San Diego Politico

New Website - SanDiegoNorForSale.com

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Thu, 31 May 2012 01:21:00 +0000

SAN DIEGO - The Democratic frontrunner for the 52nd Congressional district, Lori Saldaña, has released a new website informing voters of Scott Peter's extensive personal loans to his campaign. The website, http://www.SanDiegoNotForSale.com, is a response to Peters recently loaning his campaign $1.25 million.

SanDiegoNotForSale.com also contrasts Scott Peters' self-funded campaign with Saldana's grassroots fundraising, which has raised over $300,000 from more than 10,000 small-dollar supporters.

Visit the website at: http://www.SanDiegoNotForSale.com.

SD Janitors March Through Downtown San Diego, SD Labor Council Poised to Aid Janitors’ Strike

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Thu, 31 May 2012 01:19:00 +0000

San Diego - On Thursday, May 31, 2012, unions representing more than 192,000 working men and women throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties are expected to pledge their support for San Diego’s United Service Workers West janitors in the event of a strike. A vote to sanction the strike would mean honoring the picket line if building owners and their contractors do not reach an agreement with the janitors’ union by June 2, 2012.

“For the past couple of months, we have negotiated with contractors representing building owners for a contract that includes a modest wage increase and health care for our families,” said María Aldama, member of the Bargaining Committee and janitor for five years. “If our employers can afford to give janitors in Los Angeles, Orange County, and in Northern California a raise and are able to provide health care for workers and their families, why can’t they do the same for San Diego janitors?”

For the past eight weeks, janitors have been working hard to negotiate a dignified contract. Unfortunately, contractors and building owners have offered to freeze workers’ wages and cut their health benefits. If building owners are unwilling to meet workers’ demands by June 2, 2012, janitors throughout San Diego will strike.

"The bottom line is janitors work hard, often in the cover of night, for extremely wealthy companies. They deserve the dignity of being able to provide for their families, to take their kids to the doctor when they are sick and to make ends meet,” said Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council. “The companies whose buildings are being cleaned can afford this very modest increase in cost, and it is time they provide it."

In 2012, 30,000 of USWW’s 40,000 members’ collective bargaining contracts expire, including the 1,800 office, tech and biotech janitors from San Diego and Inland Empire counties which are set to expire on May 31st.

WHAT:
Janitor Protest March & Rally; San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council Press Conference pledging not to cross picket line if janitors go on strike.

 WHEN:
Thursday, May 31, 2012 | 12:00 P.M., March & Rally; Labor Unions to sanction potential janitor strike at 12:30 P.M. at Civic Center Plaza.

WHERE:
March starts at 8th Avenue & B Street; Press Conference led by Lorena Gonzalez and labor unions at 12:30 P.M. at Civic Center Plaza.  WHO: Lorena Gonzalez and union leaders, San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council; hundreds of janitors and community groups.  

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Competitive races - 6 days left

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:55:00 +0000

SAN DIEGO MAYOR

Californians for Small Business are push polling against Filner. The automated survey asks Democrats "if you knew ______, would it change your opinion." The blanks are about missed votes, pushing his way onto an airplane and being found guilty of trespassing, and that he voted against DOMA. Voter suppression is a time-honored tactic when you want to keep your opponent's base at home because you can bring out enough of your voters. With a three-way (on paper) Republican division of their electorate, the fewer Democrats they can keep from casting votes the better for DeMaio and Fletcher. Dumanis, even with the support of the Mayor, is irrelevant at this point. It looks like the three men will battle it out for the top two positions.

SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL 1 & 7

Ellis has yet to make a case for removing Lightner and she hasn't done anything wrong, by her district, to warrant removal. UFCW has mailed against her for her position on Wal-Mart but there are not many union voters in D1. Lightner and Ellis settle this in the fall.

Kostrinsky has a higher bar to hurdle (registration numbers) but he should squeak by to make it in November. After that, this race becomes a death-match.

CD 51

Vargas has gone after Ducheny from day one (eliminating her position on a state board) and has not let up. His latest hit on her deals with payments to her husband for campaign management which is being spun as using donor money to fund their personal lives. The Ducheny campaign has hit back, pointing out that "she has "outraised her opponent for the second time since she's entered the race." The campaign says it has "raised over $52,780 dollars, while her main opponent raised only $46,344." The campaign adds, "almost 85%" of the money raised has come from individuals, most of whom live in the district, and "just under half of Vargas' contributions have come from Political Action Committees, like the Insurance and Banking lobbies." It looks like this will be settled in November.

CD 52

The Peters campaign has put out his "final" TV ad while the Saldaña campaign has just begun their on-airoperation that is to "run during the closing week of the Saldaña's June 5th Primary contest." As this is happening, Bilbray continues his assault (4 mailings as of today with more expected) through the mail at Peters.

SD 39

Marty and George walk in June to wrestle in November

AD 77

This ground has been cursed for Democrats and this cycle doesn't appear to be an exception. Maienschein will be the Republican in the top two but the second place, like in CD 52, is where the action is. Hernandez, the endorsed Democrat, is being crowded out by Laskaris, a DTS that is being pushed by the local AFT union. It is possible that this will be a race where the Republican will be running against a union-candidate that is not a Democrat.

