Progressive E-Board Coalition:
DNC Candidate Questionnaire
If you are an incumbent DNC member, what have you done as a DNC member to
promote the progressive agenda on the following issues?
Nearly every issue on your list - and many NOT on you list (such as Immigration,
Energy & Environment, Reproductive Choice), are in the Platform. As the Chair I
help craft and debate and therefore stand by each and every word. The work is
shared by leaders on the Committee and in the California Democratic Party caucuses
and local clubs, so they should ALL be praised and incorporated by reference. In
addition I reference specific community or professional work on the issues. With
each segment in our Platform, I raise the language at our national and regional DNC
meetings, particularly at the DNC Resolutions committee on which I serve and at the
DNC Veterans & Military Families Council which I co-founded (via unanimous DNC
resolution) at the start of Governor Dean’s term in 2005.
a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq
Marched, petitioned, & campaigned for candidates who opposed the war then and
support safe & orderly withdrawal now. The CDP Platform has extensive language on
this topic added in 2004, enhanced in 2006, and improved in 2008 adding that “we
support the repeal of the 2002 Authorization to Use Military Force in Iraq; oppose
further appropriations except those necessary for a safe and orderly withdrawal of
our troops from Iraq to begin without delay; and call for an international
conference to implement a cease-fire in Iraq.”
www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1194161/k.D3E/World_Peace_and_International_Relations.htm
I am confident that President Barack Obama will end the war and care for aour
troops and will work my heart out for him to that end.
b) Eliminating Poverty
Worked at the US Department of Housing & Urban Development during the Clinton-Gore
administration;
served as an 8 year board member of Legal Services for Children assisting low
income children in the dependency, delinquency & immigration courts to help them
help cope with poverty, neglect & abuse; worked with many indigent victims of
sexual assault & child abuse as a deputy prosecutor in San Francisco; promoted the
New Direction for America agenda that included an increase in the minimum wage,
expanded children’s health care; college tuition aid, veterans benefits and
protecting social security; and promote the Platform stand enhanced by on
promoting economic justice, living wages and fair tax policy:
www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1193755/k.7DDA/Labor_Economic_Justice_and_Poverty_Elimination.htm
I would also mention Immigration here, because I think we need to view
comprehensive immigration reform in light of national security, civil rights,
worker’s wages, and family reunification, all of which disproportionately affect
the poor.
C) Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
Promoted initiative work in the 1990s on this issue. Platform Language supporting
single payer was passed in 206 and enhanced in 2008:
http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1193731/k.80F8/Health_Care.htm
You did not ask about the environment, but I think the health of our planet and
the fight to reverse global warming is a huge health issue so I will put it here.
I have worked with a number of environmental causes over the years to promote
health care in the spirit of Rachel Carson (author of Silent Spring) – I march in
the Susan G. Komen walk “for all of Rachel’s daughters” because we are each
affected by the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. To that
end, our Energy & Environment Plank:
www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1193595/k.965/Energy__Environment.htm
Also, you did not mention reproductive choice but I have worked with Planned
Parenthood, NARAL, CARAL, and the ”No” coalitions fighting the restrictions on
young women’s reproductive health needs as well as groups fighting the spread of
HIV/AIDS. Again, please see the Health plank for a complete list of issues and
causes. http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1193731/k.80F8/Health_Care.htm
D) Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)
Co-sponsored the DNC Voter Protection Resolution & worked with Progressive
Democrats of America and other allies to ensure its passage. Advocate Election
Protection teams in each of my boot camps. Also - a word here for clean money,
which you did not specifically mention, but it goes to election integrity because
clean money campaigns will liberate us from the endless fundraising. Signed the
Clean Money petition and worked on the unsuccessful Prop 89 as well as inclusion
of Clean Money in our Platform and each of my boot camp trainings. Platform
language on both topics may be found here:
www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1193757/k.A452/Political_Reform.htm
E) Preventing a US attack on Iran
Supported CDP resolutions to that effect. Also see the Iraq War language from the
world peace segment of the Platform – if we withdraw our troops safely, honorably,
and soon from Iraq, we will reduce tension in the Middle East.
www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1194161/k.D3E/World_Peace_and_International_Relations.htm
F) Preserving a free and open Internet
As a blogger, I discuss this topic in my boot camps and supported including it as
part of new Platform plank in 2008. Here is the link to the new Internet, Free
Speech & Communications plank: http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.4122341/
G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
Impeachment is too good for them. Indicting is possible following an
investigation, such as the sort proposed in the Proclamation I supported at the
2006 state convention. My preference is indictment through an independent counsel
which will have to peel back the curtain on years of corruption.
