XPosted 2/13/2008 9:32 PM PST on MyDesert.com on BluePalmSpringsBoyz blog

I just received this invitation from State Senator Carole Migden, Palm Springs Mayor Pro-Tem Ginny Foat, and The Victory Fund to brunch to support Greg Pettis for the CA 80th Assembly District to replace the termed-out Bonnie Garcia.

More below the flip…

Sen. Carole Migden (D-CA 3rd AD), according to Wikipedia:

“represents the 3rd District in the California State Senate, which includes parts of San Francisco, Sonoma County, and Marin County.  She was previously a member of the California State Assembly (1996-2002) and Chairwoman of the California Board of Equalization (2002-2004), the nation’s only publicly-elected tax commission.  She also served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (1991-1996). She also chaired the San Francisco Democratic Party for eight years and is a member of the Democratic National Committee.

“Carole Migden is the Chairperson of California Senate Labor & Industrial Relations Committee and the Chairperson of the Senate Majority Caucus. She was previously the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair. She is the only Lesbian state official in Northern California and one of just ten woman Senators.

Mayor Pro-Tem Foat has served the Coachella Valley in various capacities including as a member of the Human Resources Committee of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, an Alternate to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, a member of the League of California Cities, and a member of the Sub Committee on Neighborhood Involvement, of the Sub Committee on Convention Center Opening, and of the Sub Committee on Indian Oasis.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is the Nation’s largest LGBT political action committee.  As such, the Victory Fund endorses qualified, committed openly LGBT candidates who can win elected office.

The invitation from Migden, Foat, and The Victory Fund to brunch with Pettis is as follows:

(Xposted from www.mydesert.com)

January 10, 2008 – Palm Springs Village Fest Voter Registration and Presidential Candidate Information Tabling at Palm Canyon & Arenas, Palm Springs, CA, Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Adult beverages enjoyed thereafter at the local pubs).

A cool desert night saw multitudes of proud, progressive, Democrats and throngs of supportive locals, visitors, and prospective voters.  The trend is clear…red-to-purple-to-blue.

The Democratic clubs were represented as usual with Desert Stonewall Democratic Club (DSD) staffing the tables thanks to George Zander, President of DSD, and Bob Silverman, Treasurer of DSD.  Remember, the montly meeting of the DSD Democratic Club occurs on Saturday, January 12, 2008, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Desert Pride Center, 611 S. Palm Canyon, Palm Springs.  Re full disclosure, BluePalmSpringsBoyz iz a member of DSD.  Eleanor Jackson staffed the Democrats of the Desert Democratic Club table.

More below the flip…

Paul Clay, teacher and an announced candidate for the CA 45th Congressional District to replace Mary Bono Baxely Mack, absentee Congresswoman, R-CA, discussed his congressional campaign and recent progress towards the party nomination.

Proud progressive Democrats discussed the recent victory in the New Hampshire primary of Sen. Hillary Clinton.  The excitement was tangible as activists discussed the pros and cons of the Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and former-Sen. John Edwards campaigns for President.  Activists also discussed the absence of Gary Jeandron, candidate for the Republican nomination for the CA 80th Assembly District from the dedication of the Cathedral City monument to its soldier fallen in Iraq yesterday.  Interesting.

Back to Village Fest. Tracy Turner, Vets for Peace, helped stir the discussion concerning Mary Bono Baxely Mack’s (R-CA) support for Pres. Bush’s failed Iraq occupation policies. He discussed the Vets for Peace plans for ongoing vigils and marches. More on anti-occupation efforts as information becomes available.

Gene Stillman and others staffed the John Edwards for President table (re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz iz a John Edwards for President supporter).  They distributed position papers from the John Edwards for President campaign, provided campaign buttons and bumper stickers, signed up volunteers for the Edwards for President Campaign, and solicited voters to register to vote.  They discussed Edward’s strong standing in the delegate counts thus far (see CNN.com for totals including the Super Delegates).  Other Democratic Party activists staffed tables for the Hillary Clinton campaign (Wayne and Frank, Greg Rodriguez and his sons) and the Barack Obama campaign (Ed Grubman, Charlotte Murphy, M.D., and others).  Zander noted that at one time, 41 people surrounded the DSD, DoD, Edwards, Clinton, Obama, and Kucinich tables while only two women sat lonely and despairing at the Republican booth.  So very sad, and telling, indeed.

