Let the Party Begin

After working late last night to set up this blog it was only thanks to my long time partner and husband, who dragged me up and made coffee for me at 7 am, that I got registered and was handed my credentials for today in time for breakfast at 8 am. With stern warnings we were told not to put buttons, decals or anything else our credentials. If we lose them we won't be allowed into the center.

California Party Chair Art Torres opened the morning session at 9 am sharp.

The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, gave the morning keynote speaker for the California breakfast was greeted by a proud delegation waving red, white and blue "Madam Speaker" signs. Her message was short and to the point, no matter who we supported in the primaries Obama is right and McCain is wrong for what we care about. She reminded us that McCain supported the Bush veto of the health funding for 20 million low income kids..."the cost of 40 days of the Iraq War." Nancy will chair the convention. (Right) Environmentalist Nancy Skinner, the Democratic candidate and sure winner for Loni Hancock's assembly seat at the breakfast this morning.

Congressman Mike Honda of San Jose, one of the four vice chairs of the Democratic Convention, impressed his great Spanish and reminded us in two languages of the great diversity of our delegation. (Left) Mike, United Farmworkers Union Dolores Huerta and Jean.


The morning discussed the State Party's attempt to parallel the national strategy of Howard Dean's 50 state campaign. Our would be a 58 county strategy that would challenge the traditional political split between urban/coast areas versus rural/valley & mountain areas. State Senator Dean Florez said we should see the presidential election as the first steps in winning the governor's office in 2009.

Speaking of the next Governor's race, most of the potential candidates are expected to be at the California Caucus this week. Today we heard from Lt. John Garamendi and Superintendent of School Jack O'Connell. Steve Westly was introduced. The other constitutional officers each said a few words -- Controller John Chiang snd Secretary of State Debra Bowen.