So, give us the skinny on the Dem convention in LA

[realFedUp]

ok, CA bloggers, what's the scoop
from inside? LA Times reporting a
lot of Arnold policy bashing, Lockyer
didn't attend....

[GRLMGC]

1. Lockyer was there

There was Arnold bashing but he's only fucking up our state.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Where there any protests against the McPherson vote?

Some DUers who are delegates had suggested protesting the legislature's unanimous confirmation of Bruce McPherson (a Republican) as Secretary of State.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=141x8650#8674

[GRLMGC]

3. Not that I saw nt

[xxqqqzme]

7. there was not ONE

word uttered about the SoS betrayal. The resolution our DFA group submitted about voter verified voting was ignored. I did not meet one delegate who was happy w/ Feinstein (her applause @ the luncheon was polite but hardly the scale of Boxer's reception earlier in the day) Dr. Dean was adored by all.

[Liberty Belle]

4. Lockyer spoke on lawsuits he's filed against Bush

to protect CA environmental policy and a woman's right to choose.

Angelides, also running for Governor, gave a terrific speech. He's been endorsed by Boxer and Pelosi and seems to be a very strong candidate.

Howard Dean spoke at the $100-a-plate dinner, but also popped into a showing of "Outfoxed" to speak with those who couldn't pay up for the dinner. He was sincere and dynamic, as always, listing off our moral values and all the ways that the Republicans' agenda is anything but moral.

A highlight of the convention was Barbara Boxer's speech. She got a thundrous standing ovation and electrified the crowd. We're all hoping she can be persuaded to run for president in '08.

A lot of resolutions were passed, including one calling for withdrawal of troops from Iraq at the earliest opportunity.

Lots of anti-Arnold ammo, including a couple of funny but informative videos.

Feinstein spoke at lunch, but I missed that event.

Lots of fun parties--especially the "Night at the Casbah" hosted by DFALA at the Figueroa Hotel--a Moroccan-style place that was perfect for the soiree!

[realFedUp]

5. fun report, thanks nt

[calimary]

8. I saw Dean - got to shake his hand!!! I'm still walking on air. He came

charging through the room just before a screening of "Outfoxed." I was SO delighted because I was afraid the observer credential I'd earned from many hours' volunteering wouldn't get me into the dinner. He was stirring and WUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNderful!!! He brought the place to its feet, again and again and again!

Met Congresswoman Diane Watson, LA Mayoral hopeful Antonio Villaraigosa, and was very impressed with the size of the turnout (even though, at the end of registration on Saturday afternoon, there were many delegate badges left unclaimed).

Hilarious on Friday night (the opening night) when workers for one of the state treasurer candidates, Dunn, arrived in green top hats, green feather boas, and lots of green plastic necklaces, passing out party invitations. They were promoting free green beer. Colorful, to say the least.

I was a registration volunteer both Friday and Saturday, so I spent most of my time there, but was able to break out and buy some buttons and pick up some souvenirs. A young woman opposed to Der Schwarzenazi's special election gave me maybe 100-or-so stickers to pass out around town, after I told her I lived on the Westside, near arnold's neighborhood.

MANY people were there lobbying for Sheila Kuehl's healthcare bill. I helped proctor a brainstorming session on various health care issues and people were really starting to think about ways to present and frame the issue to grab more attention from the public in general and the media in particular. GREAT and SO encouraging to see!

On Sunday mid-morning, after Antonio spoke, there was a panel discussion in the general session hall about FRAMING THE MESSAGE - with Ann Lewis (formerly of the DNC during the Kerry campaign), Arianna Huffington, a TV writer formerly with Bill Maher and now with Dennis Miller (at every mention, Maher's name drew cheers and Miller's name was booed), and a Hispanic pollster/researcher with some seriously interesting and disturbing statistics (republi-CONS making inroads among Hispanics by tapping into a "we know you" type of warm-fuzzy emotional pandering job with lots of music, Hispanic flags, and images of duhbya hugging and kissing people and talking love and family and children and faith stuff - and worst of all, people were buying it).

Ann Lewis had one VERY interesting point: latch onto an issue you really care about, and hone it down to 45 seconds or so - less than a minute - about the length of time you'd have in an elevator ride). Arianna was ferociously popular, and talked about getting BOLD and being BRAVE and not being afraid to say the war was wrong and the republi-CONS are screwing us. She said our reps who try to find things to agree upon with the enemy are DEAD WRONG, because the point should be NOT TO AGREE with them, AT ALL. MAN, did that bring rousing applause again and again. She said what so, so, so many of us here on DU have been saying: don't be afraid to let 'em have it. In fact, the operative word when her turn came, in describing Democrats' efforts to stall the republi-CON juggernaut, was "chickenshit" (she then joked that she thought, for a moment, that she was still on HBO).

It was altogether WUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNderful. If I loved Howard Dean beforehand, I love him even MORE now - for caring enough about those who couldn't get into the dinner to come speak to us, even if only briefly. That mattered a LOT. Besides, if I'd been able to get into the dinner, the way it was set up, no way would I have been able to shake hands with him.

It was just terrific to be able to talk with SO many others of like mind, to link up, face-to-face, with people I knew only online and via email, and to make some new friends, all of whom shared my view on bush and the war and the whole republi-CON criminal enterprise. Party chair Art Torres came through our registration room and stopped to personally thank every single one of us volunteers, sitting at the registration tables. THAT gesture went a VERY long way. Lots of the volunteers noticed and appreciated it, and were talking about it afterwards. Even if I hadn't been a volunteer, I would have found that extremely meaningful and considerate. Because the volunteers worked their (our) butts off.

