[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

While I have many close friends who support Clinton and who support Obama, I have not been involved with either campaign. As a professional Democrat, I’ve watched the contest between the two of them evolve – often unexpectedly – for months.

I now believe Obama will win our nomination. His lead among delegates was built by his activist-based victories in states that allocate delegates by caucus. You win such states by having the money to compete on the ground (which has been internet based for Obama) and by generating excitement among the faithful. For all her strong points, Clinton has been unable to generate activist excitement. And because her fundraising was centered around contributors to her husband (‘investors’) she was able to raise a lot of money but not a lot when compared to Obama.

[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...

by Ron Shepston for Congress [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Honestly, I can't do this without you.

From the beginning, this campaign has been about the netroots taking the next step to becoming the mainstream. You've been fantastic, but we need more if we are to win the primary. If we implement the plan below we will win and set the stage to win in November. We need to make a lot of noise and talk to a lot of people. Not enough people know about us and even fewer understand why we are doing this.

Without the money, there is no campaign - so I'm not going to beat around the bush.  We need money; we need it now. We need your help.  If you believe in candidates emerging from the netroots, like I know you do, then please contribute.

Click on this button to go to ActBlue.




Jump below for a story and some details on how your money will be spent.

by Paul Froehlich [courtesy of Blog for America]

Illinois voters had the ballot choice of a straight-party option for almost 100 years until 1997.  That's when lameduck Republicans, in their last day before relinquinshing power to the Democrats in the House, banned the straight-party option.  This week the Illinois House will debate a bill to re-instate that option.  Republicans tremble with fear at the prospect of voters with the straight-party option and a Democratic ticket with Obama at the top.

by Jeff Morris [courtesy of Blog for America]

    I just saw this on CNN, and it really ticked me off. Yup. Our MSM is at it again! This CNN headline was shortly after followed by another "Obama's Explosive Comments Against Small Town America" headline.

   Explosive? Was CNN and I watching the same speech? Obama said "small town Americans cling to religion, guns, and oppose illegal immigration? ...O.K... Religion-... the one thing they can still believe in. Guns-.... The economically deteriorating neighborhood isn't as safe as it was in better times. Oppose illegal immigration-....You mean just like the majority do in the other 49 States? So where's the talking down  Part?

   Naturally Hillary and McSame couldn't wait to chime in. As should have been expected. I think Pennsylvanians are resilient, said Clinton, not people to be looked down upon....Obama looked down on them?.... This shows he's out of touch with Main Street America, said McCain. Since when is McCain Main Street America? He supports Bush policy in Iraq. That means he's at about 28% approval!

by David Reiter [courtesy of Blog for America]

It is still possible for either Obama or Clinton to win the Democratic Primary. Here is what needs to happen for one or the other to win. The race is not over, and all voters need to make sure they continue the pattern of record turnouts and vote for their candidate.

First, the math:

Number of Delegates to win the nomination: 2,024 Remaining Delegates: 914

Current Delegates

Obama: 1,629; Needed to win: 395; % of remaing delegates needed to win: 43.2%

Clinton: 1,486; Needed to win: 538; % of remaining delegates needed to win: 58.8%

(Click Read More for the rest of this post) 

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I do some web work for Mark Leno.

It's not often that the 300 signatures are gathered to actually pull something off of the consent calendar, but it happens. What doesn't happen is getting twice the number of required signatures. A few signatures over 600, in fact.

Tomorrow, Bill Clinton will be speaking to the convention, and Kamala Harris, SF's DA, will be speaking on behalf of Obama. While I have great respect for the 42nd president of the United States, he is not known for being a timely gentleman. What time the platform, the SD-03 race, and the consent calendar will come up are pretty much all dependent upon when President Clinton shows up.

Tomorrow should be an exciting day for the San Francisco folks and the Clinton delegates. Should be fun.