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“What does it mean to be a Democrat?” some are asking. It’s a good question to ask yourself with some regularity, just like “What does it mean to be American?” or “What does it mean to be progressive?” Especially right now, in Orange County, when we Democrats SUDDENLY have more power than ever before.
Maybe there’s as many answers as there are Democrats, but empowerment must have something to do with it – that is, empowering people who didn’t have enough power before. Democrats who think that way are tending to back union firebrand Ada Briceño for the newly opened chair position of the DPOC (Democratic Party of OC), while others who seem to think of the Democrats as just a better club to be in than the Republicans are backing longtime Irvine politician Beth Krom. (Whom I’ll try not to say anything negative about.)
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It does seem a good time for OC Democrats to go in an Ada-esque direction – we’ve been on a roll and so has she. Just this year she led both the union UNITE-Here and OCCORD (OC Communities Organized for Responsible Development) in a triumphant movement for a living wage for Resort Workers in Anaheim – something that certainly seemed unthinkable not long ago! A few years back, she helped lead the pro-democracy movement for district elections in Anaheim – something good for not only minorities but for all political sides who don’t want to be beholden to the Big Money in town. It’s also great that Ada is Latina, an immigrant (Nicaraguan) and speaks Spanish. That’s the face of MANY of our new Democrats.
She tells me, with her characteristic enthusiasm, that she spends nearly every moment “recruiting new leaders, finding good candidates and mentoring them. It’s what I do.” She is gung-ho to protect the seats the Party has won this year, winning more, and bringing “more grass roots into the Party, for our ground game.” And those who doubt Ada’s fundraising ability may want to remember that she just raised a cool million to help pass Measure L.
Union leaders tend to be known for prioritizing getting good-paying jobs with good conditions for the workers they represent, and not much else. So Ada emphasized to me something I totally agree with – protecting the ENVIRONMENT is ALSO social justice. The air, water and earth belong to all of us, no matter how poor, and for businesses and the rich to mess those things up for a quick profit constitutes class warfare on the rest of us, just as surely as Reaganomics and starvation wages.
It appears the truly progressive direction Ada would like to take us Democrats is frightening to some of our “elder statesmen,” habituated as they are to “business as usual.” I’ve heard (not from Ada) that Congressman Lou Correa has been furiously lobbying against Ada and for Beth, and that it apparently has something to do with his anger over being censured by the DPOC (and lampooned by yours truly) for his horrible endorsements of particularly xenophobic Republicans, notably Sheriff Barnes and DA Rackauckas. 
Wait, what??? Ada sure had nothing to do with that. But apparently he associates her with the wing of the Party that did – my wing, Jeff LeTourneau’s wing, Greg Diamond’s wing, Jose Moreno’s wing. Well, way to draw the battle lines, Congressman. I’d been hoping you would just change your evil ways instead.
Only 60 Democrats – electeds and Central Committee members – will be making the choice on Jan. 14 between Ada Briceño and Beth Krom – the choice over the soul and direction of the Party. This blog enthusiastically endorses our good friend Ada!
There’s a difference between saying something negative (a lie or a harmful opinion) and just reminding people of the truth.
And the truth is that Krom was a puppet of Larry Agran, who found her, propped her up and got her elected and re-elected. Her incompetent fingerprints were (are) all over the criminal enterprise known as The Great Park.
You can say that. Ada prefers not to, and this is more or less a piece to help get her elected.
For many Dems, especially in the South county, Agran is still considered a “gifted political strategist” based on Irvine’s lead defeating the proposal to convert El Toro marine base into an international airport. They ignore or minimize what happened later when the base was supposed to become a Great Park.
I think that the more pertinent point is that Ada played a major role in getting Measure L passed and getting Dr. Moreno elected twice — and Beth (whom I like best of the Agranistas, but still…) is part of a team that has not been able to elect a Mayor or a Council member since I think 2012. (Yes, they defeated Measure B — by lying about it — and are now going after the Anaheim Vets cemetery because it doesn’t serve Agran’s slathering thirst for revenge against Five Point.)
That’s a hell of a lot for Beth to overcome. And the Ahab routine against Five Point is enough to drag the Pequot of the DPOC into the briny deep — which is a lot for Beth to disavow (if she’s even so inclined.) Beth would be better off running for South Vice Chair so people can get a look at what she’d do beyond Irvine — and how well. But if she wants to run for Chair and do about as well as Ed Pope did, that’s up to her. Sort of a shame, though.
Ada can’t [nasty middle portion of anonymous attack excised] whil oart
Whoever you are, you’re not particularly gifted with literacy, are you? I think I’ll take a pass on your judgment as well.
*You know, it has always been a mystery how these folks are chosen to lead their various
parties. What basic talents are required to suppose that these folks might become true leaders, with a variety of strategies and a never ending desire to serve the National Party faithful? Are they chosen because of their ties to moneyed donors? Are they chosen because they can be considered nodding doggies in the window….willing to do whatever is asked of them? Are they chosen because they can appear at 4000 Chicken Dinners a year – say a few words and leave with case full of cash? Someday they need to do a movie about Party leaders like those at the RNC and DNC. Maybe even those chosen for the Libertarian, Peace and Freedom and American Independent? Maybe it will even tell us something about how candidates are chosen, prepped and put out there for all to see. Richard Gere did a great made for TV movie called Power….which was about Political Consultants. If you want to see the real deal….you might want to check it out. Happy Holidays to all.
