EBYD VP Hon. Igor Trigub is at back, EBYD member Hon. Jesse Arreguin is at left.

One visit to the White House changed my perspective on what is possible for us to achieve today. I hope it might affect yours too.

Last month I was honored to receive an invitation from the White House, asking me if I wished to meet with President Obama and his senior advisers  to discuss policies affecting the people I serve. Organized by the White House’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Young Elected Officials Network, which represents state and local electeds under age thirty-six, the briefing and visit promised me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ask questions of those who craft federal policies that affect the Bay Area. I was joined by my colleague on the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board, Asa Dodsworth, along with Berkeley Councilmember Jesse Arreguin, East Bay Municipal Utilities Director Andy Katz, Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Marlon McWilson, AC Transit Board Member Mark Williams, and about 200 other electeds from across the country.

In some ways, this was a trip down memory lane for me. My personal biography is more intertwined with the President than he might realize. He was born of a Kenyan father and a Kansan mother; I had lived in three other countries before having the opportunity to call the East Bay my home. Despite his young age, a relative lack of experience in an elected capacity, and a funny name, he saw a distinct need to generate change from the stale politics of the past, and took the plunge. Sharing each of those three attributes myself, I was inspired enough by this bodacious move that I, too, chose to run for elected office three years ago. But since then, he on the national front, and I on a much smaller geographic plane, discovered just how difficult it was to push for fresh policies that depart so greatly from what we had been accustomed to – this, too, in the context of dramatic economic and partisan headwinds. When I read the submissions my constituents sent me in response to my solicitation for questions to ask of the President, it was palpable to me that disappointment and moroseness had supplanted the once-strong spirit of hope.

However, the words I heard from the President’s senior staff – public servants like Council of Economic Advisors Chairman Austan Goolsbee, Office of Energy and Climate Change Representative Heather Zichal, and Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra – imbued me with a newfound sense of optimism. I do not believe that such mantras of the Administration as expanding development of new forms of clean energy, rebuilding the middle class, and providing access to health care to all – each of which were discussed at length – are mere talking points; they underscore a genuine commitment of this president to, in the face of vicious resistance from all sides, achieve many of the policies he had promised.

The economy, while slow to restart, is being fueled by rapid expansion in the critical sectors of manufacturing and agriculture – a much different form of recovery than the previous one which indirectly led to the housing crisis that still affects our region. The latest in a long line of environmental grants, the Rooftop Solar Challenge, encourages consortia of municipalities and the private sector to propose strategies that would lower the administrative cost of permitting in rooftop solar installation. The Administration’s technology platform, driven by the goals of democratizing government data and bringing together entrepreneurs, has fostered a climate in which a starving art student who moonlighted as a waiter recently won, much less could enter, a design competition for a major federal contract. The Bay Area, a national leader in areas such as renewable energy generation, a green collar economy, and academic prowess, stands to deeply benefit from these initiatives.

Certainly, one visit does not equate to months and years of advocacy for the right policies. Undoubtedly, there are many aspects of President Obama’s domestic and international platform with which you and I both have our qualms. It is then most noteworthy that President Obama reasserted to us his interest in continuing to hear from you, our constituents. This point was reiterated to the visitors of the White House over and over, and, to put money where the administration’s mouth was, a booklet was given to all attendees that had the contact information for the intergovernmental affairs director of every federal agency. I encourage readers to continue to submit to me their questions and input, which I will guide to the right contact.

I return to the East Bay refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to fight the crises that we are slowly but surely overcoming. I have the audacity to be optimistic once again, and I hope that my fellow Bay residents might, too, see a glimmer of sun above the clouds.

Igor Tregub is the East Bay Young Dems VP of finance. Please contact him at itregub [at] gmail.com with any input you might wish to pass along to the Obama Administration.

California is redrawing her lines. For the first time, an independent citizen’s commission will be heading the effort to apportion state and congressional representatives, instead of the State Legislature. The 14-member commission has been selected from an initial applicant pool of over 30,000. Significant efforts were taken to create a commission that reflected the demographics of the state. The resulting demographic make-up of commission mirrors this work. The commission also evenly split among party affiliation: 5 are either registered Republican or Democrat and the remaining 4 are Decline-to-State, Green Party, or other party. All of this care was taken to ensure that the commission at least appeared neutral and removed from the influence of the political environment.

