[Cal Dems] January 27 Digest: Mockus and more!

[Molly Green]

CAL DEMS Email Digest for January 27, 2008

Hey guys.  I hope you all had a wonderful first week of classes…and now
that we’re back in the swing of things, I also hope all of you can make
out to our meeting on Thursday.  We’re having a mock-caucus and I can
promise nothing but awesome-ness.

Happy Birthday to Catherine Moore, Alex Christensen, Jason Overman,  Sarah
Prochaska-Saglio, Deena Abuyounes,  and Zachary Morris from the Cal Dems. 
Have a great one!

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CAL DEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

- General Meeting, 7pm Thursday, 101 Wurster
This week we’ll be having our epic Mockus…the mock caucus.  Wear all your
candidate swag and get ready to support your favorite candidate, whoever
it may be.  If you don’t know how a caucus works, no worries, we’ll have
everything laid out for you…all we need is you and your vote!

-PVC, Wednesday 7 pm, 115 Barrows
Morgan says that this week’s meeting will be focused on the primary and
the propositions.  If you’re interested in being more involved in Cal
Dems, this is the place for you!

-Dues
Sarah S. wants all y’all to bring $10 for dues to the next meeting…so do it!

-Smart Ass
The deadline for the upcoming Smart Ass is Febuary 11.  Read commentary on
the primary and what the nation can expect heading into election’08 in the
upcoming issue…you can pick one up at the Cal Dems table.
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PROGRESSIVE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"Remember, freedom is always taken, never given."    — Scott Adams.
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PROGRESSIVE EVENTS:

-Hillary Clinton Event, Feb. 1 7pm, Orpheum Theater, San Francisco
Join us for an exciting evening with Senator Hillary
Clinton on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 7PM at the Orpheum Theatre -- 4
days before the February 5th primary!  The Orpheum Theater is at 1192
Market Street, San Francisco.

If you are still on the fence, this is a great opportunity to hear
Senator Clinton in person to experience her leadership and vision for
America up close.  If you already are supporting the Clinton campaign,
we need your attendance at this event and your financial support to win
this campaign!

We hope to see you on Feb. 1 if you can make it!  Please purchase
tickets online today to reserve your seat--seats are limited!
www.hillaryclinton.com/NorCal
Please select "Laurie Littlepage" or "Steve Tidrick" as your Host.

Seating options:
$50 per person – General Seating
$250 per person – Supporter Seating
$1,000 per person – Friend Seating
$2,300 per person – Champion Seating
FYI: Everyone attending has a seat with a view, so everyone has a good
seat.

-"Big Daddy: Jesse Unruh and the Art of Power Politics", Jan. 29, 4pm, IGS
Library
A Panel Discussion about the life and times of Jesse Unruh
with Author Bill Boyarsky

Co-sponsored by the Center on Politics and the University of California Press

Panelists:
Bill Boyarsky, Author and former columnist, Los Angeles Times
Peter Schrag, columnist, Sacramento Bee
Bill Bagley, former member, California State Assembly
Moderator: Mark Brilliant, assistant professor of history, UC-Berkeley

Revealing and frank, this highly engaging biography tells the story of an
American original, California's Big Daddy, Jesse Unruh (1922-1987), a
charismatic man whose power reached far beyond the offices he held. Unruh,
who was born into Texas sharecropper poverty, became a larger-than-life
figure and a principal architect and builder of modern California--first
as an assemblyman, then as assembly speaker, and finally, as state
treasurer. He was also a great character: a combination of intelligence,
wit, idealism, cynicism, woman-chasing vulgarity, charm, drunken excess,
and political skill all wrapped up in one big package. He dominated the
California capitol and extended his influence to Washington and Wall
Street. He was close to Lyndon Johnson and the Kennedys, but closest to
Robert Kennedy, and was in the Ambassador Hotel kitchen when Kennedy was
shot. Bill Boyarsky gives a close-up look at this extraordinary political
leader, a man who believed that politics was the art of the possible, and
his era.


For more information about the book, or to order a copy, please visit
http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10965.html




-The Next President and the Courts, Thursday Feb. 1, 7pm, Booth
Auditorium, Boalt Hall
The Institute of Governmental Studies and the Boalt Hall School of Law
Cordially invite you to the first in a series of panels and events this
semester about the political dynamics and issues affecting this year's
presendential elections:

The Next President and the Courts
Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.
Booth Auditorium, Boalt Hall School of Law
Panelists
Jesse Choper, professor of law, Boalt Hall, University of California at
Berkeley
Susan Estrich, professor of law and Political Science, University of
Southern California
William Kelley, associate professor of law, University of Notre Dame, and
former Deputy White House Counsel
Moderated by: John Yoo, professor of law, Boalt Hall, University of
California at Berkeley

"Choosing the President: Campaigning and Governing in War and Peace," is a
series of major panels and conferences examining the policy questions that
are shaping this year's presendential election debate.  This series,
cosponsored by IGS and various other schools and institutes on campus is
designed to bring the top thinkers and scholars on the major issues of our
time to campus to share their insights and to discuss how they see these
issues playing out in the context of the political environment of a
presendential campaign season.