AD 79

Dr. Shirley Weber should be the favorite but fate has not been kind to her campaign. There was the very expensive IE "misfire" by her allies that mailed to the wrong district on the critical weekend before absentee ballots were mailed. Then there is the Betsy Butler race in AD 50 that has the Assembly Speaker ~~ordering~~ asking staffers of current members to spend time in LA instead of helping the campaigns that their bosses have endorsed. She does have an experienced campaign manger and name recognition in a nice portion of the new AD.

She doesn't have to buy name ID like Rudy Ramirez. Coming from Chula Vista to represent a district that takes in SDSU, S.E. San Diego, and parts of La Mesa and Lemon Grove his money has purchased a number of signs in Mission Valley (?). He has been selling himself as the "business friendly" Democrat and had gained the largess of business PACs spending in the district for him. His ground operation may not stray from the predictable but this phoning and voter contact operations are to be commended if he makes it through.

Sid Voorakkara has money and a heavy ground campaign. Like Ramirez, he's had to buy name ID but unlike Ramirez his signs are in laws and not on light posts. His mailings are good, he is unafraid of voter contact, and has built a solid foundation. It remains to be seen if it will be enough to make the top two. The district is so Balkanized that it is difficult to call it for anyone.

Dr. Pat Washington is a community fixture with the unfortunate luck to be competing for the same votes as Dr. Weber. Washington's campaign is a volunteer driven community effort running against Weber's professional community driven campaign. I don't think Washington makes it but she may pull enough votes from Weber to allow Ramirez and/or Voorakkara to make it.

Of the two Republicans, only Mary English has a shot of making it. She's a known vote getter and can easily unify the Republicans as the only viable one in the race.

Third TV Ad of the Peters for Congress Campaign Begins Airing Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Wed, 30 May 2012 04:32:00 +0000

San Diego – The third and final television advertisement of the Scott Peters for Congress campaign begins airing on local network affiliate and cable stations tonight. The 30-second ad is upbeat and positive and will continue airing until late on June 5.

“We are proud of the campaign we’ve run and very pleased with the response to our first two ads,” said Campaign Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “Out at events all weekend, people were stopping Scott to say ‘I saw your ads and I’m voting for you’,” she said.

The campaign also is very pleased with how things look going into the final week, she said, adding that “our plan is working and we get to end our television campaign in an upbeat, positive way.”

The first half of the spot, called “Values,” highlights themes of the campaign’s first two ads – Scott’s record of job creation and his public safety accomplishments and backing. The second half reinforces his commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare, states that he opposes cuts to these benefits. It also touts the depth and breadth of the endorsements he’s earned. It ends with a visual of three newspapers who have endorsed in this race, which all back Scott. The voice-over says, “San Diego newspapers, teachers, and firefighters have endorsed Scott Peters. He’ll get things done.”

In addition to television and mail, the Peters campaign has hundreds of volunteer callers and walkers who fill its phone banks and the neighborhoods of CD 52 every day. Dozens of endorsing elected officials and organizations also are helping with voter contact every weekend by bringing their staffs, supporters and members out to help us walk and call voters. For example, earlier this month 80 members of LIUNA (Laborers International Union of North America) showed up in their bright orange t-shirts to knock on doors for Scott, and elected officials from throughout the region will be making calls on Scott’s behalf in the campaign's final days.

For more information about how you can help, go to http://www.scottpeters.com/get-involved.

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Props. A and B: Bad for San Diego

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:54:00 +0000

Conservative and corporate interests like to load their pet propositions onto primary election ballots, and 2012 is no exception. In the City of San Diego, the Democratic Party urges a "no" vote on Props. A and B, both shameless political ploys that would only harm our city.

If Prop. A were to pass -- banning Project Labor Agreements in San Diego -- no state funds could be used for any construction project in the city. More than $100 million annually would be lost, according to the Independent Budget Analyst's estimate. The absence of those funds would further harm the city's ability to service its debt.

Prop. B would immediately impose a $56 million cost on taxpayers by converting city workers' pensions to 401k plans in a legally dubious way. By overturning good-faith bargaining at the ballot box, this measure would be devastating for city employees, who gave up Social Security as part of their contracts.

Democrats are also opposing Prop. D., an effort in El Cajon to establish a city charter that would make it easier to outsource jobs to lower-paid, out-of-town workers. In Oceanside the Party is fighting Props. E and F, which would, respectively, increase rent for residents of mobile home parks and manipulate the city's electoral system.

For a complete list of the County Democratic Party's endorsements and ballot measure positions, go to www.sddemocrats.org/endorsements.

Ducheny's campaign for CD 51 announces several endorsements

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Former Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny's campaign for CD 51 has announced several endorsements, including the Women's Campaign Fund; Americans for Democratic Action (Southern California Chapter); Martin Luther King Jr Democratic Club; San Diego City Beat; National Organization for Women (NOW PAC); US Rep. Grace Napolitano. Full list here. Ducheny, a Democrat, served six years in the Assembly beginning in 1994 and eight years in the Senate beginning in 2002.

