Thursday, August 28, 2008
Yes We Can!
It's Friday afternoon, and I'm sitting in the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel in Denver.
It's been a wonderful, amazing week here during the DNC convention. I have had the opportunity to be part of history - throughout the week as a delegate to the convention and then last night, as I sat in the seats on the floor of Invesco Field, I heard Sen. Barack Obama give an eloquent and inspiring speech.
There were speeches and receptions and breakfasts and parties. I got to spend time with some of my best friends and meet new friends. I connected with people I only knew through Facebook or had heard of through others and I shared this experience with 80,000 people at Invesco Field last night.
The following posts are my impresions of the week, breaking it down by events or time at the Pepsi Center.
But beyond the fun photos and the great opportunities that I had this past week is a unified message of hope that was sent throughout this convention. Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Joe Biden offer a change of course for our country, and opportunity to move to a new legacy, a 21st Century America, that deals with the tough realities that working men and women in our country face. Together, we have the ability to reject the failed policies of the last eight years and focus on the
During last night's speech I was most struck when Obama spoke not only of our differences, but our shared vision.
To quote Sen. Barack Obama:
We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country.
The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang-violence in Cleveland, but don’t tell me we can’t uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals.
I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination.
Passions fly on immigration, but I don’t know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers.
This too is part of America’s promise – the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.
What a message.
When I got involved in politics 5 years ago, it was because I was inspired by Gov. Howard Dean's candidacy. But Sen. Obama has brought that to a whole new level, and inspired a whole new group of young people and those who have felt disenfrancished by politics.
This week was not the end -- it is the beginning of the next stage of the '08 presidential campaign.
Sen. Obama cannot do this alone. Each one of us must take the responsibility to talk to our friends and neighbors. To volunteer at a phone bank or register voters. Together we can make a statement to the world that the United State of America is ready to for CHANGE and ready to tackle the real problems that we face.
Monday, August 25, 2008
CONVENTION UPDATE: Monday Night - On the Convention Floor
I am in absolute awe of this amazing opportunity to be at this '08 DNC Convention. I was in Boston, but not as a delegate. And it was fun and a great experience. But yesterday, when I walked into the Pepsi Center, it took my breath away. The place was decked out with red, white and blue.
The perimeter was pretty far out - and the whole week is going to include a LOT of walking. But you walk through the securtiy gates and see the huge Pepsi Center with all the DNC banners. You walk by the CNN Grill, where the exposed brick building has been painted with the CNN logo. And then you get into the convention center itself, and you can feel the buzz...
I got there extremely early (2:30 PM), because Fox 11 was following around myself and another Young Democrat, Rachel Pellam, and asked us to get there early. So while the energy of the crowd was just beginning to build, it gave us a great chance to walk around and get up close to the stage.
Wow.
(On the floor, waiting for the Convention to begin)
(Near the stage, at the beginning of the programming)The CA Delegation is not on the actual floor, but our seats aren't horrible. We're actually right behind the CNN booth...
(CNN's Wolf Blitzer reporting -- right in front of the CA Delegation)
(CNN's John King, checking his blackberry at the CNN stage)... which is how I was able to get this picture with Anderson Cooper!
(CNN's Anderson Cooper poses with Rachel Pellam and me)
Once the event really got rolling, we got to see just how impressive the production was. The stage has huge video screens that wrap above the stage to the ceiling, where images, colors and shapes are played, accenting the speaker. For instance, for the innvocation and benediction, they played what looked like stained glass. For the Sen. Kennedy introduction, there was a video and behind the major speakers are shapes or colors.
(The stage during Speaker Nancy Pelosi's speech)
(The stage during Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s speech)
In between the speakers, there are short Obama videos and lots of shots of delegates on the floor, waving and dancing. Yes, there are a lot of the stereo-typical delegates - decked out in buttons and weird hats. Several delegations have themes - for instance, Florida is wearing flamingo sunglasses and Alaska has matching jackets.
(Yep, this is Florida!)As the evening moved on, more and more of our well-known local delegates showed up -- Mayor Villaraigosa (and his son), Controller Laura Chick, Councilmembers Garcetti, Greuel and Hahn, Congressmembers Maxine Waters and Diane Watson and School Board Member Yolie Flores Aguilar. I also sat two seats away from Delores Huerta for the majority of the major speeches. There were sightings of San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris (a wonderful young, dynamic political figure) and, celebrity-wise, Bill Maher.
