While most of what you read is from Young partisans, this was published on the Clark Community Network, one of the most active in the nation, and was forwarded to me. I'm a member there but just don't have time to keep up. This author was at the DFA training last week and has some observations about CA-48 ,Steve Young and his Primary Opponents. It should be interesting reading.
From CCN:
Posted on Sun Aug 21st, 2005 at 04:50:35 PM EST
I'd
like to share some recent revelations with you all about a few good
men....and women, who stand to help make a huge difference in California
politics in the very near future. With our rich electoral vote bank (55
votes) California politics are America's politics. So listen
up Clarkies!
Yesterday
I was invited by John Heaner, a regional Director of the Democratic
Party here, to attend the Democracy for America event
in OhSoRed Orange County, where the theme was Blue Tides-- turning our red districts blue
and keeping the blues intact. Various candidates were featured and given some
speaking, debating time as well as a host of election reformers (!),
grassroots organizers, and overall committed Dems with plans to get this
state where it should be. <snip>
Secondly...we
have a key congressional seat left vacated by bush's recent appointment of
Chris Cox to the SEC. The 48th Congressional District.
I was able to catch frontrunner Steve Young along with
other Dems Tom Pallow and John Graham.
This special election race feels like one that will grab some national
attention in line with Paul Hackett's race...in fact, Hackett's team just
climbed aboard to Steve Young's campaign and were there yesterday passing out
the forms and taking inquiries. The Southern California Grassroots Committee
has officially endorsed Young as well. The Primary is October 4th
(Roshashanna, Ramadan-- way to go Ahnold), and the Special election for CA
48th will be Dec. 6th. Dems have a 38% registration disadvantage there but
they are counting on grassroots and blogospheric support to help us win this
district. One key would be to offer up only ONE Dem against the...last
count..about 10-12 republican contenders.
The
one with the fire in his belly is definitely Steve Young. And it seems
the organization is there as well. A few observations: He's
endorsed by the Young Democrats, yesterday he had six appearances
booked...all in one day! His issues as he defines them are saving Social
Security, preserving the Middle Class (job loss), extrication from Iraq
"civil war" and others.
He
and his wife are both attorneys, he since 1980, which definitely helps with
the powerful presentation to a room. On gay marriage:
"The government has no right to dictate or to intervene in the private
lives of individuals" (paraphrased) On Iraq: " You
cannot impose democracy...we need to leave. They will still be fighting
this civil war after we leave." (paraphrased) Supports Cindy
Sheehan. Favorite quote: "We should prosecute for them
war crimes...." Well, you know who...
He
had a Q & A with another Dem candidate (former pro wrestler Tom Pallow)
that left him looking on top of the issues by many miles. Steve has
already on staff an assigned Blogger and is signed up for donations (a la
Hackett) at ActBlue. When Pallow was asked by some Kos Bloggers what
his campaign had intended for the internet and Blogosphere, he
responded "My brother is a computer scientist, I have a
website..." Full Nelson. Pallow then made some very strange
suggestion that sounded like we should leave Iraq in 3 years and then go back
later to re-arm them? Maybe I missed that one in
translation. So did a chunk of the room. Next to Young he appeared
lackluster and not well versed on the questions. But I'll bet he could
deliver one helluva body slam. I'm gun shy of body builder or wrestler
types entering the political arena these days. Can we please keep the
muscles in sports arenas and out of our government?
It
was difficult to get a real read on Graham as he only popped in a few moments
to introduce himself while I was there. He is a veteran and an
International Affairs professor at UC Irvine, apparently has run three times
previously, but did not seem a commanding presence in the space. Unsure
about his chances for success. Young knew how to work the crowd, and
I'd say in Orange County that will be a prerequisite.
So,
in summary-- I think we can each do our part in our respective key districts
and states to alert the rest of our group to the important races and help
support the likely winners. And one by one get back some of the losses
we suffered in our last several elections. You can check out Steve
Young at Steve Young for Congress dot com or The Political Dogfight
(www.politicaldogfight.com) where they will be blogging about this race and other blogs as well. Thanks for recognizing the California piece of the
puzzle as a vital one for 2006. I know we are in full support mode for Eric Massa and others, so this is not in any way to detract from that/ those
races in other states. Just keep your BLUE EYES on our beloved California if you will...
Thanks to the poster who I am keeping anonymous as I do not have her
specific permission to repost her article. Thanks for the time Poster. TBD