Saldaña launches first ad of the CA-52 primary Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Tue, 29 May 2012 13:28:00 +0000

SAN DIEGO - The Democratic frontrunner for the 52nd Congressional District, Lori Saldaña, will launch her first ad Tuesday. The ad campaign will use voter-targeting technology to deliver online video ads and traditional flash ads to deliver ads to likely voters.

The total ad buy is expected to be in the tens of thousands of dollars and run during the closing week of the Saldaña's June 5th Primary contest.

VIEW VIDEO AD on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/FSASRJhyErk

Facts about the Saldaña-Peters race

•Lori Saldaña is a grassroots progressive who is focused on restoring the middle class and fighting to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. She was endorsed by the PCCC late last month.

•Saldaña was one of the original members of the Dean Dozen in her successful race for the CA State Assembly in 2004 and thanks to her grassroots base successfully ran for reelection two times before she was term-limited out of office in 2010.

•Scott Peters is a businessman and San Diego City Councilman and, as depicted in this ad, has publicly supported cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

•Peters, facing a serious headwind from Saldaña's strong grassroots effort, recently dumped over $1.25 million of his own money into the race in attempt to buy the House seat.

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Rudy Ramirez for 79th Assembly video

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Tue, 29 May 2012 13:22:00 +0000

‘Occupy OUR Arts’ Family Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Tue, 29 May 2012 13:20:00 +0000

Women Occupy San Diego will host a family-friendly arts Celebration on the site of bitter clashes between San Diego police and Members of the Occupy Movement a few months ago.

‘Occupy OUR Arts’ Family Celebration
10 am - 6 pm, Saturday, June 9
Civic Center Plaza, 3rd Avenue between ‘B’ and ‘C’ streets

The one-day event will share another side of the Occupy movement, the Art of We The People, with the larger San Diego community, focusing on creative arts and diverse culture and bringing together families from all walks of life, the 99%.

The celebration will feature two stages showcasing music, dance, acrobatics, street theater, comedy and spoken word performances. Displays by local visual artists will include sculpture, photography, painting, spray art and sidewalk chalk drawing. There will also be workshops, ‘Teach Ins’ and interactive art areas for attendees. Participants include artists from the Art of Pride, the Art Academy of San Diego, Ballet Folklorico, Sophia Isadora Academy of Circus Arts, and many more.

Children can participate in crafts, music and dance, ecological projects, face painting, a special parade and a children’s peace area.

The event will follow a proclamation by the San Diego City Council supporting Free Speech and Freedom of Expression activities in the Civic Center Plaza. The organizers have obtained all necessary permits for the event.

Women Occupy San Diego (WomenOccupySanDiego.org) is an independent organization of San Diego County women dedicated to creating an equitable economic system and restoring government for and by the people rather than for corporations and the wealthy. Through nonviolent, inclusive action and outreach, we support the goals and values of Occupy Wall Street and the 99% movement.

To learn more about Occupy OUR Arts or sign up to participate, please contact Wendy Sue Biegeleisen wsueb@aol.com, Mark your calendar for June 9!

SINGER SONGWRITER KRIS KRISTOFFERSON TO DONATE SIX CONCERTS IN CELEBRATION OF THE UNITED FARM WORKERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY!

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Tue, 29 May 2012 13:18:00 +0000

RENOWNED AND AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS LOS LOBOS, MARIACHI LOS CAMPEROS DE NATI CANO, NYDIA ROJAS, MARIACHI DIVAS, LOS TEX-MANIACS, MINGO SALDIVAR AND TRIO ELLAS JOIN KRISTOFFERSON IN BENEFIT CONCERT SERIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA.

Keene, CA – In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, the United Farm Workers (UFW) announce the Kris Kristofferson & Friends Concert Series beginning June 15 thru June 22 in cities across California. The Concert Series will join singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson with renowned Latin artists in the various markets to raise money in advancing the work of the UFW. Joining Kristofferson in donating their respective performances are: Los Lobos, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Divas, Nydia Rojas with Trio Ellas, and Los Tex-Maniacs featuring Mingo Saldivar. Concert Series tickets are on sale now through each venue’s box office. A select number of VIP Artist's Circle seats will be available. The Artist's Circle seats include premium seating within the first eight rows, a limited edition commemorative concert poster, and a meet and greet opportunity with Kris Kristofferson & Friends after the show. The Concert Series will be produced by LatinPointe and Road Work Entertainment and is sponsored by Southwest Airlines.

The California Concert Series artist line-up and scheduled concert stops include:
 Friday, June 15 - San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre
8:00 pm, Kris Kristofferson & Mariachi Divas

Saturday, June 16 - Fresno, CA - Warnors Center for the Performing Arts
8:00 pm,  Kris Kristofferson & Nydia Rojas with Trio Ellas  

Monday, June 18 - Stockton, CA - The Bob Hope Theatre,
7:30 pm, Kris Kristofferson & TBD Tuesday

June 19 - Bakersfield, CA - The Fox Theater,
8:00 pm,  Kris Kristofferson & Los Lobos 

Thursday, June 21 - Oxnard, CA - Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center
7:30 pm, Kris Kristofferson & Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano  

Friday, June 22 - San Jose, CA - San Jose Civic,
8:00 pm, Kris Kristofferson & Los Tex-Maniacs featuring Mingo Saldivar  

The 73-year-old Kristofferson has had a distinguished career that has encompassed the authorship of such classic American songs as “Me and BobbyMcGee,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”; stardom in such feature films as Lonestar, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and A Star is Born; honors including three Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award; and years of outspoken political and social activism. “It’s an honor for me to share my talent with an organization such as the UFW and its cause of advancing the lives of thousands of workers that put food on all of our tables,” said Kristofferson. “Joining forces with renowned Latino performers through these special performances offer fans great music with a great cause!”