[Liberty Belle]

9. Lucky you! So now that you've given up hand-washing...;-)

thanks for your report.

At the dinner, Dean told a story about the waiter who served his table. The waiter now has a son at Harvard--an accomplishment that's getting harder and harder to fulfill. Dean said that's what Democrats are fighting to protect--the American dream, and the hope that all of us can provide better futures for our children.

At the General Session Saturday, some statistics were presented about how the Hispanic vote in California is growing increasingly red--especially immigrants. We need to do more outreach to the Hispanic community via progressive Hispanic radio shows and flyers translated into Spanish. Most of these people are voting against their own economic self interest.

[calimary]

10. No indeed. I can wash my hand anytime I wish. Touches like this sink

down through the pores, deep into the skin. Washing them off is NOT an issue here.

Drat! Sorry I missed you! Unfortunately, fellow California DUers were the single group of folks I did NOT see, of all the folks I ran into. I went by the DFA booth several times looking for Capn Sunshine, who was going to be staffing that table, and I missed him, too. If I'd known you were there, I'd have sought you out. Those Hispanic statistics were troubling indeed. AMAZING what a few cosmetically-enhanced and nicely-dressed and stirringly-scored lies can do.

All in all, I had a fabulous time, refreshed my memory on what fun conventions can be (this was my first sheer political one), and I've been sticking my brand new "STOP THE SPECIAL" (election) stickers here and there, ever since (tee hee hee...)

[Liberty Belle]

11. I wish we'd done a DU meetup, too.

I did run into one DU member at the Casbah party.

You might have spotted me--I was wearing a big hat and a black-and-white polka dotted dress Saturday. Interestingly, a couple of people who knew I'd be around guessed I was "Liberty Belle" just from the outfit! ;-)

Miriam

[calimary]

19. That was one option that wasn't open to me - staying for the parties.

I had to get home to the kids and spousal-unit. But I would have found a way to go to a DU gathering, somehow or other. Too many valuable, hardworking, resourceful people here not to try to connect with.

[xxqqqzme]

12. I also went lookin'

4 the Capn and missed him as well.

The Sunday 'town hall' led by Lockyer was informative, interesting and disturbing. Was impressed w/ the sincere dedication of Assemblymember Fran Pavley and state Senator Jackie Speier.

I was very, very impressed w/ BOE member John Chiang. I happened 2 meet him later and was even more impressed.

Was sorry MoveOn's Wes Boyd wasn't there 4 the earlier 'town meeting' led by Rick Jacobs. One of the delegates told me Ann Lewis is Barney Franks' sister. Lookin' forward 2 the day Jacobs is CDP chair.

[Kevin Spidel]

6. "End the Occupation" Resolution Passed!

more on the pdamerica.org website later.

[realFedUp]

13. I heard some grumpiness about Dean not speaking to whole convention

So, Howard Dean wasn't one of the main
speakers at the convention? Anyone know
why? I know he spoke at a dinner that
tickets were sold to raise monies for
the state party which is a good thing...

[Constitution]

16. The tickets were $100 bucks - not for the poor.

It is customary for the national leaders to speak to the whole convention. Limiting himself to the rich was not too impressive.

[MontecitoDem]

18. He also spoke for free to the rest of us!

Those of us that didn't pay the $100 went to see "Outfoxed" during that time slot. Before the film he came in and spoke to us for about 5-6 minutes (guessing). It was a great speech - just more compact than the paid event.

My only complaint was that when he spoke to us, he did it as if we had all been his supporters for President - that part was weird. But what he had to say was great!

[realFedUp]

14. I heard about Sheila Kuehl's health care bill SB 840

This is one that could pass the legislature
and go to Arnie's desk. Of course he will
be pressured by the pharmasuits not to sign
it, but this is THE BILL for all CA dems
to get behind...and pressure the Gov. to
sign.

Find out more info on this universal single
payer health plan for all Californians at:

http://www.healthcareforall.org/summary840.pdf

[Constitution]

15. The Hull-Richters put together a progressive caucus.

It was the best attended caucus of the convention.

Everyone at the convention was talkinga about the speeches their kids gave at the resolutions meeting.

[LiveWire]

17. I went as a UCSB observer

And I have to say, much arnold bashing (although it was well deserved). I almost ran over arriana hufington, and Howard Dean's security pushed me over.

I have to say, the Labor Caucus was awesome. The most entertaining of all. Most of the CYD stuff was ok. Cal Dems at berkeley tried to rig an election, but its ok they still lost.

Westly was running all over the place telling everyone hes trying to be governor. However, I think Angelides will beat him. And Lockyer is jsut a tool.

The Party, as always, was at the Angelides hospitality suites as well as the UCSB hotel rooms.

Thank you, that is all.

[realFedUp]

20. I wouldn't close your mind to Steve Westly yet...

Angelides has been campaigning for awhile
but no one really knows who he is...likewise
for Westly, even though both were elected
to state offices. Steve's hired some of
Dean's guy and is gearing up his campaign
now.

I think it's a good thing to have some
competition in the primary, especially
since Arnold might be yanked home by
his wife any minute.

[GRLMGC]

21. Hey, what's up?

I was there too ;) UCSB Represent!