CALIFORNIA DNC
P R E S S D E M O C R AT
NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 1
D E M O C R AT S S W E LT E R I N S T. L O U I S
BY MARY ELLEN EARLY, DNC MEMBER
St. Louis lies at the junc- VISIT THE CA DNC
ture of the Mississippi and
Missouri Rivers, in the WEB SITE!
heartland of America. Be-
fore a network of railroads To read more California
laced the United States, DNC Press Democrat arti-
explorers and settlers trav- cles (and view the printed
eled by river boat, and St. articles in more detail), see
Louis was the gateway to our expanded edition at the
the west. web site, created by DNC
As Democrats gathered member Becca Doten:
in August for the DNC
Summer Meeting, we had
only to leave our meeting http://www.cadnc.org
California DNC Delegation in St. Louis
location (the Union Station
Marriott) to experience the
sweltering heat that these
early Americans must claimed, was rehabilitating D N C A D O P T S 2 0 1 2 D E L E G AT E
have felt. the Nixon name. Governor
St. Louis was the last Nixon was followed by SELECTION PROCESS TO
state to certify its presi- Health and Human Services E X PA N D PA R T I C I PAT I O N
dential election results in Secretary Kathleen Se- BY ALEX GALLARDO ROOKER AND KEITH UMEMOTO
2008 (with McCain barely belius, who spoke of the
squeaking out a victory), Health Care Reform Act that
and it is one of four cities was passed earlier this year,
vying to host the 2012 and of all the positive ele-
Democratic National Con- ments of this bill that are
vention. Its importance as often overlooked by the pub-
a critical swing state can- lic. Missouri Senator Claire
not be overlooked. McCaskill, an early sup-
porter of Barack Obama,
The most crucial item of
welcomed us to her home
business for us was to
state, and extolled the ac-
pass the Call to the 2012
complishments of the
Convention, and you will
Obama Administration.
learn more about that in Alex Gallardo Rooker Keith Umemoto
Alex and Keith’s article on The highlight of the Gen-
the Rules Committee. eral Session was a rousing
speech by Vice President The DNC approved the proportion of unpledged
Most of the California Delegate Selection Rules delegates and improve the
Joe Biden, followed by his
delegation had been la- for the 2012 Democratic inclusiveness and partici-
coming down from the stage
boring long and hard this National Convention and pation of the party. Fur-
and greeting the Democrats
summer to raise money the Call for the 2012 De- thermore, the beginning of
gathered there. Since Cali-
for the 2012 election, and mocratic National Conven- the presidential election
fornia was in the front row,
to prepare for the fall tion at its Summer Meet- cycle was determined to
our delegation had the op-
GOTV campaign. Still, we ing in St. Louis on August begin in February, rather
portunity to personally greet
felt it important to gather 20. The Rules and Call for than January, when the
the Vice President, who
with our fellow Democrats the Convention reaffirmed 2008 presidential process
demonstrated his enthusi-
to hear what our party the fundamental principles began. The Rules and
asm with hand shakes and
leaders had to share. of the Democratic Party on Bylaws Committee (RBC)
hugs all around. Energized
DNC Chair Tim Kaine and buoyant, we left St. the openness of the proc- is meeting on November
introduced Missouri Gov- Louis ready to work again ess, and made significant Continued on Page 4
ernor Jay Nixon, who he on the fall campaign. changes to reduce the
NOVEMBER 2010 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 2
D E M O C R AT I C L E A D E R S F A C E R E D I S T R I C T I N G
BY JESS DURFEE,CALIFORNIA DNC MEMBER
With the passage of Five will be Democrats, five tionally under-represented
Proposition 11 in 2008 will be Republicans and communities and communi-
and Proposition 20 earlier four will be DTS or mem- ties of interest are properly
this month, California joins bers of minor parties. Be- represented once the lines
a handful of states where cause of the restrictions are drawn.
legislative and congres- placed on who can serve Now is the time to start
sional redistricting is in the on the Commission, it is building those coalitions, by
hands of an Independent pretty much a sure thing reaching out to groups and
commission. that they will all be rela- individuals who are natural
The design of these tively unknown to those of allies, such as organiza-
districts will have a dra- us active in the political tions and leaders from
matic impact on California arena. communities of color, labor,
and national politics in the As the year unfolds, the environmental move-
decade ahead. those commissioners will ment and others.