 The UFW is the oldest Latino organization to come out of the 1960’s civil rights movement and the largest farm worker organization in America. The group continues to be at the forefront of protecting America’s farm workers, ensuring a safe and just food supply and a safe working environment, free from intimidation and threats to achieve a higher standard of living for them and their families.  

Other scheduled UFW 50th Anniversary events include the UFW Awards (May 17th) and the UFW 50th Anniversary convention (May 18-20). Both events will be held in Bakersfield, CA. A distinguished group of entertainers, public officials, dignitaries and Hispanic national leaders lead by Helen Chavez, wife of founder Cesar Chavez, is co-chairing the 50th Anniversary celebration.  For more information on the Concert Series and all UFW 50th events contact UFW contact Teresa Romero, execoffice@ufw.org (661) 823-6105 or Sarah Ruiz Chavez, schavez@latinpointe.com (913) 660-6515. 

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CD 52: 10 days left

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Sun, 27 May 2012 13:26:00 +0000

This isn't the U-T. Proofreading is allowed.

There was a rumor a few weeks ago that the Peters campaign was hiring people for a paid walk and phone program. In doing the back of the envelope calculations, he would need as least half a million to make it happen.

This is what has happened and more. According to the latest FEC filings, Scott Peters has loaned his campaign 1.25 million dollars to defeat Lori Saldaña and secure a place in the general election against Brian Bilbray.

That kind of money could fund three campaigns for San Diego City Council. It could revitalize the county Democratic Party. It could be seed money to launch a new generation of progressive operatives through out the county.

Instead, it is going to secure a likely number two position in an open primary. The race between Peters and Saldaña is seen as an inter-party one with Republicans coming home to Bilbray. The chances of a Democratic candidate coming in first with a split Democratic electorate are slim.

The question remains if this will be enough money to make it happen. If you subtract his personal contribution, Saldaña raised more money than Peters in the most recent FEC filings. She is burning her money at a rapid rate and doesn’t have much of a cushion to fall back on but she has made this race close enough to force Peters to dump a ton of cash for a primary.

With 10 days to go, the campaigns have settled on their basic strategies: Saldaña’s campaign is playing to the base, touting progressive endorsements and working the field while Peters’s campaign has launched a paid walk and phone program, television buys, and at least 20 pieces of mail so far with more to come.

What’s working so far:

Peters – The firefighter robo-call and overall mail strategy. The call about Saldaña and public safety by the firefighters was one of the few instances when a robo-call was a good investment. It amplified Peters’s public safety record and his mail campaign about the same subject. The odd thing is that public safety polls very well with Republican women. Primary elections tend to skew partisan so this gamble at Republicans may not be enough if that is their strategy. As for his mail, there is a lot of it so his name ID has risen.

Saldaña – The hand written letters and her hits on Peters. The hand written letters are very labor intensive but they did the trick. Arriving in mailboxes just as the first batch of campaign literature began dropping they cut through the clutter and reinforced her message as a community-based campaign. Her Enron-by-the-Sea hits on Peters are successful but maybe too successful because Bilbray has begun mailing voters about the same thing.

What’s not working:

Peters –Mail and social media. Mail cuts both ways. The Peters campaign is running too close to having a Meg Whitman-like effect with voters. They are mailing so much that, with the competitive mayoral race in the mix, voters may just toss any mail from any of them into the recycling bin without looking. And Peters’s mail doesn’t stand out amongst the clutter that it must compete with. As for social media, there was a sustained attempt by campaign staffers and volunteers to convince voters on Facebook and Twitter that Saldaña was crazy, a liar, and not to be trusted. They received responses but, as this campaign went on, the same 20 people were talking to the same 20 people. There wasn’t any noticeable traction with this two-month “whisper” campaign and all it did was make the posters look crazy, like liars, and not to be trusted.

Saldaña – Mail and candidate missteps with the media. Having just stated that Peters may be putting out too much mail, Saldaña may not be putting out enough. What she has mailed out has been creative and seems to work but it may be buried in the avalanche of Peters mail and whatever the mayoral candidates are sending. And Saldaña has not had the best of relationships with some media outlets (CityBeat) and they are not afraid to let their readers know. Saldaña’s roughness around the edges when it comes to the media has cost her and campaigns this close don’t need self-inflicted wounds.

Conclusions:

1) Unifying the Democrats behind either one of these candidates won’t be easy and may not be possible.

This race has ripped open a divide within the Democratic base between the “activists” and the “establishment.” Should Peters win, the activist core that has been the backbone of the Saldaña campaign and made this race competitive may not come out to staff Peters’s operation. Should Saldaña win, Democrats in power may not lift a finger to prevent the 52^nd from going Republican. Labor is behind Peters, the state party is staying out and the local party is divided. A union of sorts can be cobbled together but it will take great diplomacy and require a number of people to eat nice slabs of humble pie for it to happen.

