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By Randy Bayne
Chair
Amador Co. Democratic Party
x-posted from The Bayne of Blog

The Amador Democrats would like to apologize to Amador County Fair goers for underestimating Barack Obama’s popularity in our “red” rural county. After less than two days of the four day fair, we ran out of Obama buttons and bumper stickers, leaving many of you unable to show your support. We are truly sorry.

For those who missed out on getting their Obama button and stickers, we will be ordering more and will have them available at our headquarters in downtown Jackson.

Running out of the Obama gear was a pleasant surprise. If that isn’t an understatement, I don’t know what is. Though we have been experiencing a surge in Democratic support and registration in Amador County, Democrats still lag in total voter registration, and most people consider Amador hopelessly lost to the other party. We ordered what we thought would be plenty of Obama buttons and bumper stickers to last the four days of the fair. Response at our booth outpaced our supply, and we had to say words that surprised even us — “sold out.”

This tells me something the numbers don’t. Democratic leanings are on the rise in Amador County. Throughout the weekend dozens of Republicans stopped by the booth and told us they were were going to vote for Obama. When asked why, it came down to one word — hope. Eight years of Bush/Cheney, they explained, left them feeling lost, hopeless, unable to move ahead. It is time for change, and Obama is the only candidate that can bring the change we need and want. John McCain offers continued failure, continued hopelessness, continued dispair.

So, though we apologize for not being more optimistic and having more Obama gear available, we make no apology for changing attitudes in our county. As a matter of fact, we revel in it, and look forward to momentum to push two other candidates over the top in their races.

Dr. Bill Durston is running for the 3rd Congressional District, and Alyson Huber for the 10th Assembly District. Both should benefit greatly from changing attitudes in Amador, and we look forward to an exciting campaign season as we are energized by new found support in a county that conventional wisdom had written off.

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Believe!

By Randy Bayne
X-posted at The Bayne of Blog

Recently, the Amador County Republicans opened their headquarters for the fall campaign. However, had it not been for the generosity of a local developer it may not have happened. The property was donated, which isn’t so terrible. I would have been extremely grateful had someone donated office space to us, the Amador Democratic Party, when we were kicked out of our former offices.

Congratulations to the Republic Central Committee on opening their campaign office. We were excited to open our office last month, and I know you are just as excited to get your campaigns off and running. And, of course, we always want to accentuate the positive when we celebrate.

But I have to disagree with a statement our County Republican Chair made at their office opening.

“Amador is a decidedly Republican county,” said Republican Central Committee Chairman Jim Rooney. “Sometimes, when the larger counties surrounding us are at a tie, they look to Amador to break it.”

Yes, the Republicans do have a majority of registered voters, but that is changing here as it is all over the state. Since the 2006 primary election Democratic registration has increased by 217 voters in Amador County, while Republican registration has increased by only 72 over the same period. In spite of picking up 72 new voters, the Republican percentage has actually dropped, and more people have registered decline-to-state (198) than Republican. There may be a majority of registered Republicans in the county, but Amador is hardly “decidedly Republican.” 

When it came time to file for Central Committee last spring 13 Democrats turned in signatures compared to 3 Republicans. Currently, there are no vacancies in the 21 seats on the Democratic Central Committee. A first time feat, I’m told. Democrats are proud and holding their heads high. 

Yes, the Republican Party has more voters, but it is the Democratic Party that is growing in Amador County.

Still, you can’t blame Republicans for wanting to put a little shine on their depressing standing in California, and across the nation really. They have suffered, along with the rest of us, through eight long years of policy stagnation from their own party’s administration which is more concerned about occupying Iraq than occupying itself with taking care of the American people and our struggle within our own borders. That isn’t whining, that’s just fact. Yet, Republicans still believe that another Bush administration under the new McCain name is what America needs.

Rural Republicans are willing to grasp at any glimmer of hope to reverse fast falling popularity and standing. They still believe. Though I’m not sure in what.

Amador Democrats may still be in the minority, but we believe too. We believe we have a lot to celebrate as registration numbers, though still far apart, are trending Democratic. As we look at the wider region, we are excited about the prospects of winning the 10th Assembly District which has even closer numbers than our county. Over the same period as above, May 2006 to May 2008, Democrats have reduced the spread in AD 10 from 4.74% in 2006 to 1.97% in 2008. Republicans have lost 3,344 voters, while Democrats have added 3,118. For all those who have written AD 10 off to the Republicans, just look at the numbers. We can elect a Democrat — Alyson Huber — to AD 10.

Republicans still believe they can win in rural areas of the state. They can, but only if and when the Democrats fail to rally behind their candidates with money and resources. Republicans still believe. Do we? Barack Obama’s slogan, “Change we can believe in,” must be applied, not only to the Presidential race, but to every Democratic challengers race as well. Alyson Huber is “change we can believe in” for the 10th AD.

 Help Alyson Huber win the 10th AD

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Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi, who is opposed to taxes, believes the half-cent sales tax increase for Amador County fire protection will be passed by voters this November.

During a recent town hall meeting in Jackson, Nakanishi said, "I would think if you live in Amador County, this would be a very important issue," he said, adding that he, like the Amador County Board of Supervisors, would have "voted for the people to make the (final) decision."

An important issue. No kidding? Of course it's an important issue. Fortunately, the out of touch Nakanishi is leaving office soon.

November brings us an opportunity to elect a representative in the 10th Assembly District who will be in touch, who understands our issues, and who will do more than just drop in occasionally. Alyson Huber is that representative.

Alyson understands the problems and issues facing Amador County residents. She grew up in Lodi facing many of the same kinds of challenges the people of Amador face every day. There is a very small learning curve for Alyson when it comes to our issues.

At the town hall, Alyson's opponent, Jack Sieglock said, "I like learning about the problems and issues (facing Amador residents)," as if it was some kind of hobby or game.

With Alyson, facing life's problems and issues in no game. It is serious business that requires serious attention and a commitment to the people you represent.

"When I was a child, my family faced many difficult times. We started out on welfare. We had to move every time rent went up or the job changed. There were times that I did not have health care and I have witnessed first hand the consequences of high medical bills" say Alyson in a recent campaign mailer.

"While it was never easy, I worked nights, weekends and every odd job I could find to put myself though school from the time I was 15.

"I’m not a politician. I believe that common sense solutions can help us tackle many of the
problems facing our state. As a business lawyer I understand the pressures facing businesses in our state, and as a working mother I understand the pressures that families face every day.

Help me bring some common sense solutions to Sacramento. I’d be honored to have your
vote for State Assembly on [November 4th]."

You can help Alsyon win the 10th Assembly by going to making a donation either directly to Alyson or by giving to the Amador Democrats as we work on her behalf.


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By Randy Bayne
x-posted from The Bayne of Blog

There is a transformation taking place in Amador County. It isn't likely to result in a Democratic registration majority anytime soon, but there is a noticeable change in attitude in this "red" rural county. When my wife and I moved to Amador five years ago, we were convinced that we were the only Democrats living in this seemingly conservative enclave. We didn't meet our first Amador Democrat until we had been here about two years. Now, I'm chair of the Amador County Democratic Central Committee and Marcie is chair of the 10th Assembly District Democratic Task Force. The central committee has its full compliment of 21 members and we have volunteers eager to help with voter registration and staffing our new headquarters office in downtown Jackson. Democrats in Amador County are no longer living in the shadows, afraid to openly talk about who they are. It is now acceptable to be a Democrat in Amador.


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