March 14, 2008- Meeting #8

The Caucus discussed DNC Delegate Elections, which will be a caucus in the University Theater.

Also, we discussed another possible panel, this time involving women in politics. The Caucus seemed to greet this one with open arms.

The California Young Democrats Luncheon, which takes place on March 29, is now officially booked at the SJSU Barret Ballroom. This event will be a few hours before the State Convention events take place.

March 8, 2008- Santa Clara County Democratic Party "Call to Action"

EVENT DESCRIPTION:
Join us as we kick off our 2008 campaign year with a Call to Action of volunteers. Learn about volunteer opportunities that are available and get information about spreading the Democratic message. Meet other enthusiastic volunteers who are committed to taking back our country. Hear from an inspirational Democratic leader, Congressman Jerry McNerney, who is making important changes for our future. Sign up at:

http://sccdp.org/calendar2.php?action=pg_volunteer&event_id=682

Price: Free

Web: Event Web Site

Age Suitability: All Ages

At this meeting you will be able to sign up for local Democratic volunteer activities and meet other energetic Democrats in our county.

Each year the Santa Clara County Democratic Party is responsible for helping to get out the vote in our county. This effort is possible through the many volunteers that join with us with their time and energy.

This year we are hosting a "Call to Action" as an introduction to the many volunteer activities in our area. Especially exciting is that San Jose will be hosting the CA Democratic Convention at the end of March, and of course we will need volunteers to help us with this important event.

Join us at our "Call to Action" (Santa Clara County Government Center, 70 West Hedding, Cafeteria) as we organize to take back the White House in 2008. Lite refreshments will be served.

March 7, 2008- Meeting #7

It was a very nice day outside, so the Caucus met outside the MLK Library to discuss volunteer opportunities for the State Democratic Party Convention at the San Jose Convention Center.

March 4, 2008-Primary Watch Party

The Caucus invited students to enjoy some popcorn and watch the results of the Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

February 29, 2008- Meeting #6

The DCSJSU discussed the "Young & In Politics" event; what went well, what could have been done better in regards to planning, etc.

The discussion also included an update from the SQE and Tuition Relief Now; both made impressive advancements in a single month.

The Caucus also endorsed Ash Kalra for San Jose City Council, as well as Otto Lee for Santa Clara Board of Supervisors.

February 27, 2008- Young & In Politics

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

Interested in working in politics? Want to get to know young political professionals? Want to get involved? Want to hear how they got involved? Please come and meet young staffers who work with State Assemblymembers, State Senators, City Hall staff and political campaigns. They're diverse, young and ready to share their experiences and help others get involved to change the world. Please come and enjoy an evening with other politically invovled young adults!

CONFIRMED guests:
Darcie Green- Office of Assemblymember Joe Coto
Alex Kobayashi-Office of Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (SJSU Alum)
Julie Lind-Office of Senator Ellen Corbett (SJSU Alum)
Javier Gonzalez-Office of Senator Elaine Alquist
Anthony Drummond-Chief of Staff to Councilmember Forrest Williams (SJSU Alum)
Justin Carvalho-Campaign Organizer, Otto Lee for Supervisor
Marisol Miranda-Campaign Manager, Ash Kalra for City Council, District 2

February 11, 2008- CFA/SQE Meeting

Today marks the first collaborative effort with the California Faculty Association(CFA), The Democratic Caucus, Tuition Relief Now, and other campus organizations. This coalition of organizations, known as "Students for Quality Education"(SQE), would raise student awareness of the $312.9 million CSU budget cuts by:

-Having students signing letters to members of the Senate and Assmembly Budget Committees.
-Calling their offices frequently to jam the phone lines.
-Holding Rallies
-Issuing arm bands
-Putting together a benefit concert
-Other forms of student outreach.

Building the coalition will be an ongoing process.

February 8, 2008- Meeting

The Caucus began discussing serious efforts to try to appeal to Associated Students in regards to the inconsistancies of SJSU venue and events policies. The proposed committee, the Venue Reformation Committee, would be formed as a forum with the Student Government in addressing these policies.

In addition, the Caucus voted to endorse the efforts of Tuition Relief Now, a student volunteer-led organization dedicated to putting a measure on the California November ballot that would freeze tuition hikes for 5 years. The endorsement came after a unanimous vote by the members.

Also, the office of "Historian" was created by President Bronstein in order for the Caucus to archive past events with photographs. Andrae Macapinlac was unanimously elected to the position.

February 3, 2008- Rally with Michelle Obama at San Jose State

In what is quite possibly the most successful event that has been hosted by the Democratic Caucus of SJSU(so far), Michelle Obama spoke at the Barret Ballroom of the San Jose State Student Union.

