Who is the face of the Democratic Party in California? We need one!

[Democat]

Does it seem to anyone else that since Davis has left, there is no Democrat who gets any exposure in the California media? It's almost like the Democratic Party doesn't exist in California anymore, except when Arnold is using them as whipping boys.

I think this is very bad for the future of the California Democratic Party as it gives the impression that they are powerless and voiceless (and part of the past) at the exact same time that Arnold is everywhere all the time.

Is the California Democratic Party working on getting someone with some personality to run against Arnold or to stand up and represent us while Arnold is in charge? We have Boxer and Feinstein, but they both seem more national than local.

I really think that we risk losing a lot of ground in the state without any strong personality representing us and countering Arnold in the local media. Davis may not have been great, but he could always be counted on to stand strong on issues like abortion rights, which Californians care about, and he got a lot of media coverage.

Is the California Democratic Party working on a strategy to exist in a world where Arnold is the king? The 2004 election is coming up and we can't let our side fall just because Arnold is so popular.

[davidinalameda]

1. good question

I think that we'll have a strong candidate against Ahnuld in 2006

gods, I hope we do at least

I'll tell you right now, if it's Lockyear, I'll vote Green

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. A "Special Place in HELL is reserved for Gropenfurher" right next...

to the person who ran Germany between 1933 and 1945.

Second of all, I cannot see Arnie loosing in 06'. The Dems are just too weak. I am thinking that we Dems need to be more like our right wing counter parts. That is we are lockstep with the national party and will not take kindly to dissent.

It's the only way.

[Piperay]

2. I believe that when Kerry visited

So. CAl last week Antonio Villragosa (spelling ??) was by his side and looked like he was the official host. I have seen Villragosa more since the groper ousted Davis and he seems kind of like the unofficial Democratic face. I like him and have heard he is going to make another run for higher office.

[Leilani]

4. I hope it is not Bustamante!

Was NOT impressed with him at all.

[necso]

5. Loretta Sanchez.

She is again a national figure in a national seat, but I really believe that she has the potential to take on the Obergruppenfuehrer and win.

She sure isn't CalDem politics as usual, and we need something new.

http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/display2.cfm?id=8059&type=Home

I have no answer as to how to get good press coverage for any Dem, but Congresswoman Sanchez has the personality (and looks, if I may be forgiven the observation), to attract and keep that coverage.

It will be some time before we can take on that pig Arnie, one on one, but when we do, we will do well to think about the Congresswoman.

As for this fall, if that bastard Arnie forgets who has been backing him in this state and goes after Dems, we need to fund an aggressive recall immediately thereafter, if only to cause him embarrassment.

[davidinalameda]

7. Sanchez would be formidable

a Latina running against Ahnuld

that would be too cool

[genius]

12. Sanchez is taking money from defense contractors - particularly Raytheon

And it's had a negative effect on her. She's not that liberal. She supported the $87 billion.

[mitchtv]

6. I like Loretta, but

I would rather see her take Dianne's seat. I like Garamendi and also Villagriosa

[davidinalameda]

8. I still think that Newsom is being groomed for DiFi's senate seat

I've always thought that and the gay marriage flap will die down sooner than later

[genius]

14. I'm backing Maxine Waters for that one. Or Kamala Harris.

One of those two would be perfect for the 2004 Senate seat.

Didn't Newsom contribute to Bush? I saw that on a thread here when he was running for mayor.

[Athame]

16. Senator Waters has a very nice ring to it

She just impresses the hell out of me.

Barbara Lee, too.

[genius]

15. Loretta has a lot of opposition from immigrants.

I'm not totally familiar with the problem but apparently some Latino groups are really upset with her. If you invite her to speak somewhere, a crowd of protestors, protesting her, will also show up.

[question everything]

17. And she started as a Republican

but found an opportunity to run as a Democrat.

I don't think that she has accomplished much, except a lot of P.R. for herself.

I don't trust Villaragiousa, either. Herzberg - the outgoing speaker of the assembly - is good. Also members of congress: Jane Harman, Brad Sherman and Adam Schiff as well as Susan Davis

[Semi_subversive]

9. My boss, John Garamendi

would be my choice. But it seems that every time he makes strides as Insurance Commissioner regarding worker's comp, Ahnold winds up grabbing all the headlines with no mention of the Commissioner. I was disappointed to read an article a couple weeks back that brought up who the leading dem might be. Phil Angelides seemed to be the front runner and might be a good choice at that, but there was no mention whatsoever of Garamendi. It's like he's being snubbed by his own party after giving his life to public service including the Peace Corps, the legislature, part of the Clinton administration, and now his second go around as Insurance Commissioner. Maybe he's too liberal for them. God forbid if we had universal healthcare like he's advocating.

Personality-wise, he's very personable and appears to care about what you may be discussing with him. His family support unit is his strongest suit with seven kids ranging from 17 to 35 or 36, his wife Patti is not your typical window dressing, but a very intelligent and caring person (I have worked with her on several projects at my previous department which was eliminated thanks to Davis' idiocy).

The bottom line is that he actually cares about what happens to all people, not just the ones with money. Just my opinion.

[slackmaster]

10. Bring back Jerry Brown

n/t

[Democat]

11. It looks like he's considering a come back!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=141x899

[genius]

13. Jerry's a good option. So is Maxine Waters.

But Jerry needs to keep his opinions about Kamala Harris to himself as he's losing support over his comments regarding her.

[demosincebirth]

19. He's doing a hell of a job in Oakland.

He was easily re-elected in Oakland, which is 65% African-American. He's moving to the political center, with a lot of common sense.

[genius]

20. That's a bad move. His popularity is from his liberalness

[MisterP]

18. nationally or statewide?

for the state, I'd recommend Treasurer Phil Angelides: he's calling Ahnuld's BS while Lockyer has lost my respect by being so servile to the Gropenator. We need Kevin Shelley as SoS.

[shance]

21. I would say its Kevin Shelley these days...

for addressing and confronting the electronic voting issue.

He has proved to be a quality statesman in my opinion.

[genius]

22. Shelley's waivering. We have to sit on him.

[genius]

23. The only State Dem with the courage to stand up to Arnold is Angelides

We need someone with his courage leading us.

[genius]

24. Perhaps its time to dump Torres. He backed Arnold's right wing Props

If it hadn't been for Torres's strong support for Arnold Propositions 57 and 58, the rich would be paying their fair share and California children would not have lost their right to go to college and to get quality medical treatment.