WHAT? Dems endorsing McPherson? Teachers, firefighters....

[Amaryllis]

Thanks to sfexpat2000 for this find:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/April/20/local/stories/02local.htm

McPherson rallies supporters from both sides in bid for statewide office
By GENEVIEVE BOOKWALTER
SENTINEL STAFF WRITER

Santa Cruz Republican Bruce McPherson, who represented the fertile Democratic turf of his hometown for 11 years, is proving that he can attract not only local Democrats, but Democrats from across the state as he bids to keep his seat as secretary of state.

The California Teachers Association, a group known for endorsing Democrats, voted earlier this month to support McPherson as he runs to keep the position Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him to in March 2005. McPherson is also backed by the California Farm Bureau and California State Firefighters Association, among other groups that attract Democrats.

"It's a positive reflection on Bruce McPherson," said Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of the California Target Book, a nonpartisan publication that analyzes and handicaps partisan races in California.

<snip>

Bowen's staff said they were shocked the California Teachers Association would endorse a Republican in the wake of Schwarzenegger's defeated ballot initiatives last year, which especially infuriated teachers. If the propositions had passed, teachers would now work five years before receiving tenure, instead of the required two.

More:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/April/20/local/stories/02local.htm

[Erika]

1. Moderate republicans could make gains

People want moderation.

[EFerrari]

5. No. This is about bribery.

After all these people have done to subvert CA - do you think this is about MODERATE REPUBLICANS?

No, sweetie. Just as surely as they slimed Shelley out of office, they continue on their course.

And that course has not a thing to do with the wishes of "moderate republicans".

When have they ever left to chance what they could manipulate.

[Erika]

7. Sorry. I should have never posted

I'm not up on CA races.

[EFerrari]

10. I don't mean to upset anyone.

But the gloves are off here.

[Wilms]

2. It gets worse, but perhaps, better, too

Ortiz (paper-less DRE supporter) leads Bowen

"In the Democratic primary race for secretary of state, state Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, leads by 21 percent to 18 percent over state Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Marina del Rey. Sixty-one percent of voters are undecided."

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/14245559p-15063708c.html


"Even incumbency doesn't guarantee name recognition. Secretary of State Bruce McPherson, a Santa Cruz Republican appointed last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is unknown by 67 percent of those polled. His two Democratic rivals, state Sens. Deborah Ortiz of Sacramento and Debra Bowen of Redondo Beach, were only slightly less known."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/elections/14385691.htm

[EFerrari]

18. Too dead to register tonight at the SacBee

But, let's notice, there's low name recognition and the Ms. Ortiz -- who has done no media at all -- seems to be in the lead. :eyes:

[Wilms]

24. What's the eye-roll for?

I had no idea Ortiz did no media, or that Bowen has done more by comparison.

All three are polling in the dirt. 18 to 21% in Bowen vs. Ortiz, with an MoE of what? 2-5%?

Relax a bit. Dems combined lead McPherson. We just need to get Bowen through the primary.

Eye-rolls won't get her there.

[EFerrari]

29. Oh, you're right about the polling. Or, at least the according

to the articles last week that say no one really recognizes their names.

Debra has been in the press up against McPherson, remember? On AAR, too. Here locally and also, on the Franken show. We're doing a fundraiser for her in May or June. I'm not aware of Ortis having done any radio but, that might mean I'm not aware that she has.

[EFerrari]

3. Shall we post a thread in GD tommorrow and point out why this is

UTTER FOLLY?

Let me know.

He has a concerted campaign. We can have no less.
B.

[Wilms]

6. I'm even more concerned that Ortiz is besting Bowen.

Ortiz was against paper trail law, which suggest she'll be no better than McPherson.

[EFerrari]

12. And, who is she? If she is beating Debra, she's not doing it

in the electorate. :(

[Wilms]

15. It was the poll result.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=424890&mesg_id=424892

[Tempest]

4. They are supporting someone who supports them.

He was against Prop. 74, 76 and 77.

I personally believe their support is short-sighted and selfish.

McPherson certified Diebold equipment against the recommendation of his staff, but apparently that doesn't matter to those groups.

