TBRC: BackTalk October 2008

Written by: Susan Rowe on Oct 25, 2008 10:55 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Take Back Red California, DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, Democratic Club of Coarsegold, California for Democracy, Northern California Trained Activists, DFA of Chowchilla, DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties , DFA of Stanislaus County, Plumas County Democratic Club, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , Sacramento For Democracy, Say No to Pombo, Sierra Foothills Democratic Club

TBRC’s PREVIOUSLY ENDORSED CAMPAIGNS: GAINING STRENGTH!

Jeff Morris (CD 2) – Jeff is a Trinity County supervisor who is running a strong grassroots campaign to unseat 22-year incumbent Wally Herger. Jeff has received the endorsement of several area unions, including the first-ever Congressional endorsement by United Public Employees of California, Local 792 – pointing up Herger’s record of voting against worker-friendly legislation. Herger has incurred the wrath of many conservatives in voting for the Bush administration’s bailout plan, which Jeff opposed. Although Republicans hold a 44% to 34% registration advantage in the district, Jeff’s appeal to independents, who make up more than 17% of registered voters, could carry the day. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, see www.jeffmorrisforcongress.com.

Dr. Bill Durston (CD 3) – Aided by a shrinking Republican advantage in voter registration and a strong grassroots effort, Bill has pulled to a statistical dead heat with Republican Congressman Dan Lungren in a recent poll. According to the pundits at Politico.com, the national GOP has been forced to divert support from other races to shore up Lungren. And the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has acknowledged the Durston campaign’s growing strength by placing it on the Red-to-Blue Emerging Races list. Bill’s campaign is much better funded and organized than in 2006, when he was persuaded to run very late in the game. Two Durston for Congress television ads are running on cable and network TV stations, and a growing number of volunteers are walking precincts, phonebanking, and hosting fundraisers. With an engaged base, and the registration disadvantage down to about 3%, this is a winnable race. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, see www.durstonforcongress.org.

Charlie Brown (CD 4) – Charlie’s second campaign for the seat held by John Doolittle has gained national attention. Taking note of Charlie’s tireless campaigning since his narrow loss to Doolittle in 2006, the DCCC has targeted this race. Polling shows Charlie with a 46% to 41% lead over Tom McClintock, the carpetbagging state senator from Southern California who won a vicious primary fight after Doolittle decided to abandon the field.

More than 85 current and former elected leaders and appointed commissioners from Charlie’s district have endorsed his candidacy — a quarter of them Republicans and independents. The Brown campaign continues to donate 5% of its contributions to the Brown for Congress Veterans Charity Challenge (now, well over $80,000). Charlie and Jan have developed an amazing grassroots campaign. This “safe Republican” seat is headed for an upset. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, see http://charliebrownforcongress.org.

Rep. Jerry McNerney (CD 11) – Jerry has followed his surprise victory over Richard Pombo in 2006 with a record of real accomplishment in Congress. His performance has been so impressive – and his opponent Dean Andal so weak – that he has even been endorsed by the staunchly conservative Stockton Record, as well as by Stockton’s Republican mayor. Jerry has returned to the district almost every weekend to meet with constituents and listen to their concerns. Andal, a former Assemblyman, launched a furious partisan attack against Jerry in their only public debate, causing the Record editors to brand him an “ideologue.” Although Republicans hold a 3% registration advantage in the district, Jerry retains a strong grassroots base, and we expect to hold this seat. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, see www.jerrymcnerney.org.

Alyson Huber (AD 10) – Alyson has several advantages in her strong race for the seat now held by termed-out Republican Alan Nakanishi. First is her powerful personal story and local roots: she overcame family hardships to put herself through school and become a successful attorney. Her progressive credentials provide a stark contrast with the archconservative partisan politics of her opponent, former San Joaquin County Supervisor Jack Sieglock, at a time when the Republican brand is badly tarnished. Finally, Alyson is helped by the powerful grassroots campaigns being waged by Democrats in the three Congressional districts that overlap AD 10 – Bill Durston, Charlie Brown, and Jerry McNerney. With the Republican registration advantage in the district reduced to only about 2%, the chances for an important Assembly pickup are growing. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, see www.alysonhuber.com.

Celeste Garamendi (Mayor, Tracy) – The Garamendi for Mayor ground and mail campaign is in full swing. Celeste has received more endorsements than any other candidate, and she is looking strong. Walking and phonebanking will continue through election day. Mailers are highlighting Celeste’s priorities: jobs, safe neighborhoods, and schools. But the residential developer lobby has formed an independent expenditure committee to oppose her, and she needs support to be able to counter the attacks that are coming. TBRC is hosting a fundraising event for Celeste on October 26; for information, please contact Mary at mary[at]comcast[dot]net or 415-460-1571. To learn about, support, or become involved in this campaign, see www.garamendiformayor.org.

TBRC’s endorsement process is based on applications intended to make sure that candidates are viable, that they are providing effective leadership, and that they are committed to building party involvement in their districts. See our website, www.TakeBackRedCalifornia.org, for specific endorsement criteria.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO VOLUNTEER?

What’s it like for an urban Democrat to venture into the supposedly hostile territory of traditionally Republican Central and Northern California districts? For most, the experience is uniformly positive and energizing. The candidates and staff are welcoming and organized, and the people we call or visit are, basically, just people. Most are friendly, and many are open to the candidate’s message. Here is one comment from Bill Sims, a volunteer who spent a day in Charlie Brown’s Truckee office:

“The calls we made were unique in my limited experience - the day I was there, we called Republicans exclusively. Very interesting! These calls were fun! Not like the preaching to the choir calls I have made before, which can be very discouraging when you find so many nominal Democrats that are not interested or politically unaware. It was very gratifying to find so many Republicans who were unequivocal about voting for Charlie. Almost all were polite, and most seemed at least open to the idea of voting for Charlie.”

(And we extend a BIG THANK YOU to David and Lorna Strand for making their Northstar house available to both Obama and Charlie Brown volunteers for overnight stays in the Tahoe/Truckee area!!)

Here’s a similar experience, recounted by Casey Mills of BeyondChron, the progressive San Francisco web-based publication:

“After a day of canvassing in the District and speaking with the people that live there, the reasons for Brown’s success so far make a lot of sense to me. The place seems full of disaffected Republicans and Independents open to Brown’s positions and not wild about his challenger, Tom McClintock. While the day wasn’t all wine and roses, I’m convinced that CA-04 represents an enormous chance for Democrats to pick up a seat in Congress, and that activists should continue to focus on this race to ensure Brown makes his way to victory.” (Casey’s full report can be found at www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=6131.)

Volunteers for other campaigns speak of similarly positive and welcoming receptions all across Northern California. Join a carpool for a day trip, or make a weekend of it. You can spend a weekend in a beautiful place and help California move forward at the same time. What a deal!

To get involved, contact Mary Renaud, one of TBRC’s volunteer coordinators, at mary[at]comcast[dot]net or 415-460-1571.

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Location: San Rafael, CA 94901