CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT

AUGUST 2017 PAGE 1

California DNC Members with Chair in Sacramento

GEORGIA 6 AND THE MINORITY VOTERS By Alex Gallardo Rooker and Keith Umemoto, DNC RBC Members

The Democratic Party more than 33% of the remaining gap. More than 67,000 more includes a coalition of votes to win. Given these realis- votes were cast, including a many groups, including tic goals with the addition of the focused effort by a Republican African Americans, Ameri- youth and LGBT vote, and a sol- Super Pac targeting 30,000 can Indians/Native Ameri- id performance from the other high propensity Republicans cans, Asian Americans Democratic Party constituent that did not vote in the primary. and Pacific Islanders, Lati- groups, then why wouldn't the Ossoff actually received nos, Women, LGBTQ, Democratic Party candidate win 33,000 more votes in the June youth, environmentalists, in a district with these de- 20 runoff, but the overall turn- labor and progres- mographics? out broke records for both Re- sives. In examining the The Georgia 6 resembles publicans and Democrats with Georgia 6, the Democrats these figures; however, in the over 260,000 voting, compared CDP Vice Chair Alex have a solid chance of June 20 runoff, Democrat Ossoff with 214,000 in the 2014 mid- Rooker is Treasurer of winning it next year. The fell short to Republican Handel year and 192,000 in the prima- the Association of State pathway to winning must by 8,906 votes. Minorities repre- ry. Thousands more African Democratic Chairs entail a comprehensive sented about 15 percent of the Americans, Latinos, and Asian effort in the African Ameri- vote in the runoff. Early voting Americans voted in the runoff, can, Latino, and Asian data found three minority groups with Latinos (1.9 to 2.14%) and American voter communi- making up over 15%, with Afri- Asian Americans (4.2 to 4.6%) ties, including voter regis- can Americans at 9.41%, Latinos exceeding even their early vot- tration and growing the 2.14%, and Asian Americans ing percentages from the pri- Party's relationship with 4.6% of the early vote. mary. each community. The outcome, however, was This means that Ossoff need- Hypothetically, if a con- not that Ossoff and the Demo- ed to compensate by register- gressional district is 15% cratic Party did not do well, but ing a larger number of new minority, and the Demo- Handel and the Republican Party voters. However, the Republi- cratic Party candidate gets did better, far exceeding primary can Secretary of State ruled to conservatively 60% of the turnout. And the Republicans restrict voting to those who minority vote, plus half the spent $23 million compared to registered in the April primary, women's vote, this candi- $27 million by Ossoff, significant- prompting the Democratic Keith Umemoto date only needs slightly ly narrowing the earlier spending Continued on Page 4 is a Co-Chair of the CDP

AUGUST 2017 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 2 TRUMP: RESIGN OR BE IMPEACHED!

BY MARY ELLEN EARLY, DNC MEMBER

In July of this year, When I interviewed Con- were filed in 1973 against Rich- California Congressman gressman Sherman on ard Nixon, and that it took about Brad Sherman (D-30), August 17 in his district a year for the House Judiciary filed Articles of Impeach- office, I mentioned that Committee to vote to report ment against President many of my fellow activists such articles to the House floor. , based on feel that a President Pence At this point Nixon resigned. obstruction of justice. This would be worse than a Now Tony Schwartz, who co- is a felony under U.S. President Trump, and that it wrote The Art of the Deal with Criminal Code Section is too early to begin im- Trump (translation: ghost wrote) 1512 (b) (3). peachment proceedings. is predicting that Trump will Among the charges: He pointed out that while resign his office by the end of threatening an FBI agent Pence would not be good the year (maybe as soon as or other law enforcement for the Democratic Party, next month). This could be just official (i.e., James he would be better for the ahead of a criminal indictment, Comey), firing Comey for United States, and that he which might well be quashed as the purpose of thwarting (Sherman) had taken an part of a resignation deal. an ongoing FBI investiga- oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. When I asked Congressman tion involving the president Sherman what Democratic Par- himself, and comments While Nixon faced a ty leaders could do to help fur- made to the NY Times Democratic majority in the ther the impeachment effort, he DNC Member Mary Ellen that were interpreted by House, Trump enjoys a Early is the Founding Editor replied without hesitation, “Help many as threatening Spe- Republican majority. Be- us take back the Congress.” of the California DNC Press cial Counsel Robert cause of this a higher level Democrat and can be con- While I can’t speak for the rest tacted at Mueller to prevent him of public concern will be of the country, I assured him [email protected] from investigating Trump’s necessary to initiate im- that California Democrats were financial dealings. These peachment hearings. already doing our part. Many of charges are backed up by He reminded me that our party leaders are already both video and audio tape. Articles of Impeachment working on targeted races. Go Dems!

