The Acorn printed an editorial column on Friday by Hannah Beth Jackson. It looks like Democrats finally have someone that is really looking to organize a great campaign. I expect this will be the most intensive local campaign of the 2008 election cycle.

Taking advantage of free earned media is a sign of a serious campaign. I don't care how many Democratic clubs in Ventura County a candidate appears at if they aren't in the local papers most people won't know about their campaign. Letters to the editor in the last few weeks don't count either unless it is a part of a sustained campaign.

Anyways, read her editorial and then leave your thoughts.

Comments are working but it requires at this time that I log in and approve them.

The Thousand Oaks Chili Cook Off was today and Michael Tenenbaum was there in his booth.

He is doing a lot of small time events in his campaign against Rep. Elton Gallegly.

Most people agree that Tenenbaum stands a very small chance of winning this campaign. So what keeps him going?

I have met him and he is a down to earth, highly intelligent, rational man.

Why would he put himself through this campaign knowing the chances of a victory seem very remote at this time?

I think he is running to up his name ID for when Gallegly does retire.

What other politicians have you seen making the rounds?

The antiwar movement in America isn't currently very well organized. But some of the groups or individuals that are organized have been announcing their support for Mary Pallant.

Click here to read the latest individual that has announced their support for Mary Pallant.

Click on continue reading to get the details of her latest fundraiser, this time with Norman Solomon.

Thanks for your patience.

In the upcoming primary Tony Strickland will be listed as an "Alternative Energy Executive".

A staff member from Hannah Beth Jackson's campaign has responded with a post at a statewide blog.

I thought this could be a fun game. Start thinking of creative ballot designations for local politicians. You could go negative but I suggest you keep them classy. Let me start:

Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller: Stunt Man for Chuck Norris
Think about it. Ever see them together? Feel free to send me a photoshop of Paul Miller in a Chuck Norris picture.

The comments system is still holding every comment until I approve it. If your comment doesn't appear by the end of the day please send me an e-mail. The Star said they are working on a solution.

One of the two Ventura County CA 24 Caucus selected delegates wrote a report about their experience and what it takes to become a delegate to the national convention. Click on continue reading to see her report.

Sandy, what must Barack Obama do to convince the remaining superdelegates that taking it to the convention is bad news for the party? Have you tried to contact Lois Capps to get her to endorse Barack Obama?

Thanks for writing your report.

In the campaign to win the nomination for CA State Assembly District 37 ( Currently Republican Audra Strickland ) the contest is between Ferial Masry and David Hare. At first I thought Name ID from past elections ( Ferial Masry ran against Audra Strickland in 2004 and 2006) would be enough to carry Ferial Masry to victory but with the recent campaigning by David Hare I am not so sure.

I don't see a serious plan yet by David Hare to defeat Audra Strickland but I look forward to watching his campaign share more about his goals and values.

I think Ferial Masry has been great for American democracy. I do know that her chances of defeating Audra Strickland are very small but I support her because of stories like this and this that show our values to a worldwide audience. She has worked on projects for Karen Hughes and Condi Rice to share the ideals behind the American promise with the world.

I do think it funny that Ferial Masry is attacked by the far right because of her background but the best would be to know the reaction of a religious fundamentalist ( of any creed or denomination) to know a Saudi born Muslim woman not only has equal rights in America but that she is running for a powerful position against a woman!

If she wins the nomination again will Ferial Masry generate another set of media stories about our nation around the world or has the news getting attention worn off of this story? I haven't seen anything to show that her campaign this time would do much better than before against Audra Strickland.

I want to see what David Hare can do to be more compelling then Ferial Masry's biography. Can he make a convincing argument that he can beat Audra Strickland? Does he have a great plan to organize local Democrats? Was David Hare at the recent press conference to protest the governor's budget? Is David Hare running to up his name ID for when this is an open seat or does he really think he can beat an incumbent?

Looking at his website and his press release it is clear that David Hare is specific on important issues including eminent domain abuse and environmental protections. For a new candidate he is running a real professional campaign and getting a great start.

