[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Cross-posted on the Huffington Post. 

The Democratic race is too close to call. It is entirely possible that the losing candidate will be supported by 49% of the voters and the delegates. It is also possible that one candidate could win the popular vote but lose the delegate contest. Amidst all this uncertainty, one thing is clear: the candidate who wins will win by a nose.

Some believe that the fight between Clinton and Obama has hurt Democrats. They are dead wrong. This is the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party in a long time.

Voter turnout and engagement is up virtually everywhere. People who have never been politically involved before -- especially the many women and African Americans who feel a strong sense of connection to the candidates -- are excited.

It has been too many years since Democrats have been wildly passionate about whom they want to win the nomination. We have a good thing going, and we need to keep it going through November. We need to keep it going all the way to the White House.

There's more...

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Sunday's the big day for the more than 2,300 candidates competing for 241 coveted delegate slots to go to the Democratic National Convention (including me in CD 5).

The California Democratic Party has two online tools that are worth visiting. One is a Q&A about the process; the other is a pre-registration tool to help cut down on what are expected to be busy sites.

It's terrific that this is no longer just an insiders thing. It wouldn't surprise me if some of the caucuses pull in 1,000 ballots or more.

Good luck everybody.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

With the deadline for filing for delegate slots ending last night, there's been a record number of California Democrats signing up to run for the coveted slots.

More than 2,500 applications were received by the California Democratic Party for 241 slots. In 2004, about 1,200 competed.

Here's a story I'm featured in on Sacramento's News10. In my Sacramento area Congressional district, 39 Democrats filed for the Obama delegates and 21 filed for Hillary.

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

Well well...after a marathon 4+ hour session in room C3/4 of the San Jose Convention Center, we have a working platform draft that will apparently be up for more discussion Saturday night.

You may be interested in hearing what happened on the more controversial issues:

Death penalty: All motions tabled pending completion of a questionnaire.  Every delegate has a "death penalty questionnaire" in the convention bag.  When the results of the survey are finally tabulated, we'll have some sort of consensus for moving forward.

Assisted suicide: Untouched by consent of everyone involved.

Single Payer: Publicly funded, privately delivered.

Any other questions, please put them in the comments.  As soon as I get a full draft of everything I'll post it for your review (provided it's not in a PDF).

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

"Oh god, another speech from John Kerry." Those words came from the mouth of Art Torres describing the difference between the level of excitement between this year and 2004. Art continued on to say that the superdelegates should ratify the pledged delegate leader. This is a national convention, not a state or local convention. The national convention should nominate a national candidate. More over the flip.  

by Frances Mullane [courtesy of Blog for America]

I cannot believe anyone would suggest spending $12M on an election re-do.   The way to end the problem with MI and FL democrats votes not counting and the delegates not being allowed at the convention  is so simple that you wonder if anyone is thinking.   If these two states' votes and delegates don't count... then their delegate number needs to be removed from the total delegates available... cause they aren't available... then recalcuate the number needed to win based on the REAL number of available delegates.
 
This won't cost anything.  It is simple.  It is super Fair.   Frances Mullane Jupiter FL 561 745-9078

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Yesterday I wrote a diary proving that the national media had their delegate counts completely wrong for weeks.  I sent an email to the AP referencing this and asking them to change their counts.  

Well, here's where we are after Day 1.  Real Clear Politics changed their count.  The New York Times changed their count.  CBS has not.  MSNBC has not.  CNN still has it at 204-161 with five delegates undecided.

To the Times and RCP: you're welcome.  To the others: get with the damn program.

I have calls and emails in to the Secretary of State's office to confirm this, but I'm going by their own numbers.