The new lines will be based on existing City and County lines, rather than on existing district lines or the residences of incumbent lawmakers. When City and County lines can’t ensure evenly-divided districts (465,674 people per Assembly District, with up to a 1% variation), the Commission is instructed to take into account communities of interest. Defining these communities will be part of the Redistricting Commission’s public hearings, in which we can all participate.

Defined, a community of interest is: “A contiguous population which shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation.” What does this mean to you? What does it mean in the dynamism of demographic shifts and the movement inland by California residents along with the hard truth of geography? Redistricting asks us to examine what is fundamental and fair in representative government.

This commission is the perfect opportunity for you to shape this effort. The real work is set to begin and there is a way for you to participate. On Saturday, May 21, there will be a public workshop in Oakland (Place: TBD). We here at EBYD will keep you up-to-date and connected to the process – join our Facebook group for the latest information.

If you’re interested in taking part in the redistricting process, come to our mixer at Shashamane this Thursday, April 14th from 6 – 7:30. Ask anyone in the room about Redisticting and you will find out more.

Last week I sat on my couch reading about what was happening in Madison, WI from my friends’ links on Facebook. It was hard for me to fathom this direct attack on working families in the name of a budget deficit. I take this assault personally. If it wasn’t for organized labor, my mother would not have been able to provide for my sister and me. I may be from California, but Wisconsin’s struggle is symbolic of what’s happening around the country.

As state and local budgets are struggling to balance their budget, we see an ongoing struggle for power. Who has it and how are they going to keep it? This is at the heart of the debate in Wisconsin. Although organized labor has agreed to concessions to help offset costs in the state budget, the Governor will not negotiate: he wants to essentially eliminate collective bargaining. This would be a major blow for organized labor and for worker rights – an inherent Democratic value.

Although I could have stayed in Oakland and supported the campaign from afar, I needed to go to Wisconsin. I called up my dear friends, used my frequent flier miles, and traveled to a city that I hadn’t visited since I was President of the United States Student Association. It brought back a lot of memories. In 2005, I traveled throughout the state numerous times for student organizing campaigns, and even though I felt like a fish out of water spending so much time in the Midwest, it also felt very comfortable.

It’s no joke when folks say there’s a friendly and charming feel to Madison. I had numerous conversations with complete strangers about the impacts this bill would have in their lives and for Wisconsin. As I walked along State Street (a street that connects the University of Wisconsin with the State Capitol), I saw solidarity signs everywhere. They’re along store front windows and countless people were walking with them. However, what took my breath away was walking in the Capitol building.

It was in the middle of the week and I had just missed a rally, so the crowd was going in the opposite direction. I was unsure if there were folks still in the rotunda, but as I walked in with no security check needed, I could hear chanting echoing throughout the halls. There were hundreds and thousands of letters, posters, and banners all along these walls. That was the first time I understood the term “the people’s house.” I passed by several sleeping bags and mats, and the following Friday night, security had to limit the number of people into the building because there were too many people sleeping in the Capitol preparing for the biggest action yet.

The national media outlets may not have covered the march and rally of Saturday, February 26th, but I sure felt it from head to toe. This was a true Wisconsin action. It was 16 degrees and snowing, but it didn’t keep people from marching around the State Capitol and participating in the rally that day. The rotunda was already at capacity and the line wrapped around the building.

Everywhere I looked there were displays of anger, humor, and sadness, in signs and costumes. From the plumbers union saying “Walker needs to be flushed” to a 4 year old girl asking the Governor to “Save my Future.” You can check out more signs here. This exemplified Wisconsin’s character. Despite the cold, thousands of people came out because this was about the livelihood of families in Wisconsin and its effect on families around the country.

At the rally, I listened to Bradley Whitford from the West Wing describe Wisconsin residents as stubborn because, “We fish through ice.” Another actor also stated today’s action is “a great union production – the lighting, make-up, and costumes look amazing.” A nurse with a heavy Wisconsin accent that “cannot be faked” expressed her deep concern for patient care if catheters are given by anyone other than a union nurse. A pilot who helped land a plane safely in the Hudson River proudly listed all of the union members aboard who saved all of the passengers. Every day, firefighters walked through the Capitol playing bagpipes to show their solidarity. Countless others have spoken up and will continue to put pressure on Wisconsin Republicans to do the right thing.

