T’was the Night Before Inauguration

T’was the night before inauguration and I saw with dismay
The market was tanking. No more 401K!
The stocks: they were hung, in downfall they stuck
While Bush, he did nothing; a truly lame duck.

Republicans nestled their heads in the sand
With visions of defeat of the Republican brand.
And Cheney with his gun, his heart raced apace,
Looking for someone to shoot in the face.

When out on the House floor, there arose such a clatter
I sprang to the Internet to see what was the matter.
Away to my screen I ran like a flash
Hoping the market hadn’t utterly crashed.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Showed us all someone we needed to know.
When what to my eyes I paused (with a comma,)
But a vision of hope: Barack H. Obama!

With excitement, conviction in each of his steps,
I wondered what he and his staff would do next.
More rapid than eagles his appointments they came
And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name.

Now Emanuel! Now Dashle! Now Richardson, Biden!
On Clinton, Napolitano, and Gates! No sense hidin’!
To fix the economy, our reputation, and more.
And to stop the killing of this horrible war.

As Obama stood still, Republicans trembled,
Recalling 8 years of disaster they’d assembled.
They’ve broken our banks, and doubled our debt.
They scared us to death with weapons of threats.

They squandered a surplus, They started a war.
Our shredded constitution still litters the floor.
They attacked our unions, immigrants, gays.
Though they claim to be Christians, on weak folks they prey.

Will we ever recover from the hole that they’ve dug?
We’ll climb to the top with an American tug.
The Republican party near destroyed all that matters.
They deserve nothing more but to hold the damn ladder.

But his voice, it did change, along with a smile,
Thinking thoughts of the bills that soon would be filed.
We’ll protect people older and younger, alike;
Restore our fine honor, our military might.

Protecting our planet, and cleaning our air,
While creating a surplus we can leave to our heirs.
We’ll fix our economy; health care for all!
We’ll honor those who fought, and those who will fall.

Barack sprang to his feet, to his team gave a shout.
The challenges, impossible? Hard work needed, no doubt.

But I heard him exclaim, as he talked and he ran,
Hey! It’s not just a slogan, YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

It’s a new day a-dawnin’ in a New Year where we can finally have hope again. Wishing you a happy holiday and a 2009 filled with much joy, good health and peace.

BREAKING NEWS:

Rep. Hilda Solis to Be Nominated as Labor Secretary

Great news for California Democrats and for America’s working men and women! The Los Angeles County Democratic Party has learned that Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) will be nominated as Labor Secretary by President-elect Barack Obama!

Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Eric C. Bauman and the officers of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party congratulate Rep. Hilda Solis. We know she will stand up and fight for working families across America.

Click here for a link to the Los Angeles Times article.

November 4, 2008 Election Results

Click here for the latest Los Angeles County election results.*

Click here for the latest California election results.*

Click here for the latest election results on LACDP endorsed candidates and measures.*

*Results are updated periodically as provisional ballots and late vote-by-mail ballots are processed.

RECORD-BREAKING DEMOCRATIC REGISTRATION
REPORTED IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Democrats gain more than 200,000 new voters in Los Angeles in 2008;
LA County Democratic Party urges a vote for the Team for Change on Election Day

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) today reported record-breaking Democratic registration in Los Angeles County, with nearly 2.2 million (52%) Democrats registered, the most ever on record. This further strengthens the registration edge the Democratic Party has in the largest election jurisdiction in the United States.

“The unprecedented number of Democrats registered in Los Angeles County and across our nation reflects the recognition of failed Republican policies and governance and points to the need for change. Senator Barack Obama’s inspiration, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s voter outreach efforts, and grassroots Democratic activists’ impressive voter registration drives are the key factors that have made Los Angeles County the Democratic stronghold of California,” said Eric C. Bauman, Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.”

As of today, October 22, 2008, Los Angeles County reports 4,223,548 registered voters, including 2,183,521 (51.7%) Democrats, 1,024,701 (24.2%) Republicans, and 841,103 (19.9%) Decline-to-State voters. Since January 1, 2008, LA has experienced a net gain of 208,521 Democrats and a net loss of 1,391 Republicans.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk indicates that nearly 57% of all newly registered voters are Democrats, as compared to only 15% who are Republicans. Newly registered voters between the ages of 18 and 29 are 56% Democrat and 14.5% Republican.

“Eight years ago, America was a peace and enjoyed economic stability and had a record budget surplus. After eight years of failed Republican leadership, America now has amassed the largest budget deficit in history and a devastating economic crisis affecting homeowners and the middle class. If we want a better economy, more jobs, and a prosperous America, we must vote Democratic. If we want healthcare for all, we must vote Democratic. If we want to improve education and protect our children’s future, we must vote Democratic. Our nation can regain its standing in the world and a return to prosperity if we vote for Senator Barack Obama and the entire Democratic Team for Change,” added Bauman.”

Statement of LA County Democratic Party Chair Eric C. Bauman
Regarding Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s Motion to Audit YPM-related Voter Registrations

Supervisor responds to the Democratic Party’s request to protect voters against fraud by moving to expand the audit and review of voter registrations turned in by Young Political Majors that change voters’ Party affiliation

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Eric C. Bauman today released the following statement regarding Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky’s motion to review voter registration affidavits turned in by Young Political Majors (YPM):

“In response to complaints from voters and a request from the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky today introduced a motion requiring Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan to expand his audit and review of voter registration affidavits to include ALL voter registration affidavits returned by Young Political Majors that change voters’ party affiliation from Democrat or other Parties to Republican Party.

“We thank Supervisor Yaroslavsky for his expedient action in responding to our request and we are proud of him for standing up on behalf of the voters of Los Angeles County against voter registration fraud and protecting their constitutional right to vote, the most precious right in a democracy.

“We urge all members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to act swiftly to support Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s motion and additionally, we urge Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan to comply with the request of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and the motion of Supervisor Yaroslavsky as expeditiously as possible.”