William Shatner (not playing Kirk) and James Spader discuss the presidential
race on Boston Legal.
The presidential candidates who will appear, minus one, this weekend at the California Democratic Party convention in San Diego, all debated last night in South Carolina in an interesting, though hardly dramatic event that will change little in the race. Meanwhile, Democrats are preparing for what might, or might not, be their most consequential state convention in over 20 years.
Not since the 1984 presidential race, when the state Democratic convention in Sacramento was the site of the first “cattle call” of the entire Democratic presidential field, have so many high profile candidates put in appearances. The 2003 convention featured many candidates as well, but the field was generally more obscure than this one.
Yet the California convention takes place this time in an accelerated environment. While California has moved its primary to February 5th, now following only Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, there have already been several major encounters amongst the presidential contenders, including a February issues forum in Carson City, Nevada, a March issues forum in Las Vegas, and last night’s debate in South Carolina.
Nevertheless, this will be an intriguing weekend, as the campaigns begin to gear up their California political operations. The fundraising operations here are already in full swing, with New York Senator Hillary Clinton having raised over $5 million here and Illinois Senator Barack Obama checking in with over $4 million.
In San Diego, Clinton and Obama, the two frontrunners, will be accompanied by some top California backers. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez will be on hand with Clinton and former state Controller-turned-Silicon Valley venture capitalist Steve Westly will be with Obama.
All the other candidates, including the other top tier contender, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, will be on hand, from credible dark horse candidates New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd to bomb-throwing longshots Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel. Only Delaware Senator Joe Biden will skip the affair. He participated in last night’s debate, and was on hand for the first forum of the season, in Carson City in February, but also skipped the Las Vegas forum last month.
As mentioned, last night’s debate was interesting but hardly earth-shattering. Considering it after viewing it and writing my initial quick takes, and after taking in a ton of after-action analysis and commentary, I’m inclined to the view that there’s not much more to say about it because it did little to change the dynamic of the race.
Hillary Clinton, a vastly experienced figure benefited by having as her spouse perhaps the master politician of his generation around the world, was very much on the money. Barack Obama, an extremely talented orator who may be in tune with an emerging national mood, isn’t quite ready for the more focused and brief format of a multi-candidate debate. None of the others, including Edwards, a skilled speaker and accomplished trial lawyer who hovers a notch or two below the frontrunners, made enough of a move to alter the dynamic, though most had their moments.
Hillary Clinton was crisp, measured, modulated, focused, always employing the particular in the midst of the general, the embattled frontrunner did quite well. She was firm on ending the war in Iraq and firm on confronting future terrorism. Barack Obama was impressive but suffered from the debate format and its emphasis on brevity. His tendency to the abstract burns up precious time before getting to the answer. He stumbled on the hypothetical terrorist attack question, talking about first responders but forgetting about retaliation.
John Edwards delivered a typically smooth performance, but he didn’t wedge himself in between Clinton and Obama. Bill Richardson impressed with specifics and brevity on withdrawing from Iraq, and with candor on why he was last to call for Alberto Gonzales’s departure as attorney general as a fellow Latino. Joe Biden is beginning to pick up support for his plan to partition Iraq, and impressed with his one-word answer as to whether he would be a long-winded “gaffe machine.” Chris Dodd tried to turn his 32 years in the Senate and House as giving him the ultimate experience card, without evident success.
Dennis Kucinich scored with his consistent point that he has been the only Iraq War opponent who has effectively moved to end the project by defunding it. Mike Gravel delivered a very entertaining take on the bomb-thrower role, harkening to his ’70s vintage Senate role as opponent of the draft and the Vietnam War by proposing to have Congress proclaim President Bush to be a “felon.”
The candidates are all competing to be the most anti-Iraq War without seeming to give up the fight against Islamic jihadism, a balancing act between the primaries and the general election. That balancing act is made easier by several new national polls — Wall Street Journal, Pew, CBS — ranging, from 56% to 64%, showing large majorities of voters nationally supporting a timeline for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
They will have ample opportunity to test the applause meter at the San Diego Convention Center, where in October 2003 Arnold Schwarzenegger launched his dramatic statewide bus tour the week before his victory in the California recall election. California Democrats are strongly and deeply opposed to the Iraq policy, and the war is widely unpopular around the state.
With the Democratic candidates splitting time between South Carolina in the aftermath of last night’s debate, and at this weekend’s South Carolina Democratic convention, and the California convention, they won’t all be appearing at in succession in San Diego. Gravel will be at the chairman’s welcoming reception tonight. Clinton will address the convention tomorrow morning. Obama, Dodd, and Kucinich will speak Saturday afternoon. Edwards and Richardson will speak Sunday morning.
