[courtesy of California Progress Report]

California Democratic Party Political Director and Young Democrat DNC member cites Obama’s ability to build the party with younger voters

By Frank D. Russo

In a move that puts Barack Obama ahead in most, if not virtually all super delegate counts and reduces his magic number to clinch the nomination, Crystal Strait, the Political Action Director for the California Democratic Party, endorsed Obama for President.

Strait, 28 years of age, the immediate past President of the California Young Democrats, and a member of the Democratic National Committee representing Young Democrats of America, is a powerful boost for Obama. She had been cited as an undecided delegate in an article as late as one appearing in this morning’s Oakland Tribune in which she praised the efforts of Chelsea Clinton to secure delegate commitments to her mother, Hillary Clinton. She becomes the 276th superdelegate to endorse Obama in a rare Sunday announcement from the campaign. Sshe has been active both within California and nationally.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Becca Doten
Political Director
California Young Democrats

This weekend Democrats of all ages converged on the San Jose convention center to listen to speakers and panels, participate in trainings and conduct Party business. Throughout the weekend there was a special buzz of excitement – that of the Young Democrats who were a part of this important convention.

You might have caught us wearing red CYD t-shirts or stickers with the phrase, "Year of the Young Voter" and the Chinese character for young, or seen us at the Assembly District Endorsement Caucuses or on the Convention floor. But no matter where you were, you'd be sure to see these young activists participating and engaging in the process. This year, more than ever, is a year that young people are getting involved in the political process. Not just as voters, but as active members of the Democratic Party.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Rocky Fernandez
President
California Young Democrats

The California Young Democrats had a very successful convention in San Jose this past weekend. We declared 2008 the “Year of the Young Voter” and held a well-attended panel on the youth vote. We also held our officer elections and our annual awards show over a Chinese food lunch buffet at San Jose State. The program drew a few hundred Young Democrats from every part of the state, and the event went well, especially for me-I was elected President of the organization.

But I wasn’t the one signing autographs and getting picture requests throughout the lunch. It was clear that the star of the show was our 2008 Mentor of the Year, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Having started in the YD’s as a member of the San Francisco Young Democrats, I got to see first-hand the rise of Mayor Newsom. I remember us hosting a forum on his “Care-Not-Cash” initiative to help solve homeless issues in the city.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Excitement about doubling of youth vote in California and candidates speaking to them about issues that matter

By Rocky Fernandez
National Committeeman
California Young Democrats

The California Young Democrats are traveling in droves to San Jose this weekend for the California Democratic Party State Convention. For many Young Democrats, it will be their first convention.

There's never been a better time to be a Young Democrat.

The Presidential Candidates are taking the youth vote seriously and investing resources to talking to young voters about our issues. Due to this and a lot of hard work by the California Young Democrats, the California College Democrats, and the Young Democrats of America, young voter turnout is rising.

In the February primary, youth turnout doubled from the 2000 and 2004 elections. Most of the turnout was for the Democratic candidates. Young Decline-to-State voters picked up Democratic ballots and took their first step towards becoming lifetime Democrats.

So we arrive at the state convention with a lot of momentum. We're looking at the trends in primaries and caucuses across the country and see similar increases in turnout. We know that with more hard work, we can get our peers to vote and in doing so win a lot of elections for Democrats.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

OK, so a lot of us will be out in San Jose for the convention this weekend.  And we've learned that Drinking Liberally San Jose is doing a special event on Saturday night near the convention site.  This will be a good opportunity for Caliticians and their friends to meet up and connect during the festivities.

Here are the details of the event:

What: Special California Drinking Liberally

Who: Hosted by San Jose Drinking Liberally

When: Saturday, March 29 6-8

Where: South First Billiards

420 S 1st Street, San Jose 95113

Phone: (408) 294-7800

Questions?: Mia from San Jose DL at sanjose-at-drinkingliberally-dot-org

There's a California Young Democrats event afterwards, but us old fogies can linger around at DL.

by Dante Atkins (hekebolos) [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

(note: I am the Vice-President of Communications for the Los Angeles County Young Democrats.)

The Los Angeles County Young Democrats are hosting a leadership workshop centering around training people on how to apply to become a Delegate to the DNC convention--and strategies for winning your election.

Other subjects covered will be the 2008 CDP Convention, as well as a brief overview of the structure of the California Democratic Party.

LACYD President, Becca Doten, will also be discussing the 2008 California Young Democrats convention, which is occurring concurrent with the CDP convention.

If you're in the L.A. area and these subjects interest you, please show up!

Westside Pavilion

Community Room A (by food court)

10800 West Pico Blvd (intersection of Pico and Westwood)

Los Angeles, CA 90064

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Today I'm headed out to the OC for the Democratic Party of Orange County annual convention, where I'm participating on a panel about Prop. 93 (and debating Tim Steed of the California Young Democrats).  I respect the opinion of those on this site and elsewhere who support Prop. 93.  I can't join them for the following reasons: