CSLEA political action team out in force at California Democratic Convention
Attendance at state party conventions is important for CSLEA in order to meet the current and future leaders of California. For that reason CSLEA turned out a battery of its members at the California Democratic Party Convention in San Diego on the April 27-29 weekend.
While the limelight was shining brightly on the party’s presidential contenders and Congressional leaders, the CSLEA political action team was behind the scenes hearing first hand what the issues buzzing about the convention were, examining the differences in style of the candidates, and working hard for its members’ goals and beliefs.
“These gatherings really add meaning to the old saying, ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ ” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. “It’s vital we provide constant, in-person reminders of who we are and what we do. The last question I want to answer from a top political aide or even state constitutional officers themselves is ‘were you at the convention?’ Fumbling for an excuse as to why we would not be spending our time supporting, protecting, and enhancing our members’ needs would not elevate us very high on their list of concerns. We are not the only thing an attorney general or treasurer has to worry about, but we have to be on his or her radar screen and foster an open line of communication.”
The CSLEA political action team of Tina Brazil, Francine Toth, Richard Carrillo, Bruce Hotchkiss, Ricardo Sanchez, Jim Vitko, and Barcelona, with logistical support from CSLEA Legislative and Political Liaison Coby Pizzotti and Political Affairs Coordinator Julia Marin, fanned out to press the flesh, lend an ear, and exchange information at meetings formal and informal.
“It was nice seeing the party’s presidential candidates, but our intent was to be visible and alert for the state elected officials and gently remind them of the issues facing our members,” Barcelona added. “Later, we compared notes and came away with a clearer idea of where we need to follow-up. This was a fruitful meeting and I want to thank the CSLEA PAC Board members for sacrificing their weekends and traveling hundreds of miles to help out. Conventions are more work than most people suspect, so I doubly appreciate their efforts.”
CSLEA’s PAC committee was able to meet with several legislative and constitutional officials to impress the importance of public safety. Convention speeches by the constitutional officers sounded very much like gubernatorial kick-offs for 2010. Every candidate for office wants to be on the good side of public safety, so having CSLEA’s support is highly sought after, and in so doing, makes the candidates more receptive to its agenda.
“Our members are spread throughout almost all the elected state constitutional offices,” said Barcelona. “Beneath the governor’s office, five out of six of the most important ones to CSLEA are held by Democrats, so this convention was important for us to be at. All in all, our political efforts this year have planted some important seeds for future growth.”
Main photo: CSLEA President Alan Barcelona and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton. Second photo: from left to right, CSLEA-Only Affiliate President Ricardo Sanchez, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, and Alan Barcelona. Third photo:from left to right, California Attorney General Jerry Brown, Alan Barcelona, Bill Lockyer, and Ricardo Sanchez.
Date: 5/2/2007
While the limelight was shining brightly on the party’s presidential contenders and Congressional leaders, the CSLEA political action team was behind the scenes hearing first hand what the issues buzzing about the convention were, examining the differences in style of the candidates, and working hard for its members’ goals and beliefs.
“These gatherings really add meaning to the old saying, ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ ” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. “It’s vital we provide constant, in-person reminders of who we are and what we do. The last question I want to answer from a top political aide or even state constitutional officers themselves is ‘were you at the convention?’ Fumbling for an excuse as to why we would not be spending our time supporting, protecting, and enhancing our members’ needs would not elevate us very high on their list of concerns. We are not the only thing an attorney general or treasurer has to worry about, but we have to be on his or her radar screen and foster an open line of communication.”
The CSLEA political action team of Tina Brazil, Francine Toth, Richard Carrillo, Bruce Hotchkiss, Ricardo Sanchez, Jim Vitko, and Barcelona, with logistical support from CSLEA Legislative and Political Liaison Coby Pizzotti and Political Affairs Coordinator Julia Marin, fanned out to press the flesh, lend an ear, and exchange information at meetings formal and informal.
“It was nice seeing the party’s presidential candidates, but our intent was to be visible and alert for the state elected officials and gently remind them of the issues facing our members,” Barcelona added. “Later, we compared notes and came away with a clearer idea of where we need to follow-up. This was a fruitful meeting and I want to thank the CSLEA PAC Board members for sacrificing their weekends and traveling hundreds of miles to help out. Conventions are more work than most people suspect, so I doubly appreciate their efforts.”
CSLEA’s PAC committee was able to meet with several legislative and constitutional officials to impress the importance of public safety. Convention speeches by the constitutional officers sounded very much like gubernatorial kick-offs for 2010. Every candidate for office wants to be on the good side of public safety, so having CSLEA’s support is highly sought after, and in so doing, makes the candidates more receptive to its agenda.
“Our members are spread throughout almost all the elected state constitutional offices,” said Barcelona. “Beneath the governor’s office, five out of six of the most important ones to CSLEA are held by Democrats, so this convention was important for us to be at. All in all, our political efforts this year have planted some important seeds for future growth.”
Main photo: CSLEA President Alan Barcelona and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton. Second photo: from left to right, CSLEA-Only Affiliate President Ricardo Sanchez, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, and Alan Barcelona. Third photo:from left to right, California Attorney General Jerry Brown, Alan Barcelona, Bill Lockyer, and Ricardo Sanchez.
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