Participants will receive a copy of “The Guide to Registering Voters” and a Deputy Registrar of Voters Certificate upon the successful completion of the hour and a half training program.

Classes are free, however seating is limited so attendees must RSVP (at telephone numbers shown below) to confirm reservations.

What: Deputy Registrar Training

When: Tuesday, February 28, 2012. 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where: LA County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk, 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk. Room 5201, 5TH Floor Conference Room

RSVP/Contact: Nelson Fernandez, 562-345-8368 or Carlos Madrigal, 562-345-8370

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party strongly condemns Fox News host Eric Bolling’s despicable attack on Rep. Maxine Waters on today’s “Fox and Friends,” when Bolling suggested that the death of Whitney Houston should serve as a warning for Rep. Waters to “step away from the crack pipe…”

At best, this outrageous remark was insensitive and inappropriate to the tragic passing of beloved pop star Whitney Houston, and a horribly offensive characterization of a longtime Member of Congress. At worst, Bolling’s comment oozes racism, which serves to discredit a strong African American woman by perpetuating discriminatory racial stereotypes. Regardless of whether this remark was deliberate or offhand – it was irresponsible, despicable, and reprehensible.

What’s more, this isn’t the first time Bolling has made racially charged characterizations of African Americans: he previously attacked President Obama for hosting “hoodlums’ in the ‘hizzouse.”

We are shocked by the appalling and insensitive comments from this nationally televised figure. No apology could make up for this type of outrageous and discriminatory language and behavior. No one should condone this behavior, whether on national television or in personal conversations.

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party demands that the Fox News organization hold Eric Bolling responsible for his irresponsible and pejorative language and conduct.  The Fox News organization must remove Bolling from the airwaves.

You can do the same by calling Fox News and telling them that this out-of-bounds racist language has no business on the air. Call (888) 369-4762, and select option 3 to tell Fox News directly that they’ve gone too far, even for them!

What: February LACDP Meeting

When: Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 PM

Where: IATSE Local 80 Hall, 2520 W. Olive Ave., Burbank, 91505

Questions: Call (213) 382-0063 or email info@lacdp.org

(Click here to download photos from the Obama for America-California Truth Team press conference in Los Angeles.)

The press conference featured Eric C. Bauman, Chair of the LACDP and Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party; Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific Akmerican Caucus; Wendy Greuel, Los Angeles City Controller; Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilmember; and Dolores Huerta, longtime labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America.

The launch with political and community leaders is part of the national roll-out of the “Truth Team” program, whose purpose will be to set the record straight when the Republican presidential candidates mislead and distort President Barack Obama’s record and accomplishments and to hold Republicans accountable for their failed policies and empty proposals.

Additionally, the press conference unveiled a specialized website to expand the “Truth Team” operation to include and empower grassroots activists, outreach and mobilization: www.barackobama.com/TruthTeam.

“The contrast between President Obama and the rag-tag team of Republican presidential candidates couldn’t be clearer.  After eight years of Republican presidential mismanagement, President Obama has fought to bring our economy back from the brink of collapse to a slow, but steady recovery, creating jobs, holding Wall Street accountable, securing historic healthcare reform, destroying major terrorist operations, and bringing our women and men in the military back home from harm’s way,” said Eric C. Bauman, LACDP Chair and California Democratic Party Vice Chair.

Bauman added, “The one and only way for the Republicans to be heard is to distort, discredit, and discount President Obama’s record.  Those Republicans will bend over backwards and say anything to get elected.  That’s why we must make sure that we set the record straight and make sure the American people are not misled by the Republican noise-making machine.  Join the Truth Team at www.barackobama.com/TruthTeam.“

In Sacramento, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez held a similar press conference.

California Truth Team (To-Date)

Hon. Karen Bass, Member of Congress

Hon. Xavier Becerra, Member of Congress

Hon. Judy Chu, Member of Congress

Hon. Loretta Sanchez, Member of Congress

Hon. Gavin Newsom, California Lt. Governor

Hon. Kamala Harris, California Attorney General

Hon. Darrel Steinberg, State Senate President pro Tem

Hon. John A. Pérez, Speaker of the Assembly

Hon. Kevin De Leon, State Senator

Hon. Ted Lieu, State Senator

Hon. Alex Padilla, State Senator

Hon. Fiona Ma, Assembly Speaker pro Tempore

Hon. Nora Campos, Assembly Member

Hon. Gil Cedillo, Assembly Member

Hon. Manuel Perez, Assembly Member

Hon. Nancy Skinner, Assembly Member

Hon. Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor

Hon. Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Mayor

Hon. Ed Lee, San Francisco Mayor

Hon. Wendy Greuel, Los Angeles City Controller

Hon. Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilmember

Hon. Jan Perry, Los Angeles City Councilmember

Hon. Todd Gloria, San Diego City Councilmember

Eric C. Bauman, Vice Chair, California Democratic Party and Chair, Los Angeles County Democratic Party

Dr. Ami Bera, Physician and Educator

Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Dolores Huerta, Labor Activist and Co-Founder, United Farm Workers of America

Rohit Khanna, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

“Today marks a triumphant victory for justice, equality, and human dignity for all, as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down California’s discriminatory Prop. 8 and ruled the California same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional.