The change to an inde- travel around the state Contacting local Democ-
pendent commission cre- holding public hearings ratic elected officials who
Jess Durfee ates an entirely new role seeking input from local will be effective spokesper-
for local Democratic Party leaders and activists on sons, not only for our party,
leaders, as we do our part where and how lines should but also for their respective
to make the best out of the be drawn. constituencies, is also criti-
system we’ve been At the local level, Democ- cal. They should be brought
handed. ratic Party leaders should into the process early.
By the end of the year take the lead in building Keep in mind that some of
we will know the names of coalitions with others in our them may have an interest
the 14 California Redis- communities who share our in one day running for a
tricting Commissioners. goals of insuring that tradi- Continued on Page 6
WHITMAN AND FIORINA: DOOMED FROM DAY 1
BY BOB MULHOLLAND, CALIFORNIA DNC MEMBER
Both Whitman and (44.1% vs. only 31%). This Obama, or 28.5% of the
Fiorina were flawed candi- is an insurmountable prob- 270 needed. The West is
dates (rarely voted; Repub- lem for Republican candi- Obama Country. Washing-
licans; never ran for office dates in California from now ton, Oregon and Hawaii
previously; and a mixed on. have voted for the Democ-
record as CEOs: Fiorina To demonstrate the 2.3 rat running for President
was fired in 2005 and job- million registration edge: if from 1988 on. California
less since). the San Francisco Giants has from 1992 on.
Boxer and Brown were had only eight players on the And we can thank Sarah
seen by a majority of voters field in the World Series, Palin and the Tea Party for
as the ones who could do they could not have won. In keeping the U.S. Senate
the job (Brown as attorney California, the Republicans majority in the hands of
general and a former gov- are the eight player team, Democrats. Palin backed
ernor, and Boxer in the due to our registration edge. Ken Buck in Colorado,
U.S. Senate already). But In the end, the two Repub- Sharon Angle in Nevada
this did require all eight lican CEOs were seen as (to and “I am not a witch”
cylinders running, from our paraphrase a well-known Christine O’Donnell in Dela-
Bob Mulholland candidates to our state expression) two empty ware. All three Republicans
party to our local parties to dresses. lost and the Democrats will
labor unions, and to the have 53 votes in the U.S.
rest of the organizations California’s 55 electoral Senate. This was a gift
supporting our candidates. votes are in the hopper for from Sarah Palin, and let’s
President Obama in 2012. In hope Palin gives us another
Democrats in California fact, when you add Wash-
have a 2.3 million registra- gift and runs for President
ington (11), Oregon (7), Cali- in 2012. Iowa and New
tion edge (one million fornia (55) and Hawaii (4)
added in the 2008 presi- Hampshire are only 15
you have 77 electoral votes months away (February,
dential race) over Republi- locked up for President
cans: a 13 point difference 2012).
NOVEMBER 2010 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 3
DNC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
BY GARRY S. SHAY, CALIFORNIA DNC MEMBER
Rooker and Umemoto in there will be a commitment to
The DNC Executive Com- this issue, but one of the utilize minority vendor for
mittee last met in St. Louis key provisions is that they For the Convention.
on Thursday, August 19, must pledge within 10 days
2010. The Missouri State of their state’s determina- Concern about reappor-
Party Chair and the Mayor of tion. tionment and that elections
St. Louis both addressed the for state legislatures were
DNC Treasurer Andy raised, as was the fact that
body, indicating their desire Tobias and Finance Chair
to host the 2012 Democratic the opposition is relying on
Jane Stetson noted the fear. Specific reference was
National Convention. increase in contributions to made to the mosque contro-
DNC Vice Chair and ASDC the DNC over the same versy in New York and the
Chair Ray Buckley noted that period four years ago. need to call out bigotry on all
Governor Kaine was building Governor Kaine detailed levels. Calls to defend the
on the 50 State Strategy in the successes of the First Amendment and funda-
working with Organizing for Obama Administration and mental rights were made.
