Democrats Rally, Look to Election

Showcasing their own lineup for this fall’s election and looking to energize the party faithful, Valley Democrats held an old-fashioned grass-roots rally Sunday.

State Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl of Santa Monica and City Council member Richard Alarcon were among those who spoke to about 100 supporters at the event, held at the Machinists Union Hall. They not only bashed Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole’s proposed 15% tax cut, but urged party regulars to get out and register more Americans to vote.

“I think people might have been a little bit complacent because they thought the president was a shoo- in,” said Wayne Fisher, head of the Democratic Party in the San Fernando Valley.

As the Republican National Convention ended in San Diego last week, polls across the nation indicated that President Clinton’s once sizable lead had shrunk. Newsweek magazine reported that Clinton’s advantage, once estimated at almost 20 points, had narrowed to just 2 points.

Kuehl promised the audience their own moment in the spotlight when the Democrats head to Chicago. “In San Diego, we got to see the bookends,” said Kuehl. “But when we open the books in Chicago, we will really see what’s inside.”

Lee Frank, a retired English teacher and a longtime volunteer with Valley Democrats, said she expected Clinton’s lead to increase after the Democratic National Convention starts in Chicago on Sunday.

“I’m not surprised by what’s happening in the polls,” Frank said. “Everybody knows that conventions generate interest and make things seem closer than they really are.”

While vendors hawked T-shirts that said, “Continue The Cure in 96,” and supporters wore buttons emblazoned with pictures of Hillary Rodham Clinton, candidates shook hands and gave brief speeches to the crowd, urging them not to take any of the races for granted.

“This is going to be a competitive election, and the Valley is key to taking back the Legislature and especially the Senate,” said Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party. “But if we don’t do our homework, we will be forced to live under Bob Dole and Jack Kemp.”

Dave Cochran, a candidate for a seat in the California Assembly’s 36th District, said voters needed to be reminded that in addition to the presidential race, there are local offices at stake in the election.

“This issue isn’t only about Bill Clinton,” he said. “It’s also about the local congressional and Assembly races that will affect people right here in their own neighborhoods. And we are just trying to show voters in the Valley that we are the party of the working class.”

Los Angeles Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti, locked in a tight race for reelection against Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lynch, told the group that although his position is nonpartisan, “my principles in terms of doing more than just putting [people] in prison are consistent with many of the Democratic ideals.”

At a luncheon later that honored the efforts of field and office workers, the Democrats joined other groups across the country in cutting cakes to celebrate President Clinton’s 50th birthday.