Herding Cats In California: Organizing Delegates for the CA Democratic Party

A Slate For Change was put up and around California by the MyBO .CAN groups with all Obama Supporters. It was all done in less than 10 days and we called about 40% of the winners. We did learn some really good things to learn. Like people are asked to give speeches after the vote in alot of areas. And some ADs, and we know who, said that you could not get a ballot if you didn't pay $5. The Democratic Party sent out a memo on Friday to all that the $5 charge was a donation to cover meeting costs and could be waived for hardship. In one AD the Treasurer of the AD was sitting at the front table where people registered and insisting that you must pay $30 to get a ballot. True.

We learned that slates sometimes make contracts with those on the slate not to be on other slates. Respect. We learned that there is a large group of active Democratic Party members in California that are still sort of annoyed that Hillary wasn't on the ticket and don't like all the youth coming in and don't want to pass the torch let alone share it. We learned that there are some old guard extremely encouraged to see the energy flow in and can't wait to get the kids working for them. We learned we have polished politicos in California who have done their best and are some of the best Democrats in the country.

I was born and raised in California. I've lived in East Bay, Half Moon Bay, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Gardena, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. I went to UCLA. We had a place in Lake Arrowhead when I was married and spent too many happy days at Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Magic Mountain. I skied in Big Bear when I was younger and love the drive to Vegas. The Renaissance Faire was an annual thing back when it was in Agoura and even after it moved to truck and polyester land. I watched San Diego morph into this shining beautful city. The trip driving up and down the coast and the train where it skims the ocean. I've been to weddings in Santa Barbara and The City and even had childhood schoolmates get married in my home. I've seen farmer's rebel and I marched as a child with the Compton Unified School district when they went on their famous strike with a little sign that said Power To The Children. I've seen Catalina on a clear day and gone there and swam and dove with the flat orange fish. My father worked for Aerospace in El Segundo almost his entire working life. My stepfather was the President of the Lion's Club and my mother taught at UCLA and Pepperdine. I've rollerskated up and down from Santa Monica to Venice and back (that's right, roller skates) and I love California. I really love California. I hope we can take these lessons and pocket them for next time, and the next state. So much more to learn. So much more to take back.