WELCOME TO COLLEGE & GOOD LUCK

BY BOB MULHOLLAND, DNC MEMBER

This is an open letter to country's (your) debt is and get the great GI bill to pay college freshman - most more than $20 trillion. for it), not enough likes on Fa- of you were born in the Bush Jr. decided not to cebook, failed relationships or last year of the 20th Cen- restart the draft. In 1966, not graduating from col- tury. the year I was drafted, lege. For others, like Dream- 46,000 young men were ers, they are looking over their The year you turned shoulders to see if Trump will two, almost 3,000 people being drafted each month, the vast majority of us have them picked up and de- (Christians, Muslims, ported. Jews and others) were were barely through high killed on 9/11. Republi- school). Since the DC power struc- can President George Instead, mostly National ture (Congress was neutered Bush Jr. went into two Guard troops (including decades ago), will continue the wars (Afghanistan and Vietnam veterans in their wars for years and you will not Iraq) with no plans to end late 50s) were sent to Iraq be asked to pay for them or them, nor to pay for and Afghanistan. serve in the military, I would them. urge you to at least volunteer So, as far as most for campus groups that are Instead, the Republi- Americans are concerned, helping others, and/or perhaps cans decided to give tax including your parents, the get involved in the Democratic cuts mostly to billionaires wars were free and no Bob Mulholland Party. And just maybe your (in WWII their tax rate bother to most Americans. generation will decide to end resides in Chico and can was 92%). And Bush Of the three million troops the wars, but that's only if you be reached at Jr.'s overall economic that served in the two get involved. [email protected] policies led to the Great wars, they are from only and Recession. And with the 1% of American families. Good luck! And let's hope @chico.bob two wars at nearly 6,000 Trump does not start a war So for most of you, your with North Korea, which will days (WW II lasted 1,366 greatest crisis may be days for the U.S.) the lead to the destruction of the tuition (join the military Korean Peninsula and a world- wide Depression.

AUGUST 2017 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 3

PELOSI DNC “WALK OUR TALK” RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION PROMOTING PEOPLE-POWERED POLITICS AT THE DNC BY BANNING DONATIONS THAT CONFLICT WITH OUR DNC PLATFORM

Respectfully submitted for consideration by the DNC in June 2017 by Christine Pelosi, DNC Executive Committeewoman; CA Democratic Party Women’s Caucus Chair

WHEREAS, we Democrats have the opportunity to reform and revive our party by empowering diverse grassroots Democrats at the leadership table and in our communities including building on our recent successes with small donor fundraising programs; and

WHEREAS, the American people are looking to Democrats to PROMOTE people-powered politics in this era of resistance, revival, and reform but are rightly concerned that their voices are drowned out; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to President Obama’s 2009–2016 ban on all corporate PAC donations to the DNC, our state parties have been drawing bright lines for years with respect to rejecting donations from various corporate interests that conflict with our Democratic platforms such as tobacco, pay day lending, and gun manufacturers to perpetuate what President Obama referred to in his Farewell Address as our efforts to “reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service;” Christine Pelosi can be found THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic National Committee acts to revive at ChristinePelosi.com trust in our Party by banning donations to the DNC from corporations in violation of our 2016 and Democratic Platform and 2017 Resolutions so that we empower Democrats to “Walk Our Talk” in PelosiBootCamp.com harmony with our stated beliefs and convictions.