Many top California politicians will speak as well. Former Governor Jerry Brown, now the attorney general, will address the convention Saturday morning and Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Treasurer Bill Lockyer, Controller John Chiang, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, and Senate President Pro Don Perata will speak at various point during the day. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will appear at the convention banquet honoring her Saturday night. But U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer will be absent, due to a Senate policy retreat.
Yet it is possible to make too much of this convention, which, unlike last year’s convention during the governor’s race, will issue no endorsements. This will be about the 30th of these things that I’ve attended, beginning at the age of two, so the thrill factor does not come easily. In the early days, they were mostly in Sacramento during that city’s then very moist and cold winters. Dashing hither and yon, I would invariably end up with a bad cold that would last for weeks. And that was without fiddling with smartphone, vidcam, and laptop.
This is a marathon campaign, following on the heels of last year’s marathon campaign. The first Republican presidential debate is next week. A Nevada campaign trip is coming up. Posting here will be light over the weekend, as befits the weekend pattern of Internet traffic generally, with full reports on Monday and later in the week if developments warrant. Lots of video footage will be shot. Much intel will be gathered. Some will actually be relevant. If something dramatic happens, I’ll write about it.
If you must have a full take over the weekend itself, our friends at the California Majority Report will have nine Democratic consultants and staffers blogging. But not to worry, I’ll be happy to debunk obvious propaganda later on. Kidding aside, it’s an interesting experiment.
Will what seem to be the news events of the weekend matter all that much? Well, back in that ‘84 campaign, after driving in from the airport with Senator Gary Hart and commenting on the then less than imposing Sacramento skyline — there was the Holiday Inn and that was about it — we had a huge volunteer operation for a longshot candidate (a few hundred people, probably larger than anything this weekend) but a convention speech that largely bombed.
Hart, as was not infrequently his wont, notwithstanding his glamour image, chose to deliver a long, policy wonk sort of address. (I remember his first big Hollywood fundraiser, at which he discussed his thoughts on a “new automobile.” Decades ahead of its time, but not a big thrill then.) The excitement ginned up at the beginning of his speech had dissipated long before he concluded. The convention wasn’t a disaster, but it was something of a disappointment. But so what? Hart won big in the California presidential primary itself a year later.
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Not Yet. Fridays are not big at these conventions.
Here’s a little counteract!
GO HILLARY:)
and…Bill make sure you get your beauty sleep tonight!
Ah, what’s all this about sleep?
Carole is trying to be nice and remind you to get enough rest. Some of us, well most of us, have noticed that you get quite crabby when you miss a couple hours sleep.
Also, be careful of your back.
Now, where have you chased Kandy Kid and Jillian off to?
Actually, wasn’t there a big sleepy bye thing last night which had nothing to do with me?
No idea what’s up with KK or Jill.
Could have been the night before for me. But, then again, I admit that I’m old and need my sleep…and naps. Perhaps what I truly need is to go drinking. Nice day in Sacto and could be the perfect one to begin the ‘Rita season.
Enjoy SD…I still remember my first convention here in Sacramento. Believe the year was 1979 and I was up here for a man named Brown.
Who’s Rita?
I think I’ve heard of a Brown fellow.
Lovely, lovely, Margarita…on ‘da rocks. No salt.
Say hello for me if you see him.
Thank you for noticing the recent drop in Kandy Kid posts. While I have been checking in every day, real work has shamefully intruded on my posting time.
I owe a left-handed compliment to the Governor on the prison reform package. It is the first time a “post-partisan” solution was found on Republican soil. Hopefully it is a precursor to a fiscally responsible budget, a result that may not be determined until August.
I am enjoying the battle between the unions and tribes for the soul of the Democratic legislature. As most paramours know, sometimes you have make a difficult choice between your Sugar Daddies.
I hope my Democratic friends have fun at their convention. Such events are great opportunities to see old friends and make new ones. Just do not take the politics too seriously. Real voters do not care about these insider events. Remember, in California statewide politics, if an event was not on television, it did not happen.
And lastly, my daughter started riding horses at 9 years old and her trainer made her take full responsibility for tacking, bathing and grooming the horse from the first day. It made her much more confident and helped strengthen her bonds with the horses. Besides, learning discipline, responsibility and commitment are the reasons I support the activity.
KK…
I’ll give you full treatment later this evening. Just getting ready to head out for some misbehaving.
FYI…a store we both shop at finished number one in the voting on the KCRA A-List. Yep, Taylor’s…number one market.
