Howard Dean's Democracy For America, a PAC with over a million members nationwide, announced today they're endorsing Debra Bowen for Congress.
We asked DFA members where they stood in the upcoming special election for Congress and the answer couldn't have been more clear -- DFA members overwhelmingly support Debra Bowen.
You already know Debra Bowen. DFA members across California worked hard for a national endorsement when Debra ran for Secretary of State in 2006. Local DFA members said Debra was a strong progressive who would lead reform of California's voting system from top to bottom. Her goal was to turn California into a world leader in voter integrity and protection.
We heard you loud and clear and together we worked to make sure Debra won. And you were right, Debra has been an outstanding Secretary of State and she'll make an outstanding Congresswoman for California's 36th District.
Working together, we can put Debra over the top on Election Day and send a progressive leader to Congress.
In 2010, DFA endorsed Marcy Winograd in her bid against Jane Harman. This is the second independent progressive organization to make the switch. In February, Blue America announced they would be supporting Debra Bowen in the race instead of Winograd.
By now many of you have probably heard that DFA's Netroots Nation Scholarship Competition is underway. In fact there have been a number of applicants from California, but there are still 10 days left in the first round so if you haven't yet, now is the time to apply.
Because the netroots are such a crucial component of the progressive movement, Democracy for America is heavily invested in cultivating a strong online community - and since the first Yearly Kos, Netroots Nation has been a big part of that community. This year, Democracy for America has teamed up with America's Voice and Netroots Nation to continue our successful NN scholarship competition and make it possible for 40 deserving bloggers and activists to attend the conference in Minneapolis this June.
The Republican Party representative had a scheduling conflict with his own party's meeting.
The SF4D meeting was open to the public. This was a moderated forum of two hours, with introductory statements, moderator questions, and audience questions. This report covers the points (my distillation, not verbatim quotes) that I found significant.
Marsha Feinland, Peace and Freedom Party:
The Peace and Freedom Party is an avowedly socialist, anti-capitalist party.
We tax sales of ordinary items such as shoes and school supplies; we should also be taxing financial transactions like stock trades.
The state should be taxing oil extraction. Richmond voted to tax Chevron, and Chevron isn't leaving.
A legislature that actually worked on behalf of the people would be a unicameral one elected via proportional representation. When I ran for the U.S. Senate, more people voted for me than did for sitting Senators in fourteen small states.
Pasadena DFA has been working for him since March of this year. Precint walking, phone calling, and soon GOTV. We're very excited about our chances to defeat 28 year incumbent David Dreier!!
Harvard-educated Greg Pettis, in his 14th year as Cathedral City Councilman and Democratic candidate for the 80th Assembly District to replace the termed out, thank God, Bonnie Garcia (R), has unparalleled credentials in the Progressive Democratic Movement.
Pettis has served on the City Council of Cathedral City for the last 13 years. During that time, he helped change a city that was once a place to drive through into a place where 50,000 people work, live, shop and live their dreams.
In addition to his duties on City Council, Pettis has worked on a wide range of committees designed to improve the lives of Californians and those in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.
Pettis dealt successfully with environmental issues from Salton Sea restoration to serving on the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Board to helping to negotiating the Multi Species Habitat Act which will guide future growth in the region in a more sustainable way.
In addition, Pettis has been working on transportation issues through the Riverside County Transportation Commission and the National League of Cities Transportation Policy Committee, helping to identify mass transit solutions that will help combat climate change.
Pettis was the first openly-gay elected official in Riverside County and has worked to bridge the gap between communities and to provide leadership to other gay candidates who have the desire to serve in public office but needed encouragement and mentorship.
Pettis is a member of Howard Dean's Democracy for America and has a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Azusa Pacific University and completed the Senior Executive Program in State and Municipal Government from the JFK School of Government at Harvard.
We finally have a solid candidate to run against David Dreier - a 25 year incumbent Republican for the 26th CD. Russ Warner will help us turn another red district blue and we're excited about that.
It's not too early to start working for Russ' campaign. Pasadena DFA intends on precinct walking, phone banking, tabling at farmers markets throughout the San Gabriel Valley, and doing whatever we can to "Fire Dreier".
We have responsibility, residing in a blue 29th CD, to help our red neighboring CD's get Democrats elected. We take that seriously!
The DFA Presidential Pulse Poll ends tonight at Midnight Eastern/9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, which only gives us a few hours to cast our votes. So far, over 130,000 votes have been cast, making it the largest presidential poll of progressive activists this year. I am genuinely proud to write that Dennis Kucinich currently leads with over 30% of the vote.
