Yelling and Cursing Galore as California Democrats Gather
Introduction to the Chaos
It’s not easy being a Democrat in these Trumpian times, as each day brings fresh tales of conquest and pillage. Still, despite all that, 4,000 stiff-upper-lipped partisans showed up in Anaheim over the weekend, seeking solace, inspiration and a winning way forward. As mouse-eared pilgrims plied the sidewalks outside, the party faithful — meeting several long blocks from Disneyland — engaged in their own bit of escapism and magical thinking.
The Party’s Attempt at Unity
“Joy is an act of resistance,” state party Chairman Rusty Hicks gamely suggested at a beer-and-wine reception, which opened the party’s annual three-day convention with as much conviviality as the downtrodden could muster. That’s certainly one way to cope. But the weekend gathering wasn’t all hand-wringing and liquid refreshment. There were workshops on top of workshops, caucus meetings on top of caucus meetings, and speaker after speaker, wielding various iterations of the words “fight” and “resist” and dropping enough f-bombs to blow decorum and restraint clear to kingdom come.
Attacks on Trump
President Trump — the devil himself, to those roiling inside the hall — was derided as a “punk,” “the orange oligarch,” a small-fisted bully, the “thing that sits in the White House” and assorted unprintable epithets. “My fellow Golden State Democrats, we are the party of FDR and JFK, of Pat Brown and the incomparable Nancy Pelosi,” said a not-so-mild-mannered Sen. Adam Schiff. “We do not capitulate. We do not concede. California does not cower. Not now, not ever. We say to bullies, you can go f— yourself.”
The Road to Recovery
The road from political exile, many Democrats seemed to feel, is richly paved with four-letter words. Two of the party’s 2028 presidential prospects were on hand. (Another of those — Gov. Gavin Newsom — has fallen out of favor with many of his fellow California Democrats and found it best to stay away.) A highly caffeinated New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, of 25-hour filibuster fame, summoned past glories and urged Democrats to find their way back to the party’s grounding principles, then fight from there.
Calls for Change
“Are you going to go to a cocktail party with somebody who’s super rich and then pass a law that benefits them?” demanded Tim Walz, the party’s 2024 vice presidential nominee and the weekend’s keynote speaker. “[Or] are you going to work your ass off and make sure our kids get a good education?” And yet for all the cursing and swagger and bluster, there was an unmistakable air of anxiety pervading the glassy convention center. This is a party in need of repair and many, from the convention floor to the hospitality suites, acknowledged as much.
Delegate Perspectives
Alex Dersh, a 27-year-old first-time delegate from San Jose, said his young peers — “shocked by Trump’s election” — were especially eager for change. They just can’t agree, he said, on what that should be. Anita Scuri, 75, a retired Sacramento attorney attending her third or fourth convention, suggested the party needs to get back to basics by speaking plainly and focusing on people’s pocketbooks. Gary Borsos said Democrats need to stop dumbing-down their message and also quit harping on the president.
Conclusion
In the end, the California Democratic convention was a showcase of frustration, anger, and a deep desire for change. With the party still reeling from recent setbacks, it remains to be seen whether the Democrats can find a way to harness their energy and unite behind a common cause. One thing is certain, however: the road to recovery will be long and difficult, and it will require more than just cursing and yelling to get there.
FAQs
Q: What was the main focus of the California Democratic convention?
A: The main focus of the convention was to find a way forward for the party and to resist the Trump administration.
Q: Who were some of the notable speakers at the convention?
A: Notable speakers included Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Cory Booker, and Tim Walz, th