If you click on continue reading there is an extensive press release that shows some of his plans, priorities, and his backers.

In this campaign what is the criteria you will use to make up your mind, or have you already?

The Jill Martinez campaign is promising a campaign altering endorsement to be announced at a press conference tomorrow.

Who would she need to endorse her to really make a big impact on the primary or general campaign?


Democrat Marta Jorgenson has dropped out of the race and has endorsed Jill Martinez.

I have some quick questions:

1. What is up with the debt Jill Martinez's campaign has built up?

2. How has this campaign been any different than her 2006 run?

UPDATE: Jill Martinez has announced she has been endorsed by The California Teachers Association ( CTA).

Tony Strickland has announced a law enforcement advisory committee. Which name surprises you the most?

Which name do you think influences voters the most?

Since last week when I wrote that Tony Strickland's campaign was getting all of the attention Hannah Beth Jackson's campaign has been really busy in public and not just behind the scenes. There was the education rally, Thousand Oaks Earth Day, and a press release about a consumer protection award. You can click on continue reading to read about the Consumer award.

They also sent a representative to the Simi Valley Democratic club ( Thanks for the link Simi Valley and Moorpark Democrats). That is a busy week! Any word on a Myspace page or Facebook profile?

Thanks for the campaign updates.

UPDATE: This campaign is attracting attention from caltics a California wide political blog.

Ferial Masry, candidate for the Democratic nomination to take on Assembly Member Audra Strickland, is having a fund raiser this Sunday. Click on continue reading for details. Thank you to the Ferial Masry campaign for putting a link up to my blog on your website.

Her opponent is David Hare. With the June election coming up I haven't seen many events from him in my inbox. if you see any feel free to forward them to me and I will post them. Have you seen a Myspace or Facebook account for him? David, have you campaign e-mail me your masthead from your website for me to use when I post about your campaign.

I did see David Hare at the last Simi Valley Democratic club meeting ( a representative from Hannah Beth Jackson's campaign was there too) and his wife did attend the CAPC meeting in Simi Valley recently too. By the way, Katie Teague, weren't you going to write up a summary of the event for me to post as an entry? See the comments for Katie's link to her write up.

Do you plan to do anything to organize locally for the presidential campaign?

To help out Barack Obama you can join his local Myspace group. You can also contact Rep. Lois Capps and ask her to endorse Barack Obama.

Did any of you watch the debates or the compassion forum?

It was pretty good. I like when candidates answer questions about faith, freedom, compassion, and the source of their ethics.

I have watched almost every debate this season and so far the ABC debate was my least favorite. I don't remember any network asking John McCain as tough as questions as were thrown around. It wouldn't be bad if it actually focused on the issues but it seems ABC wanted to make it into a scandal themed debate.

What are your thoughts on the presidential campaign?

Assemblymember Pedro Nava, State Senate candidate Hannah-Beth Jackson, Congressional candidate Jill Martinez, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Chuck Weis, Ventura Superintendent Trudy Arriaga, Ventura Board of Education President John Walker, Ventura Board of Education Vice President Mary Haffner, Ventura County Board of Education Trustee ML Peterson, VUEA President Stephen Blum, California Teachers Association Secretary Dan Vaughn and student leaders.

You can find out more about it at Marie Lakin's blog by clicking here.

Anyways, did you go? What have you heard? I will post links as stories are published about it.

UPDATE #1: No mention of non-incumbents Jill Martinez ( Democrat running for the nomination to run against Elton Gallegly) and Hannah Beth Jackson ( Democrat running against Tony Strickland for State Senate) but does anyone have video to post?

A fellow blogger, Marie Lakin, has written an updated entry about what happened at the rally. Click here to view it.

Click on continue reading for details.

For everyone not in Oak Park have you ever read about all the regulations the US government has on the definition of Swiss Cheese? Figured I would bring it up being that we are talking about a Wine and Cheese party.