On Saturday I went with DrivingVotes.org to check out the candidates for DNC Chair at the Western Regional Caucus in Sacramento. I was able to secure a press pass and so was thankfully able to get into the ballroom early and leave the pens of people who were waiting to get in the guarded doors. I was happy to see so many "observers" aka concerned Democrats attend this event in support of their preferred candidate (many were for Dean). After intently listening to each candidate, if I were a DNC delegate I would vote for these three candidates in the following order:

1.    Gov. Howard Dean
He was easily the best speaker (and star) of the group with a proven track record of raising vast amounts of money quickly. He wants to create an ongoing active presence "a permanent campaign in every state" that does not have to be recreated for only four months every four years. He also plans to strengthen the leadership institutes so that we can actually rival the current Republican machine.
2.    Wellington Webb, former Denver Mayor
Sadly the only person of color running, he advocated taking care of the base of the DNC and cited the percentage of votes coming out the minority community for Bush. He also supports creating more Women's Voting Centers and considering that 61% of eligible women voted in the last election, this would be a smart move for all the candidates. He also said he would be a strong pro-choice supporter.
3.    Donnie Fowler, former vice president for Democratic outreach for the Technology Network, a Silicon Valley advocacy group.
The youngest candidate of the group, he had a youthful vitality and passion that was easy for me to identify with. My favorite quote from him was "tired of conceding to the aristocracy of consultants in Washington ... and to the crazy right wing.'' "We're a party who knows how to fight when we're led in the right way ... ask Barbara Boxer,''  "We need leadership that's going to get us back to the top.'' He also said that the DNC should stand for "Do Not Concede"

The other candidates are former U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer of Indiana, who sat on the Sept. 11 Commission (He is pro-life, so I don't see much support coming from him regarding the fight to keep Roe v. Wade); Simon Rosenberg, head of the moderate New Democrat Network, (didn't even know how to hold a microphone, had zero presence); former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost of Texas (said that as Chair would go after the Republican propaganda that Democrats don't believe in God. I personally am tired of God being intertwined with politics); and David Leland, former Democratic chairman in Ohio.

Other interesting people there included Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Lt. Gov Cruz Bustamante, Rep. Mike Honda (he's running for Vice Chair), Sen. Carole Migden and my favorite the Rev. Al Sharpton. I was able to get a picture with him and told him that he made the presidential debates worth watching.

As an seasoned event planner, I do have to say that it was amateur hour at this event. The lights on the stage went out twice, there was no spotlight on the podium so you could never clearly see Art Torres (the head of the CA DNC) and there were no lights on Wellington Webb, so whenever he stood up he was lost in the shadows. I have to wonder if the RNC is this disorganized...Also can we please stop mentioning Karl Rove?? About three of the candidates mentioned him, the man is not the messiah! Why are we giving him free press? I was also irked by four of the delegates who sat in front of me, if I actually got to vote I would give the candidates the respect they deserve and not continually talk when they were talking.

The vote will happen on February 12, so keep your fingers crossed!