We registered eighteen voters last night, including one change of party affiliation from the darkside to the Democratic party and two changes from the Libertarian party to the Democratic party and Decline to State.  Moderate and progressive Independents and Republicans continue to express their distaste for the callous disregard for the U.S. Constitution of the Bush cabal, the failing occupation effort in Afghanistan and in Iraq, the war profiteering of the Bush cronies in business and industry, the regressive social policies of the Bush/Cheney administration, the faltering economy, and the drain on the Federal treasury as the Bush/Cheney miscreants funnel funds to their cronies in big business, especially to the oil and gas, insurance, defense, and pharmaceutical industies. Now Independents and Republicans are voting with their feet by moving quickly to the Democratic Party!

Zander, Silverman, Turner, Murphy, and yours truly attended the Unofficial Drinking Liberally (UODL) after-party at Bongo Johnny’s on Arenas in Palm Springs! Ever celebrating the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs turning deeper shades of purple and blue!  But, still, beware the dying beast.

Well, it is time for New Year’s predictions.  This is an opportunity to promote and provoke discussion and not an effort to tout my own seriously limited political prognostication skills.

Iowa Caucuses.  On the National level, I predict that John Edwards will either win the Iowa Caucuses or will come in a close second.  On the positive side, Edwards has a strong grass-roots organization across the 99 counties of Iowa, especially in the rural counties where the vote is weighted.  Edwards also has strong support from Iowa labor which is well-versed in getting-out their vote.  Also, the polls are showing upward movement on Edwards part. and downwards pressure on Clinton and Obama, though Clinton seems to have stemmed the tide.

Hillary Clinton has the endorsement of the Des Moines Register and is so set on preventing Barack Obama from doing well in Iowa, that when she is faced with elimination at the caucuses, her people will encourage her caucus goers to throw their support to Edwards.  Obama is relying on college students especially to turn-out the vote.  Unfortunately for him, this means that a 20-something has to debate between staying home on winter break and partying with friends and intimates versus returning to freezing cold Iowa to walk precincts and to work.  My guess is this is a no-brainer for a college student.  Also, with the Bhutto assassination, foreign policy comes to the fore, and this is Obama’s area of weakness.  The last two Presidents elected with little to no foreign policy experience?  Pres. Jimmy Carter and Pres. George W. Bush.  Carter has only shown foreign policy expertise during his only term in office when stipulating that morality be a central concept when using diplomacy while Bush has yet to show anything approximating foreign policy accumen.  I am afraid that Obama sees relations between Chicago, IL and Gary, IN as a foreign policy issues.  I do not think that the American people are ready to again provide on-the-job training re foreign policy.

Prediction:  John Edwards finishes first, Hillary Clinton finishes second, Barack Obama finishes third in the Iowas caucuses.

(xposted from mydsert.com as bluepslmspringsboyz)

More insightful predictions below the flip…

New Hampshire Primary.  This is a quick hop, skip, and a jump from Iowa.  After the Iowa caucuses, the pressure will begin to build on Obama to withdraw from the race so the anybody-but-Hillary people can coallesce behing one candidate, Edwards.  Obama will be damaged going into the NH primary due to his less-than-expected showing in Iowa.  Free media coverage about Edwards’ upset in Iowa and Hillary’s strong showing will overwhelm Obama’s news-framingg apparutus.  Clinton has long had a lead in NH.

Prediction:  Clinton wins NH primary with Edwards a close second and Obama finishes third.

Prediction:  Edwards wins the South Carolina primary and Clinton wins the Nevada caucuses.

Prediction:  Clinton, Edwards, and Obama all do well during the February 5 primaries and Clinton wins the California primary handily.

Prediction:  Clinton, Edwards, and Obama head into the Denver Democratic National Convention and it becomes a brokered convention.  Obama forces join Edwards forces to prevent Clinton from winning the nomination.  John Edwards is named Democratic nominee.  Edwards names Bill Richardson as his running mate.

