Stop another bad GOP appointment

From the San Diego County Democratic Party:

On Tuesday, July 14, the San Diego City Council will be voting on the Mayor's appointment of John Davies to the San Diego Airport Authority. Currently, the Airport Authority has 8 Republicans and only 1 Democrat.

We need our Democratic Council members to stand up to the mayor and so no.


Who is John Davies?

JOHN DAVIES is a friend of Pete Wilson
John Davies has been a Planning Commissioner, head of CCDC, Regent of the University of California, and Appointments Secretary to then-Gov.
Wilson. He has a long and impressive resume thanks to his friendship with Pete Wilson, but did you know... ?

JOHN DAVIES recently served as Mayor Sanders' enforcer as Chairman of the City Charter Review Commission which advocated for expanding and making permanent the strong mayor form of government. In that role he fought hard to keep the cities power base in the hands of the downtown business establishment.

JOHN DAVIES is NOT a FRIEND to People of Color or Women While on the University of California Board of Regents, John Davies was one of Ward Connerly's most consistent and vocal allies in attacking affirmative action and opportunity for women and minorities at the University of California.

He voted in favor of SP-1 and SP-2 (the UC precursor to Proposition 209), and endorsed Prop 209 (which served to eliminate affirmative action in California).

He was also the only UC Regent to join Ward Connerly in voting AGAINST "Comprehensive Review Admissions" which allows UC to look beyond mere grades and test scores in evaluating students for admissions, despite evidence that UC professional schools were rapidly losing the ability to recruit minority students.

He was a vocal proponent for Proposition 54, pushing to eliminate the ability of the government to even collect racial information - thereby making it impossible to show racial disparity in contracting, health access or educational gains.

JOHN DAVIES is NOT a FRIEND to the LGBT Community While on the UC Board of Regents, John Davies voted AGAINST domestic partner benefits for UC employees.

JOHN DAVIES is NOT a FRIEND to Labor
While serving as Chair of the Board of Children's Hospital, John Davies helped fight the efforts of hospital janitors and medical aids to unionize, spent hospital resources to help delay a first contract, and ultimately engaged a decertification campaign against the workers.

He is AGAINST Project Labor Agreements and Neutrality in Union Organizing


Would John Davies be your Friend on the Airport Authority?

Please contact each council member with a simple message: VOTE NO ON THE APPOINTMENT OF JOHN DAVIES TO THE SAN DIEGO AIRPORT AUTHORITY!


Photo of District 1 Councilmember Sherri Lightner District 1
Councilmember Sherri Lightner
E-mail: sherrilightner@sandiego.gov

Photo of District 2 Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer District 2
Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer
E-mail: kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov

Photo of District 3 Councilmember Todd Gloria District 3
Councilmember Todd Gloria
E-mail: toddgloria@sandiego.gov

Photo of District 4 Councilmember Tony Young District 4
Councilmember Tony Young
E-mail: anthonyyoung@sandiego.gov

Photo of District 5 Councilmember Carl DeMaio District 5
Councilmember Carl DeMaio
E-mail: carldemaio@sandiego.gov

Photo of District 6 Councilmember Donna Frye District 6
Councilmember Donna Frye
E-mail: donnafrye@sandiego.gov

Photo of District 7 Councilmember Marti Emerald District 7
Councilmember Marti Emerald
E-mail: martiemerald@sandiego.gov

City Council District 8 District 8
Council President Ben Hueso
E-mail: benhueso@sandiego.gov

News Flash! DeMaio plans to be in his own district!

Shocking I know, but bear with me.

After hosting a small business roundtable in the 3rd (!), Carl has decided to do something in his district other than vote from there.

From a flyer I was sent:


Join Councilmember DeMaio as he reports to his constituents on the “State of District 5” and updates the entire city on efforts to reform city government. The program will provide San Diegans with a compelling road map for making government work again in our communities.

July 21st - 7:00 p.m.
Thurgood Marshall Middle School
9700 Avenue of Nations
San Diego, CA 92131
Space is limited, RSVP is suggested
Phone (619) 236-6655
A small reception will be held at the conclusion of the program
www.CleanUpCityHall.com


This is a public service announcement for the residents of District 5 who wonder where the hell their elected representative went.

The SDUT is right, in this case

I blame this on last night’s lunar eclipse and that the SDUT is suffering the same fate as other outlets in getting information from the Sanders Administration.

In today’s editorial section the SDUT takes on Jerry and his promises of transparency in the context of the California Public Records Act:


But it often appears that when requested documents are more likely to embarrass the mayor, the tougher it is to get them. Explanations of why certain information is withheld are inconsistent – sometimes draft e-mails are mysteriously held to be privileged communication, sometimes not. Reporters' messages requesting access to public records are sometimes simply ignored.

Now a new development makes us wonder if the deterioration of Sanders' long-stated commitment to transparent government is complete. The mayor's staff has accused Union-Tribune reporter Brooke Williams and data specialist Danielle Cervantes of using “physical and verbal intimidation” in attempts to get a city employee to provide public documents during a June 17 visit to City Hall. According to deputy press secretary Bill Harris, this “seemed to be an escalation of the intimidating tactics Danielle and Brooke attempt to employ with members of the mayor's communication staff.”

This is preposterous. Sanders, Pudgil and Harris would have the public believe that it amounts to “intimidation” for journalists to try to get the city of San Diego to live up to its legal obligation to operate in open, transparent fashion.

This editorial page has been mostly supportive of the mayor's policy initiatives and backed his 2008 re-election. But we are extremely disappointed by his decision to stonewall and bully the media. What's being done isn't just arrogant. In this state, it's unconstitutional.

Sacramento Today

Thank Karen Bass

From the CDP Chairman John Burton:


Yesterday, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass did something bold: She stood up to the governor and refused to participate in fruitless budget negotiations with him.

That’s because the governor has moved away from solving the real problem – closing the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit. Instead, he has stalled progress to pursue supposed “reforms” that may or may not actually save the state money.

Speaker Bass, however, knows that the pressing concern right now is closing the budget deficit so the state can stop sending out IOUs and start restoring its credit rating. The Speaker has made it clear that she will attend any and all negotiations that focus on solving the deficit immediately.

Please join me in thanking Speaker Bass for having the courage to say that budget negotiations should be about the budget.

Take a moment right now to email Speaker Bass at speaker.bass@assembly.ca.gov to thank her for standing up to the governor and continuing to fight for a balanced budget that preserves the state’s safety net.

Peace and friendship,
John

Lightner and Sewage

FACT: San Diego is a desert
FACT: San Diego is facing a water crisis
FACT; The City Council voted in March to approve a contract to examine recycled sewage as a possible source for drinking water.

And
FACT: According to the Voice, Councilwoman Sherri Lightner has asked the council to vote today to revoke a $438,000 contract it approved in March to examine recycled sewage as a possible source for drinking water.

Why?

We need water. We need to explore every possible avenue.

Experience in engineering, although cool, does not give one enough experience to counter numerous studies and enough real-world examples to make this “exploration” valid.

Her concerns aren’t bad but they should have been raised earlier.

And Faulconer is displaying his usual brilliance in supporting the contract not because of it’s purpose, which he opposes, but because it’s a contractual obligation.

Just another day in the land where “Happy Happens.”

Burton responds to the Governor

From the CDP:

In Sunday's New York Times Magazine, Governor Schwarzenegger said he was "'perfectly fine' despite the fiscal debacle and personal heartsickness all around him. 'Someone else might walk out of here every day depressed, but I don't walk out of here depressed,' Schwarzenegger said. Whatever happens, 'I will sit down in my Jacuzzi tonight,' he said. 'I'm going to lay back with a stogie.'" (Mark Leibovich, New York Times Magazine, 7/5/09)

California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton had this response to the governor's comments:

"Sadly, the governor has once again displayed a shocking lack of sensitivity to the human suffering his budget will cause Californians.