America (OFA) and the state the radicalization of the
parties. It was noted that the next
Republican Party. He also meeting would be in Puerto
The proposal of the DNC noted the four cities under Rico on November 19, 2010.
Rules Committee regarding consideration for the Na- A transcript of the meeting is
the window and timing is- tional Convention as being posted on our web site.
sues, as well as the desire to Charlotte (NC), Minneapolis Garry S. Shay
lessen the impact of un- (MN), St Louis (MO) and
pledged delegates was pre- Cleveland (OH). The choice Garry S. Shay is the Lead Chair
sented. You can read more will be made at the end of of the CDP Rules Committee, a
about the details of these the year or perhaps early member of the DNC Executive
Committee and Parliamentarian
proposals in the article writ- 2011.
for the LACDP and CFDP-GLBT
ten by DNC members It was also noted that Caucus. Join his list serve at
THE VOICE OF LABOR—NOVEMBER 2010
BY BOB “BIG RED” RANKIN, CALIFORNIA DNC MEMBER
As most of you know, in my the Fiscal Reform Commis- 14) and Rep. Dan Maffei
other world I serve as the sion to not only protect Social (NY-25), submitted a letter
Steelworkers Organization of Security, but to strengthen it to President Obama ex-
Active Retirees (SOAR) Dis- as well. pressing strong opposition
trict 12 coordinator. We have As a DNC member, I felt to any cuts to Social Secu-
many SOAR chapters that the party should also be rity, as well as opposing any
throughout the 11 western taking a position on this im- attempts to privatize Social
states that make up District portant item. In July I submit- Security. As of October 1st,
12. When President Obama ted a resolution to the DNC, 129 Democratic members of
created the national Commis- recommending that the DNC Congress have signed on to
sion on Fiscal Responsibility ask the Deficit Commission to the letter, including my rep-
and Reform in February of protect Social Security at our resentative, Laura Richard-
this year, with a goal to re- Summer Meeting in St. Louis. son (CA-37). Thank you,
duce the national deficit to 3% I was humbled when the ma- Laura, for your support. But
of the national economy by jority of the California delega- on this important issue we
2015, no one ever thought tion became co-sponsors and need all hands on deck.
that the people that want So- took an active positive role in Later this year, the Fiscal
cial Security privatized would my resolution, which was Commission will conclude
try to use this as an excuse to easily approved by the Reso- its hearings and submit a
get their greedy hands on the lutions Committee on August final proposal to Congress
Social Security Trust Fund. 19. Thank you, Christine Pe- regarding fiscal reform. No
The Alliance of Retired losi, for your leadership on debate! All of us must work
Americans, immediately this important issue. The to let Congress, the Fiscal
started urging its members resolution was adopted by the Commission and President
and SOAR chapters to write full DNC on August 20. Obama understand what a Bob “Big Red” Rankin
letters, gather signatures and In early September, Rep. wonderful program Social
send them to Washington, Raul Grijalva (AZ-7), along Secuirty is. Please help.
urging Congress, as well as with Rep. John Conyers (MI- Thanks.
NOVEMBER 2010 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT Page 4
W H AT W E D O F O R L O V E
BY RACHEL BINAH, CALIFORNIA DNC MEMBER
Like the British Empire of at every level of California lives.
old, the sun never sets on government. We joined Just as you do, DNC
the election cycle. What we Democratic teams calling members write letters to the
do for love is never over; neighbors to explain the editor and send out e-mails
now we get to gear up to do issues, positions on the to everyone we know about
it all again as cogs in the propositions and support “How we will be voting in
Democratic Party machin- for endorsed candidates. this election and why.”
