Dems Endorse Prop 93, Reject DiFi Censure, Go Neutral on Compacts

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Meeting in Anaheim this weekend, California Democratic Party Executive Board Members endorsed Prop 93 (the term limits reform initiative) and crushed a resolution to censure U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. The E-board also voted to take a neutral stance on the referendum to overturn the four gaming compacts signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger and ratified by the legislature.

The term limits initiative passed after some debate. A coalition of progressives who don't like term limits at all combined with others who believe that the initiative would reduce the chances of Democrats picking up more legislative seats. Ultimately, the party endorsed the resolution after CDP Chairman Art Torres and other party faithful hammered home that the initiative would make the legislature more effective.

Censuring Dianne Feinstein -- which was backed by moveon.org, the Courage Campaign, and other progressives -- failed.

Rick Jacobs of the Courage Campaign told the AP:  "We will be watching to make sure she votes in ways that make sense. And if not, we'll be back," he said.

The battle over the compacts was the most expensive one. The gaming tribes phone banked e-board members, did mailings, and even sent each E-board member a DVD. Labor was split on the issue, and the neutral position ultimately prevailed.

Another resolution that sought to highlight campaign spending was watered down and ultimately won approval.