[Amaryllis]

11. Maybe they dont know that

He was against Prop. 74, 76 and 77.
Maybe someone needs to point that out to them.
And it's possible they know nothing about the Diebold issue.

[Tempest]

23. It's highly doubtful they don't know about the Diebold certification

After all, we're talking about educators, firefighters and groups who are higher educated and informed.

[livvy]

25. I'm sure they do know about the certification, however....

if they understand it, is a whole different question. I am a teacher, and of all the teachers on my staff, there are only a few that are even aware that there are problems with voting machines. Highly educated does not equal well-informed. Teachers, like the rest of the population can be just as apathetic about politics and world affairs as anyone else. It's just the way people are today. They have busy lives, families that keep them on the run, etc., and they don't have or take the time to do the research. They watch the 6:00 news after dinner, or read the morning paper and figure they've done their part in staying on top of things.
I've invited the teachers on my staff to become a part of my email list. All they had to do is give me their home email addresses. I promised I wouldn't deluge them with mail, just the really important stuff that they wouldn't read in the morning paper. One teacher out of 25 took me up on it.
I didn't hear diddly from the rest.
It's frustrating.

[Amaryllis]

32. Educated not the same as informed; exactly. And teachers are

incredibly busy, and as I said in another post, how much press has the Diebold issue even HAD outside of ER circles?

[Tempest]

34. The issue received extensive coverage in the state

Even here in conservative Bakersfield.

I wouldn't want any teacher who doesn't stay up with current events teaching my children. It's a necessity.

My sister-in-law is a teacher, my brother-in-law is a teacher, my neighbor's wife is a teacher and my pastor's wife is a teacher. They all knew about the voting machine issue. So did my daughter's teacher.

[Amaryllis]

31. But how much press did that get outside of the ER community?

[Tempest]

35. A search of CA newspaper's web sites will tell you how much press

I know it received extensive press in Bakersfield, S.F., L.A., Fresno, S.D. and Sacramento since I read either their newspapers or the paper's web sites.

[kster]

8. If I was in control of the media I could make it

look like they where ralling behind me to. All it would take is two firefighters, and two teachers and I to could make it appear like everyone was ralling to my side. But they are not, this is bullshit Its time for these papers to tell the TRUTH.

We got them. Just keep spreading the truth (period)

[EFerrari]

20. Exactly. n/t

[Peace Patriot]

9. Bought and paid for, is my guess. The corruption among Dems in this

state is unfrigging-believable. The teachers union, of all people. But it's probably just the leaders. It also reminds me of the corruption in the League of Women Voters leadership, and in disabled groups' leadership. I wonder what the chances are for a revolt of the rank and file in the teachers' union. It happened in the League on electronic voting.

The teachers' union endorsing McPherson is OUTRAGEOUS! I am just...

:wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:

[EFerrari]

16. We have to take it to them. We HAVE TO.

We have to think and plan and DO.

Becaue this year is IT.

[Peace Patriot]

13. Amaryllis, you need to change this post title NOW...

...it's not the farm workers, it's the Farm BUREAU. BIG BIG *BIG* difference! The Farm Bureau is big ag and VERY rightwing. The farm WORKERS are a completely, absolutely, totally different thing.

I'm going to check out the full article, but I think you've made a mistake.

[Amaryllis]

14. Got it, just in time! Edit time had nearly expired. Thanks for the catch

You were right. Big difference!

[Peace Patriot]

17. A word more about the teachers. There couldn't be anything worse for

the teachers and the children of this state than McPherson getting elected secretary of state. I mean that. There could be nothing worse. Non-transparent elections will mean defunding of the school system. Mark my words. The Bushite fascists have not done with California. Stealing our nine billion dollar state surplus through Enron and inflicting Schwarzenegger on us was only the beginning. If you are a California teacher, and you are reading this, you need to DO something about your union leadership NOW. This couldn't be more terrible. McPherson is a Bush junta operative who ILLEGALLY "certified" the worst of Diebold's election theft machines--because fascists NEED those machines to win elections! Contact your union leaders and demand that they rescind that endorsement. What the hell are they doing anyway, endorsing a candidate before the primaries--before there is even a contest and a discussion of the issues? This stinks to high heaven!