Another great article Vern. But you left out the one piece of information I really need, what can I as a rank and file Democrat do to make sure Ada Briceño is elected DPOC chair?
Hi Wes. You asked this on Facebook and Iyad Afalqa answered:
“DPOC Central Commitee members are elected directly by voters, during the primary of every presdiential elctions year, or appointed upon vacancy. Therefore, as a Democratic voter, you can call your Assembly District Central Commitee members and ask them to vote for Ada Briceno when Chair election take place in January. Further, tell them as a Democrat you will come and observe the elections and see where they stand on issues.”
Of course, that leaves out: How does a rank and file Democrat find out who their Central Committee members are? I’ll get that info for you too.
The Progressives have come to far for the likes of Any ‘Tom-Larry or Lou’ to have their way on the DPOC chair pick ..Ada is a born leader,Jeff LeTourneau has done more for the Democratic party in Orange County the Progressive Movement,LGBT Rights,and so many cases that many now take for granted,between Ada & Jeff the future of the Blue Wave will continue to Splash across Orange County for years to come…it is Great to be living in these times.. yes even in the “age of trump” I believe the future is bright, & love is blue for me and you!!
If Jeff LeTourneau’s wing of the party is truly my wing, why did he work so hard to remove two votes for Ada (mine and my alternate’s) from the voting pool at the Jan.14 election?
The biggest difference between Bernie and Hillary was how to raise the minimum wage – demand high, then negotiate to $12, or broaden base and stick to an incremental growth to $12. AND THEN trolls figured out how to profit from the fight, and turned into something bigger.
Ironically, the OC is offering up a candidate who helped mastermind $18/hr (but only if the company derived subsidies). We already have trolls looking where to strike and how to make a buck fighting that. Best to shrug them aside and stick with whoever has actually achieved electoral outcomes recently.
The biggest policy difference, perhaps. The most consequential difference between them — more so even than gender, religion, or mate — was that he had the highest favorability rating of any politician running for President that year and the had the second-lowest.
OK, I told you that it was stupid of you to use a banned pseudonym here, and you did it anyway — twice. So the other one we’ll obliterate almost entirely, while on this one we’ll let you make the point you wanted — so I can rebut it.
The difference to me between Hillary and Bernie in 2016 boiled down to minimum wage: Hillary sought $12/hr because she wanted unanimity in the stance, Bernie sought $15/hr, because in negotiations, one demands high and compromises later – and Trump stood for status quo. We all know who won that fight.
For the OC, we have a chance to elect a Dem who actually led a charge to impose $18/hr – but only for groups that won city subsidies. I wonder how that angle could play nationally?
Minimum wage wasn’t much of an issue in 2016, either way. If you think the only difference between the completely compromised Clinton and Bernie was the minimum wage you missed a huge number of your own party members’ disgust with the former.
She only looked okay to some people in comparison with Trump. And a lot worse to just as many.
Almost any other Democrat would have beat Trump soundly. Ironically, I think she may have been the ONLY Democrat in the nation who couldn’t beat Trump.
“Almost any other Democrat would have beat Trump soundly.”
She DID beat Trump soundly everywhere that the media is not captive to a handful of local kleptocrats. Unfortunately, that tends to be restricted to cities, where it’s harder for a handful of voices to crowd out alternatives.
“Minimum wage wasn’t much of an issue in 2016,”
On the contrary, it was such a crucial issue that politicians on each side sought to avoid it, and media (paid for by whom?) knew to throw up as many ‘more important issues’ as possible to prevent discussions of this topic.
“She DID beat Trump soundly everywhere that the media is not captive to a handful of local kleptocrats.”
A decent Democrat could have won enough suburban vote to carry Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and possibly even Iowa and Arizona. Just taking hard-core Dem cities won’t cut it.
“On the contrary, it was such a crucial issue that politicians on each side sought to avoid it…”
Well, then they succeeded brilliantly.
I’m supporting Ada
*Yeah, we will support Ada to if she does the following about the Government Shutdown:
The Beach Boys said it best: “It happened on the strip where the road is wide, too cool shorts sitting side by side, my fuel injected Stingray and a 413, revving up their engines and they sound real mean….Shut it down, shut it down, turn it off, cause buddy I just shut you down!” Yeah, what a crack up. So, if The Trumpster gives up Citizenship for all the DACA kids, Removes all the Trade Tariffs, Gives Medicare to everyone over 50 and Caps the prices of Prescription drugs…..well….maybe he could have his $5 Billion to give to ICE to Deport 11 million folks….maybe! But then all that is off the board in eleven days when the Dem’s take the House.
I’m hearing a rumor that Beth has dropped out of this race, leaving no other candidate than Ada. I’ll look into the truth of this and then break the news properly if it bears out!