cheerfulIn less gustatory news, I've spent the last two afternoons walking around my neighborhood, knocking on doors, leaving flyers, talking to people, and collecting signatures. I'm emphasizing that a) on most basic state and national policy issues that people care about, I'm solidly in the "Dean Democrat" camp (universal healthcare, fighting global warming, getting the US to follow international norms again, etc), and b) I'm interested in many technical issues that have largely not been addressed (electoral reform, property tax reform, working on a deal with other large states to end gerrymandering) because most activists aren't interested in them or don't know much about them. I figure, even if the 50-signatures rule has been dropped, it still is worth doing as a demonstration of engagement with my community. And of course I'm also encouraging everyone to come to the caucus themselves -- every Democrat has a stake in who gets put on the state central committee, which defines what it means to be a Democrat. The caucus is where the general membership of the party gets their chance to exercise some small-d democratic power. Those of you who are registered as Democrats in AD 21, please do come. And tell your friends. Heck, even if you don't live in the district, tell anyone you know who does.
The caucus is on Saturday January 13, starting at 10am (til noon or a bit later), at the Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos.
Highlight of this round of canvassing, thus far: One of the houses I stopped at, I was talking with the son of the person I actually wanted. He recently turned 18, and wasn't yet registered to vote. I've been carrying registration forms in my bag, for just such occasions. Yay for registering more Democrats!
