The California Clean Money Campaign seeks your support for AB 1148, the California DISCLOSE Act, which would require clearer disclosure of the funding sources behind political advocacy advertisements.
Under this legislation, political ads would be required to display the names and logos of the three largest contributors sponsoring them, and direct viewers to a website with full disclosure of their funding sources. The Act is authored by Assemblymember Julia Brownley, with many co-authors, endorsers and sponsors supporting its passage.
You can learn more about the California DISCLOSE Act, how it would work, and how it helps to mitigate the impact of the Citizens United decision, at the website yesfairelections.org.
The Act will be the subject of a hearing held by the Assembly Elections Committee at 1:30 pm on Monday, January 9th at the State Capitol. If you can attend the hearing, and especially if you can spend time that morning lobbying committee members, get more information and sign up at the California Clean Money Campaign’s website.
2012 is here, and with it, election season officially begins. The first votes were cast on January 3rd in the Iowa Caucuses. Some of the highlights from that event:
The Democrats turned out, some 25,000 strong, even though President Obama is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. People reported overflow crowds at many locations around the state. The President held a video town-hall with Iowans attending the caucus to remind them of his accomplishments and his plans for his second term, as well as to take their questions. And 7,500 caucus-goers committed to volunteer for the campaign. Here’s a video with highlights from the caucuses.
Although some have expressed disappointment with the Obama administration, and some groups attempted to organize Iowans to vote “uncommitted” as a protest vote, Barack Obama received over 98% of the total votes cast. Our party is unified behind our incumbent president and ready to face the GOP this fall.
Meanwhile, on the Republican side, the “inevitable” Mitt Romney barely managed to squeak out an eight vote win over second-place challenger Rick Santorum. Romney received about 25% of the votes cast, which also means that 75% of Iowa Republican caucus-goers preferred someone else. Romney earned about the same number of votes he earned in the 2oo8 caucus and a lower percentage of total votes cast, suggesting that Iowans have grown no fonder of Romney over time. Overall turnout for the GOP caucus was about 122,000, which was a slight increase over 2008. However, the warning signs for the GOP include:
The Iowa GOP has bragged how many new voters they have registered since 2008, but most of those new voters went to extreme fringe candidate Ron Paul. And in spite of their candidates’ exaggerated rhetoric about how much the country has suffered under the Obama administration, and how sure they are that the American public is unhappy, there was no corresponding surge of excitement and participation among Republican caucus-goers. The Washington Post noted that their dire descriptions of America in crisis rang false to Iowans.
Throughout 2011, the Republican electorate drifted from candidate to candidate, looking for an alternative to Romney, but each time a new front-runner emerged, details about his/her background, record and positions caused their voters to abandon the candidate and move to someone else, without reconciling to Romney.
Santorum was the Romney alternative who surged last, closest to caucus day, and before the national media began to focus much attention on his record. Social conservatives will find much they like in Santorum’s record, but the average moderate American will not like what they are about to learn.
This year, more of the GOP primaries will award delegates proportionately and fewer will be winner-take-all. This change will likely extend the length of time it takes for one candidate to lock in the nomination, and the more the GOP candidates go after each other in ads and speeches, the more ALL voters learn about their least attractive qualities.
In summary, Iowa Democrats are unified behind the re-election of President Obama, while Republicans are split on who should challenge him. The contest moves next to New Hampshire.
The Sacramento Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO invites us to join them Thursday, December 8th at 3:30 pm for a march on Dan Lungren’s Gold River office, to demand that he vote to continue extended unemployment benefits.
Here’s the plan for the day’s events:
3:30 PM
Meet at the corner of Sunrise and Coloma in Rancho Cordova (2344 Sunrise Blvd, Rancho Cordova) to march on Lungren’s District Office
4:30 PM
Action outside of Lungren’s District Office (2339 Gold Meadow Way, Gold River)
In late December, the federal unemployment insurance extension program will expire. Unless Congress acts, millions of Americans face the prospect of going hungry and getting thrown out of their homes soon after the holidays. Some in Congress will predictably demand cuts to other progressive programs before authorizing more spending for unemployment insurance. The approaching Iowa caucuses will super-heat rhetoric. No doubt someone will again blame the unemployed for their unemployment.
Urge Congressman Lungren to fund the unemployment insurance benefit program without strings and without delay!
Experienced political campaign veterans and eager novices alike found a great deal to like at the California Democratic Party sponsored Campaign Academy, conducted by Democracy for America October 15-16 at Folsom Lake College.
Here’s what some of our members who attended had to say about the two-day event:
I had a really wonderful experience at the Democracy for America Campaign Academy. The trainers were very good, from all over the country, having had experience working on high profile campaigns.
The most valuable information for me was about precinct organizing. Also, how to determine which voters to target and when. You’ve got the hard core Democrats which you already have and the hard core Republicans which you’re never going to get. You should concentrate on the area that have the highest number of persuadable or swing voters. We were given formulas to determine these areas based on past voting habits and high voter turnout.
For a Get Out the Vote drive you only target those whom you have identified as definite supporters.
The best ways to contact voters are canvassing or knocking on doors, lit drops and phoning, in that order. Direct mail is not as effective. No letters. Only oversized postcards with lots of pictures.
We learned the rules for fundraising: know the laws in your area; you have to ask; watch your budget; and say “thank you.”
