prepare to vote on resolutions regarding the war, this is a chance for local Democrats to tell the delegates what they think.

From OC Democrat Weekly, Orange County’s e-Newsletter for Democrats and source for progressive action:

Saturday, March 31, 2pm, Laguna Woods: Orange County Democrats are invited to attend a forum on the Iraq War presented by the Laguna Woods Democratic Club, Richard Lara (State Delegate representing the 67th Assembly District), and other California delegates. The event is Saturday, March 31, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Clubhouse One, main dining room. Theme of the forum is “Defining the New Direction: Orange County Democrats Voice Their Views on the War in Iraq.” A keynote speaker, to be announced, and delegates to the April 2007 Democratic State Convention will be attending in order to listen to audience participants and respond in a town hall meeting. All Club members and residents of Laguna Woods Village are invited to attend, as are Orange County Democrats and other interested people. For more information, contact Richard Lara, 714-369-5647/[email protected], or Linda Nearing, 949-460-0640/[email protected] .

This event is TODAY at 2:00 PM at Laguna Woods Village Clubhouse #1. For more info on this event, GO HERE.

Tomorrow:

Ethical Consumption: Saving the World While You Shop

Every time we spend money, we tell the world a little about ourselves. What are we saying when we buy a shirt that was made by a 12 year old girl working in harsh conditions for virtually no money? Are we comfortable purchasing a household appliance from a retailer that cheats its employees and uses prejudicial hiring practices? Is it O.K. that buying a wrench from Multi-Mega corporation helps run our neighbor Bob’s 4th generation hardware store out of business? Join us as we learn how to say “I care deeply about this planet and everything on it” every time we buy something. Join us for this enlightening talk which gives practical helps on finding the right companies to do business with at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa.

The event is tomorrow at 1:30 PM in Costa Mesa.

Support Tim Steed for CYD Chair!

This is a reception in support of Tim Steed for Chair of California Young Democrats at Alicia’s home in Orange tomorrow at 3:00 PM.