Last week, Governor Walker spoke on tape with a blogger who claimed to be John Koch. During an interview on Meet the Press, he clarified his statement about inciting a violent protest by “planting a troublemaker in the crowd,” because he will not allow anyone from outside the state to come and disrupt the debate. In reality, the actions throughout the last several weeks have proven to be very peaceful. Regardless of where we’re from, we can all make a difference.

People around the world are watching. From Ian’s Pizza receiving donations to feed demonstrators from 43 states and 10 countries including Egypt, to #WeAreWI being a frequent trending topic on Twitter, it is critical to keep the pressure on. Governor Walker has already threatened layoffs in order to balance the budget if none of the 14 Senate Democrats return to Wisconsin. As this continues to unfold, I urge you to take a moment to help. If you know ANYONE in WI, ask them to call their Senator. If you can donate, support one of the community organizations on the ground. Please keep educating your friends and family about what’s going on in Wisconsin.

I’m a firm believer that your time, talents, and treasure should reflect your values. If you believe in fairness, equality, and justice, then let’s keep this momentum going. After all, we are all Wisconsin.

Jennifer Pae is an At-Large Executive Committee Member of the East Bay Young Democrats.

Here is a collection of videos from MSNBC’s news coverage on the ruling:

Hardball with Chris Matthews

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Countdown with Keith Olberman

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Kieth Olberman’s special comment on Prop 8 Ruling

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The Rachael Maddow Show

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Interviewing the dream team: Ted Olson and David Boies

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Taking it apart…

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Since Obama has expressed admiration for the portrait of Abraham Lincoln that Doris Kearns Goodwin paints in “Team of Rivals,” he could do the 16th president one better: He should name Hillary Clinton as his running mate in 2012. That would be both needed change and audacious.

Clinton has been nothing but a team player who has earned good marks since being asked to serve as secretary of state. She has skillfully navigated the globe and been tough and commanding when the moment called for it (with Iran) and graceful and diplomatic when situations required (navigating complex relations with Russia, Pakistan and China).

Has her time as secretary of state been perfect?  No. Has she ended these 18 months with the stature of someone ready and able to be president were the moment to call for it? The answer, unequivocally, is “yes.”

Read more at Politico.com

Chris Matthews interviewed the former Virginia Governor about this very opinion piece he wrote:

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Talk about coming full circle…

But despite the uproar, poll numbers show a different story. An MSNBC/Wall Street Journal Poll asked “Are you for or against this law?” and 61% of Americans say they support the measure. In the first video, Chris Matthews on Hardball interviews Democrats and Republicans from Arizona to discuss the recent ruling. In the second video, Chris discusses how this will become a hot-button issue this November and it’s affect on the Democratic Party. Check it out!

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Political Fallout

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The Republican’s have called for a repeal of almost every piece of legislation passed by Democrats, which is, of course, no surprise.  But what about the Democrats own Progressive base?  As Chuck Todd says, why does each major legislative victory for Obama seem to push his poll numbers down and not create any political capital?  Progressive leaders continue to speak out against many legislations, arguing that they usually don’t go far enough.  Are Progressives expecting too much from Obama?  Is Obama letting Progressives down?  Is there a fight between the Democratic Party’s more moderate establishment wing against it’s left leaning base?

Chuck Todd fills in for Chris Matthews on today’s edition of Hardball and talks politics with Jonathon Alter from Politico and Katrina Vanden Heuvel from The Nation Magazine:

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As Chuck Todd says its never too early to talk about the 2012 presidential election and who will be the GOP nominee to run against Obama. Chuck Todd talks with Jonathon Martin of Politico and the always animated Chris Cillizza from The Washington Post on this topic next:

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November Preview

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Interview with Jerry Brown

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POLITICO even put out an “Incumbent Watch List” that shows vulnerable incumbents on both sides of the isle.

In this clip from last night’s Hardball, Chris discusses how a long time, 2nd generation Utah senator didn’t even qualify for the Republican primary!

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Here in California, we can’t let someone like Meg Whitman try to buy us off. And thankfully, as mentioned in the clip below, we have a tradition of not being fooled by all that money. If Meg Whitman really cared, she could have run her campaign on donations and wrote a $59 million check to CalTrain, who is facing real problems and risking to close service entirely.  I’m just saying…

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If you want to help stop Meg Whitman in her campaign to buy California, join EBYD and support Jerry Brown for Governor!

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