Prediction:  Edwards/Richardson wins Presidential election handily, carrying such typically Republican states as Florida, North Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico.

Prediction:  Edwards names Sen. Joe Biden as Secretary of State.

Prediction:  Edwards immediately suspends all Bush executive orders and demands a review of each.  Edwards overturns most of the orders, especially the ones encouraging violating the U.S. Constitution.

Prediction:  Edwards immediately orders a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss how to effectively and immediately withdraw from the occupation of Iraq without further unnecessary bloodshed.

Prediction:  Supporters of the Democratic party and the Edwards/Richardson ticket in the business community drive the stock market to new highs following its victory in November 2008.  

Prediction:  Edwards begins a series of investigations into the illegal activities of Pres. Bush, Vice-President Cheney, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and others.

Prediction:  Edwards delivers several Republican miscreants to officials at The Hague for the Iraq War Crimes Tribunal.  Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Powell, Gates, and others endure lengthy trials and then are found guilty of crimes against humanity.  Bush and Cheney servie time in prison for their crimes against the people of Iraq and of the U.S.

Prediction:  The U.S. economy under the mismanagement of the Bush Administration enters a recession with a second consecutive month of negative employment growth.  The California housing market drags the National housing market under.  The Bush recession in addition to the Iraqi occupation quagmire dooms the GOP in the 2008 elections.

Prediction:  The CA 80th Assembly District sees Gary Jeandron as the Republican nominee and Greg Pettis as the Democratic nominee.  Jeandron is dogged by the school scandals where the State Board of Education threatends to sanction the Palm Springs Unified School District due to its poor academic performance.  Jeandron attempts to distance himself from his Board of Trustees membership to avoid guilt by assocation.  But his lack of leadership on the Board becomes a major issues.  Jeandron also opposses SB 777, the State bill to protect all students from discrimination, harassment, and bullying in the schools.  People in the West Valley, even the Desert Sun, decry Jeandron’s regressive policy position and turn against his candidacy.  Immigration becomes a major issues during the Presidential campaign and Mexican-American voters see Jeandron as a jack-booted supporter of the Minutemen.  The Desert Sun endorses Jeandron for CA 80th AD, but to no avail.  West Valley voters, Mexican-Americans across the district, especially the Imperial Valley, and the 13,000 Democratic majority help to recapture the seat for Pettis.

Prediction:  The Desert Sun publisher finally realizes that the transition of the West Valley and the East Valley to solidly Democratic dooms its thoughtless support of the Republican party, and the Desert Sun begins to make serious efforts to reform its news coverage and editorial page.  The Desert Sun actually begins to follow its mandate to independently hold Coachella Valley governments accountable for decimating the environment, for blocking families from adequate healthcare, and and for the lack of economic development with good-paying jobs.

Prediction:  Bonnie Garcia gets her chance for private sessions with the Governor.  The scandal is that no one cares any longer.

Prediction:  Mary Bono Mack is revealed to have used the Homeland Security act for political purposes and the U.S. Attorney’s office begins an investigation.

Prediction:  The Democratic-controlled Palm Springs City Council develops a plan to make Palm Springs the cultural hub for the Coachella Valley.  Plans for a Native-American museum, Hispanic museum, Jewish museum, Gay and Lesbian Museum and others are formulated.  Plans for the West Valley campus of the College of the Desert are finalized for Palm Springs.  Other major educational institutions follow suit.  More linen-service restaurants are developed along Palm Canyon, Indian Canyon and Taququitz Canyon Drives.

What are your thoughts?  What are your preferences?  

December 20, 2007 – Palm Springs Village Fest Voter Registration and Candidate Information Tabling at Palm Canyon & Arenas, Palm Springs, CA, Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Adult beverages enjoyed thereafter at the local pubs).

A chilly desert night became a cold desert night while proud, progressive, Democrats joined helped throngs of locals, visitors, and prospective voters understand the shift of the Coachella Valley from red to purple with blue in the offing.

The Democratic clubs were represented as usual with Desert Stonewall Democrats (DSD) staffing the tables thanks to George Zander, President of DSD, Bob Silverman, Treasurer of DSD, and Randy. Re full disclosure, BluePalmSpringsBoyz iz a member of DSD.  Eleanor Jackson staffed another table for the Democrats of the Desert.