2) D.C.’s influence should be minimized.

When D.C. operatives fly in and take over a campaign, they will run the kinds of campaigns they know, hire people they know, and pay lip service to anything the locals may know. The Busby campaign is a great example of this churn and burn. D.C. campaigns are predictable and these are the campaigns that Republicans love to run against because they know the playbook. Either Scott or Lori needs to win and on their terms.

3) Be ready to roll the day after the primary.

There will be all kinds of fence mending to be had. Get to it ASAP because there won’t be time when the Republicans kick into high gear.

4) The winner between Peters and Saldaña does so by 2-4% points
The polling around the race indicates that, since he began mailing, Peters has cut Saldaña’s lead to within the margin of error but has not overtaken her. His support appears broad but soft while her supporters are solidly behind her and aren’t moving to another candidate. Expect some last minute hits from either or both campaigns because it is that close. This race will likely be decided by their respective ground operations.

California Democratic Council endorses Lori Saldaña for Congress

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:29:00 +0000

SAN DIEGO - A statewide association of Democratic Clubs and County Committees, The California Democratic Council (CDC), has endorsed Lori Saldaña in her race to unseat Brian Bilbray in the newly-drawn 52nd Congressional District.

“Congratulations to Lori Saldana, who received 79% of the votes of delegates residing in her district,” said CDC spokesperson Michael McQuary.

During the month of April, the California Democratic Council conducted the first ever online endorsement process for congressional, state assembly, and state senate races throughout California.
Over 1,000 delegates representing more than 19,000 members of more than 400 Democratic affiliated clubs participated in the endorsement process. Thirty-three candidates successfully completed the process resulting in an official endorsement of the California Democratic Council.

Saldaña was delighted with the endorsement.

“The CDC is one of the premier progressive organizations in California,” Saldaña said. “I am extremely grateful to the delegates for expressing their faith in my candidacy.”

California Democratic Council (CDC) ensures every California Democrat is served by a visible, organized, broadly-based geographic Democratic club that reaches out year-round to its community; recruits quality Democratic candidates for every appointed and elected position in its purview; and supports those officials in advocating for Democratic Party values both as candidates and in their sworn public roles.

The CDC helps Democratic clubs communicate their policy messages and positions on issues in a democratic manner and at the appropriate level to provide information and guidance to appointed and elected officials and candidates.

This endorsement underscores Saldaña’s support among grassroots Democratic activists in her district. She has also received the support of all of the regional Democratic clubs who have endorsed in the 52nd primary, as well as the backing of the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club and the Veterans Democratic Club of San Diego.

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RJ Hernandez is Top Pick for Women's Group

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:27:00 +0000

SAN DIEGO – May 14, 2012 – State Assembly Candidate Ruben (RJ) Hernandez has achieved backing from the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States, the National Organization for Women (NOW) after receiving support from Congressman and Mayoral Candidate Bob Filner at a Cinco de Mayo fundraiser last week. NOW has successfully lobbied the federal government, as well as state and local policymakers, to make laws protecting equal rights for women.

“I'm honored to have the endorsement of the National Organization for Women and stand with them as they fight for equal pay, affordable health care, reproductive rights, educational opportunities, and human rights for women both here in California and around the world,” Hernandez says.

Hernandez earned a great advantage with NOW’s endorsement, as women make up 54 percent of District 77, with more than 75 percent of households having female voters. Increasingly moderate and Hispanic, the region is also at the core of key population shifts, voting for Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama in 2008. The businessman is showing he can compete with rivals for North County as a representative who stands by women in the workplace, education, healthcare, and other instrumental areas of life.

The National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter, and the Poway, Black Mountain and Rancho Santa Fe Democratic Clubs signed on board with him since the state party endorsed Hernandez in February. Other key supporters include the Latino Legislative Caucus and the San Diego Young Democrats.

Hernandez is out to claim a region comprised of Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, Kearny Mesa, and North and East Clairemont. Find out more about District 77 and RJ Hernandez at http://www.rjhernandez.org.

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Int’l Association of Fire Fighters Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:48:00 +0000

Peters is the only Democrat in the 52nd Backed by Public Safety Professionals

San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign today announced the endorsement of another international association: The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). IAFF joins the San Diego City Fire Fighters Association and former City of San Diego Fire Chief Jeff Bowman in backing Peters, making him the only Democratic candidate in the race for the 52nd Congressional District to be backed by public safety professionals.

“While on the City Council, Scott got new fire and police stations built and boosted public safety budgets to reduce emergency response times, all without raising taxes,” said MaryAnne Pintar, Peters Campaign Communications Director.

“They know first-hand that when it comes to public safety, Scott gets it and gets it done for them, and for the communities they risk their lives to protect,” she said.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, IAFF represents more than 300,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population.

For a complete list of Scott’s endorsements, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Have a Wonderful Memorial Day

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:45:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

Memorial Day is a time to remember the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served and protected our country. I am proud to have served in a variety of capacities for the U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon and in Germany from 1980 - 1989. I helped to create the TRICARE military healthcare system for our fighting forces, their families and retirees, and believe we must continue to do all that we can to support our troops and their families as well as our veterans. My family and I want to wish you and your family well on this important holiday weekend.

