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.