More details about Palm Springs Village Fest Voter Registration and Democratic Presidential Candidate Tabling below the flip…

Gene Stillwell helped out at the Voter Registration and Candidate Information tabling for the John Edwards for President campaign. Stillwell is an activist with the John Edwards for President campaign and is the Captain of the Coachella Valley for John Edwards One Corps Chapter. Stillwell discussed aspects of the Edwards campaign and his expectations for the January 3, 2008 Iowa Democratic Caucuses.

Rob Simmons also made a visit to the Voter Registration and Candidate Information tabling. Simmons is a member of the Palm Springs Airport Commission and is an activist with the Barack Obama for President campaign. Simmons discussed the fact that the week was a good one for the John Edwards for President campaign given his upswing in the Iowa polls.

David Hunsicker, an announced candidate for the CA 45th Congressional District to replace Mary Bono, absentee Congresswoman, R-CA, discussed his congressional campaign and recent progress towards the party nomination.

Proud progressive Democrats discussed the recent announcement that the Coachella Valley Unified School District was at risk for state takeover due to the continued inability to meet academic standards. Consensus was that this would ultimately hurt the candidacy Victor Emanuel Perez, Vice-President of the CSUSD Board of Trustees, and who is a candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District to replace the termed-out State Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (R-CA). Activists also discussed the fact that the State may levy sanctions against the Palm Springs Unified School District and its Board of Trustees, including Gary Jeandron, candidate for the Republican nomination for the CA 80th Assembly District. Seems that in one fell swoop, the State Department of Education may have affected the candidacies of Perez and Jeandron and may have determined both the Democratic and the Republican primary races for the CA 80th AD. (re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter of Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City and candidate for the 80th AD).

Back to Village Fest. Tracy Turner, Vets for Peace, helped stir the discussion concerning Mary Bono’s (R-CA) support for Pres. Bush’s failed Iraq occupation policies. He discussed the Vets for Peace plans for an uncoming holiday vigil. More on anti-occupation efforts as information becomes available.

Stillwell, Bob Morris, and yours truly, staffed the John Edwards for President table. We distributed position papers from the John Edwards for President campaign, provided campaign buttons and bumper stickers, signed up volunteers for the Edwards for President Campaign, and solicited voters to register to vote. We discussed Edward’s increasingly strong standing in the Iowa caucus polls. Of particular interest was the decision of Barack Obama to begin attacking Edwards in Iowa and New Hampshire, a sign of desperation. In addition, many hold that given Edwards strength in the rural counties, the weighting of the caucus results towards the rural counties, the presumed absence from Iowa of Obama’s college student voluteers and voters due to the holiday break, and Clinton’s probable tactical decision to throw support to Edwards in an attempt to short-circuit Obama’s campaign, Edwards should have a good night during the Iowa caucuses. Join representatives from Desert Stonewall Democrats, the Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District, and the Edwards, Clinton, and Obama campaigns at Look Patio Bar and Restaurant in Palm Springs on January 3, 2008, to follow the Iowa Caucuses results on several big screen televisions.

Other Democratic Party activists staffed tables for the Hillary Clinton campaign (Wayne) and the Barack Obama campaign (Hunsicker, Simmons).

We registered seven voters last night, including additional changes of party affiliation. Moderate and progressive Republicans continue to express their distaste for the callous disregard for the truth of the Bush Administration, the failing occupation effort, the regressive social policies, and the drain on the Federal treasury as they funnel funds to their cronies in big business, especially to the oil and gas, insurance, defense, and pharmaceutical industies. Now Independents and Republicans are voting with their feet by moving quickly to the Democratic Party!

Zander, Silverman, Turner, Morris, and yours truly attended the Unofficial Drinking Liberally (UODL) after-party at Bongo Johnny’s! Ever celebrating the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs turning deeper shades of purple and blue! But, still, beware the dying beast.

(Xposted from mydesert.com.  Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter of Greg Pettis for the CA 80th Assembly District.

Although the Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) tops the list of California school districts facing state takeover, according to The Desert Sun, 98 districts statewide – including the Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) – face sanctions because of lagging student achievement.