Dave

Floundering, Peters attempts to buy election with personal wealth

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:53:00 +0000

Scott Peters Gives campaign $1.25 million of his own money

SAN DIEGO - The most recent FEC filing report shows that Scott Peters, who is consistently trailed in the polls, has poured $1.25 million of his own money into his campaign in the last two weeks.   Upon hearing the news Joe Kocurek, Lori Saldaña's Communications Director, reacted:

  "This is outrageous," Kocurek said. "This blatant attempt to purchase the election is an insult to the democratic process."  

Kocurek said that Peters' personal wealth is estimated to be around a quarter of a billion dollars.  

"Congress shouldn't be a exclusive privilege of the 1%, he said. “San Diego is not for sale and I have faith that the voters will not let Peters buy this election.”  

Kocurek said that, in stark contrast to Mr. Peters’ campaign finances, Lori Saldaña's campaign is supported by small dollar donors and grassroots supporters, not personal wealth,” Kocurek said.

“Discounting Peter's own personal contribution, Ms. Saldaña outraised Mr. Peters by nearly $30,000 this filing period."

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Two More International Worker Advocacy Associations Back Scott Peters for Congress!

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:07:00 +0000

San Diego -- Two more international worker advocacy associations have endorsed Scott Peters for Congress in the new 52nd Congressional District, the campaign announced today. The Teamsters and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers have added their names to the very long list of worker advocates backing Peters in his bid to unseat entrenched Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray. They join the AFL-CIO, the National Education Association, Service Employees International, and dozens of others.

“Members of these organizations have decades-long histories of supporting and advocating on behalf of middle-class Americans,” Peters said. “I’m proud to have their confidence and look forward to fighting for these hard-working men and women and their families in Washington.”

The International Association of Teamsters boasts 1.4 million members worldwide. It is organized under 21 different divisions that that include almost every occupation imaginable in the both professional and non-professional, private and public sectors.

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers represents about 70,000 workers in the construction, shipbuilding, railroad, manufacturing, mining, and emergency medical service industries throughout the United States and Canada.

For a complete list of Scott’s endorsements, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Dave Roberts responds to Steve Danon's hypocrisy on Slush Funds at the County Board of Supervisors:

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:05:00 +0000

"The rules and regulations of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program must be revised to include more public transparency. The application process must also be revised, with strict guidelines.

I support a total ban on gifts of any kind to supervisors or their staff members.

In my view, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program is a valuable program that reinvests tax dollars back into our communities. The fund ultimately benefits families who pay the taxes that fund the program.

I think the taxpayers deserve to see improvements to their parks, libraries and youth programs from this tax money, instead of sending more money into a black hole in Sacramento.

It is the height of hypocrisy that career politician Steve Danon would call today for termination of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program which provides critical funding to programs in our neighborhoods.

Danon has worked at the County for a number of years in senior policy making positions for two Supervisors and never once has he been on record advising the Board of Supervisors to terminate the program.

Danon has spent virtually his entire professional career on the public payroll enjoying all of the perks and privileges at the taxpayers' expense.

Over the last three years, while he has been campaigning for public office on a full-time basis, Danon has been one of the highest paid staffers on the entire Federal Government payroll, making more than the chief of staff to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

For Danon to now call for the end of a program that benefits Girl and Boy Scouts, senior programs, libraries, parks, animal shelters, the arts and culture is disingenuous and a smokescreen to cover up his own failed record of living off of the generosity of the taxpayers for decades."

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U-T San Diego Endorses Scott Peters

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:20:00 +0000

Peters is "the stronger candidate" of the two Democratic Challengers to Bilbray ~ U-T San Diego Editorial

San Diego – In a surprise dual endorsement yesterday, U-T San Diego endorsed a runoff between Scott Peters and Brian Bilbray in the primary election for the new 52nd Congressional District, calling Peters “the stronger candidate” between the two Democrats challenging entrenched Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray.

The editorial said that while the Editorial Board has “generally supported Bilbray in the past…his “high-profile stance” and “opposition to comprehensive immigration reforms continues to give us pause.”

Of Peters, the write up said, “we have been impressed in recent years with his ability to work in bipartisan fashion to get things done.” The editorial also noted influential business and public safety leaders that have endorsed Peters over Bilbray.

“Our campaign has said from the beginning that it is going to take more than just Democrats or Republicans to win this seat,” said Campaign Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “Only Scott brings the broad-base of support, and the bi-partisan, consensus-building reputation needed to take to win a district whose voters span the political spectrum, and still leans slightly Republican.”

The newly drawn 52nd Congressional District is a classic swing district - a third Republican, a third Democrat and a third other. It supported candidate Obama by 12 percentage points in 2008, but also candidate Meg Whitman by eight points in 2010. It is impossible for any candidate to win this seat without broad-based support across party lines.

Peters, the first Democrat elected to represent City Council District One, is the only candidate in this race with demonstrated ability to win in a swing district like this one, which is one of the reasons San Diego’s leading progressive newsweekly, CityBeat has also endorsed Peters.