"Proposing a budget that would deprive 900,000 children of health care and force 400,000 aged, blind and disabled into nursing homes is no joking matter. It's the shame of our state.

"The governor owes the people of California an apology. He also owes them a more humane budget crafted in conjunction with our Democratic leaders."

Transparency for Everyone Else

According to yesterday's SDUT, San Diego City Councilmembers have a slush fund similar to the County Supervisors. Called “infrastructure improvement funds,” these monies are leftovers in the budget from years past that they can spend as they wish.


Lani Lutar, president of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, said there ought to be more disclosure on how and why the reserves are being spent. She says she believes allocations from the reserve accounts should be part of council agendas.

“Certainly that would be important to do for the purposes of transparency and accountability,” she said.

Faulconer disagrees.

“I don't think the full council wants to spend time deciding how to spend minimal amounts of money on narrowly defined one-time expenses,” he said.

He opposes rolling back the reserve funds into the general fund.

“These leftover funds give us an opportunity to quickly address needs in the communities we represent – needs that otherwise would be ignored or stuck in a holding pattern,” he said.


A few points:
- The article begins with Carl DeMaio planning to donate $25,000 to help build the Rancho Bernardo history museum. For a guy who spends more time in District 3 than his own, a token monetary effort is better than nothing when it comes to representation.

- The 40 watt bulb that is Faulconer defends the status quo by calling these funds, which are lifelines for some, minimal which might be true were they dolled out in the hundreds and not the thousands.

- It’s not everyday that the SDCTA comes off better than Frye on the issue of transparency, especially since she has the most cash at her disposal. Then again, what better way to promote her COS as a candidate than by cleaning up her district seeing how he’s going to run on her record. I’m not against making the city livable, but I wish the counclmembers would do so in a manner that wasn’t so blatantly political.

- Ditto for Ben. The 8th could use Ben’s allocation, Frye’s and then some. Felipe has his work cut out for him and any improvements his brother could make would be positive in one of the most abused district in the city.

Statement of Kevin Keenan, Executive Director, ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties Regarding Sheriff’s Department Handling of Cardiff House Party fo

Statement of Kevin Keenan, Executive Director, ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties Regarding Sheriff’s Department Handling of Cardiff House Party for Congressional Candidate Francine Busby

On Friday, June 26, 2009, according to press reports and witness statements, a San Diego County Sheriff’s deputy, responding to a noise complaint, entered the home of Shari Barman who was hosting a political gathering to support Francine Busby, a candidate for Congress. When the homeowner questioned why she had to provide her date of birth, the deputy grabbed her arm, put it behind her back, and brought her to the ground. Feeling intimidated by a group of mostly middle-aged women, he pepper-sprayed a number of guests and arrested Barman.

The ACLU has received a number of inquiries about whether the civil liberties or rights of the event hosts and guests were violated. Because the Sheriff’s Department will not release 911 recordings or other documentation about the incident, it is hard for us to determine all the facts. The ACLU calls on the San Diego Sheriff’s Department for more public disclosure and transparency in what appears to be a significant abuse of power by a peace officer who intruded into a person’s home and reacted with unwarranted force to an unsubstantiated complaint alleging a minor infraction. With the limited information that we do have, the incident raises a number of troubling questions.

1) What right did the Sheriff’s deputy have to enter the property in a non-emergency situation in the first place?

2) What right did Deputy Abbott have to demand the date of birth of the host?

3) How did peace officers allow this situation to get out of hand to such a dramatic extent, and why did the deputy not use his training to deescalate the situation instead?

Based on what is now known, the Sheriff’s deputy may have illegally entered a private home, disrupted lawful political activity, demanded personal information that was not required, and used physical force that was unnecessary, and thereby caused an escalating confrontation.

Fourth Amendment Protections

Above all else, the Fourth Amendment protects the privacy of the home. As a general rule, a peace officer may not enter the home without a warrant, consent, or exigent circumstances. Someone other than the owner can legally consent to entry of the home only if the officer reasonably believes that person has authority to give consent. Such consent may be revoked by the owner.

In this incident, press reports and witness statements suggest that at about 9:30 p.m., Deputy Abbott and a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team clinician entered the home through the open front door, asking where the homeowner was. None of the reports suggest that the homeowner or even a party guest invited the officer inside, and, in any case, it is doubtful at best that an officer could reasonably believe a party guest has authority to consent to entry of the home. Proper constitutional procedure would have been for the deputy to ask for the homeowner to be called to the door to be informed that a neighbor had made a noise complaint.

From the information currently available, it seems the deputy did not observe excessive noise himself but was acting on the unsubstantiated complaint. Most witnesses described the event as a typical political house party, without amplified music or entertainment. Busby stated that she delivered a talk via microphone between approximately 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. during which she was interrupted several times by a neighbor shouting in opposition. Other nearby neighbors report hearing nothing at all until the eight back-up patrol cars and a helicopter arrived on the scene. In these circumstances, it is possible that the deputy violated the owner’s Fourth Amendment rights by entering her home without a warrant, consent, or exigent circumstances.

Providing Legally Required Information

It is not a crime to refuse to provide information that officers have no legal right to require, nor is it a crime to question an officer’s right to seek such information. In this incident, according to a Sheriff’s spokesman, Deputy Abbott approached the homeowner and asked for her date of birth so he could file paperwork alerting the city to the noise complaint. According to most reports, the homeowner asked why the deputy needed her date of birth and started to walk away, and he restrained her.

A person is only obligated to provide information if it is legally required. It seems clear that at most, a minor noise infraction was taking place. It is not clear that the deputy had the authority to demand the homeowner’s identifying information, but, if he did, certainly the person’s name and home address should suffice. That the Sheriff’s deputy used physical force against a 60 year old woman when she questioned whether providing her birth date was necessary is of grave concern. Even if she unlawfully refused to provide the birth date or acted disrespectfully, common sense and good judgment would dictate an alternative to the use of force.

Breaking the Peace Instead of Keeping the Peace

It is almost unfathomable how this incident was allowed to escalate to this degree. The fact that this incident escalated so quickly, and involved physical force, repeated use of pepper spray affecting numerous attendees, several older guests reportedly knocked to the ground, at least eight law enforcement officers, including a sergeant, a helicopter, an ambulance, two people being booked at Vista Detention Facility and perhaps several others arrested or detained for “talking back to an officer” or taking photos with their cell phones but later released at the scene—all because of a vague noise complaint—speaks to a serious lack of law enforcement restraint.

Police officers and sheriff’s deputies receive training in public order policing or crowd control. Even if the events unfolded exactly as described by the Sheriff Department’s spokesperson, there appears to be no justification for the melee that the deputy’s actions created.

Subsequent Remarks of Sheriff’s Department Officials

Since the incident occurred, there have been troubling indicators that some Sheriff’s Department officials do not appreciate their responsibility in such police-civilian interactions or the important Fourth and First Amendment interests at stake. Most notably, Sgt. Thomas Yancey told the Union-Tribune, “If Francine Busby was there, why not take a leadership role, step up, and nip this thing in the bud?” Sgt. Yancey’s statement reflects an arrogance and dismissiveness unbefitting a law enforcement officer. It is the responsibility of law enforcement officers to handle such situations with professionalism and respect for the rights of the public.

The ACLU calls for a full and independent investigation and appropriate action taken. The investigation should determine whether the deputy acted within his authority to enter Barman’s home, whether he had the right to demand information that was not legally required, whether he used unnecessary force in restraining her, and whether he and subsequent responding officers overreacted and unnecessarily escalated the situation.

Brown to (in a few months) Officially Announce Candidacy for Governor

Brown’s candidacy has been about not if he would run for Governor, but when he would make it official. According to Fog Street Journal:


“Now that Antonio Villaraigosa’s out of the race for governor, are you getting any closer to officially declaring your candidacy?” Fog City Journal asked Brown on the occasion of the annual Alice B. Toklas Pride Breakfast held Sunday at the Palace Hotel.