Interestingly, a Repugnant candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District to replace the termed-out Bonnie Garcia, is a board member of the PSUSD.  Gary Jeandron, is a board member of the PSUSD.  His website reads: Gary Jeandron, The Choice for Good Education.  Included in his list of endorsements are the now-discredited Arthur Block, Former PSUSD Board Member, Mike McCabe, Former PSUSD Board Member, and William Diedrich, Former PSUSD Superintendant.  Should we then laugh or cry.

Where was Jeandron himself during this developing crisis?  What has he or has he not contributed to the failure of the PSUSD to meet student achievement goals?  It seems that this is a collosal failure of leadership on Jeandron’s part.  Just sayin’.

December 13, 2007 – Palm Springs Village Fest Voter Registration and Candidate Information Tabling at Palm Canyon & Arenas, Palm Springs, CA, Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Adult beverages enjoyed thereafter at the local pubs).

Very chilly desert nights and very hot progressive Democrats feted throngs of locals, visitors, and prospective voters.

The Democratic clubs were represented as usual with Desert Stonewall Democrats (DSD) staffing one table thanks to George Zander, President of DSD, Bob Silverman, Treasurer of DSD, and Tracy Turner, Vets for Peace.  (Full disclosure: BlueBeaumontBoyz iz a member of DSD.)  Eleanor Jackson staffed the table of the Democrats of the Desert.

Greg Rodriguez made an unexpected visit to the Registration and Candidate Information tabling with his two boys in tow.  Rodriguez is an activist with the Hillary Clinton for President campaign, Yes on Measure E School Bond Issue, and is expected to run for school board in the Palm Springs Unified School District.  But, more importantly, the boys were a hit as usual with the Democrats.  One wanted to know why the stop lights were not functioning on Palm Canyon.  BlueBeaumontBoyz suggested that he bring it up to Caltrans and to the local Department of Transportation (the lights are non-functioning during Village Fest).  Rodriguez overheard and cautioned that the boys were likely to vocalize their concerns at the next City Council meeting.  Two more articulate and victorious Democratic candidates in the making, we are sure.

Rob Simmons, member of the Palm Springs Airport Commission and an activist with the Barack Obama for President campaign also joined the DSD attendees in a spirited discussion re the current Presidential campaign and the early caucus and primary states.  Richard Oberhaus, campaign manager of the Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District campaign discussed the progress of the campaign, upcoming endorsements, and Pettis’ amazing 50th Birthday celebration on Sunday in Cathedral City.

Rodriguez, Simmons, and Oberhaus discussed the upcoming January 3, 2008, Iowa Caucus viewing party planned for Look in Palm Springs.  More details to follow.

More exciting below the flip…

Turner, Vets for Peace, discussed Thursday’s demonstration against the ongoing occupation of Iraq and the petitions that Vets for Peace and others delivered to the office of Mary Bono, absentee Congresswoman in the 45th Congressional District.  Activists discussed Bono’s penchant for social climbing and manipulation in quickly transitioning from one significant to the next as the situation demanded.  Yours truly identified and related Bono’s apparent agenda.  (1) Continue to date Rep. Connie Mack, R-FL.  (2) Marry Rep. Mack.  (3) Encourage Mack to run for Sen. Bob Graham’s seat when he retires (bear in mind that Mack’s father was a Senator in FL and has great name recognition in FL and in the US).  (4) Encourage Sen. Mack to run for the Presidency.  (5) Become First Lady.  Just sayin’.

Bob Morris and yours truly, staffed the John Edwards for President table for the Palm Springs for Edwards One Corps Chapter.  We distributed position papers from the John Edwards for President campaign, provided campaign buttons and bumper stickers, signed up volunteers for the Edwards for President Campaign, and solicited voters to register to vote.  We discussed Edward’s strong grassroots support in Iowa and expectations for a surprisingly strong showing on January 3.

Other Democratic Party activists staffed tables for the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Barack Obama campaign.  One of the Obama volunteers was Dave Hunsicker, candidate for the CA-45 Congressional seat now held by Rep. Mary Bozo.  Hunsicker discussed Bono’s status as carpetbagger Congresswoman as her loyalties now clearly lie in Florida rather than in the Coachella Valley.

