[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Lakshmi Kerner
Barack Obama Mama

Running for a Barack Obama delegate seat has been one of the most exciting, challenging, fun and difficult experiences in my life. Since meeting Barack Obama in February 2007 I have experienced a total metamorphosis from who I thought I was to the person I have become. I hardly recognize myself sometimes.

After applying in early March to the California Democratic Party to be an Obama delegate in Barbara Lee’s Congressional District 9, I realized I needed a mentor, someone who could show me the political ropes. I was introduced to Lucy Sells (seated in the picture at right), a smart, savvy, wonderful woman who has been active in progressive Democratic politics in the Bay Area for over 50 years. Lucy took me under her wings and guided me each step of the way. When I signed up to volunteer at the State Democratic Convention, Lucy offered to let me stay in her room and she said she would introduce me to everyone…and she nearly did that. I met so many people at the Convention, Lucy told them I was running to be an Obama delegate, gave them my flyer and asked them to vote for me.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Here's an e-mail California delegate candidates (who survived the purge at least) received from CDP Chair Art Torres: 

"As we approach this weekend's Congressional District Caucuses, the final list of those who will be on the ballot in each CD is now posted at www.cadem.org/finalapplicants. Per the National Delegate Selection Rules, each campaign reviewed  the applications and returned to the California Democratic Party the approved list of District delegate applicants.

Caucuses to elect the delegates will take place everywhere in the state at 3:00 p.m., with sign-in and voting starting at 2:00 p.m.

The California Democratic Party has put up a widget on our website where you can point your supporters to go and pre-register for the caucuses. All you have to do is go to www.cadem.org and look on the right-hand side -- then just fill in the blanks and follow the prompts. Although pre-registration is not required, you can cut down the long lines and help out the campaign volunteers who are staging these events by taking this simple step ahead of time. The deadline for pre-registration is Thursday, April 10th at 5:00 p.m.

There's more...

by Susan Rowe [courtesy of Blog for America]

Written in a message from the Chairman of the California Democratic Party, State Senator Art Torres (Ret.) titled "You get to choose".

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]