Who Really Lost California Part 2

[genius]

The 12 year old girl who wrote this article is one of the very impressive kids who have been volunteering long hours on Kucinich's Southern California campaign.

This is an excellent article about how the Democratic Party needs to back its own candidates. It places much of the blame for the Bush residency and the recall disaster on the Democratic Party itself and presents some ideas about what the Democratic Party needs to do to win in 2004.

Who Really Lost California Part 2
by Natasha H., age 12

On October 7, 2003, Gray Davis became the first governor to ever to be recalled in the liberal state of California. By comparison with other Democrats on the recall ballot, he did great - even though he lost. So what was the reason the voters suddenly decided to decimate the California Democratic Party?

Warning: If you are opposed to all articles which indicate the Democratic Party is not working as efficiently and effectively as it could, read no further. The best way to stay impressed with the Democratic Party is to have nothing to do with it.

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http://debateusa.com/featured/hull_richter.htm

[Larkspur]

1. Agree with her about how a Prez candidate should respect volunteers

I've always felt respect from Howard Dean and his staff and that's why I'm excited about supporting him and his campaign.

She is right about how disorganized the state level Democrats are. Connecticut, my state, is like California in that respect. I hope that the Dean campaign wins and sets to reform the Dem party from the grassroots on up.

I've never felt welcomed in the Dem Party nor was I ever invited to join, even though I registered as a Dem. It wasn't until, under my own initiative, last year when I volunteer to help local, state, and our US Rep candidate during the 2002 election that I was invited by my town's Dem Committee chairperson.

[jiacinto]

2. A couple of points

Carnahan's loss was also due to the fact she voted against Ashcroft. I wonder why Natasha H doesn't include that in her analysis. As for Cleland he lost due to a smear attack raised against by Saxby Chambliss.

She talks about the Democrats not standing up to Bush in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision before the inauguration. What could Gore have done to change the election after the court ruled? Nothing. Dragging it out would not have changed the outcome.

I do agree that the party needs to be organized better.

[Thomas Jefferson]

4. You've got to be kidding. Ashcroft lost to a deadman in Missouri.

Ashcroft had nothing to do with Carnahan's loss in Missouri. However, a great many groups would have nothing to do with supporting Carnahan because of her support for the war.

Natasha is absolutely right on this one.

[no name no slogan]

5. You're right TJ

This was brought up many times after the 2002 election. The DLC-controlled DNC did not give financial support to US House candidates it dubbed "too liberal", which means any of them who opposed the war and the president's tax plans, and stood their ground.

Interestingly enough, the Democrats in close races who stood their ground ended up WINNING re-election, while those who caved to the DLC and the Repubs LOST.

This country already has a far-right party and a centrist party. We do not need two right-wing parties, with nobody representing the center and the liberals.

[PATRICK]

3. As a New Yorker

I cannot feel to superior to California. The Dem turncoats and infighters among the highly protected incumbent and political aristocracy has kept the schmoe Pataki in solid. Any reasonable Democratic party UNITED, not satisfied with an endangered status quo parity, could have had this Dem leaning state in a walk.

Hoiw quickly we come to believe we are running things and all struggle is over! Just because we think we are the only ones efficiently representing the majority of Americans smugness dissolves into political arrogance and incompetence.

Individually, I am sure most of the state leaders don't appear all THAT bad, but their "winning" ways are not fooling the people who expect more than the sorry political shows seen in the aggregate.

Republicans and well all Americans, have had this image of infighting Dems for many many decades. Part of it is natural freewheeling healthy democracy(as in the party name), but the joke hurts in the real part of the petty squabbling by people who have forgotten the struggle goes on to simply retain their high ideals.

The other side does not take voters for granted, nor tactics or opportuniies. Only their bad qualities drown them and we can't simply sit back and wait for their self destruction. Nor can we let the "people's party" let their lesser dark side do the same.

[genius]

6. One of the best parts was where she pointed out

"It would help if the Democratic Party stood up for peace, the environment, labor, seniors, minorities, the poor, the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment, voting rights and the right of all Americans to a college education and to health care and if the Party were to remember to show the compassion and empathy that once made the Democratic Party great."

The best way for the Democratic Party to do that is to nominate Dennis Kucinich. He's the only candidate who really stands up for these issues.

[jiacinto]

8. Last I heard the Democrats did stand for those things

The best way to make sure that more progress is lost on those issues is to nominate DK.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Is Natasha your daughter?

You mention her often. Just wondering.

Edit: Mark H.?

[genius]

9. Sorry. Not him.

Mark's the co-chair of OC for Kucinich. Kucinich has the fastest growing campaign in OC and Natasha is the most prominent member of the group. She and Alex are everywhere working on the campaign. They are doing a concert today. Incidentally, everyone in OC is a volunteer and the effectiveness of the campaign down here shows that a lot of people believe in Kucinich and are willing to do what it takes to get him elected. Personally, I think Kucinich should cut back on some of his paid staff and run some ads.

[Sean Reynolds]

10. California isn't a 'liberal' state.........

Other than that, great article.

Yes California might have some of the most liberal cities, but it seems the state is moderate and can go Republican just as much as it goes Democratic.

[genius]

11. The trouble is most people don't vote

I live in one of the more conservative areas and everyone here wants to kick Bush out. The trouble is that most of the liberals have completely given up on the democratic process. That's why we need a candidate who will bring every back to the voting booths.