(I'd like to know as well... - promoted by David Dayen)
Democracy for America has been buzzing all day about the statement released by our Executive Director Arshad Hasan. Here one of the reasons why:
Our challenge to Al Gore: Jump In or Drop Out!
And another:
Despite the fact that Al Gore has not announced that he will run and wasn't even included in the endorsement poll, DFA members have seized the power and written him in. With over 65,000 votes cast so far, the time has come for Vice President Gore to make a decision.
The clock is ticking. We are deep into the 11th hour. There are fewer than 90 days until the first votes are cast. And filing deadlines to be on the ballot start closing in just days.
You deserve to know. Is Al Gore in or out?
Voting is still open until November 5 at midnight, and there is plenty of time for any candidate to win. All your candidate needs is your vote right now:
Democratic candidate for California 80th Assembly District, Greg Pettis, received the sole endorsement of the National group Democracy for America on October 15, 2007.
The organization, which was started by former Vermont Governor Howard Dean in 2004, is a grassroots network dedicated to supporting fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government.
"Inspired by the presidential campaign of Howard Dean, Democracy for America (DFA) is a political action committee dedicated to supporting fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government-from school board to the presidency. DFA fights against the influence of the far right-wing and their radical, divisive policies and the selfish special interests that for too long have dominated our politics."
DFA Executive Director Thomas Hughes said:
"Greg Pettis has been building Cathedral City one block at a time. His sound financial management has led to thousands of new jobs and increased revenue for the city. His conscience has led to progressive solutions like a first-time homebuyer program, cleaning up Salton Sea and protecting open space for generations to come.
"We are confident he will continue this record of success in Sacramento to find solutions to improve California's health care system and combat global warming."
Pettis said he was thrilled to have DFA's support.
"DFA is a group that not only supports fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates, but they do so from the ground up. Like me, DFA believes you win elections one vote at a time, sharing your ideas and committing your neighbors to help. That's been my record on the City Council and that's how I'm going to win this election."
DFA joins a long list of endorsements for Pettis including the California Building Trades Council, Riverside/San Bernardino Labor Council, Victory Fund, Riverside Mayor Ronald Loveridge, Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat, Cathedral City Councilmember Paul Marchand, El Centro City Councilmember Sedalia Sanders and former Coachella Mayor Juan DeLara.
Pettis is considered the Democratic frontrunner in the race to replace Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, who will be stepping down due to term limits. His status has been determined in that he has raised more money and has more donors than all the other Democratic candidates combined based on the last filings with California's Secretary of State.
Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is an financial supporter of Pettis.
The USC extension campus in Irvine is back to normal now. All the Priuses with the gnarly bumper stickers left the parking lot long ago. Life in Orange County has returned to normal, now that DFA Training Academy has moved on to the next location...
Or has it? Now, we have some 110 people who have gone through this training, and know how to make a difference. We have four Congressional candidates who have endured the training, and are ready to rumble (and take down some sleazy Republican incumbents). Ron Shepston in the 42nd District, Bill Hedrick in the 44th District, Hoyt Hilsman in the 26th District, and Michael Wray in the 50th District have now gone through the training, and so have their future teams of activists in their respective areas. Local grassroots groups for Barack Obama, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, and Bill Richardson (OK, and some Nevada staffers for Richardson also trekked down for this!) now know what they need to do to grow and put their grassroots energy to use. And now, local advovacy groups know how to get their message out more effectively.
Follow me after the flip for more on all the great things we learned, and how we all intend to put them into practice...
OK, so lunch break is over at DFA Campaign Academy. Arshad Hasan is thanking everyone at DFA-Orange County and the Orange County Employees Association for all the great work organizing this training weekend. Pretty soon, we'll be going to our elective sessions.
So what have YOU been learning so far at DFA Campaign Academy? What do you still want to learn? How many new friends have you met? How many old friends have you caught up with? And have you now learned what you need to know to help your campaign win?
Go ahead. Make my day. Blow me away with your amazing new knowledge! (And for all of you NOT here this year, make sure you sign up next year? You won?t regret it!) : )
OK, we're finishing today's session right now. The room is PACKED with people from all over Southern California, people who want to be more effective in helping progressives win. We have people from Obama OC, people with San Diego for Edwards, and organizers for Bill Richardson in from Nevada! We have Hoyt Hilsman from the 26th Congressional District, Ron Shepston from the 42nd District, Bill Hedrick from the 44th District, Michael Wray from the 50th District, and many other Democratic candidates here. This is just amazing!
So what's going on? We're learning how to recruit volunteers right now. And before this workshop, we learned how to figure out how to win. See, what did I tell you? We're getting a great education today!
