By George Thomas, Political Reporter
ANAHEIM, CA — Democrats met this past weekend in Anaheim for their annual state convention. The party faithful were there in the thousands for three days of meetings, caucuses, speeches and glad-handing as the Democrats celebrated the fact they hold every statewide office in California, and have solid majorities in both the State Senate and the Assembly. The themes were basically the same in the floor speeches, and there was jabbing at the Republicans and the field of presidential hopefuls.
The headliner was U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the potential candidates to challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party’s Nomination in 2016 for the White House. Senator Warren is a darling of the left wing of the party, and supporters were handing out “Run Warren Run” hats and flyers as you entered the convention floor. Senator Warren represents Massachusetts in the United States Senate, and is considered a viable candidate to challenge Clinton for the nomination. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has already thrown his hat into the ring, and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to make an announcement soon as to his presidential aspirations.
Every statewide elected official spoke at the convention, including Governor Jerry Brown who stopped by on Friday evening to welcome the delegates and fellow democrats to Anaheim. The biggest story coming out of the weekend was Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, and her remarks about Indians. (She imitated a Native American “War Cry” while speaking to delegates.) On Thursday the Representative from Santa Ana announced her run to succeed retiring Senator Barbara Boxer, and her challenge to California Attorney General Kamala Harris for the seat in 2016. After further investigation, it was revealed the man who shot the video had done fund-raising for Harris, but that had little effect on the story having legs, and catching like wildfire. Congresswoman Sanchez did publicly apologize for the remark in her floor speech on Sunday, and noted that she is part Native American on her mother’s side. The convention concluded on Sunday afternoon, and next year’s festivities will be in San Jose sometime in February. The Republican Convention is being held in Long Beach this coming August.