“I have to wait a few months,” Brown responded but didn’t stick around long enough for any follow-up questions.


If what has been happening here in San Diego is any indication, he needs to prove he can raise money. He and Newsom have had fundraisers here and this competition for dollars in economically depressed times will be indicative of their levels of support.

Traditionally, Brown has been able to thrive in attracting volunteers but suffered in the fundraising area. If he is to create a winning campaign, he must use these months to reach parity, if not surpass, Newsom whose issues with identity can be overcome with a sizable treasury.

Press Release: Assembly Committee passes Kehoe's Seals bill

The question remains if this bill supersedes the ruling of the court.



Tue at 10:50am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2009


SAN DIEGO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that her legislation giving the City of San Diego final say about seals at the La Jolla Children’s Pool passed an Assembly committee.

“Passage of this bill will give the City of San Diego the discretion to decide which allowable use of the Children’s Pool to adopt, thus returning local control to the city on what has become a very controversial issue,” said Kehoe. “It is my hope the Assembly will promptly pass the bill and forward it to Governor Schwarzenegger for his signature.”

The Assembly Natural Resources Committee passed SB 428 by a vote of 8-0 on June 22 and it will next be voted on by the full Assembly.

The legislation would amend the Children’s Pool trust so that it may be used as a marine sanctuary. Ultimately, the San Diego City Council would decide whether to allow seals on the Children’s Pool beach. To view the text of the bill, visit www.senate.ca.gov/kehoe and click on “legislation.”

# # #

And then there were two

Villaraigosa has removed himself from the 2010 gubernatorial field citing the numerous issues that bedevil Los Angeles. His own issues involving any signature accomplishments, his inability to elect his own supporters to the city council, and his dating life were hobbling any effort to run for Governor. As such, Jerry gets a bump in the short term but Gavin could pull it out in the end.

Labor, which would have formed the backbone of the Villaraigosa race, is now free to choose and will probably go Brown for no other reason than they know him. Being progressive is one thing statewide labor has not been and Gavin may appear to be too progressive for them.

Many know Jerry and, because Gavin has yet to explode onto the consciousness of Californians, Brown has the edge. His fanatical followers are at the ready and his fundraising operation is beginning to gather steam. He has a fundraiser scheduled for San Diego with a number of the usual suspects hosting.

Gavin has been here a number of times already and has had lower level fundraisers with activists and Young Democrats. He can easily scoop up the remnants of the Obama campaign that are still engaged politically and present himself as the voice of the future.

This primary has shades of the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary in its generational casting and in typical Californian style, is more extreme. This is where Gavin can come from behind to pull it out. Brown will run on his experience but his campaigns have always felt like ad-hoc affairs. Newsom can put together a tight organization and build on what Steve Wesley left; targeting the Democrats who are quietly revolted at the farce that Sacramento has become.

We are a little under a year away and neither side has ramped up their election machines. These two should take this campaign to the mat. California needs a fighter and playing nice for the sake of victory is a surefire way to lose.

San Diego for Newsom Mixer

When: June 25, 6-8 pm
Where: Universal Hillcrest, 1202 University Ave, San Diego, CA
Info: Colin Parent (colin.parent@dlapiper.com)

Join local supporters of Gavin Newsom’s campaign for governor. We’ll give a brief campaign update, and folks will get a chance to meet and mingle with likeminded Newsom fans.

Plus, learn how you can march with Gavin at this year’s San Diego Pride Parade!

Free to attend, cash bar, with happy hour prices. Invite your friends, this will be a fun night.

[You might notice that the event begins an hour before the monthly San Diego Democratic Club meeting, and only a few doors away. We wanted this mixer to be easy to attend for folks who were already planning to attend the meeting of the SDDC.]

Actual Candidate Filings

Speculation on a blog site is all well and good, but here is a list of those who have actually filed to run for City Council in San Diego:


DISTRICT 2
Kevin Faulconer
Patrick Finucane
Ian Trowbridge

DISTRICT 4
No one yet

DISTRICT 6
Stephen Hadley
Howard Wayne

DISTRICT 8
David Alvarez
Remy Bermudez
Joseph Brown
Tim Gomez
Lincoln Picard

This list is far from complete as people will enter and drop out but this is where the field stands.

District 6

Donna Frye is termed out of her City Council seat leaving an opening that could really mold the future of San Diego. Names that have emerged as possible successors:


Howard Wayne
An attorney and a former legislator, this guy has the chops to really make a difference at City Hall. He knows the workings of legislation, is wickedly smart and wonkish enough to engage activists and professionals on policy issues and politics. He has done a lot just below the radar with a lot of people in a positive way that will help him in his run. His old Assembly District never really was part of the 6th but his work in the community is real for a long term resident of the district

Steve Hadley
Unlike Frye’s Chief of Staff who recently sold his home in San Marcos to move into this district in order to run for his boss’s seat. The scuttlebutt was that Frye had to talk him into it. Hadley seems like a nice guy but will need to put together one heck of a campaign operation, which may be difficult if Frye runs for Supervisor, in order to overcome the carpetbagger tag. Should Frye run both she and Hadley will be pulling from the same groups of volunteers and resources.

Laurie Zaph
Which won’t be a problem if you’re the token Republican in this race. Word is that Zaph is getting pressure to run so the “usual suspects” have someone to throw their money at. The problem is, especially the City Council level, you really have to want it because of the grueling pace it will put you and your family through. She has a family that she would like to spend time with but the party is knocking.

Bill Sheffler
And if Zaph says no, then Sheffler may get the nod. There is a website under development stating “Bill Sheffler is a small businessman who is running for City Council because he wants city government to work for you again!” He didn’t get reappointed to the San Diego pension board and this looks like as good an outlet as any.


Conclusion
If no candidate grabs an early fundraising / endorsement / local buzz lead, which looks likely, then I think you’ll see a repeat of the last District 2 race in terms of the blood to be shed and money to be spent. The Republicans aren’t going to let this one slide and they will pour money that won’t be going into Districts 2, 4, and 8, into 6 thereby forcing the local Dems to ante up with either Wayne or Hadley. Time will tell.

Villaraigosa staying put?

The Sac Bee announced that Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa may not be up for the Governor’s race:


Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa may be unwilling to totally kill off speculation he is going to run for governor. But a vote by the United States Conference of Mayors today suggests that he has other plans.

In the mayors' national convention in Providence, Villaraigosa was elected as the organization's second vice-president for 2009-2010. Under the guidelines of the Conference, he would then become first vice-president in 2010-2011 and president of the organization in 2011-2012.

"Everybody understands that once you get elected, you automatically move up," said Elena Temple, communications director for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

And

There may still be time for Villaraigosa to bolt the gig. But some political consultants privately suggest that Villaraigosa has already waited too long to raise enough money to kick off a gubernatorial run. His election by Conference of Mayors will only increase talk that he is not interested in moving up in California.


The biggest hurdle for Villaraigosa has been if he can emerge from Los Angeles relatively unscathed or at least with an issue or two he could claim as his own to increase his name identity out side of southern California.

However, Villaraigosa has always been a labor man and labor is currently engaged in trench warfare within Sacramento. The capital has become a poster child for adult dysfunction and Los Angles is not far behind. Vested interests are vesting for themselves and this does not bode well for any real compromise, let alone progress..

Villaraigosa may be looking at Sacramento but not with the eagerness he once did. By remaining in Los Angeles, he can work on the basic issues of economics, quality of life, and the environment in a dynamic city that does reward success.

Which is more than can be said about Sacramento.

Chairman Burton on Offshore Oil Drilling

From the CDP: My opposition to new offshore drilling


Dear fellow activists,

I oppose any statute that would make it easier to approve oil-drilling leases off California’s coast – opening the coastline to new drilling for the first time in 40 years.

