Reflections on the convention

Last day at CA Convention marked by great speeches
I came to this convention a relative neophyte to the processes and the personalities of the Democratic Party in California. I have been strongly motivated by what I have seen happening to our university system. Earlier this month I was in Sacramento lobbying state senate and assembly members on behalf of the university system I love. But, I was speaking out of passion for education rather than knowledge of politics. I still have a lot to learn, but I have started to get an understanding of why it is so important for us to be involved and how we can be involved. Of course the presidential election has us very focused on that right now. Today President Clinton and San Francisco District Attorney, Kamela Harris each gave great speeches in support of Hillary and Obama. I had a great seat and took many photos:

[More coverage on my twitter feed]

[More convention photos on Flickr]

Day two at CA Demo Convention

Very long and fascinating day
I am updating my Flicker Feed with well over 250 new photos today. I have no time to edit or label them. I am too tired to write more as well, so here they are for now.

[More coverage on my twitter feed]

[More convention photos on Flickr]

California Democratic State Primary, Day 1

Great evening at the democratic convention
I had a fantastic time at the convention and feel so honored to be able to attend it and photograph it for my union and for you. I saw Nancy Pelosi, John Garamendi and many other top democrats.

Along with several state union leaders, I attended a reception Pelosi had before the evening’s main event. Dave Hart was there, he is the President of the California State Employees Association. This organization includes two locals of the Service Employees International Union, Local 1000 which represents state civil service employees and Local 2579 which represents California State University Employees (that is us!) as affiliates.

On the convention floor, Pelosi spoke about the importance of democrats coming together and the importance of winning this election no matter who is nominated. After the Pelosi speech, at the Labor Caucus, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi spoke about the state budget as well the importance of labor. We simply cannot keep cutting our state budget, Garamendi said. We must find new revenue sources for our state.

I am tired and tomorrow is another long day. I will post more on my twitter feed. In this photo Pelosi is speaking to the delegation while Garamendi looks on.

[More convention photos on Flickr]

Go to Texas for Obama

My name is Mitch Stewart, and I’m the Texas Field Director for the Obama campaign.

Barack’s won the last eight primaries and caucuses decisively, and we’re heading into the next set of contests with a lot of momentum. But the race for the Democratic nomination is still extremely close.

The March 4th primary in Texas is the single biggest remaining contest, and we need supporters across the country to get involved.

Sign up to take a trip to Texas before March 4th and help Get Out The Vote for Barack:
http://my.barackobama.com/CometoTX

We’re holding training sessions for volunteers at locations across the state on Saturday, March 1st at 12:00 p.m. You are strongly encouraged to arrive in Texas in time for the training.

You’ll spend the next three days working with our staff and fellow volunteers to help get every Obama supporter in Texas out to the polls on Tuesday, March 4th. There’s no better way to make a difference in this election.

No prior experience is necessary — whether you’re a first-time volunteer or a seasoned veteran, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime organizing for Barack on the ground.

Learn more and sign up to come make history in Texas:
http://my.barackobama.com/CometoTX

As we enter the final stages of this election, both campaigns are focusing on the crucial March 4th primaries.

Senator Clinton’s campaign has even described Texas as a “must-win” state, and they’re already devoting unprecedented resources to their operation here.

Our campaign has always relied on grassroots supporters to build our movement and spread the word about Barack Obama. I hope you’ll join us in Texas and keep the momentum going.

Thank you,
Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Texas Field Director
Obama for America

What Obama has to offer

Hope
Bush - Clinton - Bush - ????
In this time of rising fuel and cost of living prices and a war that seems headed for no good end only one candidate offers a serious opportunity for change. Why are so many young people supporting Obama? Why has the Service Employees International Union, the union that represents most staff employees at SJSU, endorsed Obama? Why do I support Obama? Listen to what he has to say.

We know the battle ahead will be long. But always remember that, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics. And they will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks and months to come.

We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

For when we have faced down impossible odds, when we’ve been told we’re not ready or that we shouldn’t try or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes, we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights: Yes, we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness: Yes, we can.

It was the call of workers who organized, women who reached for the ballot, a president who chose the moon as our new frontier, and a king who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the promised land: Yes, we can, to justice and equality.
Yes, we can, to opportunity and prosperity. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can repair this world. Yes, we can.

I am supporting Barack Obama for President because I believe, there has never been anything false about hope.
~Steve

Yes, we can!

Budget cut for state (and CSU)

Huge state budget cuts coming
According to the Sacramento Bee, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today will propose a spending plan that cuts virtually every function of state government to close a $14.5 billion budget gap. Reportedly the govenor’s plan asks lawmakers to close state parks and beaches, release prisoners, dramatically pare school funding, reduce Medi-Cal health services to the poor and reduce aid to the low-income blind, elderly and disabled.

The University of California and California State University systems would reportedly be cut under the governor’s plan, but by less than 10 percent because the administration attempts to make good on a long-term “compact” with higher education that promises funding growth each year.

Good Night, and Good Luck

Edward R. Murrow
My wife Sue and I just watched the prescient 2005 movie Good Night, and Good Luck. This movie is about Edward R. Murrow’s battle with Joe McCarthy, but despite the fact that it is set in the 1950’s it seems quite timely given our so-called battle against terrorism and some of the actions of recent years, especially the Patriot Act. The movie opens and closes with Murrow’s speech in 1958 to the Radio and Television News Director’s Association convention in Chicago. The speech makes timely reading today.

This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box.

I recommend this movie to all students of Journalism, Political Science and to all students of our times. To all America, good night and good luck.

Govenor to declare fiscal emergency

Schwarzenegger to declare fiscal emergency
According to a story in today’s Sacramento Bee on-line edition, by Kevin Yamamura and Aurelio Rojas, “Faced with as much as a $14 billion budget shortfall, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday he will declare a “fiscal emergency” in January, which will enable the governor and lawmakers to fast-track mid-year spending cuts and other budget solutions. This will be the first time Schwarzenegger has used the “fiscal emergency” authority created in Proposition 58 in 2004. It allows the governor to declare an emergency when revenues are “substantially below” revenues that were anticipated when the budget was signed. This emergency will summon the Legislature into special session. If lawmakers fail to send the governor legislation addressing the budget problem within 45 days, they cannot take any action on other bills nor can they adjourn until they do.

The governor on Friday estimated the budget deficit at between “$10 billion and $14 billion,” this represents more than 12 percent of an estimated $111 billion General Fund budget.

Election Day Success For Labor

Working Families Celebrate Election Day Success
FROM SOUTHBAY LABOR COUNCIL — Voters throughout the South Bay demonstrated that they share the values of working families as they overwhelmingly supported candidates who had earned the endorsement of the South Bay Labor Council.

Endorsed candidates in Sunnyvale and Gilroy won handily as they advocated for quality jobs and progressive values. Perhaps the biggest successes, however, came in Palo Alto and Cupertino, where Yiawey Yeh, Sid Espinosa and Gilbert Wong all won election to City Councils, thanks in large part to the hard work of volunteers from unions throughout the South Bay who contacted thousands of voters in these communities.

Special thanks are due to the hard work of volunteers from SEIU United Healthcare Workers - West, SEIU Local 521, UFCW Local 5, ATU Local 265 and the Building Trades Council. Stalwarts Fred Hirsch (Plumbers and Fitters 393) and Kevin Connell (ATU 265) were the top volunteers for the campaign cycle. Congratulations are very much due to Labor Council Organizing Director C. J. Wilson who coordinated the campaign, resulting in this enormous success.