Snap!

Huh. Babaloo's diary at Calitics, and some of the following comments, explain my feelings about Jerry McNerney quite well.

Actually, I'm pretty darn surprised about McNerney's recent comments and votes. I am never so naive as to think that anyone is going to vote 100% to my liking. I don't expect that. Probably the only perfect candidate by my standards is me, and we're just not going to go there.

Silly me. I liked Paul Hackett for a minute too...until he opened his ignorant mouth about women in the military. Now he makes me shudder. Excuse me while I adjust my expectations yet again.

From the Stockton Record:

McNerney said he will be more likely to listen to those who want more time in Iraq.
"If anything, I'm more willing to participate in a give-and-take with that viewpoint than I was before," he said.

What I did expect was that he'd be another strong voice against the occupation of Iraq. Those of you who've been playing along at home know that a bad war related votes can be a deal breaker for me. Between McNerney's worrisome vote a few weeks back, these recent comments about Iraq, and as icing on the cake, last week's conflation of medical marijuana with meth, I'm starting to get that icky feeling that I've been seduced for a quickie, and am now being unceremoniously dumped.

No, he's not in my district, but I liked what I saw and heard from him, both in person and online and thought it was (and still is) important to get Pombo and his ilk out of office. I disliked Pombo mucho. I wanted another Dem seat mucho. It was the first time I've ever made a donation to someone that wouldn't represent me if elected. I guess I was kind of hoping he would at least sort of represent me. Well, he does...sort of. But apparently not in several important ways. Particularly in the ways that encourage me to give financial support.

"We need to put a timetable out there, it needs to make sense," McNerney added -- a plan to bring the troops home, so that the Iraqi government is compelled to unite and take over the task of securing the country. "I think we can work to find a way forward that would be bipartisan, that would accommodate the achievements they have had in the last four or five months."

Sigh. I'm also weary and wary of "bi-partisan" solutions that are carved out between someone who strikes me as sincere about cooperation, and those who worship at the alter of partisanship. All too often in recent years, that only means the Democrat just goes along to get along.

I'm sure McNerney is a good guy and will cast many satisfying votes in the years to come, but I have limited patience and resources. I'm picky. I don't donate to ANY candidates unless I'm very impressed.

That sound you heard was my wallet snapping shut.

p.s. I do wish that Democrats would quit making me lose the arguments with my friends about why we should still support the Democratic Party.

Democratic women are the life of the party

I say that because it's my new bumpersticker, and it's true. Woot!

The last couple days have been filled with CA State Democratic Convention type activities here in Sunny San Diego.

Last night I went to the fantabulous Blue House at the Brew House fundraiser for Jerry McNerney and Charlie Brown. Big fun. I met some great folks that were only names on a screen to me before, but now they have faces and voices! I lurves the Internets.

As a side note, in traditional convention-goer fashion, I had three beers for dinner. (::hic::)

This morning (early...oh my god so early) we had a press conference to discuss the status of the resolution that Raymond Lutz of the East County Democratic Club introduced at the convention regarding Blackwater West, which has apparantly been shot down. Big picture, that's ok...there are other roads to take.

After the press conference was over, I made my way to the volunteer room. I had the thrilling task of guarding a door for about a half hour, then I filled in at a delegate registration table for about a half hour (no one came to see me at all!) After that, I made my way to the Leadership Luncheon where once again I guarded a door. Exciting stuff, eh?

As a bonus, there were a couple tables vacant around the edges of the room, and once things got started and there was no longer any need to guard the damn door, we were told to have a seat, eat and listen to the speeches. Cool! At the orientation they'd told us we'd probably have to leave the room once the luncheon got going because it was sold out, but we got to stay. Hurrah for free food. Art Torres, Fabian Nunez and Zoe Lofgren were the speakers. Unfortunately, I'm a bad blogger so I didn't take notes or live blog. I just ate the free food, listened to the blahblahblah and drank their coffee.

Zoe was pretty cool though. I liked her.

After lunch, I scored a floor pass to the general session. The only presidential candidate I missed was Clinton, but I got to see Obama (wow), Dodd (poor fella had to follow Obama) and Kucinich (who knew his wife was such a hottie?). Edwards and Richardson speak tomorrow, but I won't be there. I'll be at a Padres game instead. I won a pair of tickets at the Blue House at the Brew House fundraiser for Jerry McNerney and Charlie Brown last night.

This afternoon when the general session was over, I walked across the street to a humongous and enthusiastic impeachment rally. I was planning to walk back over to the convention center when they moved to the other side of the street, but I was right next to the trolley station and that leg that likes to remind me of my age hurt like mad, so when the train arrived, I jumped on and came home. And still, my feet are killing me.

In the interest of full disclosure, the score of the general session floor pass was obtained by pimping myself our for the Kucinich campaign. I know his SoCal coordinator and told her that I wanted to hear the speeches, but hadn't volunteered enough hours to get a pass, and she handed me one. All I had to do was join her, and the bazillion other legitimate Kucinich supporters in a sign waving frenzy when he spoke.

Ok. I can do that. I certainly haven't jumped on the Kucinich 2008 bandwagon, but I like him. He's got cojones, and it's fine with me if the other candidates see genuine progressive issues getting an enthusiastic reception.

I figure it was my Good Karma Gift of the Day, because I was a good girl and turned in a found press credential instead of using it myself.

I'm a fool, but I'm an honest fool.

Blue House at the Brewhouse on Friday

In other weekend fundraiser event news: Come on over to the Blue House at the Brew House on Friday night at the Karl Strauss Brewery. This event is sponsored by the by "the CA Blogsphere" and is a fundraiser for Charlie Brown and Jerry McNerney.

Who: Charlie Brown, Jerry McNerney and friends
What: Give $40 min. (20 bucks each) on this page
When: 8:30 PM Friday April 27th
Where: Karl Strauss Brewing Company, 1157 Columbia Street San Diego, CA 92101
(parking available, location is less than a mile from the Convention Center)

It's also very close to the One America Plaza trolley station, if you don't want to walk or drive from the Convention Center.

Woo and Hoo!

I won't go over the details since you've heard it all by now, but just a few thoughts on yesterday's election.

I'm not sure what to think about Prop 89. I was afraid it wasn't going to pass, but I didn't expect it to get whooped.

I'm especially thrilled about Bowen and McNerney. Debra Bowen will be an outstanding Secretary of State, and I really liked McNerney when I saw him here in San Diego at Democracyfest.

My birthday was yesterday. I told everyone that the only gift I wanted was a Democratic house. I got my wish, and a bonus! Thanks!

I just have to share this post from Calitics.

Angelides, Bowen, McNerney and the grassroots angels.

They make a great point, and the comment about the "Democratic angels" gave me a much needed laugh.

Speaking of McNerny, I saw him speak at Democracyfest, and I'm sold. I liked him VERY much, and I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. He's the real deal, and can provide some much needed leadership in the area of alternative energy. He's inspiring.