The potential environmental damage that could be wrought by new offshore drilling isn’t worth it. And the financial benefits from it would do little to nothing to solve California’s current or systemic fiscal problems.

Putting the state’s precious coastline in jeopardy while padding the pockets of an oil company is no way for California to put its fiscal house in order. California’s coast cannot be up for sale to the oil industry.

The current proposal to drill new wells just beyond state waters off the Santa Barbara coast should appall anyone who lived through the devastating 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara’s coast.

I urge the Legislature to reject any such proposal.

Peace and friendship,

John

Young Democrats in San Diego

Locally, a lot of people think of the Young Democrats as the group that put on the largest Obama inauguration night in San Diego (cleverly titled “Farewell to W at the W”).

But the Young Democrats are more than just a social club for young progressives. They’re the youth arm of the Democratic Party. That’s the party line, so to speak.

The short and technical definition of the Young Dems are registered Democrats between the ages of 14 and 36, who work to advance progressive values and elect Democratic candidates. Young Dems also like to have a good time. They mix something of a social scene with their political activism.

In San Diego, there are a number of Young Democrat organizations. The most established is the San Diego County Young Democrats (SDCYD). They’re mostly young professionals, folks out of college, or graduate school. But they have some members who are still in school, or who didn’t choose the college route. All of the local Young Democrat clubs are affiliated with the state-wide California Young Democrats, and the nation-wide Young Democrats of America.

When young people ask me how to get involved in politics, or how to start working for campaigns, I tell them to join the Young Dems. It’s an open organization, and anyone with a commitment to progressive Democratic ideals can join.

Membership in the Young Democrats has value. Campaigns routinely come to Young Dem meetings courting endorsements to put on their websites and mail pieces. Elected officials come looking for appointees to local boards and commissions. When Vice President Joe Biden was visiting San Diego last month, a group of Young Democrats were invited to meet him at the Coronado Navy Base. Joining the Young Democrats is the easiest way for young folks to inject themselves into the political scene in San Diego.

Young Dem clubs are up and running at the local colleges, and at some of the law schools. Recently, they’ve been popping up at the community colleges and even at a few high schools.

There’s also the Stonewall Young Democrats, a spin-off from the LGBT-oriented San Diego Democratic Club.

The SDCYD is the largest club in San Diego. They have monthly business meetings, currently held on the fourth Monday of each month at the Gordon Biersch in Mission Valley. Sure there’s beer served, but the business meetings are for business. They’re to plan out community service events and political actions, to endorse candidates, and to collect dues.

Over the last few years, the SDCYD has branched out, adding a monthly rotating social meeting on the second Thursday of each month. Month to month, they move from one swank bar to another. The crowds get bigger every time, and on occasion, someone even sends a professional photographer. Besides the politics, people join the Young Dems to meet people, and to have a little fun.

The real work for the Young Democrats, however, happens on the weekends, between the meetings and the socials. Young Dems plan community service projects, walk precincts, and organize fundraisers all to advance progressive values in the San Diego community.

In 2008, Young Dems organized two fundraisers for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, including one featuring his sister Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng. The SDCYD hosted two fundraisers for Todd Gloria's successful San Diego City Council campaign. We walked to the homes of thousands of San Diegans to turn out votes for candidates we endorsed. Recently, members of Young Dems organizations hosted a fundraiser for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and we took lots of pictures.

This week, the San Diego County Young Democrats are co-hosting their monthly social with the Stonewall Young Democrats. It’s on Thursday, June 11th at 8 p.m. at The Office Bar in North Park. Happy hour prices from 8 to 10. According to the event’s Facebook page, it should be packed.

Port Commission: It’s Burdick

How it went down:

Hueso – Burdick
Young – Burdick
DeMaio – Burdick
Gloria – Takvorian
Frye – Takvorian
Emerald – Burdick
Faulconer - Burdick
Lightner – Takvorian

Observations:
• The Lightener switch was a pleasant surprise

• SDUT editorial was a mixed bag. Saying that Burdick was not a fan of PLA’s thereby making here a “consensus builder” in their eyes was another example of the UT’s tortured logic and feeble attempt to nudge the newbie Burdick into knifing Labor.

• Burdick made a big deal about PLAs but I see it as window dressing. Labor will have a door to her because of her desire to move up the ladder.

• Takvorian was the most obviously qualified candidate but was scutted for Hueso’s career. If a “consensus builder” means unqualified yet moldable then the Port and the region will pay the price of being used by interests that won’t have San Diego in their best interest.

• Young remains “above the fray”

• Emerald’s attempt to cover herself fell flat. Again, she needs a better strategist.

• On the Port, Peters gains a second vote.

It’s not a bad outcome. As is typical, San Diego bypassed the right thing for mediocrity but if it didn’t then we wouldn’t be living where happy happens among other things.

City Council's Port Appointment

From UnionYes:

Join us this Monday as we show our SUPPORT FOR DIANE TAKVORIAN and our OPPOSITION TO BILL EVANS, as the San Diego City Council picks our next Port Commissioner.


What: Port Commissioner Hearing
When: Monday, June 8 at 2 p.m.
Where: City Hall Council Chambers, 202 C Street, 12th Floor, San Diego 92101


Diane helped lead the fight against Proposition B, which would have destroyed the Working Waterfront.

Diane worked with Labor to stand up for environmental protection and sustainable jobs on the Chula Vista Bayfront.

Diane has led the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports to cut diesel emissions and increase renewable energy on the Port.

Diane is fighting to ensure energy stimulus money is used to generate good LOCAL jobs.

Bill Evans does not share our core beliefs.

Bill Evans does not believe in strong unions that can lift us out of poverty. Bill Evans runs non-union hotels and has even sued the hotel workers union. Bill Evans is a multi-millionaire and the son of a multi-millionaire who does not understand the belief of expanding opportunities for workers, immigrants and underprivileged communities.

Bill Evans is an unacceptable choice to represent San Diegans as a Port Commissioner.

Diane Takvorian is the voice for the community, environment and workers.

Port Commission: Final Countdown

Last week, I predicted that the vote for San Diego Port Commissioner would be as follows:

Hueso – Burdick
Young – Burdick
DeMaio – Burdick
Gloria – Takvorian
Frye – Takvorian
Emerald – Burdick
Faulconer - Burdick
Lightner – Burdick


Labor is doing a final push for Takvorian and I will give them props in that they have their bases covered.

If it’s Takvorian, awesome! A true progressive gets on the Port. If Burdick, Labor still gets a seat at the table from a Democrat who wants to be pro-business but also wants a career and won’t anger potential future allies. If Evans, Labor loses out and Emerald, like Frye before her, gets played. Marshall may not have a chance because of Burdick.

All in all, Monday should be a good day and Marti should get a better strategist.

Statement from California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on the Proposed May Revise

Cruel doesn’t even begin to describe the cuts proposed in the revised May budget to eliminate California’s $24-billion budget deficit.

Nearly two million Californians will lose health insurance if the Healthy Families program for children is eliminated and Medi-Cal is cut by $1 billion. More than 1 million women and children will be left without any means of subsistence if the CalWORKS program is ended. California kids and young adults will suffer if the Cal Grant program is axed and billions more dollars are cut from public education. Another 5,000 people will land on our unemployment rolls, struggling to pay rent and buy groceries, if plans go forward to lay off 5,000 state workers. The grim list goes on.

The defeat of five budget-related propositions on the May 19th special election ballot was not a mandate for a cuts-only or mostly-cuts budget that will force the aged, blind, and disabled further into poverty. Nor was it a mandate for a budget that will hurt everyone from school kids to park lovers.

Rather, California voters sent the message that they want lawmakers and the governor to work together toward a budget that realistically looks at the services we all need and how to pay for them.