FRACKING, NATURAL GAS, AND OUR RUSSIAN DILEMMA

BY SUSIE SHANNON, DNC MEMBER

Russia’s economy relies Enter the United States, eral countries, including 100 heavily on natural gas ex- then the world’s largest such concessions in Poland ports. In 2008, Russia was producer of natural gas alone. The Obama Admin- the largest exporter of natu- through hydraulic fracturing istration’s ambassador for ral gas to Europe, with Euro- (fracking). The U.S. was this program was Secretary pean countries relying on 1/3 poised to provide a solution of State . of their natural gas imports to Europe’s energy crisis Legitimate European envi- from Russia. and in 2010 the administra- ronmental groups pushed In January 2009, just tion unveiled its State De- back, making the case that weeks before Obama took partment Global Shale Gas contamination of wells and office, a conflict which had Initiative. This program was drinking water, along with been brewing for years be- designed to encourage earthquakes, were a likely tween Russia and its neigh- consequence of fracking, not bor, the Ukraine, escalated, European countries to frack Susie Shannon is a to mention the methane with Russia accusing the in order to wean them- DNC Member, advo- Ukraine of siphoning off gas selves from Russian natural leaks and its impact on glob- cate for homeless is- that belonged to several Eu- gas, thereby reducing al warming. Some countries, sues, and a former ropean countries through a Russia’s influence in the like the U.K., began the Regional Director of the fracking process only to insti- California Democratic pipeline which ran through region. The U.S. provided Party Southern Ukraine. The con- educational programs, ac- tute a moratorium after envi- flict resulted in Russia reduc- cess to technical experts ronmental concerns were ing gas flow by 60% to and formed alliances be- raised (they have since over- Ukraine, causing shortages, tween European countries turned the moratorium). Rus- and in some cases a com- and top U.S. energy com- sia, in an effort to protect its plete shutdown, of natural panies to promote fracking. economy and profits, encour- gas to 18 European coun- The program would also aged and allegedly partially tries. The shortage led to a prove lucrative for U.S. funded the European anti- energy companies who steep rise in European natu- fracking movement. ral gas prices during one of were able to secure shale

its coldest winters. concessions to drill in sev- Continued on Page 4

AUGUST 2017 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 4

GEORGIA 6 AND MINORITY VOTERS ent, particularly since there are thousands of youth and minorities eligible to vote that Continued from Page 1 are not registered yet. So, clearly the trend is in Ossoff’s favor. Party to sue. Although the Demo- ry. Ossoff experienced a lot of suc- Nationally, trends also favor other Dem- cratic Party won in court to register cess by increasing early voting. Of ocratic Party candidates in 2018 and be- new voters, there were only 17 days the minority early voting, there were yond, if resources can be raised and a instead of 31 days to do so. 7,000 more African Americans, comprehensive effort is implemented throughout the country. 8,000 new voters were registered 2,000 more Latinos, and 4,000 more during this window out of the total Asian Americans who voted early With Republicans constantly engaged in 12,000 new voters since the 2016 compared to the primary. However, some form of voter suppression that make General election. Compared with white early voting increased by over it more difficult for Democrats to vote, from 15 percent of the total vote, 20% of 60,000 votes, with exit polls indicat- limiting polling places, purging voter rolls, these new voters were African ed that 56% of their vote went for instituting voter ID laws, promoting fake American, Latino, or Asian Ameri- Handel. news, and establishing restrictions on vot- can, clearly a positive trend. Ossoff may have lost by 8,906 er registration, the Democratic Party must accelerate its effort now with both a 50 Ossoff also needed to increase votes, but now with more than a state strategy, and ALSO a strategy for its his GOTV effort from an already year to register new voters the result core constituencies - as each minority aggressive one from the prima- next time can and should be differ- population is key to victory.