We registered two more voters last night!  Two more dents in the discredited and crumbling theofascist regime in mid-Riverside County.  Remember, Democrats already outnumber Repugnants in the CA 80th Assembly District by 13,000.  And, Bonnie Garcia barely beat a poorly organized, poorly funded opponent in the last election.  And, now she is termed out.

Zander, Silverman, Turner, Oberhaus, and yours truly attended the Unofficial Drinking Liberally (UODL) after-party at Bongo Johnny’s, Hunter’s Video Bar, and Street Bar!  Douglas, aka Eve when perpetually surfing Arenas as a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, animatedly discussed her plans to upgrade the wine menu at BJ’s.  Very hot bartender Paul and equally hot, off-duty bartender, Frank, beckoned and entertained us on the patio of Street Bar.  George and yours truly just had to purchase the new Street Bar 2008 Calendar with pictures of the hot, local bartenders including Frank.  Frank graceously signed each purchase.  Oh, be Frank with me.  Oh, that we were single.  Troy, barback at Hunter’s discussed the developing gay scene in Beaumont and Banning and the San Gorgoino Pass.  Speaking of passes.  The evils of UODL Thursday nights.  Just ask the rest of the revellers.

Ever celebrating the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs turning deeper shades of blue!

George Zander, President of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, ran a great meeting today.  The montly DSD meeting took place at the Desert Pride Center and had between 45 and 50 progressive Democratic political activists in attendance.

Those in attendance included Bob Thomas, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club, Steve Pougnet, newly-elected mayor of Palm Springs, Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Councilwoman, elected last week as Palm Springs Mayor Pro-Tem, and Palm Springs power-broker, Rick Hutcheson newly-elected Palm Springs City Councilman, Craig Ewing, Palm Springs Planning Director and newly-elected boardmember of the Desert Water Agency, and April Hildner from No on C.  John Williams, an appointed Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation boardmember and defeated candidate for Palm Springs City Council, Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City and candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District to replace the termed out Bonnie Garcia, Richard Oberhaus, Pettis’ Campaign Manager, Paul Marchand, Cathedral City Councilmember, Greg Rodriguez from Yes on Measure E and the Hillary Clinton for President campaign, Robert Simmons, Palm Springs Airport Commissioner and supporter of the Barack Obama for President campaign, and Paul Clay and David Hunsicker, candidates for the CA 45th Congressional District to replace Mary Bono also attended.

More below the flip…

Thomas, co-chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club, provided a thoughtful powerpoint presentation on the figures from the November election.  Democrats turned out in greater numbers than did the disillusioned Republican voters.  In addition, DSD voters turned out at an amazing 70%!  DSD clearly represents an important voting block for all progressive Democratic candidates.  Thomas attributed Williams’ loss by only 76 votes to the division of the vote between Hutchesion, Bob Mahlowitz, and Williams.  On the other hand, voter turn out may have been greater due to the interest in the hotly contested races.

Pougnet, recently elected as Mayor of Palm Springs, with his twins in tow, spoke elequently regarding his vision for the future of Palm Springs.  He thanked his supporters who lived in Palm Springs as well as his supporters, yours truly included, who did not.  Pougnet noted that downtown Palm Springs is important not only to residents of Palm Springs, but also to the entire Coachella Valley.

Hutcheson, recently elected to his first term as Palm Springs City Councilman, gave brief comments and thanked his supporters and the DSD and PSD Democratic Clubs for their support.  Hutcheson also noted that with the changing demographics of the Palm Springs area, it is important to continue to build the local Democratic Party from the grassroots level on up.  Hutcheson made a special effort to thank Williams for running such an outstanding campaign.

Foat, elected last week as Mayor Pro-Tem of Palm Springs, discussed the need for ongoing activism and a better approach to handling the negative campaigning of the Repugnant Party (my phrase, not hers) in the Coachella Valley.  Foat indicated that given the Repugnant behavior Nationwide, we should have expected that they would go negative here as well.  But the viciousness of the attacks against Williams and Hutcheson and the collusion of The Desert Sun was never anticipated.  I say, “Fool me once…”

Ewing, Palm Springs City Planning Director and recently elected to the Desert Water Agency, delivered a short statement and focused on what his own election means for the future of the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley Democratic Party.  Ewing noted that his was a breakthrough election and succeeded in part due to the complacency of the opposition.  He duly noted that in the next election, three of the Desert Water Agency seats will be up for election.  He expects that Democrats will continue to make gains on the DWA.

