Thanks to Democratic Party activist Sharon Hillbrant for allowing me to post her photos of the event.

Candidate for Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean quickly helps candidate for the Democratic nomination for 35th State Assembly District Susan Jordan hang her sign. Dean is a Republican but is trying to earn votes from across our community. Warren Harwood, candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 37th Assembly district. is in the background. He doesn't have a website or any online presence that I can find.

( Since the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy this song has been on my mind often.)

The Ventura County Democratic Party has started an annual fundraising and awards night last year. This is the 2nd annual year and they have a limited amount of tickets to sell. Are you going? I don't often attend events like these but I am thinking of going.

Here is their announcement:

2009 Kennedy Legacy Dinner

With only 250 tickets available, seats are selling fast for the Ventura County Democratic Party's 2nd Annual Kennedy Legacy Dinner.

At this major party fundraiser, we will celebrate the contributions of the Kennedy family to American democracy. The event features keynote speaker Attorney Gloria Allred, women's rights crusader, and guest speaker Lilly Ledbetter, namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. The fundraiser will be held in Thousand Oaks, California on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

Click on comments to see more details.

I have more videos and pictures to post later this week. If you have videos of pictures from today you want posted send them to me.

Former State Assembly candidate Ferial Masry has news regarding her intentions:

Candidate for Sheriff Geoff Dean (R) worked the crowd. Here he is speaking to Ventura City Council Members Brian Brennan and Ed Summers. I expect Geoff Dean's list of endorsements will be updated with new bipartisan additions soon.

I ran into a friend of this blog Denis O'Leary of Oxnard. Denis has been a long time activist for a variety of progressive causes.

State Assembly candidate Susan Jordan gave a speech that outlined her life story and the causes she supports. Her opponent Das Williams was there too. I will post his picture later. Das, if you have pictures from today you want posted send them in.

Here are a bunch of polls related to the labor day picnic and candidates that were there.

Click here for the news story from The Star.

( Have you seen this video of Rep. Barney Frank ridiculing a woman at a town hall forum?)

This year a group called "Working Blue" made up of labor unions is hosting the picnic. Seems fitting for a Labor Day event.

This event is a great way to meet elected officials and party activists. I am planning on going and doing some interviews. What questions would you like me to ask of the elected officials and candidates that are expected to be there?

Click here for the details.

I didn't go to the Ventura County Democratic Spring Fling but I am posting pictures that are being sent in. Send me any photos from the event you want posted.

Did you go? What's the buzz? From early reports the place was packed with activists and elected officials.

Here are some photos from the event:

State Senator Fran Pavley back from meeting with President Barack Obama speaks to elected officials, candidates, and party activists. Fran Pavely, a former Moorpark teacher, is really popular with environmentalists for her leadership on pushing for new regulations on cars and trucks.

State Assembly candidate Susan Jordan met with many elected officials and party activists at the event. My early reports say her staff was really successful and getting endorsements at the event.

In this photo she is standing next to Ventura County Firefighter Jason Hodge. Jason is a party activist and union leader. He posted guest blog entries from DC when he attended the inauguration. Click here to see his guest blog entries. Jason, my first instinct is to tease you for your new beach bum hair but with the little hair I have I am not going to start something.

Did you go to the event? Which speakers impressed you? What elected officials did you see?

Sidenotes:

1. I will post a Michael Stoker for State Assembly entry this week. Thanks for the links to his campaign announcement.

2. The comments have become increasingly nasty in the last week. Please keep it classy. If you see something that goes over the top send me an email. I don't post which readers asked for a comment to be removed.

3. There are many profound issues of our time that I don't write blog entries on. That doesn't mean I am not interested in them. Oftentimes there are better outlets with more resources to cover them. This includes the stimulus, Afghanistan, Iraq, terrorism, religion, elections in other states, Israeli/Palestinian relations, the assassination in Kansas, details of the state budget and more. I started this blog because I wanted to learn more about our local politics, and I imagine that is why you read it.

Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog.

If you want to share this entry on a Social Network (Facebook etc.) please click on the appropriate button. On Facebook you can then tab to choose which photo from the entry to post. Thanks for your support.

Note: I bumped this to the top of my blog because this is the biggest annual Democratic event.

UPDATE: State Senator Fran Pavley, recently back from meeting with President Barack Obama, will be attending. Here is a photo of her meeting President Barack Obama:

Fran Pavley pushed through legislation that would have allowed California to set a different standard for new vehicles. Under President George W. Bush the EPA didn't allow the legislation to go into effect. But President Obama brought together environmentalists and automanufacturers together to agree on some changes that create higher federal standards. Her legislation started here in California but will be going into effect across the nation.

Click here for an article from Michael Collins explaining this in more detail.

The Ventura County Democratic Central Committee holds an annual Spring Fling Party to raise money for their organization and to have a good time. This event is great for aspiring candidates to meet with activists, get a quick introduction, and practice their stump speech.

There is room set out for those that want to put up a table to support their causes and candidates.

To purchase tickets, reserve space for a table, or to make sure your candidate is introduced click on continue reading for the contact information for the committee putting on the event.

This year they are also inviting all of the Democratic candidates for attorney general to speak. There will be opportunities to meet the candidates, ask them questions, and sign up to help their campaigns. I haven't yet confirmed the list of Attorney General candidates that will be there.