ery. Hopefully, it will be We have been tabling
with our capable, strong In many areas, we or-
with you using brochures chestrate the placement of
and brilliant Nancy Pelosi we helped write. We have
as the Democratic Leader candidate signs.
involved ourselves in slate
in Congress. In this very mailers being printed and Many of your DNC mem-
short lull, call your mem- addressed to all the De- bers are especially adept at
ber of Congress and tell mocrats in our different fundraising: we have De-
him/her that Nancy will be parts of the state. mocrat of the Year dinners,
our best hope. many candidate events to
We represent the party raise spirits and lots of
You may think we only go on the radio (and some-
to meetings (and way too money for our party’s work.
Rachel Binah times televison), with the
many), but your DNC mem- Democratic choices for all Out GOTV efforts are
bers, alongside you, have the issues and candidates. exhausting, since many of
also been part of the volun- us are precinct captains:
teer efforts all over the Like you, we lead discus- but on election night, we
state, and in some cases, sion groups on the always feel good (even while biting
other states as well. To- confusing propositions. We our fingernails), because
gether, with you, we speak with high school kids we know we’ve done every-
stopped the red tide and in their government classes thing we possibly can to get
swept in Jerry Brown, Bar- about the propositions, and out the vote. This year we
bara Boxer and Democrats how they will affect their feel ESPECIALLY GOOD.
DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
Continued from page 1
in
20 to develop the final ics/Latinos, and Asian and the number of delegates, or
document and the regula- Pacific Islanders. The RBC almost 25%. Coupled with
tions on the 2012 delegate and DNC expanded the the reduction of the 80 add-
selection process. inclusion programs to in- on delegates from each state
In developing the Rules clude youth for the first time party, the percentage of un-
and the Call for the 2012 in the history of the party, pledged delegates will be
Convention, the Rules & adding LGBT and people reduced from 20% to 15% of
Bylaws Committee (RBC) with disabilities. The rules the total number of dele-
had extensive discussions also call on state parties to gates. To offset part of the
on the affirmative action conduct hearings on their increase in the number of
and inclusion programs, Affirmative Action and In- delegates, there will also be
and noted that although the clusion Programs, and 50% fewer alternates.
Democratic Party is much other provisions of their The DNC determined that it
more representative of the delegate selection process. would maintain Iowa, New
country than is the Republi- The DNC expanded the Hampshire, Nevada and
can Party and their conven- number of base delegates South Carolina as pre-
tion, there is much room for from 3,000 to 3,700 to en- window states, preceding the
improvement. hance participation, ena- other primaries and cau-
Ultimately, the RBC and bling state parties to be cuses. The respective dates
DNC reaffirmed the provi- more effective in their af- of these state primaries and
sions for affirmative action firmative action and inclu- caucuses will be one month
programs that requires sion programs, and de- later than in 2008, and no
each state to submit a plan crease the proportion of sooner than February 6, 14,
that gets approval from the unpledged delegates. This 18 and 28 respectively. The
RBC to address the typical will enable more active beginning of the process was
under-representation of Democrats to become dele- determined because the holi-
African Americans, Hispan- gates with the 700 increase days, New Years and football
NOVEMBER 2010 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT Page 5
B U I L D I N G O N V I C TO RY B E G I N S N O W
BY CHRIS STAMPOLIS, CALIFORNIA DNC MEMBER
As Democratic Party western and mountain and who struggle to keep
leaders, we have to learn states’ schools. Our na- their neighborhood enter-
from Election Day’s mas- tional Democratic leaders prise open.
sive national defeats and came across as too fancy, As priority one, this Cali-
from California’s huge vic- too insulated, too theoreti- fornia victory has to be the
tories. What did Democrats cal. Average working par- first step toward increasing
do effectively in California ents do not relate to Belt- our governance majorities
that was not implemented way indulgence. And too in 2012. We won’t always
across the country? many Democratic images be lucky to face opponents
California Democrats won of the past two years gave who implode so effectively.
