Progressive E-Board Coalition
DNC Candidate Questionnaire (received 5/26/08 8:49 PM)
Karen Bernal
24 Riverpebble Ct.
Sacramento, CA 95833
h. 916.359.2151 c. 916.812.1793
If you are an incumbent DNC member, what have you done as a DNC member to
promote the progressive agenda on the following issues:
a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq
b) Eliminating Poverty
d) Promoting Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
d) Ensuring Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)
e) Preventing a US attack on Iran
f) Preserving a free and open Internet
g) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
h) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
i) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality
j) Promoting public financing of elections
k) Abolishing the death penalty
l) Promoting alternative energy/energy independence
If you are not a DNC incumbent, what have you done to address the issues enumerated above?
a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq –
As a major contributor to the Iraq policy paper the Progressive Caucus released in Spring 2006, I have been consistent and unambiguous in my position regarding the current policy promoted by both political parties. I argued vigorously to have the language of the 2006 Platform amended to include immediate and complete withdrawal. I ran a petition drive at the 2006 State Convention which was so successful that it forced a debate which later proved to be successful for the anti-war activists in the Party. I participated in the longest sit-in of any district Congressional office with other activists to protest the war (52 days straight, 8hr shifts). A strong and ongoing media component was part of the pressure we applied to our Representative. I have organized forums, lectures, protests, marched, called, typed, written, faxed, lobbied and spoken out in protest of this immoral war here in California as well as Texas and Washington DC. When I am not busy doing all I can to stop the madness of our current course, I am doing what I can to help progressive candidates for office, such as Bill Durston for Congress.
b) Eliminating Poverty –
I am a member of the Sacramento Housing Alliance, which advocates for inclusionary housing in the Sacramento area. To truly become a more livable and egalitarian society, America must address housing for everyone in communities: seniors, people with disabilities, emancipated foster youth, others living on fixed incomes and homeless families and individuals. We are currently waging a campaign to get our City Council to adopt an ordinance for inclusionary housing in Sacramento.
c) Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
I am strong advocate for Single Payer Healthcare and have campaigned in the Sacramento area for SB 840, organizing educational events for my local group, Sacramento for Democracy with the office of State Senator Sheila Kuehl, as well as with well known campaigns around the movie SICKO. On the national level, I have participated in Progressive Democrats of America’s “Healthcare Not Warfare” campaign, which is currently part of the platform of those candidates endorsed by the national organization and calls attention to Rep. John Conyer’s bill, H.R. 676.
d) Election Integrity
Since Bush vs. Gore, and the 2004 Elections, I have felt it has been important seeing to it that our voting systems do not become the tools of a powerful few, seeking to usurp the most important right – the right to vote and have it counted as cast. I have attended Secretary of State Hearings with fellow activists, as well as lobbied and rallied in support of those leaders fighting the good fight, as well as in opposition to vendors of systems that have been proven to be unreliable and vulnerable to nefarious tampering.
e-l) While I support all of the causes listed above, I cannot be engaged in each one equally – it’s a matter of capacity. If I am not engaged in a leadership capacity on a particular topic, you can be sure I’m a loyal follower to someone else’s leadership on the issue. Sometimes we have to know when to be in a parade as much as lead one. I can state without hesitation that I have at least been active in helping to organize forums, rallies, films, lectures, events on the queried list of issues, as well as belong to organizations that advocate on behalf of them.
IMPORTANT NOTE – I noticed that Trade Policy with an emphasis on Worker’s Rights was not listed above. I think this is a hugely important topic, for the lack of it is the cause of so much misery in the world today. Since we need to defy the current unmitigated corporate dominance of our governmental affairs (that have no interest in seeing a strong working class), I believe the active support of workers’ rights everywhere, whether we are talking about unions in America, Mexico, Iraq or anywhere else, is an important step in that struggle.
If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent 178-billion dollar war package?
I would have voted exactly like Barbara Lee – NO. The idea that we would come by our benefits on the future graves of soldiers and civilians alike is abhorrent. Any “benefits” amendments, bills or packages need to be considered as stand alone pieces of legislation, not as a part of something fundamentally at odds with the intended benefit of such bills. Approval of the sort of appropriations that have been introduced in the House is still another vote to continue the Iraq War, and worse, could be used to escalate one with Iran.
How have you used your activism or Party involvement to challenge the leadership's support for war funding?
As an organizer with the ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union), I was proud to take part in the 8hr work stoppage that occurred at all West Coast ports in protest of the war, marching and representing my Local in San Francisco that day – I view this as a direct challenge to the ongoing support of the war through funding.