DCSJSU President, Sarah Bronstein, delivered the opening remarks*. She emphasized how much the Obama campaign has galvanized young people and has energized new voters into working for change. 2008 will definitely be the year of political involvement on campuses across the country.
San Francisco District Attorney and Co-Chair of the Obama California Campaign Kamala Harris spoke briefly, and introduced Rep. Anna Eshoo(D-Palo Alto).

Many of the DCSJSU members were actually on stage with Mrs. Obama to show the diverse demographic of San Jose.
The event also attracted many politicos from the San Jose area, including former San Jose Mayor Tom McEnerey, Councilmembers Forrest Williams and Pierluigi Oliverio, and Tony West.

A truly incredible event.
*Check out the "Videos" section of the page.
Photos: Courtesy of Steve Rhodes.

February 2, 2008- Obama Campaign Town Hall with Rep. Zoe Lofgren and Sen. John Kerry.

In the one of the last major events of the presidential campaign in California before the primary, the Mexican Heritage Plaza was flooded with enthusiastic Obama supporters.

The event was officially sponsored by the Obama campaign, and featured an impressive list of guest speakers including State Sen. Elaine Alquist, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, and 2004 Democratic Presidential nominee Sen. John F. Kerry.
The event was a town hall-style gathering, as John Kerry answered questions from the audience about important issues such as education, free trade, American troops in Iraq, and why he's supporting Barack Obama.

The number of young people in attendence really lowered the mean age of the audience, but many baby-boomers and senior citizens demonstrated that they too are excited of the prospesct of an Obama Presidency.

A dozen or so members made their prescence known with shouts of "Si Se Puede", and "Yes We Can" and "Obama '08!" carrying from all the way outside the building.

(Photos Courtesy of Ms. Erica Schaefer...who rocks!)

February 1, 2008- Hillary Clinton in San Jose

Despite an endorsement of Barack Obama, many club members attended Hillary Clinton's San Jose rally at the McEnerey Convention Center. More than 8,000 attended; a very exciting time for San Jose, since the Bay Area is often overlooked by Presidential candidates.

January 31, 2008- The CNN California Democratic Debate Watching Party

Held at the RAC room in the Campus Village, turnout for the debate viewing was decent; more than 20 people(including non-members) showed up to listen to Senators Obama and Clinton make there cases before the February 5 California Primary.

Those in attendence gave positive feedback towards both Clinton and Obama's performances.

The high turnout for this event was especially encouraging.

January 31, 2008- A Discussion with Richard Danzig

Richard J. Danzig is a lawyer who served as the 71st Secretary of the Navy under President Bill Clinton. He is currently an advisor to Senator Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

Danzig gave intimate details of what it is like to be involved in a presidential primary race and how important it is for college students to get involved in the democratic process.

The event was held in Room 229 at the MLK Public Library. A dozen or so club members attended, and about 40 people showed up overall.
Danzig was very engaiging, and was able to explain that Senator Obama's foreign policy credentials have been incredibly understated by the Media, as well as the Clinton campaign.

January 30, 2008- The Organization Fair

Probably one of the more eye-catching tables at the SJSU club fair, the Club decorated its booth with posters from the Obama campaign, as well as signs from past Democratic campaigns. A bill from the 1960 campaign of John F. Kennedy, in a way, recaptured the spirit of the excitement and student involvement not seen on college campuses since the '60s.It had looked as though Martha Stewart was campaigning for Robert F. Kennedy at the campus of UC Berkeley in 1968. Well, not really.

Even students not inclined to participate in politics could not resist passing by the alure of hot chocolate and cookies with "Vote 2008", which club members offered to passing students.

The Club was able to get over 20 students to sign up for membership.

Overall, raising visibility of the club and recruiting new members was a success.

Janruary 25, 2008- The Third Meeting of The Year

In the third general DCSJSU meeting of the academic year, the club made two very important decisions.

The first was the endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President. It is a rare occurance that college students are particularly enthusiastic about a presidential candidates; Barack Obama is truly one in a million. The vote to endorse was almost unanimous, a clear indicator of the excitement over his candidacy.
The Club decided that John Edwards was no longer considered a viable candidate. As a result, neither Hillary nor Edwards was to have any signs or campaign literature at the Organization Fair the following week.

The second decision was to increase student lobbying efforts in regards to the rules at student-led events. The administration has too many contradictory rules regarding bringing food to events, as well as a general incompetence enforcing these rules. Club President Sarah Bronstein urged the club to raise awareness of the matter, and to begin talks with other campus organizations to try to bring the Adminitration and Associated Students to the negotiating table.

The main purpose of the meeting was to schedule which members were to table at which hours. The organization fair would be on the following Wednesday, the 30th.

A short, but glorious, Introduction.

Greetings. My name is Andrae Macapinlac. I am the Historian of the Democratic Caucus of San Jose State University.

This blog is set up as a sort of archive for our club's activities, as well as a journal of what went on at these activities.

I hope you enjoy your stay!