( If you know the people in the picture, please identify them)
Local Democratic Party supporter and Barack Obama delegate Sandy Emberland has written a report about her trip to the state convention.
To read the whole report and ask her questions click on continue reading.
To read her earlier report click here.
Sandy, are the Hillary supporters admitting that Barack Obama will win the nomination? Do they seem ready to support the party's nominee? Do you think this primary has caused a major rift between the different factions?
Democratic State Convention Report
By Sandy Emberland
Delegate meeting in Sacramento
Today the delegates to the Democratic National Convention from all over California convened in Sacramento - Hillary supporters and Obama supporters.
I flew up early this morning from Burbank, and met several Obama delegates from Pasadena area - Jacque & Chris, and shared a cab with Erica from San Diego & a Hillary supporter from Beverly Hills.
Upon arriving at the convention center, I realized that there were so many new faces. I have attended state conventions for the last 5 years, yet most people were not familiar. So many are new to campaigns and are the grassroots organizers. It was also obvious that the Hillary supporters & Obama supporters were sticking with their own - not much mingling.
After checking in, each delegate group held a meeting with their supporters. Mitch Schwartz, CA state director for Obama introduced the Obama team, including Steve Westly, former CA state controller. Each delegate was asked to introduce themselves. After going around the whole room, Steve said we were a room of visionaries.
Steve said - They said this day would never come - a junior senator from Illinois, bringing out the young voters, energizing inner city blacks to register & get involved - an African American President. The last comment brought thunderous applause.
CA state senator Dean Flores reminded us that this is the most historic election in our lifetime & in the history of our country. He noted that all delegates had smiles, dedication and energy. He reminded us to call our uncommitted super delegates and ask for their endorsement.
The afternoon session was a blend of all the candidates, alternates & guests, lead by Art Torres, chair of the CA State Democratic Party. We approved Senator Diane Feinstein to lead the DNC in Denver. We will be a united party to ensure victory in November. This is the closest convention in 50 years, and platform decisions are serious business. We must be in our seats for these votes.
Jay Kapitz & I (the 2 Obama delegates from the 24th CD) met with the Clinton delegates from the 24th CD - Eric Bender, Karin Quimby and their alternate, Rick Gunther. We also met the Obama delegates from the 23rd CD. We hope to plan some "unity" events with them later in the summer, possibly including voter registration & entertainment.
Sunday was an energizing day. The Convention in August will unify our party. We will win in November by working together.
Brian, the people in the photo are Eric Bender & Karin Quimby - Hillary delegates from the 24th, Jay Kapitz & Sandy Emberland - Obama delegates from the 24th.
The theme of the weekend was Unity, and privately, some of the Hillary supporters acknowledged it looked pretty unlikely Hillary will get the nomination. We used "hypothetically" a lot in our conversations.
I think a lot will depend on Hillary's actions - but I think the Democrats will support the nominee in November. I don't think any lasting damage has been done - in fact - look at how many more people we have getting involved because of the primary. It is amazing.
Ventura County registered 871 Democrats in the last month, compared to 84 Republicans. That says a lot.
Sandy,
I bet there was alot more energy and enthusiasm among the Obama delegates!
Did you see Hilary pledged delegate Gloria Allred? What is Art Torres like? Was Bob Mulholland around? He was very helpful in training the campaigns on how to run the caucus that elected pledged delegates.
Sandy,
I bet there was alot more energy and enthusiasm among the Obama delegates!
Did you see Hilary pledged delegate Gloria Allred? What is Art Torres like? Was Bob Mulholland around? He trained the campaigns on how to run the caucus that elected pledged delegates.
Sandy,
What is the next local Barack Obama event?
Any word on any Hillary delegates doing anything locally? If they have given up here, why won't they call on Hillary to quit?