H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
As a longtime supporter of San Francisco’s Delancey Street Foundation (a
residential rehabilitation facility next door to my home), I think there is much
to be gained from a corrections community that teaches redemption and real-world
job skills rather than locking people up and throwing away the key to an
overcrowded non-rehabilitative prison cell. I supported various efforts over the
years to provide drug and mental health services as alternatives to incarceration
for nonviolent offenders.
Again the 2008 Platform addresses this with new language:
http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1192605/k.A535/Criminal_Justice.htm
I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality
One of the highlights of this 2008 Platform is the inclusion at long last with
much hard work our party’s commitment to LBGT right to include marriage equality:
http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1193709/k.7470/Equality_of_Opportunity.htm
If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent
178-billion dollar war package?
I would have voted against authorizing force in Iraq, against the war funding for
purposes aside from an immediate safe and orderly withdrawal, and for health and
education benefits for our troops and veterans, including the GI Bill of Right for
the 21st Century. I think most Americans separate the war from the warrior - we
abhor this horrible war and respect our troops and veterans.
How have you used your activism or Party involvement to challenge the leadership's
support for war funding?
Daily. By working for a Democratic President & working majority in Congress, I
challenge "the leadership" of George W. Bush and the Senators who protect his desk
with their unwillingness to even allow debate on bills passed by the House that
would fund only a safe and orderly withdrawal with a specified timeline. After
Bush's first veto, the Senate has obstructed any progress, which is why we need a
Democratic President and firm majority in the Senate.
Have you ever supported an insurgent primary candidate or someone who is
challenging an incumbent on the issues? Explain.
Yes. Through my lifelong volunteering I have worked with dozens of insurgent
candidates across America - most proudly, Nancy Pelosi for Congress in 1987 and
for House Whip in 2001 and leader in 2002 against entrenched opponents with
institutional support (but ultimately fewer votes). With the campaign boot camps
I've run since 2005 with hundreds of candidates for office from county committee
to Congress, my goal is to help "marginal" races become competitive.
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?.
During the past four years, I have logged thousands of miles traveling to dozens
of DNC meetings and campaigning with hundreds of candidates from County Committee
to Congress in order to advance our Democratic values and develop winning
strategies with our grassroots and netroots allies. I believe progressives
should vote for me because of my work with California Democrats that highlights
progressive values and action during my 2004-2008 term on the DNC, including:
MANAGEMENT: Organizing Campaign Boot Camp trainings for dozens of candidates and
thousands of volunteers engaged in public service to help usher in a new
generation of grassroots and netroots leadership and to promote open-source
activism within our Party.
MESSAGE: As CA Platform Chair and DNC Resolutions Committeewoman, helping build
policy coalitions to elevate economic justice, energy independence, equality of
opportunity, and election protection. Appearing on blogs, radio, and television to
communicate our core Democratic values:
ECONOMIC JUSTICE: living wages, universal health care, mental health parity, stem
cell research, reproductive freedom, quality education, affordable college,
decent housing, retirement security, corporate social responsibility, and tax
policy that honors work over wealth
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: environmental protection, green collar jobs, and renewable
energy investments to reverse global warming and lessen U.S. dependence on Middle
East oil
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY: housing, education, employment, and marriage equality for
all regardless of race, nationality, age, disability, gender, gender identity or
sexual orientation
ELECTION PROTECTION: voter registration, education & mobilization efforts,
Internet neutrality, mechanisms to count every vote as cast, clean money
campaigns, public integrity databases for donors and lobbyists to promote open
government and transformational politics
MONEY: Participating in friend-raising and fund-raising efforts for Democrats as
well as for emerging candidates and grassroots allies, with a special emphasis on
online giving.