As a Party activist, I am outspoken on the issue and have publicly and strongly rejected the current position of the Leadership at Party Conventions and E-Board meetings. At the 2007 Convention in San Diego, I was at the mike when the infamous Quorum Call came, to prevent an amendment being brought to the floor that would have strengthened Senator Perata’s language to bring the troops home.
Have you ever supported an insurgent primary candidate or someone who is challenging an incumbent on the issues? Explain.
Howard Dean for President, Marcy Winograd for Congress, the censure of Diane Feinstein. I have also supported incumbents when I think they deserved to be helped: Last election cycle, I precinct walked for Lynn Woolsey when insurgent Joe Nation started to build some momentum in the late part of the race. I do not live in Woolsey’s district, but I share her values – that was enough for me to go and help.
What qualifies you, in terms of your organizing work, to represent progressive values on the E-Board? Or why should progressives on the CDP E-Board vote for you as a DNC delegate?
Policy is my passion, and my skill set is that of an organizer. While I am comfortable speaking to groups and feel I’ve been able to move and inspire people, my main strength comes from actually engaging in the organizing and mobilizing of people to better effectuate the demands of issues and policies that are important to Progressives.
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Officer-at-Large, Progressive Caucus – I believe the purpose of the Caucus is to empower the members of the Caucus. As a leader, I must do all I can to facilitate organizing, lobbying and mobilizing around issues that are important to them. I am aware that while I am giving voice to the concerns of our Caucus, I must always be there to listen. Similarly, I would bring the same sense of service to the DNC.
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Organizer, International and Warehouse Union – ILWU’s current project of organizing workers at Blue Diamond (the almond processing plant in Sacramento) is my daily bread and butter, and is augmented by blitzes I am sent on up and down the West Coast ahead of voting by workers at various companies wishing to unionize.
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5th AD E-Board Representative – I continue to encourage local Democrats to get involved with their local Central Committees and outreach on behalf of the Party, as well as emphasize the importance of having substantive dialogue on the most important issues of the day. While it may not be easy at times, our Party will be stronger for it.
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Northern California State Coordinator, Progressive Democrats of America – I consider it an honor to be able to be an ambassador for the organization, and while I certainly believe in the “Inside / Outside” approach to a revitalization of our Party, I place a special emphasis on the “Inside” aspect. I believe it is important for Progressives to become as politically knowledgeable and astute as they can possibly be – this requires becoming practiced in the art of politics (working with others to achieve a common goal).
Do you think we should have super delegates? Why or why not?
To be honest, I am not sure. I believe most super-delegates are dedicated Democrats who take their role in the nominating process seriously. Of course, the course of events in the current Presidential election has caused the process to be examined in a way not seen in a long time. To be sure, no process should be allowed to negate the will of the people as evidenced in primary caucuses and elections. We need to have a comprehensive dialogue on the topic, and if need be, have the courage to make the changes to ensure that our processes are at all times transparent and democratic.
Are you running on a slate with other candidates? If so, who are the other candidates running on your slate and what was the process for choosing these candidates to run with you?
I am on a slate with Mayme Hubert, Mal Burnstein, Ralph Miller and Norman Solomon. Our experiences with one another go back quite a bit and it felt natural for us to run together. Our talents and temperament work well together – we never felt the need to have to ‘vet’ one another. I consider myself lucky to be in the company of people who have demonstrated a selfless commitment to all the things I value as a Progressive.
What experience has prepared you to run as a DNC member?
In addition to all of the things enumerated here, another factor is a life history of diversity. While I’ve been an unrepentant peace and social justice activist for over 30 years, a lesser known fact is that I grew up in the military during the Vietnam War in the Far East. My mother is Japanese (WWII survivor) and my father, an Air Force veteran of 28 years (born and raised in L.A.). I was born and schooled on military bases and owe my existence to the fact there was a war. The irony of such a beginning has stayed me always and I cannot help but look at the world in a slightly different way. I believe this experience has allowed me to understand people in a way that goes beyond labels and perceptions – both in life and in politics.
On which committee(s) would you like to serve and what are your personal
goals for each committee?
I would like to serve on either the Platform or Resolutions Committee to help advance progressive policies at the national level.
Sincerely and respectfully submitted,
Karen Bernal
5th AD E-Board Representative
Officer-at-Large, Progressive Caucus
Member, Labor Caucus; Women’s Caucus
Organizer, ILWU
Northern State Coordinator, Progressive Democrats of America
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