Your CDP Donations At Work

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

It wasn't enough that $4 million passed to Fabian Nu?ez' accounts through AT&T as a thank-you for the cable franchising bill, now CapAlert reports that the Democratic Party is paying off some of Don Perata's legal bills:

The California Democratic Party has donated $250,000 to help Don Perata pay off his legal bills, as the Senate Democratic leader continues to rack up expenses fending off an ongoing FBI corruption investigation.

The party made the quarter-million dollar donation on July 1, according to campaign filings.

The money comes just in time for Perata, who, according to a May disclosure, had only $273 cash on hand in his legal defense fund and $250,000 in unpaid bills.

Jason Kinney, a spokesman for Perata on legal issues, said the donation -- and the continuing expenses -- are "no indication of anything."

Actually, it's an excellent indication that the CDP is interested in protecting their own rather than moving the state forward.

How many regional organizers throughout the state for the fall would $250,000 buy?  How many pieces of direct mail?  How many registration drives?  How many door-hangers?  How many Google ads going after California Republicans?

Don Perata is not the Democratic Party, and in a few months he won't be a Senator.  His recent efforts have included ensuring that the party won't get to a 2/3 majority in the State Senate and protecting his Republican pal Abel Maldonado.  And as a reward, he gets his legal bills paid.  It's good to be the king.

Whether the FBI investigation is legitimate or a fishing expedition is actually irrelevant.  At a time when a progressive wave and massive expected turnout could sweep a whole new generation of Democrats into office, the CDP is paying fucking legal bills for their leaders.  The locals are doing a great job registering new voters and working to victory in November.

They don't deserve the party they have.