| Several months ago, I announced that I was running for Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party. That was quite a while ago, it seems like ages now. That was before the incredible convention that nominated Barack Obama, before the election that brought us President-elect Obama, before I got married, before the passage of Proposition 8, before the upsurge of a populist movement to repeal Prop 8, and so on and so forth. It turns out that four months is a lifetime in an election year.
Also since then, we have seen the true validation of the 50 state strategy. Heck, not only did we win in North Carolina and Indiana, we took an electoral vote from Nebraska. Nebraska! It turns out that if you build it, they will come. And when we build local Democratic parties that speak to their areas, it turns out that Democrats win. Dr. Dean knew a few things, didn't he?
And so while running for the vice-chair position, I pointed out that the CDP would be well served to flesh out and fully implement the 58 county strategy. After doing some work in some red counties this cycle, I know we can win anywhere in this state. And seeing this budget disaster, I know we must win in areas outside our comfort zone.
All that being said, things change. The dynamics of these races are, in fact, quite dynamic. When I got in this race, I did so not simply to make a point. I believed, and continue to believe, that I would do an excellent job as the vice chair of the CDP. And with these changes, it is clear to me that I will not have the votes come April in Sacramento. While I am not afraid to run a race that is merely to make a point, I believe the goals of competing in every race and building the party throughout the party will be made.
So, I will not be running for Vice Chair at the April convention in order to pursue other priorities. However, I will continue to be as involved as possible. I will work with the incoming chair and all of the officers, and hope to be an asset to the party. The CDP has been more effective than it has been credited for, but not as effective as it could be. We still have a ways to go in terms of our abilities in online, and offline, organizing.
If we are to make the changes that both the party and the state need, we need grassroots leaders stepping up both inside and outside traditional power structures. I am sure that in whatever capacity I serve, I will be able to help this party going forward.
I want to thank everybody who supported me when I announced my run and since then. Rather than naming people individually, just know that I deeply, deeply appreciate it. And on we go... |