the empathy battle. Repub- the impression that our If we learn from the mis-
lican candidates Whitman team leader push pencils takes of other Democratic
and Fiorina became em- and eat well, instead of leaders, we California De-
blems of a wealthy, out-of- really connecting with aver- mocrats will reach out now
touch elite, while Jerry age family struggles. to connect personally with
Brown came across as Dems repeatedly made the voters who entrusted us
trustworthy and in touch the mistake of believing again with the Golden
with the struggles of work- that good ideas and solid State.
ing people. His campaign analysis result in election Local County Committees
messages of frugality and success. Bill Clinton, Jimmy and geographic clubs have
reasonable government Carter and Barack Obama a tremendous opportunity
related to SoCal, to Central won the White House by to expand membership and
Cal and to the Bay area. connecting with average strengthen the Democratic
And the top of the Republi- Americans. And each brand neighborhood by
can ticket personified the leader then presided over neighborhood. Everyone
overcompensated business big losses by not leveraging loves a winner. California
tycoons working people their election wins into big- Dems can show how to
love to hate. ger victories. build on victory if we use
Elsewhere in the U.S., it Governor Brown will be this winning election to con-
was the Democrats who wise to fill his cabinet with nect now with the voters we
became perceived as out- leaders who look like Cali- will need again in two
of-touch elitists. Middle fornia and who represent years, four years and be-
American voters in particu- every corner of the state. yond. The work of govern-
lar have reason to geel Appoint some young par- ing begins today.
disconnected from national ents; appoint a few grand-
Democrats. President parents; highlight working
Chris Stampolis serves as a
Obama appointed way too people; champion small DNC member from California
many leaders from Harvard business owners who sign and as an elected Community
and way too few from Mid- the front of every paycheck College Trustee.
DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
Continued from page 4
playoffs interfered with the ries or caucuses later. Change Commission’s rec-
campaigns. ommendation, the decision
During the 2008 cam-
was not going to be dictated
Following the pre-window paign, there were issues on
by the unpledged delegates’
states, there will be three the influence of unpledged
state election. The RBC
stages of primaries and delegates, and also misun-
noted that all but the add-
caucuses, beginning on derstanding of them. In
ons, who are eliminated,
March 7, 2012 through addition to being a much
represent, and are elected by
March 31 for Stage I. The smaller percent of the total,
the (1) country (Presidents,
states that hold their prima- the new procedures require
Vice Presidents, and former
ries or caucuses in Stage II that unpledged delegates
Presidents and Vice Presi-
in April and Stage III from declare their presidential
dents); (2) their district or
May 1 through June 10, preference, including un-
state (members of Congress
2012, will get bonus dele- committed, by the 10th day
and the U.S. Senate and
gates, 10% and 15% re- after the state delegate
their former leaders); (3) their
spectively. The bonuses selection process is com-
state party (most DNC mem-
hope to provide incentive to pleted.
bers); (4) DNC (DNC chairs
states to hold their prima- However, unlike the Continued on Page 6
NOVEMBER 2010 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 6
CALIFORNIANS RAISE MONEY FOR CONGRESS FROM THE EDITORS:
BY ROZ WYMAN The California DNC Press
Democrat is published by
On Saturday, October2, tress/singer Sally Kellerman. members of the California
there was a fundraising After a brief update on for- DNC Delegation, and is not
event for targeted House eign affairs from Howard funded by the California De-
Democrats, honoring Berman, Nancy Pelosi mocratic Party. Opinions ex-
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, at spoke. She was incredibly pressed by the authors of this
my home in Los Angeles. inspiring and informative as newsletter’s articles are not
In order to do something she talked about the accom- necessarily those of the Cali-
creative, I invited seven of plishments of our Democratic fornia Delegation, the DNC or
Los Angeles’ best-known Congress and the issues the California Democratic
chefs (six women and one surrounding the mid-term Party.
man) to provide several of election. You could have Sincerely,
their specialty dishes, heard a pin drop as she ad- Rachel Binah
which offered wide a vari- dressed the group and de-
Mary Ellen Early
ety of choices and plenty scribed the challenges we
of food for a late afternoon face now and after the No- Garry S. Shay
tea. vember 2nd election.
