[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The California Majority Report has been denied credentials to participate in covering the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. Which makes the criticism by DailyKos and our friends at Calitics about the selection process a little weird, since they seem to be griping that the "establishment" blogs in most states have been credentialed while those that aren't in lockstep with the state party have been denied credentials.

Well, uh, we've long been accused of being California's establishment Democratic blog in the blogosphere, particularly by our pals at Calitics. Yet they are among those complaining to DNC Chairman Howard Dean about which blogs are getting credentialed and which aren't.

Seems to me like the DNC did the best job it could sorting through the applications. And heck, we'd like to have the official credentials (don't worry fans, I'm bringing my laptop on the floor with me as an officially elected delegate), but there's no reason to go nuclear on Howard Dean because you didn't get a ticket to the big show.

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

Jerry McNerney is among the superdelegates who are meeting with Hillary Clinton today.

According to this DailyKos diary, the Congressman's office is keeping track of who calls and what they have to say, so if you're a California blogger--especially one who helped McNerney--feel free to make your opinion known (whatever that opinion is).

Here's the number:

925-833-0643

Now that there are more undecided superdelegates than pledged delegates, I guess that calling Congressional offices is now more important than calling voters...

by Hannibal [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Crossposted at DailyKos

I'd started this little project a little while back, wanting to learn more about the candidates for the CA-52 primary. So I sent each of the candidates 10 questions. Today it's Mike Lumpkin at bat! Mike has been kind enough to answer my questions, delayed through nobody's fault, but did involve a case of Pneumonia. (Hope you're feeling better, Chris!) So now, join me below the fold and learn a little more about Mike! And then visit his website to learn a little more, or if you want, his ActBlue page.

by IE Wolf Wench [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

(Note: This was written last night by my husband, and will be cross-posted on DailyKos under his username after I post this.)

I'm sure that around here, Jerry Lewis of CA-41 fame needs no introduction. Well, a few Democrats have entered the race.

Tonight (writing this as of January 9th), I just met one of them, and Dr. Rita Ramirez-Dean strikes me very much as the real deal. Passionate, outspoken, dedicated and strong-willed, with a life story that has "true Democrat" stamped on it, Dr. Ramirez-Dean could very well help us replace a, well, Jerry Lewis with a real progressive. Crooks and Liars has a great if brief post about her.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

This is also in the Calitics Event Calendar, but I wanted to post it for better visibility. Rep. Mark Udall from Colorado's second district will be in SF this Thursday (11/29). Markos from Dailykos & Susan from SF Drinking Liberally have organized a reception for him.

Mark is a five-term congressman and running for the Senate in 2008. The Senate seat is being vacated by a Republican so it should be a competitive race. Mark started his career with Outward Bound in Colorado and served as its executive director for ten years, so he's been strong on environmental issues. He's been against the Iraq war from the beginning and is working to bring the troops home.

There's more info on him at his House website. More details and RSVP here.

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

(from my DailyKos diary this morning--it's important for me to try to bring CA issues to the national spotlight.)

And by that, I refer to the California Democratic Party.

As you may know by now, the resolution authored by progressive activists to censure Senator Dianne Feinstein was not heard by the CDP Resolutions Committee.  If you read my previous diary on the subject, you'll realize just how contentious this issue was, and that the end result was exactly as expected.

There will be a lot of complaints about the result, and understandably so.  Nevertheless, an official censure is a huge step, and the end result is no surprise, given the momentous nature of the struggle in question.

But I'd like to share another story with you that might even better exemplify just how much change and reform we still need in the California Democratic Party, as well as give you some insight into how the party machinery works.

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

Cross-posted from my diary on DailyKos about this issue.

At this point, I dare say I've given you a good introduction to the cancerous infestation upon the California Democratic Party that is Bob Mulholland.  He was the insider consultant who accosted me and dday at the e-board meeting previous to this one.  He's the supreme strategist who told us that we just don't get the big picture regarding the censure of Senator Feinstein.

And now, he has just another one in a long line of hatchet jobs against you, the activist base of the progressive movement.  According to Big Picture Bob, you are "fringe" and "pre-nursing home."

"Fringe" we've heard before. "Pre-nursing home"?  I have absolutely no idea what that means.  But I'll try to examine it below the fold.