Democrats waking up nationally, asleep at the wheel locally

Ever since Bill Clinton's pushback of Fox News a few weeks ago the Democratic Party has seen an overall surge in the polls. In fact, most people with more than 2 brain cells firing believe that the Democratic Party is set to take back the House and has a legitimate shot at he Senate. If predictions hold true on election night the Democratic Party will ride a tidal wave from Florida to Arizona... Where they will wash ashore and fall flat as they approach the California border.

A few days ago I spoke about Byron DeLear, a Congressional candidate for the 28th District and criticized his Democratic opponent for not even running a campaign. For not showing the voters the respect of a discussion. But Howard Berman isn't the only one.

As for California Democrats campaigning, forget about it. Let's take a look around.

In the 25th CD Robert Rodriguez is running against Howard "Buck" McKeon and putting on a decent show, without any help from the party at all. But at least he is trying.

In the 38th Assembly District Democrat Lyn Shaw is doing her part to run an invisible campaign against Republican Cameron Smyth. You'll remember how heated that Primary race against Jim Alger was with Alger contending that all Shaw wanted was to win the Primary and then not run. Smyth has been running TV ads for weeks and his lawn signs are already up. Looks like Alger called that one.

Over in the 37th Assembly District which splits Ventura and Los Angeles Counties the Ferial Masry campaign has yet to call or canvas the Los Angeles portion of the district because they are waiting for the Los Angeles Democratic Party to provide the voter database CD. They have been waiting on Eric Bauman since the primary.

In the 24th Congressional District Democrat Jill Martinez's campaign has all but imploded. She has refused to hone a message despite the fact that her opponent Elton Gallegly dropped out of the race and jumped back in.

One would have to think that if any of these campaigns took themselves seriously, or if the Democratic Party took them seriously, there could be an interesting discussion on issues, and a debate of philosophy. Moreover with the RNC meltdown in high gear the Democrats SHOULD have been able to take some of that momentum into California.

To be fair, it isn't the candidates fault in many cases. It is the party, and moreover the party structure on both sides. In the races I listed, Masry for example is running a very strong challenge to Audra Strickland in Ventura but C'mon guys if Bauman doesn't take you guys seriously enough to spend 60 bucks on a CD of LA voters then go get it yourselves!

So is my point that Democrats should win? No. My point is that the voters lose when the parties refuse to enter into any real discussion. When running for office becomes about personal power, real or perceived.

Today I picked on the Democrats, because with all that is going on in the world it has never been easier for them and even still, they are asleep at the wheel. But my own Republican Party is no better. We aren't backing anyone against Alarcon, Berman, Padilla... The list goes on. The people should demand better of their political parties. We are entitled to a fair and legitimate debate of various issues. It is high time we get it.