April Hildner of No on C discussed the resounding win.  No on C succeeded with 60% of the vote.  Hildner hoped that this will bring to an end the efforts of developers in the community to ravage the Chino Cone with unrestricted and unnecessary development.

Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City and candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District, discussed his recent efforts to reach out to the Asian-Pacific Islander caucus in the California State Assembly.  With the most recent endorsements, Pettis is poised to receive endorsements from the entire caucus!  Pettis has also been actively seeking the support of labor and discussed his recent endorsement by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 440.  Other union endorsements are apparently coming down the pike.  And, next weekend, Pettis celebrates his 50th Birthday Party.  We expect that Pettis will fete us at Johnny Pasta’s in Cathedral City in a fashion to which we became accustomed with Hillary Clinton’s 50th birthday soiree.   Lol.

Greg Rodriguez discussed the importance of Measure E.  The Measure will assist in upgrading and renovating existing existing schools, making health and safety upgrades, constructing new schools, and constructing permanent classrooms at the elementary schools to replace portable classrooms.  Pougnet discussed his involvement with the Palm Springs Unified School District and his support for Measure E.  Pougnet also noted that much of the construction mandated by Measure E would take place in Desert Hot Springs and not in Palm Springs.  After a notably civil debate and discussion, DSD members voted to endorse Yes on Measure E by a vote of 20 yea, 6 nay, and an uncounted number of abstentions.

Clay and Hunsicker each individually discussed his candidacy for the CA 45th Congressional District.  Either way, it will be great to have a Representative who comes to the 45th CD for more than just fundraising and photo-ops (Bono is notorious for missing important votes on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.)  Clay and Hunsicker were well received, especially with their positive stands re Marriage Equality, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), Sentate Bill 777, and the Hate Crimes Bill.

Turner discussed the activism of Vets for Peace and their petition to deter the warmongering Bush Administration from any military action against Iran.  (Yes, even though the war effort in Afghanistan is suffering from lack of soldiers and lack of equipment, and though the occupation effort in Iraq is faltering with more and more civilian and military casualties, this Administration is obviously considering military action against a Nation so much larger than Afghanistan and Iraq combined.  In area and in population.  

All-in-all, a great meeting.  Please join us at the next meeting on January 12, 2008.  In the meantime, Zander requested additional assistance for the DSD Voter Registration and Candidate Information tables at Palm Springs Village Fest.  Village Fests in December are scheduled for Thursday, December 13, 20, and 27, 2007.  

And, now the race for the CA 80th Assembly District and for the CA 45th Congressional District are in full swing.  Keep turning the Coachella Valley Blue!!!

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter of Greg Pettis for CA 80th Assembly District, is a member of the Desert Business Association, and is a member of Desert Stonewall Democrats.

Pettis, Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City and Candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District, enjoyed a warm reception tonight from members of the Desert Business Association at the DBA Special Holiday Mixer at Blame It On Midnight.  Sponsored by the Desert Business Association and Blame It On Midnight, local business people celebrated the beginning of the Holiday Season.  Entertainment was provided by Bruce Mangum, accompanist from The Caballeros Mens Chorus.

Desert Business Association boardmembers in attendance included DBA President Jim DeHart (YTB Running Travel), Doug Wylie (Warm Sands Villas), Barbara Barrett (Attorney at Law), Brian Beard (Prudential California Realty), Bob Bogard (Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce), Don DeBoer, and Michael Genova (Wells Fargo Bank).  Others in attendance included George Zander, President of the Desert Stonewall Democrats.

Pettis was overheard to discuss his plans for healthy families, healthy jobs, and healthy environment.   Pettis is past-president of the Desert Business Association.

More below the flip…

Pettis’ primary issues include healthcare, good paying jobs, and the environment:

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

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter and friend of Greg Pettis for Assembly.