So do you have any questions about helping Democrats win that you'd like me to ask the experts? Would you like to know if your best friend came today while you didn't? Were you just running late, and would you like to know what you missed while stuck on the 55?
Something amazing is happening tomorrow. DFA Campaign Academy is coming to Southern California! Tomorrow, progressive activists from all over Southern California will be coming to Orange County to learn how to win next year and in future elections. And guess what? All of us activists will be learning from the experts who know a thing or two on how to win.
Oh, and here's some more good news. Even though registration for attendance is already at 160 people, DFA is still accepting sign-ups for tomorrow! That's right, even if you haven't signed up yet, you can still come to DFA Training! So what's happening at DFA Training? Follow me after the flip for more...
What are you looking to do over the next year or so? Want to organize for universal health care? Want to campaign for your favorite Democratic Presidential Candidate? Want to manage your best friend's campaign for Congress? Want to just know what all your friends at DFA are talking about whenever election time approaches? Whatever you plan to do in politics, you need to learn how to be better at it by joining us at DFA Training Academy on July 21-22 in Irvine!
Oh yes, and I should say this. If you haven't registered yet, this is your last chance to sign up to attend! We're nearing our maximum attendance limit of 150, and the actual training is barely more than a week away. If you're in Southern California and you haven't yet signed up, take this last opportunity to learn how progressives can win, and how YOU can be a part of it!
Follow me after the flip to find out why you shouldn't pass up on this last chance to learn how to be a force for change in your community...
Have you always wondered what you can do to run a more effective campaign? Are you planning to run for office soon? Do you just want to be a better informed activist? Well, then come to the Orange County DFA Training next month! There is still room available, and we're preparing a great program for all of you Southern California progressive activists coming!
So what exactly do we have in store for you? Follow me after the flip for more...
Please take just a few seconds to vote for Charlie Brown right now in the second and final round of Democracy for America's "Grassroots All-Star" congressional campaign competition, ending Wednesday at midnight.
Your vote last year made me DFA's 2006 "Grassroots All-Star," giving me a critically early boost in our campaign to defeat Richard Pombo. Your vote today can make Charlie Brown -- the only California candidate in the competition -- DFA's 2007 "Grassroots All-Star" and help him defeat scandal-plagued Rep. John Doolittle.
First off, I want to say that I am looking forward to meeting a lot of folks I've only heard about online at the "Blue House at the Brew House" blograiser at the California Democratic Convention next Friday.
Just a few days ago, I went to the YearlyKos fundraiser YearlyKos fundraiser in Washington, DC. You can see some of the pictures from that event, including a photo of me with Dengre, in NYBri's recommended diary.
As you all know, I defeated Richard Pombo, a seven-term Republican incumbent, and was elected to Congress in 2006 on a wave of grassroots and netroots support. But, what some of you may not know is that I ran in 2004 and lost.
Sometimes, it takes more than one election cycle for voters to realize it's time for a change. That's why I am proud to post the following request on Calitics today.
Come over to the other side of this diary for the rest of the story.
Special Guest: John Perez, Political Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 324, to discuss current contract negotiations with Albertson's, Von's and Ralph's. Other items: Presentations on peace actions, blogging in CA (by Calitics' own atdleft!!), resolutions to be voted on at State Convention, media presentation and more. For collection, bring household items or gift cards for Beverly House, a home for 18-21 year old emancipated foster women.
No, really! Democracy for America meets tonight in Orange County, San Diego, and San Francisco. And if you live in any of these three areas, then I urge you to come on over tonight and meet your fellow local progressives. And oh yes, please come and find out about what YOU CAN DO to fight for progressive values in your community!
If you're interested in making a difference in your community, then follow me after the flip to find out where and when to go tonight!
This email just hit my inbox, from Democracy for America:
If you're like me, on November 8 you were left both overjoyed with the successes nationwide and wondering what happened in California. Or I should say, what DIDN'T happen in California.
And then came the news of the CDP's November 7 donation of $4,000,000 to Fabian Nunez. Which left many wondering, why the CDP had that much of cash left over after such a hard fought election? And since they did, why the weren't immediately plowing it into field organizing on the ground in preparation for 2008, which is decending on us with a vengence?
If you're like me, you're more than a bit annoyed with the CDP right now, you're looking for ways to set a new agenda and map out a new direction for the CDP in time for the 2008 campaign season. Look no further!
DSCC delegates within the Democrats of Greater Riverside are advancing the resolutuon below, and we are seeking compatriots around California to join in co-sponsoring and endorsing this resolution.
The April CDP convention is going to have some major issues that will send a clear signal as to the direction the CDP wants to go. So far we have this reform and the common sense support for net neutrality. Reso after the jump for people to introduce in local Democratic Party clubs.