Candidates or elected officials I expect to be there ( beyond the attorney general candidates):

House of Representatives CA 24 ( Currently Gallegly)

Confirmed with me that they are attending:

Shawn Stern (Officially declared)
Marie Panec ( Possible candidate)
Tim Allison ( Possible candidate)

Haven't heard if she is attending:

Marta Jorgenson ( Officially declared)

Democrat Shawn Stern has a great looking website put together. I am sure more policy positions and future events will be posted in the coming months. He does know a way to drive up his google rank and to catch my attention is to post a link to this blog.

Shawn, thanks for the link on your website. Here is a return favor:

State Assembly 35th District ( Currently Pedro Nava)

Confirmed by me that they are attending:

Susan Jordan
"Absolutely. Wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Das Williams
"organizing and participating with the local Democratic Party is the best way to move forward a progressive agenda."

Others:

Ventura City Council Member Ed Summers

Any other candidates that you have heard will be attending?

( Not interested in a club meeting? Than check out this new video with the former governor of Illinois. It is really funny. )

The Conejo Valley Democrats are hosting local writer and CLU professor Beverly Clearly who will be discussing "What would happen if Washington and Lincoln ran for president today?"

Click on continue reading for details.

The local Democratic Clubs have really been visible and active after this election. I know many Republican Women Federated Clubs have been holding their regular meetings but I don't know how effective they have been at reaching out to new members.

Send in your club meetings if you want me to post them.

Click here for Beverly Kelley's blog.

( Photo from Marie Lakin's Making Waves blog.)

Ventura County Star blogger Marie Lakin went to the Barack Obama inaugural party in Ventura and has posted an entry that includes photos and analysis of the event.

Marie Lakin does great work covering policy discussions in the city of Ventura. Check our her archives for some in depth articles.

I don't know if it has officially been reported elsewhere that Susan Jordan is running to replace Pedro Nava in the State Assembly but Marie is reporting that she announced her intention to run.

Thanks for giving me advice, spell checking my work, and allowing me to bounce ideas by you Marie. I really appreciate it.

Click here to read her report.

Young Democrats, under the leadership of popular DailyKos.com blogger David Atkins and others, are restarting a young Democrats club in Ventura County.

To see the details including their first meeting, click on continue reading.

( will.i.am has another video out to support Barack Obama. I am looking to seeing his performance next week.)

How to you plan to spend Tuesday night? I usually like to stay home on election nights with my extended family, which I know sounds odd for someone that writes a political blog almost daily. But if I was going to a party this would be the event.

From the Ventura County Democrats:

Join Democrats, Progressives and Independents to celebrate the historic election of Barack Hussein Obama as President of the United States of America

Date:January 20 , 2009
Time: 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Location: My Florist Winecafe and Bakery
Address: 76 S. Oak St. Ventura, CA 93001-2702

During the Celebration we will broadcast President Obama's Inauguration speech, as well as the parades and party coverage on a large screen. There will also be live music, dancing and some short speeches.

The dinner includes hors d'œuvres, full dinner with several entree options, dessert and a beverage - you may choose to eat at any time. There will be a no-host bar. There is room for 150 guests, so please order your tickets early as this will be a sold-out event.

UPDATE: Do to popular demand the restaurant has added more space for the event. They have already sold 190 tickets and they expect to sell out. This will be the largest event to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama in Ventura County.

Ticket Prices:

Members of Ventura County Democratic Clubs: $40

Non-Members: $50

Ticket and 2009 Club Membership: $55

Donate A Student Ticket: $30
Purchase Event Tickets Here

Semi-formal attire requested. But wear your dancin' shoes!

Click here to buy tickets.

Last week David Atkins ( blogger on Dailykos.com and Venturacountydemocrats.com ) and Mike Gibson ( Ventura County Republican activist ) debated if America is a center right nation.

Thanks to both of you for an intellectual debate that will help set the tone for future Thursday Night events. I think you both did great. I plan to make Thursday Night debates or interviews a semi-regular event.

Next week the topic is education innovation, reform, charter schools, and budget cuts. I have a respected conservative but I am looking for another person to be in the debate.

Click here to read their debate.

To say thanks I am posting a link to David Atkin's latest entry on Dailykos.com that has so many people recommending it that he is on the front page again with almost 500 comments.

Click on continue reading to see an excerpt from his recent entry, including comments from MSNBC host Keith Olbermann!

Mike, let me know what cause you would like me to plug as a way of saying thank you.

The debate was covered on a few other blogs including by Tyler Suchman, of the Ojaipost.com and of course David Atkin's Dailykos diary.

David Atkin's Dailykos.com diary entry on the subject made the front page. He also ran a poll that showed him winning overwhelmingly, if the voters only include Dailykos.com readers, which obviously isn't anything near a scientific poll.

I read through some of the comments and this one stands out:

Its nice hearing an actual debate.The vice presidential debates and even presidential debates felt shallow. Like a constant spouting of platitudes. You and Gibson actually addressed each other's points. Personally I think Gibson did an alright job, but as you stated, his arguments would've been stronger with statistics and he seemed to be more on the defense than the offense (also he did lose the point as you suggested halfway through).

by jididly on Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 09:31:27 PM PST

Again, thanks to David Atkins and Mike Gibson for kicking off a new feature with class. Who do I think won? My readers and I for the entertainment and insight you two provided.

Many local supporters are gearing up to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama. Selling discount tickets for an event to people that help in the can food drive is fitting being that Barack Obama was a community organizer.

Please email me any events you want me to post. I post events from most parties, clubs, and individuals that request me to help publicize their events.

On a related note if you haven't seen the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee's website recently click here to check it out.