Susan B. Haskell, Vice President – Legislative Matters

The California Democratic Party Convention, March 28-30 in San Jose drew 2100 Delegates and observers to caucuses, general sessions, speeches, speeches and more speeches.  Elected officials, candidates and activists including Obama and Hillary supporters “swarmed” throughout the crowd and for political junkies, there was something for everyone. Most of all, stimulating conversation with fellow Dems, embracing of the Progressive Democrats theme, “Healthcare Not Warfare” and successful lobbying for CDP Platform amendments including; recognition of paper ballots not electronic receipts, support for instant runoff voting, prosecution of subprime lenders, an overhaul of sentencing laws in California, opposition to unfair trade deals, adding the term “single-payer” to the health care reform amendment and dramatic new language to end the occupation in Iraq.  An amendment to insure that all Party Candidates read the platform was also passed.

We had a chance to meet with several candidates challenging Republicans in “red” districts including; Charlie Brown CA-04 (McClintock), Debbie Cook CA-46 (Rohrabacher), Russ Warner CA-26 (Dreier) and Bill Durston CA-03 (Lundgren). We’ll be keeping an eye on these races.

In addition, there was much focus on the disastrous cuts to vital services proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger in response to the budget crisis, the importance of defeating Proposition 98 which would end rent control statewide by a constitutional amendment and supporting Prop. 99 which would protect homeowners by reforming eminent domain. Oh, and by the way, the Parental Consent people are planning another assault on women’s rights with a proposition on the November ballot.

The highlights of the weekend included the Platform Meeting, the Progressive and Women’s Caucuses, Young Democrats Caucus, Boot Camp for Candidates run by Christine Pelosi and speeches from Speaker Nancy Pelosi and soon to be Speaker of the California Assembly, Karen Bass. State Attorney General Jerry Brown, sounding like a candidate for Governor, gave a terrific speech. He’s pursuing lawsuits against the EPA for refusing to implement State Senate candidate, Fran Pavley’s legislation (passed when she was an Assemblyperson) to cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars. State Attorney General Debra Bowen received a tremendous response for her tenacious fight to insure the integrity of our vote. Caroline Kennedy informed Bowen that she had been selected for a Profile in Courage Award that morning. Finally, we heard from surrogates for Obama, SF District Attorney Karmala Harris and for Clinton – Former President Bill Clinton who continues to be a gifted orator and yes, he did tell the crowd as reported on the news, to “chill out” about Clinton dropping out now.

PPDC was well represented at the Saturday evening dinner where our table of 41st Assembly Delegates and friends including myself, Joe and Arline Halper, Ralph and Ingrid Erickson, Marcy Winograd, Maureen and Gen Cruise, Alice Lynn, Dorothy Reik and Linda Sutton enjoyed the camaraderie. The highlight of the dinner was keynote speaker Phil Donahue and a viewing of excerpts from his riveting and emotional film, Body of War.