A Call to Action on Red Counties and Districts at California Democratic Convention

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Resolutions Need Delegate Backing to Realize Party's Goals

[We have received this response from Mayme Hubert of Take Back Red California leaders of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party and other delegates who will be working to bring about changes of the party at the upcoming state convention.]

Open letter to County Central Committee Chairs

Re: Resolutions to be considered at the State Convention April 27-29, 2007

Dear County Committee Chairs,

By now you will have received the State Party Chair’s email about a 58-County Strategy. It certainly outlines assistance to rural counties on a number of topics. It is up to all of us to see that these offers are accepted and that the resources for these plans are firmly committed. It is time we began a serious discussion.

Indeed, organizational and financial assistance from the State Party and hard work from the counties is the only way we can elect more Democrats to the State Legislature and to the US Congress. Contrary to the trend nationwide in 2006, California Democrats did not increase their representation in Sacramento. Not one seat changed party. However, with enormous effort the grassroots were able to beat Pombo and send Jerry McNerney to Congress.

The missing ingredient in 2006 was organizational and financial assistance from the State Party. $4 million was left over in the CDP coffers on election day in November 2006. These funds were turned over to the Speaker who declared that he would spend it on “consultants, polling, retreats, and meals” for sitting Assembly Members. Perhaps, that $4 million could have been spent on embattled candidates in the 2006 campaigns. And we are thinking of Charlie Brown who came within 3 percentage points of beating John Doolittle in CD 4. Click here for the news story on the $4 million.