Also, today, a writer for the very progressive OB Rag had this to say: “Scott Peters has a reputation for being a consensus builder; for being someone who can work to resolve complex differences and achieve results. Lori Saldaña has a reputation for being combative and divisive. The last thing San Diego needs in a representative in Congress is someone who will further divide this county. We already have one of those. We don’t need another.”

“Our campaign has said from the beginning that it is going to take more than just Democrats or Republicans to win this seat,” said Campaign Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “Only Scott brings the broad-base of support, and the bi-partisan, consensus-building reputation needed to take to win a district whose voters span the political spectrum, and still leans slightly Republican.”

The newly drawn 52nd Congressional District is a classic swing district - a third Republican, a third Democrat and a third other. It supported candidate Obama by 12 percentage points in 2008, but also candidate Meg Whitman by eight points in 2010.

For more information, go to www.scottpeters.com.

Just Say No to Wildfire Recovery Rate Increases

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:17:00 +0000

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently held hearings to evaluate a request by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) that could result in rate increases to recover costs from wildfires not covered by insurance.

SDG&E says it had $1.1 billion in insurance coverage in 2007 but has incurred $62 million in costs beyond that from 2007's San Diego County wildfires. As much as $400 million could be added to that from several hundred lawsuits still in process, the utility said.

The request before the California Public Utilities Commission is to establish a mechanism to increase rates to recover those kinds of costs. I recently testified before the Commission in opposition to this request.

SDG&E provides a high-demand service that must be provided at a regulated, reasonable cost. Few businesses in our region are faced with the public decisions that utilities must make. Public utilities must answer to ratepayers and stockholders in the face of government oversight and public scrutiny.

Yet without a doubt, the end result must be that the ratepayers come first. The CPUC is charged with protecting the public from decisions that are not in their best interests. And the request before the Commission does not serve the public interest. Ratepayers expect the clean and fast delivery of service that SDG&E provides. But they also have the right to expect that they will be treated fairly - not as a financial failsafe in the event of mistakes such as equipment failure or lack of brush clearing. And like all businesses, utilities must be held accountable. Otherwise, should we expect that we will be in another hearing in two years over similar issues?

No one expects any utility to be perfect. But we do expect them to own up, just like we would, when they make mistakes. We expect them to rebuild just as we would. And we expect them to do it by tightening their belts, making spending adjustments and attending to the bottom line.

SDG&E would be better served - and more admired - by taking their lumps and moving on without raising the rates of the hard working people of San Diego County. Just say "no" to wildfire recovery rate increases.

Dave Roberts is the Deputy Mayor of the City of Solana Beach and is a candidate for Board of Supervisors in the Third District.

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Community and Education Leaders Call for a Solution to Lay-off Crisis at San Diego Unified School District

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:22:00 +0000

Amid continued budget challenges, both sides must re-commit to finding best solution for students and teachers

WHAT:
Community leaders will join Lorena Gonzalez to discuss the teacher layoff crisis facing San Diego Unified School District. As our schools face the dire prospect of losing one-in-five teachers next year and crippling cuts to nursing, custodial, bus and other vital support services, all parties must take another look at resolving this crisis.

EVENT:
Leaders will call on both the school district and teachers to overcome the current impasse and begin talking with a renewed commitment to providing the best possible education to our students in dire economic times. In the face of this funding crisis, we must come together and continue a productive dialogue in order to find solutions, while respecting our teachers and giving our students the best we can.

WHO:
Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO, San Diego Labor Council; David Valladolid, Parent Institute for Quality Education; Cindy Marten, Principal, Central Elementary School in City Heights; Sandy Mattson, Parent Leader, McKinley Elementary School; Linda LeGerrette, Cesar Chavez Service Club; Philip Liburd, NAACP. All will be available to speak with media.

WHEN:
Thursday, May 24, 2012
11:30 a.m.

WHERE:
United Labor Center, 3737 Camino del Rio Drive South, San Diego, CA 92108

CONTACT:
Patrick Pierce
619-807-0850 Cell
ppierce@unionyes.org

San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
3737 Camino del Rio South, #403, San Diego, CA 92108
619-228-8101 Office
www.unionyes.org
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San Diego Janitors Return to UTC On The Last Day of Negotiations with Contractors

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:56:00 +0000

San Diego Janitors Return to UTC On The Last Day of Negotiations with Contractors

San Diego, CA - As contract expiration looms, San Diego janitors will march once again at UTC – home to some of the wealthiest biotech companies and commercial real estate properties -- to take on the same companies that helped settle contracts throughout the state but who are not stepping up to the plate for hard working janitors here in San Diego. Throughout Southern California, USWW janitors will be doing solidarity actions at companies like The Irvine Company and Alexandria Real Estate Equity that insist on withholding health care solutions for our San Diego janitors and their families.

“Last week we fasted, held prayer vigils, and protested for our families. As parents, grandparents and spouses, there is nothing that we wouldn’t do for them. If we have to keep marching at UTC, downtown San Diego, La Jolla or the Suburbs, we will. We will not be held back any further,” says Martha Gomez, a janitor at Ilumina for 4 years and member of the bargaining committee.

For the past couple of months, San Diego janitors have been negotiating a contract that includes a modest wage increase and family health care for janitors and their families. In cities like Los Angeles and Orange County, and others in Northern California, companies like The Irvine Company and Alexandria Real Estate Equity already offer those janitors a family medical plan. San Diego has fallen behind the rest of the state.

