[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By David Dayen
d-day

Well, primary day is here. If you're reading this and have an interest in California politics, GO VOTE if you haven't already. Then, here's a handy list of what to expect tonight and what signs to look for that would portend positive results for Democrats in November:

What will turnout be like?: In the key districts where we have the opportunity to flip seats, I'm going to be looking at how energized the Democratic electorate is. Most of the Republican incumbents are running unopposed or with token competition, so it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. But if Congressional challengers like Bill Durston or Russ Warner or Charlie Brown or Debbie Cook can run up a big percentage of registered voters today, it'll show their strength among their base of supporters. In addition, check the turnout in AD-80, AD-78, AD-10, AD-15, and SD-19. Those races have no incumbent running on either side, and all are currently in Republican hands. If more Democrats turn out, it's a pretty good sign.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Dick Price
Publisher
LA Progressive

Now slogging through its sixth bloody year, America’s invasion and occupation of Iraq is much on my mind this Saturday afternoon. On the television in the next room, the Democratic Party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee ponders the Florida and Michigan delegations, just now reaching its compromise.

by lindasutton [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]


One hundred and ten Progressive Democrats of America members and their guests filled the center section of the Nuart Theater in Los Angeles for the premiere of Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro's new film, "Body of War." It was a sold-out house and a very special evening for everyone lucky enough to have gotten their tickets in advance.

The "Body of War" is the story of Tomas Young and his journey from healthy young man from Kansas to that of the face and body of the broken warrior returning to his country, disillusioned by the lies that sent him to war and a leader who jokes about non-existent "weapons of mass destruction." Tomas begins his new life paralyzed from the chest down in a wheel chair. City riding in an unarmored Humvee on his first mission into Sadr City, he had been shot above the collarbone.

by WhatAre Progressive Values [courtesy of Blog for America]

 

Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.  Martin Luther King, Jr

Mimi Kennedy is an actress and Advisory Board chair of the Progressive Democrats of America. I interviewed her at a conference in Los Angeles, California.  She told me that nonviolence is her most important progressive value. She told me the story about having painfully learned the importance of truth and transparency at a young age as well.

Nonviolence is a flop. The only bigger flop is violence.  Joan Baez

Progressive Values Stories: Mimi Kennedy on Nonviolence
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hBLK8uKRIV0

by tface1000 [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

According to a story today at the Progressive Democrats of America website, the Metro San Diego chapter of PDA has endorsed Vickie Butcher in the 52nd Congressional District. Excellent choice! Vickie is running for the seat that Duncan Hunter has held for forever and a day. His son, Duncan Jr., is running in his stead in the upcoming June primary. There are several Democratic candidates running in this race, but Butcher is the clear progressive choice, and I'm very happy to see an endorsement for Vickie Butcher from San Diego's Metro PDA Chapter.

Vickie generated much excitement among those present as she spoke against the war and for universal health care, election reform, and ending poverty. She plans to join the Congressional Progressive Caucus next January.

Vickie easily won the endorsement and is genuinely pleased to have the Metro chapter's support. A true progressive in every sense, she faces three candidates in the CA 52 Democratic primary on June 3, none of whom sought the endorsement.

more on the flip side....

by Mike Hersh [courtesy of Blog for America]

Progressive Democrats of America National Board Chair Mimi Kennedy flew in from L.A. Friday night to ride through Maryland's 4th District on a Bus. PDA National Board Member Rev. Lennox Yearwood rushed back from an appearance in Texas to Prince Georges County, where was "born, went to public school, was ordained, and commissioned into the Air Force." Why? To rally voters for Donna Edwards, the most exciting and progressive candidate this district has seen. The room was packed with Donna's supporters, swelled by PDA and DFA members from Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties.