[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Despite moving up its primary to attract more attention, California won't get to see the Democratic presidential contenders go at it in a freewheeling debate after all.

The Democratic National Committee today pulled the plug on the December 10th debate because of the Writers Guild authorized strike with CBS News writers. The candidates were all but certain not to cross a picket line by the writers.

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

It seems like this is the week to roll out new TV ads for the Democratic presidential contenders. Yesterday, Obama released his first two ads of the cycle, now here is John Edward's offering called "Strength of America". The ad is airing in New Hampshire and features a cameo by Elizabeth Edwards.

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

The LA Times works hard at creating a story around the Democratic presidential contenders not endorsing the message of SiCKO and the potential of that to upset liberal activists. The problem is that it is not happening. It is a manufactured story. One only needs to trundle over to recommended list on Daily Kos, which is as good as any temperature reading of the activist base of the Democratic party as anywhere. On it is a piece titled "LA Times Hit Piece on SiCKO and American People". The reaction to the article was not to go off on the candidates, but the paper itself for fanning the flames of a non-story.

Here is what the LAT said:

Rejecting Moore's prescription on healthcare could alienate liberal activists, who will play a big role in choosing the party's next standard-bearer. However, his proposal — wiping out private health insurance and replacing it with a massive federal program — could be political poison with the larger electorate.

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by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

California Attorney General Jerry Brown wrote a whole stack of letters, one to each of the 18 presidential contenders on Friday. He requested they weigh in publicly in favor of approving California's request for an EPA waiver to allow California to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle tailpipes. AP:

He asked them to submit written testimony to the federal EPA, which is weighing whether to grant California a waiver needed to put in place a state law that would cut greenhouse gas emissions, mostly carbon dioxide, by 25 percent from cars and 18 percent from sport utility vehicles beginning in 2009.

At least 11 other states are ready to follow California's lead if the state gets the needed federal waiver.

"As one who may be the next president of the United States, I believe that your written statement, which we will submit to EPA as part of the legal record, will help bolster our case," Brown wrote in the letter sent late Thursday. "I urge you to give us the strongest possible statement for submission to EPA."

Brown asked the candidates to weigh in by June 15, the public comment deadline.

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by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

Democracy for America has released another in their series of video responses from the Democratic presidential contenders. This time it is Barack Obama. He specifically references the Californian policy on carbon fuel standards.

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

The AP asked the presidential contenders the fiction book they read most recently. Most were ho-hum John Grisham type answers, but Richardson's made me laugh out loud:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson: "The administration's energy plan."

Gotta love snark.

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

San Diego is the place to be, if only my plane would show up at the gate. I am not the only CDP Convention attendee waiting for this plane. People are converging from all over the state to primarily hear from the 7 out of the 8 Democratic presidential contenders. Biden is the only one not speaking. Mike Gravel kicks things off tonight. The Chron has a nice preview piece up today.

A parade of Democratic presidential candidates -- aiming to stake a claim in a key early primary state -- is scheduled to arrive in California this weekend to fight for supporters, donors and potential delegates in what already is an intense, competitive 2008 presidential race.

Seven of the eight announced Democratic presidential candidates will address the California State Democratic Convention, where an audience of about 2,100 party members, 300 guests and more than 400 reporters will convene beginning today at the San Diego Convention Center.

The gathering in what party leaders call "the biggest, boldest, most bombastic blue state" is a high-profile stage for the Democratic hopefuls coming off their first debate of the primary season on Thursday.

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