(Council President Garcetti shows off his Obama Pride)
(Councilmember Janice Hahn was a huge fan of Michelle Obama's speech).... I'll break down the individual speechs in a later post. But the initial impression of the experience was a breathtaking one, and reminded me how incredibly lucky I am to be a part of this historic convention.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The Denver Convention Kicks Off
Well, I've now been in Denver for almost 48 hours. The scene here is, quite honestly, a little overwhelming. There is security all over the place, and quite a few entrepreneurs who are selling Obama everything. Posters, buttons, hats, t-shirts, etc.
Last night, I went to the media party-and it didn't disappoint. Held at Elitch Gardens, a local amusement park, people were treated to food, drink, thrill rides, and carnival games. Most people walked away with stuffed animals, and a good time was had by all. A fireworks show ended the evening for us.
Earlier today, the Young Democrats of America (YDA) held their Summer Conference at the Convention Hall. There, they continued the launch of the Young Voter Revolution, revealing a new logo and t-shirts. All of YDA looks forward to the November election, unified behind the Obama-Biden ticket. We started off the morning with a brunch with Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker, a Young Democrat with an inspirational story of a campaign victory against the odds. Here are myself, National Committeemembers Natalie Rojas and Owen Stephens, as well as CYD mascot Ralph at the brunch!
Later on, at the YDA National Committee meeting, Crystal Strait, a former CYD President, was re-elected by acclimation as YDA's Democratic National Committee Woman. She will continue to represent the national organization along with DNC Man Francisco Domenech at all DNC Meetings.
The great part so far has been the huge number of young voters in town. Delegate or not, this is the place to be. And thanks to the work of many in the party and many of YOU, youth delegates make up 16% of all the delegates to the convention. This is an amazing 5% increase from four years ago!
Stay tuned, there is much more to come...
Rocky Fernandez, President
Monday, August 04, 2008
California Young Democrats Take Strong Stances on November Ballot Initiatives
Contact: California Young Democrats: Jennifer Longley jlongley@youngdems.org 1-415-816-3914
California College Democrats: Stephanie Chan stephanie1281@gmail.com 1-650-678-6886
For Immediate Release: Monday, August 4, 2008
California Young Democrats Take Strong Stances
on November Ballot Initiatives
Young Voters make their voices heard in Los Angeles and kick off massive Peer-to-Peer vote pledge drive featuring State Senator Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles)
Number / Title/ Recommendation
Prop. 2
Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute. YES
Prop. 3
Children’s Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Statute. NO POSITION
Prop. 5
Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute. YES
Prop. 6
Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute. NO
Prop. 7
Renewable Energy. Statute. NO
Prop. 9
Criminal Justice System. Victims’ Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute. NO
Prop. 10
Bonds. Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Statute. NO POSITION
Prop. 11
Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statute. NO
The California Young Democrats (CYD) took these official ballot proposition stances this past Saturday, August 2, 2008, at the CYD Executive Board Meeting in Los Angeles, California. The California Young Democrats also took to the streets and kicked off a statewide, Peer-to-Peer "Pledge to Vote Democrat" campaign with State Senator Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles). In the coming months, CYD will contact, activate and mobilize 150,000 young voters to get to the polls.
CYD had already taken official stances on three ballot propositions at the California Democratic Party Executive Board Meeting in June
Prop. 1
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century. YES
Prop. 4
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy. Constitutional Amendment. NO
Prop. 8
Eliminates the Rights of Same-Sex couples to marry. Constitutional Amendment. HELL NO
CYD also took support positions on two pieces of legislation. They came out in support of Senate Bill 831, by Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), which allows for online voter registration provided the person has a signature on file with the DMV. CYD also voted to support Senate Bill 1672, by Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), which provides funding for Green-Collar Job development as the state moves towards a Clean Energy Economy.
“Mobilizing young voters in California will be the key to victory on many important issues this November” said Rocky Fernandez, President of the California Young Democrats. “We will fight back against the many flawed propositions on the ballot, and open up opportunities for young voters to find real solutions to our state’s long-term needs.”"This weekend we asked our peers to pledge to vote for change this November" says Nick Warshaw, President of the California College Democrats. "Studies show that when a young person asks another young person to get involved in the political process they are exponentially more likely to vote. Young people will be the key to ensuring inequality is not enshrined in the California Constitution."
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The California Young Democrats is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive people ages 14-35. The California Young Democrats are committed to creating a bloc of young voters who will elect Democrats for an entire generation. Using proven Peer to Peer campaign methods, Young Democrats have made significant differences in races all over California. Young Democrats in California work everyday to promote social justice, women's rights, peace and stability in the world, and many other progressive values.
The California College Democrats is the official student arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive students.
