Democratic Presidential Candidates Forum

Huge crowd (over 500 people) attended Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club Democratic Presidential Candidates Forum last night at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center.
Candidates' Surrogates:
Senator Hillary Clinton: Dennis Herrera, San Francisco City Attorney
Senator John Edwards: Jeff Soukup, California Co-Chair, John Edwards for President
Senator Mike Gravel: Lynn Gravel Mosier, Daughter of Senator Gravel
Senator Barack Obama: Jonathan Spalter, Former Clinton/Gore Foreign Policy Advisor.

Forum was moderated by John Rothmann (KGO Radio and former President of Raoul Wallenberg Democratic Club). Michael Sweet, President of Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club gave the welcoming remarks.

The forum was very structured with serious questions asked of each surrogate including the issues of social security, the economy, the war, education, Middle East and global warming.

Everyone agreed that we need to put a Democrat in the White House in 2009 and that it was a good day because it was the last time we had to hear President George Bush give his State of the Union speech!

Each surrogate gave their reason for supporting their candidate:

Dennis Herrera: Worked for the Clinton's in the White House and believes Hillary Clinton has the most experience , is strong and will get things done. He said that he thought that Hillary Clinton was running for President at a more difficult time than when Bill Clinton ran before.
Jeff Soukup: Was part of a nation wide group of people who interviewed all the candidates and "hands down" John Edwards was the best candidate and the "most electable".
Lynn Gravel Mosier: Because he is my father.
Jonathan Spalter: Barack Obama brings new leadership.

Co-Sponsors: African American Democratic Club, Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, Bernal Heights Democratic Club, Central City Democrats, Democratic Women in Action, Democratic Women's Forum, District Three Democratic Club, Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, Irish American Democratic Club, Richmond District Democratic Club, San Francisco Young Democrats, Sunset Democratic Club, San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, 12th Assembly District Democratic Club.

Forum organizing committee: Jeff Anderson, Jeremy Benjamin, Robin Brasso, Susan Christian, George Dias, Renee Golanty-Koel, Richard Hansen, Shirley Hansen, Sandy Hartman, Luke Klipp, Jane Morrison, Jason Porth, Rebecca Prozan, Michele Sahl, Lisa Shell, Michael Sweet, Ben Tulchin, Mark Weinberger, Bob Weisblatt and Larry Yee.

Fiscal Sponsors: AT&T, Barnes Mosher Whitehurst Lauter & Partners, Forest City Development, MSHC Partners, Pacific Gas & Electric, Platinum Advisors and Betty Yee, Member, State Board of Equalization

Information: Michael Sweet 415-359-7933 or sfrwjdc@yahoo.com

January 29, 2008 - Tuesday


Florida Primary

Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot for February primary.

San Francisco Area Annual Youth Job Fair - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Treasure Island Job Corps Center. Mayor Gavin Newsom, former Mayor Willie Brown and Bevan Dufty will speak. Information: molina.maria@jobcorps.org

SPUR " Is California losing jobs and companies to other states?". 12:30 to 1:30 312 Sutter Street. Economist Jed Kolko of the Public Policy Institute of California will speak explaining why companies are growing, moving or leaving the state of California and what it means for our economy. $5. for non-members Information: 415-781-8726 info@spur.org

Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit Van Ness Citizens Advisory Committee: 5 to 7 p.m. at the Authority, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor. Information: www.sfcta.org/vanness

AAPI's for Obama Party : Roe Restaurant, 1651 Howard Street, S.F. Ca. 94105 Host: Keith Kamisugi. Join actor Kelly Hu, Jane Kim, Eric Mar, Hydra Mendoza and Asian American Pacific Islanders. 6 p.m. - Duration: three hours Information: apaforobama.com

National Park Council - January Coalition Meeting Designing an Effective Program - City Hall, Room 305 6 to 8 p.m. Hear from the Community Challenge Grant program, the Recreation and Parks Department, San Francisco Beautiful Freidel Klussmann Grants Program, an Open Space Fund expert and a member of Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Committee. Information: www.sfnpc.org/coalitionmeetings. RSVP Chloe Good: cgood@sfnpc.org

Information:

Jackie Speier for Congress. www.jackieforcongress.com P. O. Box 112, Burlingame, Ca. 94011,
phone: 650-347-4370