Keeping it in da hood…Gunther’s won for ice cream and Freeport Bakery for what it does.
I have sourced many dinner parties from those stores. Excellent recognition for them.
I am dragging from lack of sleep due to a partner that snores like a freight train. Sacto can read my mind.
KK and Mitch,
I started riding horse at age 10. Lessons and helmets are a good idea.
Go Hillary*
I’ll keep an eye out for you down here in SD, Bill. BTW, the weather is beautiful.
MEDIA ADVISORY:
For Immediate Release:
April 27, 2007
CONTACT: Raymond Lutz
President of East County Democratic Club
raylutz@eastcountydemocraticclub.org
619-820-5321 (cell)
Opposition to Blackwater USA’s Plans for New Private Military Base Near Potrero a Tiny Rural Town East of San Diego Heats Up…
Local Democratic Club Joined by Their Congressman Takes Fight Statewide
Announces They Will Submit Resolution to Stop ‘Blackwater West’
at California Democratic Party State Convention This Weekend
Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), Potrero Residents, Environmentalists, and Peace Activists
to Speak Out in Support of Measure Outside Convention Saturday, April 28th at 8:30AM
SAN DIEGO, CA – – The controversial private security firm Blackwater USA is planning to build a new private military training base on an 824-acre ranch near Potrero, a tiny rural town east of San Diego near the US-Mexico border. The project, known as “Blackwater West,” is coming under increasing fire by a growing coalition of local residents, environmentalists, peace activists, and recently joined by their Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA).
Raymond Lutz, President of the East County Democratic Club, will submit a resolution to the California Democratic Party State Convention to make private military bases, such as Blackwater West, illegal in California and more generally, to make any paramilitary, mercenary or similar boot camps illegal unless they are placed in safer, government-controlled locations.
WHAT: News Conference outside California Democratic Party State Convention in support of resolution blocking ‘Blackwater West’
WHEN: Saturday, April 28th, 8:30AM
WHERE: Convention Center Trolley Stop, North end of the San Diego Convention Center (Near the corner of Harbor Drive and First Street.) There is a large metal sculpture where we will gather.
WHO: Raymond Lutz, President, East County Democratic Club and StopBlackwater.net organizer
Congressman Bob Filner, 51st Congressional District
Jan Hedlun, Potrero Planning Group Member, and opponent of the project.
Jeanette Hartman, Chair, Land Use Committee, San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club
Carol Jahnkow, Peace activist, San Diego Peace Resource Center
Other Potrero Residents
“We are exploring every avenue to put a stop to this private mercenary boot camp that threatens the very foundations of our civil liberties in this country,” said Raymond Lutz, President of the East County Democratic Club. “It will ruin a remarkable mountain valley, a public asset of all citizens.”
To read full text of the Resolution Opposing Blackwater West and Mercenary Training in California go to: http://www.StopBlackwater.net
Plans for the new Blackwater site includes multiple firing ranges, training towers, an armory, a helipad, an urban simulation training area and a driving track.
The project won preliminary approval from the local planning board in December, but since then more than half the registered voters of Potrero have signed a petition opposing it. The residents are being joined by a growing coalition of environmentalists and peace activists.
Local residents battle against Blackwater’s plans for the area was sparked by the New York Times Bestseller ‘Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army’ (www.blackwaterbook.com) by award-winning journalist and author Jeremy Scahill.
Scahill’s exposure of the presence of Blackwater mercenaries in New Orleans post-Katrina and his reporting led to a Congressional inquiry and an internal Department of Homeland Security investigation.
Packed audiences are expected when Jeremy Scahill speaks in Oakland, on Saturday, April 28, 7:30PM First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison; in Los Angeles on Monday, April 30th, 7:30PM at the Nativity Episcopal Church, 7:30PM, 6700 West 83rd St. Westchester; and in San Diego area on Tuesday, May 1st, 7PM at the Unitarian Church, 4190 Front St. and Wednesday, May, 2nd, 7PM at La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr.
BLACKWATER WEST IN THE NEWS:
Comment period extended on training camp
May 28 is deadline on Blackwater plan
By Anne Krueger April 26, 2007
San Diego Union-Tribune
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070426-9999-2m26black.html
A private army for California?
by Robert Salladay April 17, 2007
Los Angeles Times Political Muscle Blog
latimesblogs.latimes.com/politicalmuscle/2007/04/a_private_army_.html
Tiny Potrero Battles County and Blackwater USA
By Don Bauder February 22, 2007
San Diego Reader
http://www.sdreader.com/php/cityshow.php?id=1566
**********
CONTACT:
Raymond Lutz
President of East County Democratic Club
raylutz@eastcountydemocraticclub.org
http://www.StopBlackwater.net
619-820-5321
####
Carole,
Great cure for freight trains…’ritas, many ‘ritas. Have a few and you could reside next to an Amtrack station and never miss a wink of sleep. True…very, very, true.