[EFerrari]

19. Let's take a deep one, gather some facts. and get a plan together.

I guess, this means war. lol

[fooj]

21. Ok. Shit. I'm in.

He's from my area...

I know about this man and he is not who he USED to be...very strange set on circumstances here.

[Amaryllis]

33. Who? McP?

[fooj]

36. Yes. Worked with my dad at the local Jr. College for years.

Peace.

[Amaryllis]

37. CAn you say more about this? How not who he used to be, and

what specifically is strange? You can bet that whatever forces were pressuring Shelley haven't let up and are all over McP. Is this what you mean?

[rumpel]

22. me. too

pm me if I am slow to respond (which means I am not on DU or terribly busy)

[livvy]

27. Here are some "facts" I gathered for you. Contact info.

California Teachers’ Association


President:
Contacting Barbara E. Kerr
California Teachers Association
P.O. Box 921, 1705 Murchison Drive
Burlingame, CA 94011-0921
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Background info:
http://www.cta.org/WhoWeAre/President.htm

Vice-President:
Contacting David A. Sanchez
California Teachers Association
P.O. Box 921, 1705 Murchison Drive
Burlingame, CA 94011-0921
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Background info:
http://www.cta.org/WhoWeAre/VicePresident.htm

Secretary/Treasurer:
Contacting Dean E. Vogel
California Teachers Association
P.O. Box 921, 1705 Murchison Drive
Burlingame, CA 94011-0921
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Background info:
http://www.cta.org/WhoWeAre/SecretaryTreasurer.htm

Executive Director:
Contacting Carolyn Doggett
California Teachers Association
P.O. Box 921, 1705 Murchison Drive
Burlingame, CA 94011-0921
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Background info:
http://www.cta.org/WhoWeAre/ExecutiveDirector.htm


Link for page with all the regional offices:
http://www.cta.org/ContactCTA/ContactCTA.htm

There is also a list for all the members of the Board of Directors, but no contact info is given.

[EFerrari]

28. That's great, livvy! Thank you. n/t

[livvy]

26. I would suggest contacting the leadership in the union, and the

individual districts' union presidents. They will need all of the info and the reasoning like you outlined above. I don't know, but it is possible they are not aware (although, they should be...grrr) of all the facts. Most teachers depend on their union to give them guidance on candidates, so you need to start at the top. The teachers will follow their union's recommendations. Most will not do the research on their own for the reasons I posted before in this thread.

[EFerrari]

30. Yep. I don't know how these unions are organized but I"ll

use the contact info you found and will develop a list from there.

[JunkYardDogg]

38. I asked Barbara Kerr -CTA Pres- for Support and she Declined

When we went to the first SoS Diebold hearing, I talked to CTA BArbara Kerr on the phone
and asked her for CTA support and to put our info on their mailing lists
This was when they were gearing up to fight the Special Election initiatives
She told me that this was not in the realm of interest of the CTA and
they had had interest to get involved. I understand that she may have attended the Hearing.
The CTA and Barbara Kerr had no problem whatsoever requesting Main Stream Democrat party support to fight the
initiatives
This one is the absolute distinct responsibility of the Calif Dem Party leadership to force her
into reciprocal support and teach her the meaning of Quid Pro Quo
Also, I have been told that she is good friends with Trojan Horse McPherson
CTA
Politics & Legislation
1118 - 10th Street
Sacramento, Calif 95814
ph: 916-325-1500
fax-916-325-1581

[autorank]

39. Thanks for the reality based addition to this thread.

I just couldn't imagine why the heck CTA would do this. It's so inept. But you laid it out.

Buddies, just great. Sacrifice clean elections, democracy because Bruce is a pal...or whatever
distorted logic they used. I say the "chipping" theory stands until proved otherwise;)

And this:

"This was when they were gearing up to fight the Special Election initiatives"

She's making friends everywhere. Years ago, you didn't mess with the Special Education
people. They had good memories. I'm sure CTA is glad to have the federal money special
education money in the pot for an occasional raid to prop up some special initiative.

Thanks for the numbers and addresses.

[nicknameless]

40. Where REAL Dems stand:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x426024