Last December, legislative Democrats passed an $18-billion plan to reduce the state deficit. If the governor had not vetoed that sensible package, California would have no need to even discuss the Draconian proposals now on the table.

This only underscores why it’s so critical to elect a Democratic governor in 2010. The California Democratic Party will do everything in its power to make this happen.

Sheriff Candidates

This race has been seen as a Republican sandlot. Given the candidates this time around, the playground may be the most apt metaphor for this race.


William Gore
Bill Kolender decided to retire and circumvent the will of the people and the political process by giving a leg up to his Undersheriff William Gore. In making Gore his replacement, Kolender placed him in a good, not great, position to win. That beacon of democracy, the County Board of Supervisors (5-0 Republican) which is not above manipulation for personal gain (Horn), avoiding taking tough stands lest they lose their job (Jacob) or just unable to gain employment anywhere else (Roberts), voted unanimously to coronate Gore’. With the endorsement of three of the five supervisors for his election prior to the vote (Horn, Slater-Price and Cox) he should be a shoo-in.


James Duffy
But won’t be. Unlike Gore, who appears to be wrapping himself in the badge, Duffy has been making the rounds and is building support outside of the Board of Supervisors. Endorsed by his boss, Supervisor Roberts, and assembling a decent campaign team, Duffy has the background with his stint at the Sheriff's Department and could possibly pick up the Labor endorsement given his past with the Sheriff’s Association.


David Bejarano
All of which may be for naught. Bejarano has good name ID, has proven that he can work with both sides of the political aisle, and is enough of a moderate to pick up the missing non-Republican half of the vote in this race. He looks formidable but it remains to be seen if he can motivate the moderates to vote and drag this race out of the partisan cesspool that it has been mired in.


Jay LaSuer
Otherwise, why would a termed-out legislator run for Sheriff? This tent-city business generates press for Maricopa County, AZ but little else. Given his past stands on social and political issues, I don’t perceive the advantage in having the Sheriff’s Department helmed by a throwback to the 20th Century.


Bruce Ruff
Coming out of retirement to run for office is noble, but against this field Ruff needs to have the prior four candidates self destruct in order to pull out a win.


Conclusion:
Gore has the establishment, Duffy has the Republican establishment that isn’t East County, Bejarano has the middle, and LaSuer and Ruff have East County.

A Republican sand fight. Popcorn, anyone?

Yesterday’s march: No Carl or Bonnie?

Unless anyone else saw them, there was no sighting of Councilmember DeMaio nor San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis at the Prop 8 yesterday.

Marching may be beneath them but they could have shown up at the end.

Hmmm…..

Statement from California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court

I commend President Obama’s historic nomination today of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judge Sotomayor’s story is one that many Californians can relate to. She is the daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants raised in a housing project in the South Bronx. Judge Sotomayor’s mother, a widow, worked two jobs and scrimped to send Sonia and her brother to Catholic schools.

Sonia Sotomayor earned a scholarship to Princeton, graduating second in her class, and went on to Yale Law School where she edited the Yale Law Journal. Her legal and judicial experience is vast and varied.

When confirmed, Judge Sotomayor will be the first Latina to serve on the United States Supreme Court and only the third female justice ever.

STATEMENT OF SENATOR BARBARA BOXER ON CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT DECISION

Unfortunately, with this decision, I am concerned that we are back to square one on the issue of equal rights for same-sex couples.

This ruling sets up a very unfair reality in California where some same-sex couples will have their marriages affirmed, while many more will be denied their fundamental rights.

I remain committed to working actively with people across the state to make sure that same-sex couples have equal rights under the law.

###

Statement of Senator Feinstein on the California Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Proposition 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, May 26, 2009

"I know today’s decision is a tremendous disappointment for many people. But I also know that the opinions of Californians are changing on this issue, and I believe that equal marriage rights will one day be the law in this state. This is already the case in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont. So, I believe this issue will come before the voters again, and I am very hopeful that the result will be different next time.


Today's State Supreme Court ruling also declares that the 18,000 same-sex marriages that have already taken place in California are valid, and I believe these marriages will allow people to see for themselves that marriage equality is a step forward for California and not a step back."

# # #

Statement from California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on today's California Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 8

Today's decision, while heartbreaking, doesn't end the historic struggle for marriage equality. It renews our dedication to making sure all California families can again enjoy the dignity, commitment and responsibility of marriage.

I commend the California Supreme Court for validating the rights of the 18,000 lesbian and gay couples who married last year before Proposition 8 passed. These couples and their children will continue to enjoy the full security and legal protection of marriage.

Within the next few years, I know California will restore legal, civil marriages for gay and lesbian couples. The California Democratic Party will play a leading role in ending marriage discrimination in California and I look forward to the day when that happens.

Prop 8: Join us

Unite for Equality at 5pm at 6th and Laurel in Balboa Park tonight.

Port Commission: The Vote

Here’s my prediction on how the vote for San Diego Port Commissioner will go down.


Round 1: Everyone sticks to their nominees

Hueso – Burdick
Young – Burdick
DeMaio – Burdick
Gloria – Takvorian
Frye – Takvorian
Emerald – Evans
Faulconer - Evans
Lightner – Merrifield


Round 2: Decisions
I predict that Lightner lets Marshall go and sides with Burdick. Burdick has ties to Peters and Lightner fancies herself a moderate.

I also predict that Gloria and Frye stick to their guns. They have little to lose by doing so.

So who throws Evans under the bus? My gut says Faulconer. This is a guy who, like Mayor Sanders, would rather kick hard choices down the road until someone else can deal with them or has no choice but to act at which point he will then dive headlong with the prevailing winds. I say he’s the 5th vote.

Leaving Emerald. Does she stay or go with Evans? This will be telling. I give her a 60% chance that she’ll screw Labor out of pride and go for Burdick. She put the progressive community on notice with her choice and won’t back off from the ledge she has placed herself on. The justification will be that Burdick is a Democrat.

Hueso – Burdick
Young – Burdick
DeMaio – Burdick
Gloria – Takvorian
Frye – Takvorian
Emerald – Burdick (?)
Faulconer - Burdick
Lightner – Burdick

Either way, Burdick gets a jump start on her political career in the pockets of others.


The Spin
That the Takvorian nomination was ideologically extreme so it forced a moderate to be drafted to balance the competing interests on the Port Commission.

The thing is, if Hueso and his staff weren’t so blinded by their hatred of the Environmental Health Coalition, a true progressive could have been selected.

There is still time, but as it stands right now, this is how I see the vote.

Port Commission: It’s on!

The Voice of San Diego is reporting that Lee Burdick has been nominated by Councilmembers Hueso, Young and DeMaio.

What does this mean?

First of all, Burdick is an attorney looking for a public office. Her run for City Attorney never made sense in that she couldn’t come up with a solid reason as to why she was running other than she wasn’t Aguirre. Her performance was awkward and it felt like she had been talked into being a stalking horse. She has business ties and is in need of a leg up politically. This nomination could be payback because she’s been “a good sport” in the past.

It’s convenient for everyone involved: Hueso because Burdick doesn't hurt him in the South Bay, Young can show he’s nobody’s puppet, and DeMaio can act bi-partisan in supporting a pro business Democrat. In this sense, she is a consensus builder. At least she admits she’s not anybody’s best candidate.

Emerald’s play at being the bridge between the Republicans and Democrats on the City Council gets blown up. Her slap at Labor in nominating Bill Evans was noticed and we’ll see if this nutty play earns her any chits on the other side.

But would Emerald come home and support Diane Takvorian? Should she break free of the leash her COS has her on, I think she just might. Gloria and Frye have done this region a service in nominating an outstanding candidate for the position. It’s unfortunate that her qualities are trashed for the personal ambitions of others but this was not going to be easy.

Leaving Lightner and Faulconer. I will pray that both of them can put aside the false “business vs environment” argument that is so 20th century and join the 21st in supporting Diane.