“In the landmark appellate opinion, the Court proclaims that Prop. 8 violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and that Prop. 8 ‘has no more practical effect than to strip gays and lesbians of their right to use the official designation that the state and society give to committed relationships, thereby adversely affecting the status and dignity of the members of a disfavored class.’

“This is a defining moment in America’s continuing Civil Rights struggle: from Loving v. Virginia declaring a ban on interracial marriage unconstitutional, to today’s ruling affirming the right to marry for gays and lesbians, the Court has made clear the right to marry is a fundamental right.  One thing is clear: bigotry and discrimination have no place in California and no place in America.

“This ruling cannot be more timely, coming one week before Valentine’s Day.  My partner Michael and I are lucky in that we were proudly legally married in 2008 in California and look forward to celebrating our 29th anniversary together.  We look forward to the end of the despicable barrier to equality that has affected the lives of tens-of-thousands of same-sex couples throughout California.  No law should obstruct the love and commitment shared by two human beings.”

Today marks a triumphant victory for justice, equality, and human dignity for all, as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down California’s discriminatory Prop. 8 and ruled the California same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional.

In the landmark appellate opinion, the Court proclaims that Prop. 8 violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and that Prop. 8 ‘has no more practical effect than to strip gays and lesbians of their right to use the official designation that the state and society give to committed relationships, thereby adversely affecting the status and dignity of the members of a disfavored class.

This is a defining moment in America’s continuing Civil Rights struggle: from Loving v. Virginia declaring a ban on interracial marriage unconstitutional, to today’s ruling affirming the right to marry for gays and lesbians, the Court has made clear the right to marry is a fundamental right.  One thing is clear: bigotry and discrimination have no place in California and no place in America.

This ruling cannot be more timely, coming one week before Valentine’s Day.  My partner Michael and I are lucky in that we were proudly legally married in 2008 in California and look forward to celebrating our 29th anniversary together.  We look forward to the end of the despicable barrier to equality that has affected the lives of tens-of-thousands of same-sex couples throughout California.  No law should obstruct the love and commitment shared by two human beings.

“Today’s report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that 243,000 jobs were created in January, continuing 23 straight months of private sector job growth under President Obama. Additionally, unemployment has fallen to 8.3% – its lowest rate in three years.

“When President Obama took office, the economy was in a state of collapse, and America was losing almost 800,000 jobs a month.  Millions of Americans were losing their financial security.  Under President Obama’s leadership, America has been on a steady path to recovery.  Most importantly, the President is fighting every day to strengthen our economic foundation.

“It’s not an easy task to undo eight years of Republican mismanagement in the White House and to battle the Republican obstruction and inaction in Congress.  The last thing we need is another out-of-touch, out-of-sync multi-millionaire Republican like Mitt Romney in the White House, who has no concern for the poor and will recklessly disregard the needs of everyday Americans, who are the backbone of our nation.

“Today, we have been given another example validating the change and hope we voted for four years ago when we elected President Obama.  We are prepared to fight and re-elect President Obama to continue leading America in the right direction.” 

“Today’s report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that 243,000 jobs were created in January, continuing 23 straight months of private sector job growth under President Obama. Additionally, unemployment has fallen to 8.3% – its lowest rate in three years.

“When President Obama took office, the economy was in a state of collapse, and America was losing almost 800,000 jobs a month.  Millions of Americans were losing their financial security.  Under President Obama’s leadership, America has been on a steady path to recovery.  Most importantly, the President is fighting every day to strengthen our economic foundation.

“It’s not an easy task to undo eight years of Republican mismanagement in the White House and to battle the Republican obstruction and inaction in Congress.  The last thing we need is another out-of-touch, out-of-sync multi-millionaire Republican like Mitt Romney in the White House, who has no concern for the poor and will recklessly disregard the needs of everyday Americans, who are the backbone of our nation.

“Today, we have been given another example validating the change and hope we voted for four years ago when we elected President Obama.  We are prepared to fight and re-elect President Obama to continue leading America in the right direction.”