Did I say "delicate"? Sorry, that was to lure you in -- although the state of the State Party is often on the delicate side. I meant "delegate," as in: Thursday's the last day to sign up to be a delegate to the Democratic Party of California and to go to the state conventions (and more!) representing your Assembly District.
Pissed off at the party? You have until 5 p.m. Thursday to help take it over. To do so, click here.
You can read the FAQs here. You'll go to a meeting for your assembly district on January 8 or 9. (Click that link to find out exactly where and when yours will be held.) See who else is running for the six slots for males and six slots for females in your district by clicking here. ("Helpfully," it hasn't been updated since last Wednesday.) You can apply here!
UPDATE: Omigod, they changed the deadline! It's now Thursday at 5 p.m..
Gather round, boys and girls, and I'll tell you a story -- a story way back from the time in 2004, when I was still a lurker at Daily Kos (feeling more affiliation for Eschaton.) A bunch of people from around here -- I think Chris Bowers was one, Dante Atkins another, and I'm sure I'm forgetting many others, decided to "crash the gates" by running for office in their state and local parties. And -- a bunch won! (Dante, in fact, is now one of the twenty or so Regional Directors for the California Democratic Party. Your mileage may vary. Mine certainly has.) The idea is that if you want to change the Party, you have to be willing to be the Party. And so lots of people, communicating through here and Calitics and various other locations, have started coming into the Party, sowing discord when necessary, bringing ideas, and trying to lead the way towards a stronger, more aggressive, more progressive, and generally more gressive party.
You don't have to pay to sign up. You just have to decide to be willing to change your life a little and your party a little. If you don't want to stand on the sidelines - sign up! There's usually a good netroots party or two at every convention.
I ask those who, like me, are Assembly District Delegates or (like me), are running this year to tell your own stories of why it's worth doing. And if anyone out there is from the 72nd Assembly District, come out to our meeting next month and let's meet! (I could use your vote. Some think of me as a tiny bit of a rabble rouser.)
Anyone else wanting to make a pitch for votes -- please do!
Remember, the sign-up deadline is THURSDAY, DEC. 9, at 5 p.m.!
Update 2: Here's how the CDP itself puts it:
In 2010 California Democrats bucked a national trend and won nine of nine statewide offices.
A huge part of our success was because California Democrats from up and down the state volunteered their time, made phone calls, donated money, knocked on doors, and participated in our biggest Get out the Vote effort ever.
If you were part of our team and you want to stay involved, a great way to do that is by running to be a delegate to our 2011 and 2012 state conventions
The California Democratic Party will hold elections in each of California’s 80 Assembly Districts on January 8 & 9, 2011. At these meetings, registered Democrats will elect 12 delegates from each Assembly District to be members of the California Democratic Party State Central Committee.
Now is your opportunity to help direct the future of Democrats in California! Delegates approve the platform of the Party, elect Party officers and endorse candidates for congress, state legislature, and executive office.
If elected, you will automatically become a delegate to the California Democratic Party’s state convention, which will be held April 29 – May 1, 2011 in Sacramento, as well as the convention in 2012.
If you are interested in running you must file with the State Party by 5:00 PM, Thursday, December 9, 2010.