We’ll see. Given the circus in Chula Vista after Najera's resignation, we need some adults on the Port Commission who are more concerned with the port and less with their political futures.

California Community College Leaders React to Election

From a press release sent over last night:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2009

California Community College Leaders React to Election
Cuts to community college budget will limit access for neediest Californians


SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Now that it seems certain the ballot propositions have gone down in defeat, California Community College leaders are predicting students and the state’s economic recovery efforts will face dire consequences. Jointly, they have released the following statements -

California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott – “Our community colleges are on the front lines providing real time solutions for millions of Californians. Many of our students are reeling from the shockwaves resulting from the global financial meltdown, high unemployment rates and a difficult job market. We’ve added more than 150,000 additional students this year alone and are serving 140,000 of them without any additional funding. As the chancellor leading our 110 colleges, it is my job to inform state leaders we simply cannot continue to be an effective safety net for displaced workers, train our nation’s nurses and firefighters and retool workers to serve in green jobs if the proposed cuts are enacted. As it stands now, our classrooms are full, waiting lists to get into classes are long and many students cannot access the courses they need to progress.

“Having worked in and around community colleges most of my life, I fear students will find themselves without options and ill prepared to meet our state’s current and emerging workforce needs.”

Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Marshall Drummond -- “The recent preview of proposed budget cuts landed a devastating blow to the community colleges. The idea that the community colleges can cut $85 million from our current budget, weeks prior to the fiscal year ending, is not realistic. Extrapolating from the governor's numbers, the Los Angeles community colleges could lose up to $80 million, the equivalent of the entire operating budgets of two of our smaller colleges. It is simply not possible to dismantle our many contractual and institutional obligations in such a short period of time, while staying in line with state law and mandates.

“The amount of proposed cuts to programs such as student counseling, assessment and placement and career technical education would almost certainly eliminate opportunities for disadvantaged students and place them at an even greater risk. The ultimate result of these actions will be a lower quality of life in our most challenged neighborhoods and a severe decline in a well trained workforce.”

Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brice Harris -- “We are very concerned for our students and our community. The proposed budget cuts for community colleges are the worst we have ever seen and would severely limit our ability to meet the educational and workforce needs of our region.”

San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance Carroll -- “San Diego is bracing to make additional cuts of enormous magnitude. Due to poor policy decisions made at the state level, we will be forced to consider reducing student access and the number of classes we offer our students, continuing our current hiring freeze, and making a wide range of reductions. I personally view this as tragic. This is a time when we should be expanding opportunities to assist putting people back to work and training students for a new economy and emerging vocations.”

City College of San Francisco Chancellor Don Griffin – “Today’s election results will make it impossible for City College of San Francisco to maintain its current levels of services and student access. Our district serves 105,000 students and if the budget scenarios recently unveiled are enacted our summer school enrollment will be reduced by up to 85 percent and our student services programs will be dramatically cut by as much as 50 percent. These services include admissions and enrollment, and disabled student programs. Major reductions in course offerings will also result in a loss of access for 10,000 students in our district. We will be forced to reduce our hours of operation and there will also be a 15 percent loss of part-time faculty and administrative positions.”



The California Community Colleges is the largest higher educational system in the nation comprised of 72 districts and 110 colleges with more than 2.7 million students per year. Community colleges are the largest workforce provider in the state and offer more than 175 degree and certificate programs in hundreds of fields such as, advance manufacturing, biotechnology, business and computer science. The system trains more than 70 percent of nurses and 80 percent of the fire, law enforcement and emergency medical technicians in California. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. For more information about the community colleges, please visit www.cccco.edu.

###

Thoughts about Yesterday’s Wipeout

"Obviously, it's disappointing, but I think the voters are sending a message that they believe the budget is the job of the governor and Legislature. We probably need to go back and do our job." - Noreen Evans, Chairwoman of the Assembly Budget Committee


If there was more evidence necessary to prove the disconnect between Sacramento and the state, yesterday provided it. All of the propositions went down except for the punitive 1F.

• An upshot of this taxpayer-funded debacle has been the focus on the Governor and his lack of leadership. Coming from a party that preaches responsibility, his flight to Washington was cowardly at best. Rather than working to cobble together a middle way, he too often has relied on his star status and its inability to motivate voters this time has been telegraphed throughout the world with the failure of these propositions.

• Predictably, the anti-tax factions and the State Republicans will claim victory for having pushed the state over the cliff. Predictably as well, they will overplay their hand (as they always do) when their ideology again crashes into reality. They don’t have real solutions and don’t know what to do if their base isn’t motivated by anger directed at their opposition.

• This time, I think being part of the problem will break the back of the California Republicans. Unless a gubernatorial candidate can shift this, the Republicans in office are part of the same legislature that facilitated this mess and will be recognized for their efforts in the “throw the bums out” sentiment I predict shall occur in 2010.

• And the Democrats won’t be immune. The inability of the majority party to create the conditions necessary to change the 2/3rd majority required for budget passage is an expected result of term limits and a weak speaker. The fact that they were held hostage and then went forth to sell this mess to the public is FUBAR. A mediocre governor has played the opposition party and this has awakened a public that would rather watch American Idol than do the job the legislature was elected to do.

• Public anger is seething and this will only get worse with the cuts that the governor will make.

Take a day off, California, because there is going to be a long tough slog in the months ahead.

Vote!

Another election is upon us and it is time for you to exercise your right to vote. Let’s see if we can make it over 20% of the electorate today.

Hueso vs. Takvorian?

The Environmental Health Coalition has been a thorn in the side of development in the South Bay for quite some time. The Inzunzas were never fans and, it appears, neither is Hueso. Word is that Ben is looking for an alternative to Takvorian who is a bit more “business” friendly on the Port Commission.

If Hueso is going to be so pro-development, then he should fit right into the 79th Assemblymember mold created by Vargas and continued by Salas.

Mayberry Machiavelli, Chula Vista Style

From Monday’s Union Tribune:

CHULA VISTA – Mayor Cheryl Cox abruptly canceled a discussion Tuesday night about whether to replace Chula Vista Port Commissioner Mike Najera.

Officials were set to talk about his position on the San Diego UnifiedPort District board of directors, a week after Cox asked him to resign. Dozens of Najera's supporters packed the council chambers in anticipation of the discussion.

But Cox called for a closed session two hours into the ongoing City Council meeting, and emerged 20 minutes later to say the item had been pulled from the agenda.

Cox did not give a reason and did not say why the council went into the sudden closed session.

Perhaps this is why:

An attorney for Najera had urged Cox “to use great caution in seeking to remove” the commissioner during the meeting.

“To date, you have failed to provide Commissioner Najera with a good cause basis to remove him from his position,” Joseph Casas wrote in a letter dated May 11. Casas wrote an earlier letter to Cox last week asking her to stop trying to oust Najera from the port board.

This on the heels of the Voice article about Cox’s tenure:

The same day, Port Commissioner Mike Najera went public with the news that Cox had demanded his resignation from the commission. Najera refused to budge and his fellow commissioners supported him, demanding an explanation from Cox -- who didn't produce one. The affair was a public blow to the mayor's political credibility that only became more embarrassing when Najera revealed he had recently held a fundraiser for her political nemesis, Chula Vista City Councilman Steve Castaneda. Najera suggested political revenge -- an accusation Cox has had levied at her before.

And

The rookie mayor, whose political experience prior to her election was limited to serving on the Chula Vista Elementary School District Board of Trustees, has also found herself alienated on the city's five-member City Council, two of whose members are widely considered to be priming themselves for a run against her in 2010 (she said she will run for reelection). One of her colleagues, Councilman John McCann, has used Cox's failures with the Chargers and the sales tax increase to curry favor with local Republicans, who have not been shy in expressing their support for him.
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And Cox has had to contend with the accusations of political vengeance. Castaneda, who ran against Cox in 2006, has accused her of conspiring with her husband, County Supervisor Greg Cox, and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, to have him investigated for corruption three times. Cox dismisses the claims as ridiculous, but the latest mishaps, including Najera's dig, have added fuel to the fire of Cox's detractors.

