A Reflection on the State Democratic Party in San Diego

Some of these meetings led to early endorsements and the opportunity to appear on stage with the candidates. Others are designed to improve the chances for future endorsements. Antidotal reports from these meetings indicate that Clinton and Edwards proved to be the most substantive and most knowledgeable. This reflects positively on their chances and reinforces the rap on Obama that he lacks experience.

My post-party experience reinforced these observations. On the way to the airport the cabbie volunteered that Edwards would be the best for the workingman. My ten-year-old daughter, Kate, said it was time for “a girl president.” Kate shares the delegates’ pride in Pelosi, whom she had the opportunity have breakfast with at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

For her part, Pelosi talked about her 30-years with the state party, and her rise from volunteer to party chair to Congresswoman to Speaker. In a poetic moment Pelosi recited from memory the Prayer of St. Francis (San Francisco’s guiding vision). Pelosi also used part of her time to pay tribute to the late Robert Drinan, a Jesuit and ten-year Congressman committed to social justice. She and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa are clearly the most comfortable with the faith within a largely secular party.

Given that 2008 will surely be followed by 2010, it was not surprising to see the other stars share the limelight. Mayors Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa both paid tribute to Speaker Pelosi at the Saturday evening banquet, with the mayor of Los Angeles making the post of the opportunity. Steve Westly popped up on stage behind Obama. State Superintendent of Instruction Jack O’Connell addressed the delegates, as did Lt. Gov. John Garamandi, who won kudos for addressing most if not all of the caucuses.

No single event at the convention changed the direction of the presidential campaign. The delegates did use the opportunity, however, to refine their views of the competing candidates, which is, after all, the indented role of such an event.

Kenneth C. Burt is the political director of the California Federation of Teachers. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard University, Burt worked for Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and is a board member for the Pat Brown Public Policy Institute.The author of a number of books and articles on California history, Burt may be reached at KennethBurt.com.