MOBILIZATION: Active co-founder of the DNC Veterans and Military Families Council
helping elect Fighting Dems to office and working with grassroots efforts to
promote national security & civil liberties, bring our troops home from Iraq, and
honor our heroes with healthcare & a 21st Century GI Bill of Rights. Walking the
precincts, calling on the phone banks, and blogging in competitive districts
across our state and country as part of the drumbeat for a new direction for
America.
Q. Do you think we should have super delegates? Why or why not?
As one who pledged my superdelegate vote to the winner of the popular delegates in
February 2008, I think the focus should always be on the American people. I
DNC members and elected officials should attend the Convention and participate in
the Platform (so everyone agrees to and votes on the tenets of our party) and
organizes for fall GOTV efforts. I want all the party together so that people don't
self-exempt and decide that because hey weren't there, they don't have to support
the nominee or the issue we work so hard to elevate to the Platform. It is a party
nomination after all so we should be accountable to each other.
If we decrease the number and weight of superdelegate votes, they'd reflect a
smaller percentage of the electorate and the focus remains on the American people.
The reforms I propose are: less and less weighted superdelegate votes, the American
Plan (going from small to large states - which the California Democratic Party has
endorsed). We need a small-to-large states calendar we can count on; a vote by
mail component for the caucuses, and a Presidential nominee and Platform validated
by our party and public officials at Convention.
Q. 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?
Yes, I am running with 2 slates:
1. DNC women incumbents who decided to endorse each other based upon the work we
do together attending the meetings, elevating the issues, and helping elect the
candidates. That list is (in alpha order): Rachel Binah, Mary Ellen Early,
Inola Henry, Aleita Huguenin, Alice Huffman, (myself, Alicia Wang, Maxine Waters,
& Rosalind Wyman.
2. Progressive activists Brad Parker, Jo Olson, Ahjamu Makalani & I are running
together to bring the consensus and coalition building teamwork we developed
together over the past 18 months working to bring people together on the Platform
Committee and promote a consensus on several key issues including but not limited
to: withdrawal from Iraq, single payer health care, marriage equality & elimination
of poverty. Again please follow the link to
http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.1196347/
I hope you’ll vote for all of us.
Q. What experience has prepared you to run as a DNC member?
As an author, attorney, and activist, I have a lifetime of grassroots experience
in politics and public policy. From the stroller, I’ve engaged in extensive voter
contact, education, and mobilization efforts at the local, state, and federal
levels. I served as executive director of the California Democratic Party, deputy
city attorney and assistant district attorney for the City of San Francisco,
special counsel in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and chief
of staff to U.S. Congressman John F. Tierney (MA-06). Since 1996, I have chaired
the California Democratic Party Platform Committee and served as an elected member
of the Democratic National Committee, where I co-founded the DNC Veterans and
Military Families Council and am a member of the Resolutions Committee.
Q. On which committee(s) would you like to serve and what are your personal
goals for each committee?
I would like to continue to serve on the Resolutions Committee to promote the
politics and strategies discussed above.
My personal goal for the committee in 2009 - to help lift up the voices of
grassroots Democrats and to provide a drumbeat for the populist agenda trumpeted
by President Barack Obama and our progressive majorities led by House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
In bottom-up and top-down fashion, it starts with bringing grassroots priorities
to the DNC (i.e. we have an economic anxiety and want the DNC to go on record as
opposing GOP efforts to make the Bush tax cuts permanent) and reflect the good
work our Democrats are doing (to follow the example, the populist tax policy that
favors work over wealth and helps people compete in tough economic times). With a
message that enhances our values and puts us on record as being for a positive
populist agenda, we help Americans see that the Democratic Party is on their side.
In conclusion, I respectfully ask for your vote for re-election to the DNC and
welcome your feedback at Christine@PelosiBootCamp.com. Thank you for your
consideration and for all you do.