And

Castaneda said the Chargers letter wasn't the only time that Cox's involvement in a city issue has done more harm than good.

The Democratic city councilman, who came third in Chula Vista's 2006 mayoral primary election, has been a vocal critic of Cox. He said the mayor's failure to coordinate the city's waterfront development and the withdrawal of Gaylord Entertainment Co. as a potential developer of the site, is clear evidence that the city needs new leadership.

"Cheryl Cox decided that she wanted to insert herself in the process," Castaneda said. "None of us on the council were asked for our opinions, none of us were privy to what she was doing or how she was meddling and, essentially, this thing fell apart not just because of the economy, but because of the lack of leadership that has emanated from her office."

Whatever the truth may be, it appears that Mayor Cox is wielding power in a manner that betrays a lack of experience. When the criticism comes, the wagons are circled and the only beneficiaries are your opponents.

Chula Vista deserves better than this.

SDCDP supports Takvorian for Port Commission, for now

At the Central Committee meeting last night, the local Democratic Party took the position of supporting Diane Takvorian for Port Commission so long as she remains the only Democrat put forth. In a politically structured way, the motion that passed said that should another Democratic candidate be put forth, then the SDCDP shall support them also. Until then, Takvorian is the one.

There were a few voices from the floor that the SDCDP put all of its chips on Takvorian, but the Chair noted that because the Central Committee won’t meet again until July, there wasn’t going to be another chance at expressing support, or a preference, for whomever is nominated and that this route was the safest.

San Diego Port Commission: Marti, what are you doing?

Because this was so much fun last time, with Scott Peters getting the nod over Laurie Black and then Laurie getting a seat later anyway.

Now Black is stepping off the board and here are the contenders so far as identified by CityBeat:

Marshall Merrifield
Name put forward by Sherri Lightener. It is a nice thing to do for a vanquished foe that can sing show tunes but he won’t get far given the other names in the mix.

Diane Takvorian of the Environmental Health Coalition
Recently endorsed for the open Port seat by the League of Conservation voters and put forward by both Todd Gloria and Donna Frye she seems like a great choice. Her name is well known in the political and activist communities The Port needs help and as an Executive Director she has the chops for the position; dealing with selfish cities and stubborn interests.

Bill Evans
WTF? Why is Marti Emerald putting the name of an anti-union insider up for the port? Is she on crack? Where’s the CLC on this?

My opinion; this is a brazen and crass attempt to position herself as accommodating to the Republican establishment in the (faint) hopes that she can get their support for a mayoral run or to be seen as the bridge between the Republicans on the City Council because Hueso is losing clout by running for the 79th.

With Labor being seen as on the ropes after the 8-0 vote weks ago, this is not the way to support your friends. The crazy thing is that I can see DeMaio and Faulcaner joining her in this leaving Tony Young and Ben Hueso as the deciders.

What is bothersome is that there is a fabulous progressive up for the seat and she could lose it because of a positioning move by a councilmember.

Marti, what are you doing?

SD 40: Spring Predictions

Because it’s never too early to spitball:


Mary Salas
This district requires a lot of travel and basic name ID given how poor voter turnout is. That said, Salas is in a good position already representing half of the district. With Ducheny aiming for Cox’s seat on the Board of Supervisors, the field is open for a newbie to take the helm. By all appearances, Salas seems to enjoy the Sacramento thing and this extension of her career gives her a chance to do more of what she has been doing.

Juan Vargas
Which is why she and Juan have more in common that you would think; they’ve both represented the 79th AD, there’re both more pro-business that they should be given the district, and they both love “serving the public.”

Vargas has been rumored for Mayor (wanted the Democrats to ask him to do it), for County Supervisor to replace Ron Roberts (Republicans want a Democrat they can do business with but nobody wants to hire Ron should he step down) and the 79th AD (why go back when you can move up and run every four years instead of two?).

For a guy who said he wasn’t going to work for the insurance industry, then does just that once out of office, a run at State Senate makes sense. He has latent name ID from representing the 79th and running against Filner. Republicans view him as a DINO and Salas is not as solid as she should be.


Conclusion
Salas may be the “incumbent “ but Juan can pick deeper pockets on both sides of the aisle and has done more of the district, geographically speaking, than she has. On the flip side, Salas is a current elected, has support from Filner, Ducheny, Kehoe, Block, Frye, Hueso, Castaneda, Bensoussan, and whole host of other electeds, and can challenge Juan in the 80th AD half of the 40th SD.

The 40th SD favors Salas but Juan can easily make this competitive.

The Propositions

The budget deal was wrong on so many levels but until the 2/3rd majority rule is dealt with we are stuck with a state held hostage by an atavistic minority lost in the last century.

1A- Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund
CDP: No by 58% (need 60% to pass)
Field Poll: N-49%, Y-40%, U-11%
The battle on the floor of the CDP was hot if the web uploads were accurate. It is unfortunate that Labor decided to fight via delegates but the end result settled nothing and satisfied most; a majority approved but not enough to do anything about it.

1B – Education Funding
CDP endorsed via visual vote
Field Poll: N-49%, Y-40%, U-11%
An easy sell for Democrats but coming on the heels of 1A makes the substance suspect.

1C – Lottery Modernization
CDP endorsed 67%
Field Poll: N-59%, Y-32%, U-9%
SEIU is going to have to work more overtime than they already do to pass this. The Convention floor was easy but the ballot box is what matters. The need to explain how this temporary fix won’t become a permanent liability has yet to be made.

1D – Children’s Services Funding
CDP takes a neutral position (52%)
Field Poll: N-49%, Y-40%, U-11%
Kids are an easy sell with the rank and file Democrats except when asked to take money from them because the adults can’t balance the budget.

1E - Mental Health Funding
CDP takes a neutral position (50.1%)
Field Poll: N-51%, Y-40%, U-9%
Again the idea of taking money from those who need it in order to balance the books is just wrong even though most people will take from the mentally ill rather then the children

1F- Elected Official’s Salaries
CDP endorsed via visual vote
Field Poll: Y-71%, N-24%, U-5%
Even though I personally believe that we don’t pay our elected officials enough, I do agree that something must be done for them to put the functioning of the state above their employment after they are term-limited from office.


Conclusion
Sacramento leadership was pushing for a Yes on all to validate the deal. The CDP splits with a No on 1A, 1D, and 1E and a Yes on 1B, 1C, and 1F. The CRP says No on everything and the Field Poll agrees except for 1F.

I predict Republicans will crow about this success in checking the spending Democrats as state offices close in the middle of a recession.

I also predict a Prop. 13 like movement to reform the California Government but it remains to be seen if the Sacramento establishment will wake up to this mob coming up Interstate 5 or if they will act in their own self interest and barricade the doors.

Either way, this election should have never happened, but it will and that will change everything.

San Diego Democrats Attend State Party Convention in Sacramento.

Democrats from San Diego spent last weekend in Sacramento for the 2009 California Democratic Party convention. Party regulars, labor activists, candidates, and Young Democrats all represented San Diego.

Local Young Democrats made big contributions to this year’s convention. Locals Jonathan Goetz and Allan Acevedo were elected to positions on the California Young Democrats board. The San Diego County Young Democrats club received the “Outstanding Project” award from CYD for their “Farewell to W at the W” inauguration night celebration. That event attracted more than 1500 revelers and is largely responsible for the recent explosion of Young Dems membership in San Diego.

Despite the unity and pride Democrats feel for electing Obama to the White House, this convention was starkly divided on a number of issues. Delegates bucked their legislative leaders and voted to stay neutral on about half of the upcoming May 19th special election provisions, including Prop. 1A, and voted to support the other half, including Prop. 1B. Party rules require 60% to endorse ballot initiatives, and only half of the propositions could muster that kind of support.