According to Richard Oberhaus, Campaign Director for the Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District Campaign, as of yesterday, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 440 has now endorsed Pettis in his race to replace Bonnie Garcia.  IBEW Local 440 has long been active in Coachella Valley politics and Progressive Democratic circles.

Chuck McDaniel, a IBEW Local 440 leader and activist, is also a co-leader of the newly formed Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, is a member of the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee, and attended the recent Pettis Campaign for 80th AD website preview.

Garcia, aka Barfcia due to her various verbal indiscretions and embarrassments to the District, is currently termed out and, pending defeat of the proposed ballot initiative to extend term limits, cannot again run for re-election.

The good news for Proud Progressive Democrats is that the Coachella Valley is trending blue with recent wins by Steve Pougnet for Mayor of Palm Springs, by Rick Hutcheson in the Palm Springs City Council, by Karl Baker in the Desert Hot Springs City Council, by Greg Pettis in the Cathedral City City Council, by Craig Ewing in the Desert Water Agency, and No on C.  Garcia barely won re-election in the last race against a little-known candidate, Steve Clute, who did not have the backing of all of the Democratic clubs because of his opposition to Marriage Equality.

In addition, Democrats now out-register Repugnants by 9% of the voters, i.e., 13,000 votes!  The voter registration figures are also trending Democratic across the district from Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, and Cathedral City in the West Valley to Indio, Coachella, and even Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, and Palm Desert in Down Valley.

Pettis has a well-funded, well-oiled candidacy and has already outraised all of his competitors combined in FundRace 2008!  In addition, Pettis already has endorsements from four of the local Democratic clubs, including the Pass Democratic Club, Desert Stonewall Democrats, Inland Stonewall Democrats, and San Diego Democratic Club.

Other labor organizations already endorsing Pettis include Building Trades of California, Cathedral City Professional Firefighters, and San Bernardino/Riverside Central Labor Council.

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter of Greg Pettis’ amazing campaign for the CA-80 Assembly District seat.

I received this Press Release from the Greg Pettis for CA-80 Assembly District, a seat occupied by the termed-out potty mouth Repugnant Bonnie Garcia.

For Immediate Release  November 27, 2007
For More Information  Richard Oberhaus 760-413-7938

PETTIS LAUNCHES BID FOR ASSEMBLY WITH DISTRICT-WIDE TOUR AND WEB LAUNCH

El Centro – Veteran Cathedral City Councilmember Greg Pettis officially kicked off his campaign for the open 80th Assembly District seat today, surrounded by supporters in front of the El Centro Regional Medical Center and Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Pettis pledged to use his two decades of experience, building relationships and working on issues that benefit families to create a healthier California.

“I’m launching my campaign in front of a hospital because it is the symbol of hope for a better tomorrow. It’s time to extend that hope to the 6.5 million uninsured Californians as well as individuals and businesses who are struggling each week with the high cost of health care,” Pettis said.

Pettis’s Press Release continues:

“A healthy California doesn’t stop with just the health care issue,” Pettis added, “but also a healthy economy and environment and schools that give our children the opportunity to live their dreams close to their roots.”

Pettis’ campaign launch coincided with the launch of his campaign website at www.gregpettis.com, where viewers can view videos and read about the Pettis Plan for Progress.

“Over the last 10 years, I’ve been working with Greg in Sacramento to improve Imperial County’s transportation system. As a member of the Assembly, I know he’ll give the Valley the priority we deserve,” said El Centro City Councilmember Sedalia Sanders.

“From his 13-years on the City Council in Cathedral City to his work on the Salton Sea Authority to building new parks for our kids, he brings a reservoir of practical experience making government work for our corner of the state, said Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat.

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

He has also won the endorsements of the San Bernardino/Riverside County Central Labor Council, Building Trades of California, Democracy for America, Victory Fund, Desert Stonewall Democrats, Cathedral City Professional Firefighters; State Controller John Chiang and former State Controller Steve Westly; State Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu; State Senators Carol Migden, Christine Kehoe, Sheila Kuehl and Darrell Steinberg; and Assembly members John Laird Lloyd Levine and Mark Leno.

Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 9%, i.e., 13,000 voters in the 80th AD.  This district, with its open-seated status, will be in the top-two most contested seats in the State in the General Election.