Raymond, you have a legitimate cause which has been covered here, but you should,t simply paste a press release here.
Thanks, Alva, I’ll look for you.
Sad news that “California Connected” lost its funding and is going off the air. The local commercial stations longago gave up on reporting the news in Sacramento so another source of info is lost. But I guess its good news for consultants who get commissions off the ads and the stations that make big chunks of dough running them!
Well, folks, the convention is going quite well. Clinton gave a very fine speech and was well-received. Obama gave an exceptional speech and was rapturously received.
Freeing myself up to freelance talking to people and shhoting video rather than do major blogging is going to give you some good stuff next week.
For example, by creative wandering I managed to get a lot of behind the scenes footage of Obama.
Hey, enough yammering. Get to work. We expect to be entertained next week, so quit goofing off and get back at it.
Barbara…if you be out there…I was down my Old Soul this morning. Big doings going down. 18th Street was closed off for a block party. Looked like a big block party.
Give us the video!
For those who might have missed it elsewhere, former Assemblyman Lou Papan passed away last evening of a heart attack. He was 68 years old.
Is it over and who did the best?
RIP Lou Papan. While he may have been a partisan thug when his Rules Committee Chair position required it, Lou was always honest with Republicans and had a kind heart outside the Capitol.
I thought Obama did the best.
I thought Obama did the best.
Ms. Clinton had better than misfortune befalls, in one way or another, Mr. Obama. His personality wears better than hers and he is the larger talent.
Mr. Kid…
Nice thoughts. Classy. Very classy.
Tip of the old wine glass to both you and Lou!
I have a lot of interesting video. Now the challenge will be finding the time to edit it all.
Get to work. Break time is over. All is quiet here. We are all waiting to be informed and entertained. So, Mr. Bradley, enough yammering from you. Work, work, work!!!
It was a fun convention. Saw the Calitics crew at their table, but I couldn’t find you, Bill.
I’m not stationary at these things. I move around a lot, as you’ll gather from the videos. Sorry I couldn’t make it to your event.
Bradley,
Work more, chat less. We expect big things from you in the morning. Big things. Don’t disappoint your flock…don’t do that.
And don’t try to drive from San Francisco to Sacramento. Understand that will be quite the task for some time to come. Yes, quite the task.
Finally, as a little bone for your hard work this weekend, the 9ers had a good draft and the Raiders have rid themselves of Mr. Moss.
Now, get back to work!
Why aren’t you sitting at a table, Bill?
Because I’m working.
Solon, the Raiders got a 4th round draft pick for Randy Moss? Ouch.
I think the 49ers are going back to the playoffs.
Bill,
Yep, 4th round is all they could get. But they didn’t have to toss in any money for the Pats to take him off their hands!
49ers are going to be a good team. Perhaps playoffs this year, certainly next.
Randy Moss still has big skills. He got stuck on a horrible team.
Randy Moss might have all the skills in the world, but he’s a head case. His talents go up in a puff of smoke. Wish him well in his new environment.
Go Bears!
I’ll bet Bill Walsh could coach him.
Anyway … Having been born in San Francisco and having grown up in Marin, I prefer the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge, which is usually a mess even in the best of times.
I bet Bill Walsh could have coached an even bigger head case than Moss…me! And I didn’t even play foootball!!!
Glad you can still get around. I have to come that way in June to pickup some hardware and will be coming my Amtrack…
If you’re carting stuff back from San Francisco, you can always drive west on I-80 to Vallejo, take the Highway 37 Black Point cut-off to northern Marin County and merge onto 101 going south across the Golden Gate into the City. It’s very picturesque.
Carting back an award…nothing more than some folks giving me something for me being a good human!
Yep, true, true. I’ve fooled them and then insist I come over, have dinner, put me up at a hotel and present me with something. In return, they get to hear me speak…short speech which shouldn’t last longer than three or four days. 
Well, I thought it was aluminum siding or something.:)
I think the train, which is the first part of the great California Zephyr to Denver, will do.
Nope, use to sell it, but never received an award for that…and that’s one of the reasons I returned to college!
An apt set-up for what occurred.
At the San Diego convention, I mean.
Way too funny.
We aim to entertain …