The state-wide California Young Democrats had a fierce leadership fight, with Sacramento’s Alissa Ko being elected as President over Los Angeles area David Phelps. The San Diego area Young Democrat chapters, including those from UCSD and SDSU, largely supported Ko.

The convention also served as an early battleground between the gubernatorial ambitions of Attorney General Jerry Brown and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Both gave speeches to the assembled delegates, and were ubiquitous faces in the hallways and hospitality suites. They smiled and shook hands with potential supporters from around the state.

The most stark contrast between their campaigns, as has been described elsewhere, was their different approaches to parties for the Party. At these conventions, candidates routinely throw parties for conventioneers, and the higher the office, the more elaborate the soirée. Brown offered a tame afternoon “Recession Reception,” at the historic Governor’s Mansion. Some 800 people attended, though I wasn’t one of them. We did a drive-by, but the line was too long, to his credit.

Newsom hosted a nighttime block party at a fenced in area in downtown Sacramento. While Brown’s party featured his 1974 Plymouth, Newsom hosted a concert with Wyclef Jean, and a near endorsement by former NBA star and current Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson who referred to Newsom as the “next Governor of California”. About 3000 people attended the concert, and subsequent after-party at the swank Lounge on 20.

The two campaigns presented clear and different versions of themselves. Brown was the experienced, steady former governor. Newsom was the exciting fresh face of the future.

What about likely gubernatorial candidate Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa? He stayed in L.A. With Newsom presenting himself as the forward looking New Democrat, and Brown posturing as a stark contrast, it didn’t leave Villaraigosa much room to distinguish himself to delegates. Though one wonders: if Villaraigosa can’t come up with a compelling narrative for a few thousand conventioneers, what can he say to inspire the millions of primary voters?

[Cross-Posted on NBC San Diego.]

CDP Convention: New Leadership

Chair John Burton
His victory was never in question but his opponent Chris Finnie’s 24% of the vote is eyebrow raising. Torres never seemed to care about implementing a 58 county strategy nor breaking the CDP from its Sacramento stranglehold. After 14 years there was plenty of frustration building and Finnie’s results show that Burton has to produce in ways Torres neither could or would.

First Vice Chair Alex Rooker
She defeated Alicia Wong with 67% of the vote. She is in a unique position to unify the labor branch of the party and may become a real player in the 2010 cycle. Torres never seemed to delegate activity to his Vice-Chairs. I don’t envision Burton doing the same thereby giving Alex a great platform to run after Burton leaves the CDP

Second Vice Chair Eric Bauman
I mention the next race for CDP chair because Bauman has been telling some on the Westside of LA that Burton will only serve until Boxer gets re-elected. If this is so, then Eric can run for the position that he has coveted for over a decade. He is the chair of the LA Central Committee and can manage a mob. He has credibility with the grassroots for his work with the Organization and Development Committee. The fight that almost happened between these two this year may happen in a few.

Secretary Reginald Jones-Sawyer
Ran unopposed.

Controller Hillary Crosby
She won 54% - 46%. Not a blowout but not a hard positive. Bradley found his footing too late and Crosby, once she found victory a possibility, immediately toned down her rhetoric. Unlike the folks over at Caltics, I don’t see her win as a positive for the grassroots. The position is one of management and trust. As a newbie to the CDP financial world, she has a steep learning curve and will probably be captured by the machine she ran against. The “grassroots” are notorious for not following up and supporting their causes. Rather, they flit about chasing after that which is current at the time. It is unfortunate because, if they ever got their act together, they could change the party.


Early Analysis
Burton will be a fun spokesperson, so long as he doesn’t get embroiled in some scandal. That which the Bay Area will tolerate is not a method by which to measure the state. And he will eat Nehring alive.

Rooker and Bauman will jockey for position the second Burton steps aside and Crosby’s inexperience will place the onus on fundraising more on the Chair that he would probably like.

Garamendi makes it official

Newsom makes it official

Working Californians Support Propositions 1A-1F

From an e-mail sent to DSCC delegates:


April 21, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

As supporters of the California Democratic Party, we strongly urge you to support Props 1A-1F on California’s May 19 special election. Passage of these measures is vital to the health and well-being of working men and women throughout the state.These measures are absolutely necessary to stabilize our state budget and prevent future drastic cuts to schools, public safety, infrastructure improvement, and health care for working families. They will also maintain new sources of revenue for the state in the near future to help solve our current budget crisis and help restore California’s fiscal health so we can continue to invest in our schools, public works and other state services – investments that provide good-paying jobs for working families.

During this current budget crisis, Republicans representing big business special interests were demanding that worker protections be ravaged as a condition for support of new revenue sources. Those attempts were guarded against, but failure to pass these measures may lead to more budget stalemates, and the Republicans will almost certainly try and go after workers again.

Further, because of California’s fiscal crisis, the state was one day away from shutting down hundreds of school, road, water and infrastructure construction projects – a move that would have cost our state thousands of union jobs, perhaps permanently.

Fortunately, the budget that was passed helped stave off this economic disaster and will begin the long process of restoring our state’s fiscal health. But Props 1A-1F are needed to uphold that agreement and move our state forward.

If we don’t pass these measures California will lose more than $23 billion during the next 4 years. With large deficits predicted in the next few years, loss of these monies may require more drastic cuts than we have already seen to teachers, construction workers, firefighters, law enforcement, and state and local public employees.

Passing Props 1A-1F is necessary so we don’t plunge California back to the brink of insolvency and threaten funding for all the programs and services we care about.

These are difficult issues for our members, but we believe that these measures must pass to protect working families. We strongly urge your support for Props 1A-F.

Rant - The May Special Election

I’ve received two letters this weekend, one co-signed by Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and another from Democrats for Propositions 1A-1F, both asking me to support the propositions coming up in May.

It appears that the Sacramento establishment will be asking CDP delegates to commit themselves to working on the passage of these propositions and I am having a hard time justifying this beyond a short term band-aid..

I understand that this was the best Sacramento could do at the time but the fact remains that all we are doing is kicking any real solutions to California’s deficits down the road until next year’s budget rolls around, than what? More propositions?

We have the majority in both houses. What is the fracking problem? If the two-thirds requirement to pass the budget is the issue, let’s replace it with a simple majority. If Prop 13 allocations are an issue, let’ s get to work on it. If the wealthy don’t pay enough in taxes, why not tax them? None of these will be easy but anything worth doing never is.

Now, Bass is a weak speaker and Steinberg is doing the best he can, but for the love of the state why is it so difficult to do what needs to be done? Wilson and Brown made it happen in 1991. Neither side was happy, but it got done.

The current crop of Republicans aren’t worthy of the name and Arnold is far from spectacular which is why it is so infuriating to watch Bass get rolled on a regular basis leaving Steinberg to defend and attack which is great but it works better when both houses are on the same page.

Where is this fear of action coming from? I agree that the consultant class thrives on the sheepish behavior of their client lawmakers, that the same lawmakers are ensnared by lobbyists that keep them “viable” and enslaved by staff that knows more than they do (thanks, term limits).

So what? The elected is the elected. They cast the vote. The can make or break a play (see Correa and Maldonado during negotiations) when they grow a pair and work it. They can cast the vote. In dodging their responsibility to make the hard call they are setting themselves up for a tragic fall.

Other than expediency, I don’t know how Sacramento plans to sell this. A low turnout election doesn’t favor a win.

The California Republican Party just voted to shoot all the propositions down. It’s a no brainer for them; they win by letting the Dems fight for a loser. Besides, term limits ensure that the Republican lawmakers that got us into this mess will not be held accountable to fix it.

This fight can be won, but the Sacramento establishment won’t look beyond the American River for help. If they did, they could lose their jobs.