In 2012, 30,000 of USWW’s 40,000 members’ collective bargaining contracts expire, including the 1,800 office, tech and biotech janitors from San Diego and Inland Empire counties which are set to expire on May 30th.

            WHAT:               March & Rally by SD Janitors for Health Care at UTC

            WHEN:             Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | 12PM

            WHERE:             UTC, Corner of Executive Dr. and Towne Center Dr.

            WHO:               SD Janitors, community members & religious leaders.

Contact: Martín Terrones, (310) 597-1011

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Rally for Homeowner Bill of Rights Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:26:00 +0000

Rally for Homeowner Bill of Rights

2:00pm
Home of Africa Bravo

3086 Clay Ave. San Diego, CA 92113

Homeowners, activists and local families will be joined by staff of area legislators and Congressman Bob Filner in calling upon the California Legislature to stand up to big banks and support the Homeowners’ Bill of Rights, a landmark package of bills to protect families against improper and unfair foreclosure. Please arrive at 2pm. Event will start promptly at 2:30pm.

Rally Tonight with Bob Filner, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, and Donna Frye

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:21:00 +0000

This is it -- time to get fired up and ready to go for Election Day! In two weeks, with your help, San Diego will be a big step closer to electing a Democratic mayor for the first time in two decades.

Join mayoral candidate Bob Filner, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, former San Diego City Councilmember Donna Frye, and other special guests for a rally tomorrow to take back City Hall.

The event on Wednesday, May 23, will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Rich's, located at 1051 University Ave. in Hillcrest (92103). The ticket price of $20 will support Bob Filner's mayoral campaign in the final stretch of the primary election race. A $250 contribution will include a VIP photo op with Newsom and Filner at 5:40 p.m.

This will be the last mayoral rally before June 5, so don't miss it! For details, call the campaign at (619) 231-6200 or email win@bobfilnerformayor.com.

Justice for Janitors Rally and March

noreply@blogger.com (Gracchus) — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:43:00 +0000

EMERGENCY Rally & March in UTC area

Based on janitors negotiations right now, Tomorrow WED is now an emergency ACTION.
PLEASE ATTEND TOMORROW

All participation Welcome, Community Leaders Especially needed here- This is now the most urgent event please attend.  

Wednesday May 23 at 12 noon / Miercoles 23 de mayo de 2012 – 12pm 

Emergency March at UTC / Marcha de Emergencia en UTC

  Location/Lugar:

 9200 Towne Centre Drive San Diego, CA 92121

 Intersection of Towne Centre Drive & La Jolla Village Drive

Wear your hats, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes!

San Diego Politico

New Website - SanDiegoNorForSale.com

SD Janitors March Through Downtown San Diego, SD Labor Council Poised to Aid Janitors’ Strike

Competitive races - 6 days left

Third TV Ad of the Peters for Congress Campaign Begins Airing Tonight

Props. A and B: Bad for San Diego

Ducheny's campaign for CD 51 announces several endorsements

Saldaña launches first ad of the CA-52 primary Tuesday

Rudy Ramirez for 79th Assembly video

‘Occupy OUR Arts’ Family Celebration

SINGER SONGWRITER KRIS KRISTOFFERSON TO DONATE SIX CONCERTS IN CELEBRATION OF THE UNITED FARM WORKERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY!

RENOWNED AND AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS LOS LOBOS, MARIACHI LOS CAMPEROS DE NATI CANO, NYDIA ROJAS, MARIACHI DIVAS, LOS TEX-MANIACS, MINGO SALDIVAR AND TRIO ELLAS JOIN KRISTOFFERSON IN BENEFIT CONCERT SERIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA.

CD 52: 10 days left

California Democratic Council endorses Lori Saldaña for Congress

RJ Hernandez is Top Pick for Women's Group

Int’l Association of Fire Fighters Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

Peters is the only Democrat in the 52nd Backed by Public Safety Professionals

Have a Wonderful Memorial Day

Floundering, Peters attempts to buy election with personal wealth

Scott Peters Gives campaign $1.25 million of his own money

Two More International Worker Advocacy Associations Back Scott Peters for Congress!

Dave Roberts responds to Steve Danon's hypocrisy on Slush Funds at the County Board of Supervisors:

U-T San Diego Endorses Scott Peters

Peters is "the stronger candidate" of the two Democratic Challengers to Bilbray ~ U-T San Diego Editorial

Just Say No to Wildfire Recovery Rate Increases

Community and Education Leaders Call for a Solution to Lay-off Crisis at San Diego Unified School District

Amid continued budget challenges, both sides must re-commit to finding best solution for students and teachers

San Diego Janitors Return to UTC On The Last Day of Negotiations with Contractors

San Diego Janitors Return to UTC On The Last Day of Negotiations with Contractors

Rally for Homeowner Bill of Rights Tomorrow

Rally for Homeowner Bill of Rights

2:00pmHome of Africa Bravo

3086 Clay Ave. San Diego, CA 92113

Rally Tonight with Bob Filner, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, and Donna Frye

Justice for Janitors Rally and March

EMERGENCY Rally & March in UTC area

2:00pm
Home of Africa Bravo