A distinctive invitation Following the program, Thank you to our sponsors:
was designed by my Speaker Pelosi and the other Steven K. Alari, Rachel Binah,
friend, Adam Rifkin, as members of Congress and Jess Durfee, Mary Ellen Early,
over 300 donors gathered candidates mingled with and I must say that I am Alice Huffman, Aleita Hu-
in my backyard to raise guests, continuing the dia- constantly inspired by her guenin, Andrew Lachman, Bob
just over $350,000 for the logue. I was so pleased that and infinitely proud to be Mulholland, Christine Pelosi,
DCCC to fund targeted DNC member Christine Pe- her friend. Bob Rankin, Garry S. Shay,
House races. The invita- losi, her husband Peter Kauf- Hon. Chris Stampolis, Keith
tion included an inspiring man and Nancy’s eighth Roz Wyman is a member of Umemoto, Roz Wyman, Laur-
letter from Judy Shepard of grandchild, Isabella, joined the Executive Committee of the ence Zakson
the Matthew Shepard us for the afternoon. DNC. Among her many accom-
Foundation, urging people Since the event, I have plishments are bring the Dodg-
to support the event. Spe- heard from many other peo- ers to Los Angeles, and serv-
cial thanks go to DNC ing as CEO of the 1984 De-
ple who enjoyed themselves Proofreading: Burt Belant
members Garry Shay, An- mocratic National Convention
because they were moved in San Francisco. Printing: Independent Printers
drew Lachman, Laurence and invigorated by Nancy,
Zakson, Jess Durfee and
Mary Ellen Early, who all
participated, spread the DELEGATE SELEC- party’s choice and inclusive of
word and forwarded the minorities, youth, LGBT and
TION PROCESS individuals with disabilities.
invitation to many groups
and individuals.
Members of Congress in and at-large DNC mem- voice in the nomination of our REDISTRICTING
attendance included Jared bers); and (5) Democratic party’s presidential candidate, Continued from page 2
Polis (CO-2), Howard Ber- elected associations (such while at the same time re-
man (CA-28), Judy Chu as Democratic Constitu- specting the important role legislative or congressional
(CA-32), Laura Richardson tional officers, and other that party leaders play in our seat under the very lines that
(CA-37) and Mike Honda representatives of Democ- nominating and political proc- will be drawn.
(CA-15). We also had can- ratic elected officials like ess. Perhaps most impor- Concurrent to the state redis-
didates Karen Bass (CA- mayors and supervisors). tantly, the new rules open up tricting process, local govern-
33) and Steve Pougnet Therefore, Ted Kennedy the nominating process to ing bodies will be doing redis-
(CA-45), and many local and Bill Clinton may not even greater participation. We tricting themselves. The same
elected officials including have been able to neces- thank the RNC and the De- coalition you pull together for
LA Controller Wendy sarily vote for their en- mocratic Change Commission the state process can also play
Greuel and Los Angeles dorsed candidates. for working so diligently on a role in the local redistricting
Councilman Bill Rosen- DNC Chairman Tim these important issues and process. Having the best pos-
dahl. Kaine stated, “These new focusing on ways to sible districts for all of our gov-
provisions represent an strengthen our party and the erning bodies is critical to hav-
A renowned musician,
important step toward in- presidential nominating proc- ing quality representation at all
active Democrat Corky
creasing grass roots activ- ess. levels of government.
Hale Stoller surprised
Speaker Pelosi with a per- ists’ involvement in our The RBC also determined Like everything else in poli-
formance on her harp, and presidential nominating that it will review the process tics, planning ahead and being
sang a song with special process. They guarantee after the 2012 election cycle well prepared will be critical to
lyrics to the tune of “I’ve that Democratic primary to further improve the proc- our success in the redistricting
Got a Crush on You,” voters and caucus partici- ess, particularly enhancing it process.
about Nancy, with ac- pants will have a larger to be representative of the