Politics for one and all

Barbara Diamond

Four concerned Laguna Beach moms gave birth last spring to One ’04

All, a grass-roots political movement that has far exceeded its

expectations.

“My three friends -- Robin Rounaghi, Brendy Michael and Lisa Black

-- and I formed this group out of our concern about the leadership of

our country by the current administration,” Barbara McMurray said.

“We decided that taking action, however small, would feel better

than worrying and gnashing our teeth.”

All ’04 One started in April, with a three-pronged strategy:

fundraising for whatever candidate opposed President George Bush,

public education through a locally produced newsletter and website,

and a letter-writing campaign.

“Back in March when we were all sitting around a table in Brendy’s

kitchen and squawking, it was pretty much ‘anybody but Bush,’”

McMurray said. “We really thought it was going to be [Howard] Dean,

but it turned out to be [John] Kerry and I think he was the best

choice.”

All four women gave up high-powered careers to be stay-at-home

moms. Rounaghi was a practicing attorney. Michael and Black were in

advertising. McMurray was a marketing specialist. They pooled their

considerable talents to express their outrage at current polices that

they believe threaten the future of children around the world and to

waken others to take action.

“We are mostly new to political advocacy, but we think this is a

momentous election and a critical time for our future,” McMurray

said. “We formed All ’04 One because we can no longer afford to be

politically uninvolved. We are proud of our country and want to take

pride in the leadership of our country.

“We want to set an example for our children by taking charge of

our future. Having children has given me a sense of a stake in the

future,” she said

The first newsletter was produced in May.

“That was really Robin’s baby,” Michael said. “Without her energy,

it would never have happened.” Fundraising began with the successful

Cocktails for Kerry June 26 at Villa Villagio, continued with All “04

One house parties and concluded when the Democratic convention was

held in mid-July.

“We raised almost $33,000,” McMurray said. “Post convention, we

felt we couldn’t call ourselves nonpartisan and raise funds for the

Democratic candidate.”

The group then focused on a letter-writing campaign, aimed at

single mothers in swing states. Addresses of the target group were

obtained from Mainstreet Moms Opposed to Bush, head-quartered in

Northern California.

McMurray estimates that more than 1,500 All ’04 One letters have

been sent to date. Many of the letter writers are Republicans,

dissatisfied with the current administration’s interpretation of the

party, McMurray said.

The deadline for letter-writing parties is Sept. 20.

“We have sample letters and some people ‘riff’ on that, but we

encourage a personal touch,” McMurray said. “My letters always begin,

‘I am the mother of two children ... ‘“

McMurray has personally written 15 letters, each to a different

person.

All ’04 One provides packets for the letter-writing parties that

include stationary, a sample letter, registration forms appropriate

for the state of the recipient and stamped, pre-addressed envelopes

to mail the form.

“We are good customers of the post office,” McMurray said.

Donations of 37 cent stamps would be welcomed.

“I am so humbled by what has happened,” Michael said. “This has

really taken on a life of its own.”

For more information about attending or hosting a letter-writing

party, visit website www.all04one.com or e-mail all04one@cox.net.

CITY ELECTION

A fund-raiser for incumbent City Council candidate Cheryl Kinsman

will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at the home of Toni and Jane

Ciabattoni, the former home of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson.

Reservation are suggested.

This will be the second fund-raiser for Kinsman, billed as “A

Candid Conversation with the Mayor.” Admission is $75.

The evening also will include pizzas from the Ciabattoni’s wood

burning oven and beverages.

For more information about the fundraiser, call (949) 499-8000.

For more information about Kinsman’s policies and proposed programs,

visit website https://www.lovelaguna

beach.com.

Village Laguna will sponsor a candidate forum at 7 p.m., Sept. 20

in the City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave.

The forum will be televised, according to Arnold Hano. Village

Laguna President Ginger Osborne will moderate.

The three City Council candidates will be invited to attend. A

panel of media representatives has been asked to pose questions of

issues of interest to Village Laguna. .

* Contributions to ELECTION ’04 NOTEBOOK are welcomed. Write to

Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; hand-deliver to

384 Forest Ave., Suite 22; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 8979.