I especially liked the workshop on “Developing a campaign message.” The ideal message format is 27-9-3. Twenty-seven words, nine seconds with no more than three points.
There was lots more valuable information. I have 24 pages of notes, plus a terrific training manual. It was well worth the $40. – Muriel Brounstein
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The training consisted of multiple sessions with subject matter ranging from fund-raising and event planning to developing GOTV and voter contact skills. I found the staff to be very knowledgeable and helpful. I would recommend that both seasoned and newly involved Democrats take advantage of future presentations by CaDem and the DFA. It was most helpful in getting out a big group of Democratic activists in Northern California and allowing us to network. – Barbara Leary
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It was like a masters degree in political strategy in 1 weekend! Trainers were top notch. I highly recommend this training to anyone interested in running for office, working in politics or volunteering in any way. It was priceless! — Debbie Martinez
And here’s a video the California Democratic Party shot at the Campaign Academy.
The October meeting of the Folsom Democratic Club will be held Monday, October 24th at 7 pm, at our usual location, Round Table Pizza, 1151 Riley St.
5th District Assembly Member Dr. Richard Pan
Our special guest will be Assembly Member Dr. Richard Pan, the 5th district’s current representative in the California State Assembly and a proud Democrat. Dr. Pan has racked up a significant list of accomplishments during his first year in office, writing and leading the passage of several pieces of legislation.
Join us to hear from Dr. Pan and ask your questions of your State Assembly Member.
Dr. Pan will be running for re-election in 2012; however, due to redistricting, we in Folsom will no longer be part of his constituency. In the meantime, he remains our representative, and he looks forward to answering your questions and concerns.
The California Democratic Party has arranged to bring in Democracy For America’s Campaign Academy for four sessions around the state this fall. This intensive two-day workshop is a kind of boot-camp for political activists on everything from using voter data to building and growing your political organization.
The first session, and the only one in Northern California, will be conducted here in Folsom on the campus of Folsom Lake College. Democrats will be travelling to Folsom from all over the area to participate. The Folsom Democratic Club is excited that this terrific training opportunity is coming to our home town! General sessions will be held in Falcon’s Roost, the student union building, with breakout sessions in classrooms on campus. Your registration fee includes coffee/beverage service and box lunches catered through the university.
As a club, we are already in contact with event organizers to see how we might assist and to identify any opportunities for us to fund-raise at the event. At our next club meeting on Monday, September 26th, we’ll fill you in on what we’ve learned. We strongly encourage everyone who can to attend the Campaign Academy, as the information we learn will be critical to electoral success for the Democratic Party in 2012.
Democracy for America is the political action committee formed by former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, and currently chaired by his brother Jim Dean. Their Campaign Academy is widely considered to be the best training program for Democratic activists, and their trainers are constantly booked all across the country. This is a truly special opportunity for area Democrats.
The most helpful thing that you can do, if you are planning to enroll in the Campaign Academy, is to go ahead and register right away. The event planners would benefit from knowing as soon as possible how many will attend. They anticipate 100+ people and will cap the event at 200.
Folsom Democrats, as we talk to friends, family and neighbors about the importance of the 2012 elections, we hear a variety of responses and opinions. As Democrats, it can be especially frustrating when the person we’re talking to answers with statements like:
It doesn’t matter. Both parties are the same.
Obama has disappointed me and I’m sitting out the election.
We’re going to need to be able to answer these kinds of comments as we work on getting out the vote. Club President Muriel Brounstein is hosting a meeting this coming Sunday, September 11th, if you would like to join us in discussing this issue and brainstorming responses and talking points that we’ll use to persuade the naysayers of the importance of voting, and voting for the Democratic ticket.
Meeting details:
Sunday, September 11th
11 am – noon
La Bou
404 Blue Ravine Rd (at Bidwell, near Target)
The FDC membership approved making energy & the environment one of our key priorities as a club. We are pleased to give her the opportunity to speak and answer your questions.
Folsom’s representative in Congress will hold several townhalls around the district during the August Congressional recess.
Today, President Obama dismissed calls for Congress to end their recess and return to work, as reported at The Hill:
Obama criticized and mocked Congress’s months-long fight over a deal to raise the debt ceiling and reduce deficits, and said he would not heed suggestions to call Congress back to Washington during the August recess.“The last thing we need is Congress spending more time arguing in D.C.,” Obama… said to applause from the crowd.
“What I figure is they need to spend more time out here listening to you and hearing how fed up you are. That’s why I’m here.”
If you’d like the opportunity to tell Dan Lungren (R, CA-03) how you feel about the performance of Congress, he’ll be hosting several townhalls in the district this August. Here’s his current schedule:
The campaign of Dr. Ami Bera for Congress announces that there will be a house party in Folsom on Tuesday, August 23rd from 7 – 9 pm at the Folsom home of FDC member and community organizer Barbara Leary.
The FDC hopes you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to meet Dr. Bera, ask questions, and show your support for his campaign to represent California’s Third Congressional district.
The purpose of the Folsom Democratic Club is:
to support Democratic candidates in elections; to support the philosophy and goals of the Democratic Party; to educate Folsom voters on national, state, and local issues; to participate in local issues, when appropriate, on the side of homeowners, children, senior citizens, and the disadvantaged; to protect the environment; and to support and improve public schools.