RUSSIAN DILEMMA FROM THE EDITORS: Continued from Page 3 The California DNC Press Democrat is published by members of the California DNC Delegation, and is In March, 2014, contin- out from under, especially if pipeline project between not funded by the Califor- uing tensions between they were in Europe, the Russia and Germany, nia Democratic Party. Russia and Ukraine led pressure from Russia, Nordstream II, designed to Opinions expressed by the to a successful referen- which has been incredibly carry Russian natural gas authors of this newsletter’s dum separating the intense. So we did say under the Baltic Sea, by- articles are not necessarily Southern Crimean Penin- natural gas is a bridge. We passing several countries, those of the California sula, home to the largest want to cross that bridge as including the Ukraine and Delegation, the DNC or natural gas plant and quickly as possible, be- Poland. the California Democratic distribution center, from cause in order to deal with Russia’s response to the Party. the Ukraine, annexing climate change, we have new U.S. sanctions was to the region to Russia. got to move as rapidly as call for a reduction in U.S. The U.S. and EU decried we can.” embassy staff from 1,100 Sincerely, the referendum as an About six weeks later, on to 450 personnel. Various Mary Ellen Early illegal land grab and the June 3, 2017, Russian op- European countries have Otto Lee U.S. imposed Russian also reacted strongly, as eratives contacted Trump, Garry S. Shay sanctions. On a good Jr. and met with him to the sanctions extend to any note for environmental- discuss Clinton’s cam- company that aids in the ists, the U.S. sanctions paign, unofficially inserting development or mainte- Thank you to our spon- on Russia prevented itself into the U.S. presi- nance of Russian pipelines. sors: Steven K. Alari, Exxon Mobile from acting dential election. As Con- Martin Schafer, spokesper- Eric C. Bauman, John on its partnership with gresswoman Maxine Wa- son for the German For- Burton, Becca Doten, the Russian state-owned ters points out, Russia was eign Ministry, stated that, Jess Durfee, Mary Ellen oil company Rosneft, to partially banking on a “Sanctions against Russia Early, Alice Huffman, drill in areas of the Rus- Trump presidency to re- should not become a tool Aleita Huguenin, Michael sian arctic. duce or eliminate sanctions for industrial policy in Unit- Kapp, Andrew Lachman, Two years later, at the imposed during the Obama ed States interests. Hon. , Otto April 14, 2016 New York administration in order to In the meantime, Presi- Lee, Bob Mulholland, Democratic Party Prima- open up profits for drilling dent Trump appeared on Christine Pelosi, John A. ry debate, Secretary Clin- in the Arctic. Pat Robertson’s talk show Pérez, Melahat Rafiei, ton’s answer to a ques- Regardless of whether stating that the United Alex Rooker, Garry S. tion regarding her stance one attributes Russian in- States will increase its ex- Shay, Keith Umemoto, on fracking would encap- Laurence Zakson fluence to the eventual port of natural gas from sulate the Russia/U.S. outcome of the U.S. elec- natural gas debacle: “… fracking to Europe in the tion, it is clear that Russia’s form of Liquified Natural Printing: so for both economic and meddling led to the inevita- Gas (LNG), which can be Independent Printers environmental and strate- bility of Congress passing, transported abroad without gic reasons, it was Amer- and Trump, clearly backed the use of a pipeline. The ican policy to try to help into a corner, signing on to Proofreading: countries get out from U.K and Poland received tighter Russian sanctions. Burt B. Belant under the constant use of The sanctions directly im- their first big shipments of coal, building coal plants pact Russian energy pro- U.S. LNG in July 2017. all the time, also to get duction, most notably the