Blooming a Grassroots Coalition…To Take Back Red California

In January, TBRC began more coordinated efforts with Project Bluebridge , Democracy Action (San Francisco), grassroots supporters who worked in last fall’s Congressional campaigns, and other progressive organizations We expect this alliance will better serve rural counties in voter registration and Get Out the Vote efforts in upcoming campaign cycles.

In a further collaboration, TBRC, the CDP Rural Caucus, and Project Bluebridge joined with SoCal Grassroots (www.socalgrassroots.org) and BE for Change (www.beforchange.org) to host a sold-out, off-site dinner during the California Democratic Party convention in San Diego in April. We were honored with keynote speakers Democratic presidential candidate Governor Bill Richardson, Democracy for America chair Jim Dean Congressional candidate, Lt. Col. Charles Brown, former Congressional candidate Dr. Bill Durston, and Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee chair Eric Bauman. This coalition offers the opportunity to work in rural areas statewide.

On the heels of that dinner, the coalition organizations were invited to present at the Democratic National Committee Western States Convention on Saturday, May 26, in San Francisco. Although each speaker on our seven-member panel focused on a specific topic, collectively we reinforced these common points:

1) In order to keep California from becoming a swing state, the California Democratic Party must be committed to a grassroots-based. political strategy which includes long-term local infrastructure and party-building, especially focused in rural counties

2) Although nationally many seats changed party during the last election, in California only one seat went from Republican to Democrat — that of Jerry McNerney (CD-11), a victory that was the result of a tremendous collaborative grassroots effort.
3) Volunteers are hardworking, smart, and the backbone of any campaign’s success; they need to be productively utilized and fully appreciated during any campaign.

4) It is absolutely necessary that we change the way we perceive success; success is not simply a win. It is equally important that we support campaigns that ensure that Democratic values are a vital part of public discourse, galvanize local activists, and inspire enthusiasm and hope. Gains in the House and Senate will be significantly enhanced through tactical, long-term investment strategies on a local level.

All of this partnering is exciting because it allows grassroots activists working in rural areas throughout California to share success stories and resources, become inspired by one another’s energy, and collaborate on more ambitious projects. We look forward to your participation.

Four waters has focused on grassroots activism for the past two decades, which included providing administrative and media support to Julia “Butterfly” Hill's renowned two-year treesit in an ancient redwood. She became involved in local politics in Humboldt county, and as a member of the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee chaired two committees, was on the Executive Board, a delegate to the State Party Conventions, and was involved with several local campaigns. Following the 2006 election, she moved to Sacramento in order to help strengthen rural county Democratic political effectiveness.