by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Former President Bill Clinton told those California Democrats urging his wife to quit the presidential race to "chill" and let the process play out. And in today's Wall Street Journal, political columnist Gerald Seib echoes the "silver lining" that could result from a continued spirited contest.
 
"It may be better for them to get controversies such as the one about Sen. Obama's former pastor, Rev. Jermiah Wright, aired now rather than waiting for Republicans to raise them. By showing where Sen. Clinton is strongest -- among rural, small-town, working-class women and Southern white Democrats -- the primaries are showing where Sen. Obama would need to do the most work. By showing where Sen. Obama is strongest -- among independents -- the primaries are showing his best path to win a general election.
 
"And it may be that the party's best chance of unifying itself is to let all camps leave its convention this summer in Denver feeling that the process has played itself out fairly."
 
Works for me, as does Speaker Willie Brown's remarks about the Florida and Michigan delegations: let them be seated, but not give them votes for president.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

At right, California Democratic Party Chair Art Torres with long time parliamentarian Joel Wyatt advising while votes were counted in Migden-Leno endorsement contest

By Frank D. Russo

The California State Democratic Convention of 2008 finished its business by voting 742 to 298 (71.3%) to vacate the endorsement of incumbent Senator Carole Migden for the 3rd Senate District. A substitute motion to endorse Mark Leno failed, getting only 60.3% of the vote, with 75% needed for endorsement from the floor.

Following this issue—the most contentious one in an otherwise virtual love fest amongst California Democrats—the body approved by a voice vote the consent calendar comprising the remaining endorsements

In another vote on the 40th Assembly District, the convention overruled a district caucus recommendation to endorse bob Blumenfeld. There are four Democratic candidates running in the primary for that heavily Democratic seat.

by FDR [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

By Frank D. Russo

A bitter fight for the endorsement by the California Democratic Party between incumbent State Senator Carole Migden and challenger Assemblymember Mark Leno is shaping up to be the biggest battle at the state party convention being held in San Jose.  The picture above is typical of what delegates and other other observers have seen over the last two days as they exit the convention floor.

The Democratic Senate leadership has pulled out all the stops to get Migden endorsed as dozens of Senate staffers, along with other supporters of hers, have been holding signs in meetings and the hallways urging that the party endorse her.  Unfortunately, this is one of those incumbent protection moves, where challenges to an incumbent must be fought at all costs.  Delegates appointed by Senators who would have supported Leno, the challenger, have been replaced by those loyal to Senator Migden.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Senate Democratic leadership rally around one of their own, despite record fine by Fair Political Practices Commission and incumbent trailing badly in polls

By Frank D. Russo

A bitter fight for the endorsement by the California Democratic Party between incumbent State Senator Carole Migden and challenger Assemblymember Mark Leno is shaping up to be the biggest battle at the state party convention being held in San Jose. The picture above is typical of what delegates and other other observers have seen over the last two days as they exit the convention floor.

The Democratic Senate leadership has pulled out all the stops to get Migden endorsed as dozens of Senate staffers, along with other supporters of hers, have been holding signs in meetings and the hallways urging that the party endorse her. Unfortunately, this is one of those incumbent protection moves, where challenges to an incumbent must be fought at all costs. Delegates appointed by Senators who would have supported Leno, the challenger, have been replaced by those loyal to Senator Migden.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The San Francisco Chronicle endorsed Democrat Barack Obama's presidential bid today, saying he has the vision and skills to bring about a reprieve andrenewal in America in the post-Bush years. The Chronicle alsocriticized Hillary Clinton for engaging in a "scorch the earth"strategy that puts being the last candidate standing above all else.That said, I like this picture (left).

With the news of Obama's landslide South Carolina win comes fresh commentary on the role of race in this campaign and whether the Illinois Senator's quarter share of the Palmettostate's white vote is enough. The Chronicle quotes some who say Obamashould have ignored former President Bill Clinton's attacks—not verygood advice.

John McCain's ascendancy from also-ran to almost front-runner has generated some weariness among California Republicans andexcitement in others, the Sacramento Bee reports. The most criticalremarks came from the pro-Giuiliani California Young Republicanspresident, who said McCain's age is transparent and he does not havethe ability to inspire or tell a story.

There's more...

Photo courtesy of the LA Times.