For more information about this event or the series, please visit the
series website at
http://www.igs.berkeley.edu/events/president2008/index.html

________________________________________

Choosing the President Issue Panels, Spring Semester 2008

Wednesday, March 5 – The Economy and the Federal Budget
Co-sponsored with the Haas School of Business
7 p.m., Andersen Auditorium, Haas School of Business

Thursday, March 13 – Education
Co-sponsored with the Graduate School of Education
4 p.m., Lipman Room, Barrows Hall

Wednesday, April 2 – Immigration
4 p.m., Lipman Room, Barrows Hall

Saturday, April 12 – Covering the Digital Campaign
Co-sponsored with the Graduate School of Journalism
North Gate Hall, time TBA

Thursday, April 17 – Healthcare
Co-sponsored with the School of Public Health
4 p.m., Lipman Room, Barrows Hall


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PROGRESSIVE OPPORTUNITIES:

-Voting From Abroad
Are you or someone you know studying abroad during the February 5th
election? Now, for the first time ever, study abroad students can vote
online or by fax! All you need to do is register at www.votefromabroad.org
by January 31st, and follow the quick and easy instructions on the
website.

Another great way to stay involved with the party and other Democrats
overseas is by visiting the website www.democratsabroad.org, where you can
chat with other Democrats, share your political opinions, and even join
the group for your specific country! If you're studying abroad and feeling
wistful for domestic politics, then this is the site for you!


-Study on election systems in the Bay Area
The Survey Research Center is conducting a large study about election
systems in the Bay Area and needs your help!  150 students are needed
to help collect data in polling places during the February 5th
primary.  This data will ultimately be used to assess how lines form
at polling places and the effectiveness of various voting machines
and technologies.  Participants will need to commit to work half of
the day during the Feb. 5th primary day and attend one training the
weekend before.  For your help, you will receive, breakfast, lunch,
and a substantive gift card at the end of the day.

For more information, contact Zach at electionstudy at gmail.com or
attend one of 2 information sessions on Wednesday, January 23rd &
30th at 3pm in the Survey Research Center conference room (located on
the southwest corner of Channing Way and Bowditch St).  This is a
great opportunity to directly observe how our elections work up close
while contributing to a study that is attempts to ameliorate the
problems inherent in our electoral system.  The California Primary
will be one of the hardest fought and exciting contests happening in
the country this season and this is your opportunity to see the
action up close and personal.


-INTERNSHIP AT THE MERRILL STRATEGY GROUP

The Merrill Strategy Group is a strategic consulting firm committed to
winning campaigns and developing successful communication strategies.
We are looking for highly motivated interns to learn and sharpen
skills in strategic research, campaign development, grassroots
outreach, organizational development and more.

*Qualifications and Skills Required
Interns should have excellent writing, research and communication
skills.  Computer literacy is a must.  Campaign or government
experience is a plus.

*Flexible Hours
Scheduling can be worked out on an individual basis.  A minimum of 10
hours per week is required.  Specific dates are arranged on an
individual basis.

*Contact
Please email or fax a detailed letter of interest, resume and writing
sample to:
The Merrill Strategy Group
1936 University Ave. Suite 191
Berkeley, CA 94704
510.883.9780 phone
510.883.9783 fax
info at merrillstrategygroup.com

www.merrillstrategygroup.com


-INTERNSHIP AT BLACKROCK ASSOCIATES

Blackrock Associates (www.BlackrockOnline.com ) is seeking a Spring
Semester intern at our downtown Berkeley office.

Blackrock is a leading online political consulting firm focused on
helping Democratic political causes and non-profit organizations
succeed by fully maximizing opportunities in web marketing, online
fundraising, and online advocacy.

Spring Semester Intern
As an intern on the Blackrock online strategy team, you will be
playing a critical support role on our team as we manage client
websites, draft and blast campaign emails, and explore new ways to use
technology to engage current and potential supporters.


Ideal candidates will be college students who are considering a career
in electoral politics and/or campaigning, in particular those who are
interested in the rapidly growing field of online politics. Candidates
should be familiar with online Democratic politics and committed to
making a difference for our clients -- as we are. Strong quantitative
and communications skills are required. While not a pre-requisite,
applicants with experience in graphic design and/or web programming
will be looked on favorably.

If desired, interns will be considered for either temporary (i.e.
summer) or permanent positions with Blackrock at the conclusion of the
semester.

To apply: please send a resume, cover letter, and short writing sample
(4 page maximum) to Mike Disharoon at mike at blackrockonline.com.



-City Hall Fellowship, due February 29
City Hall Fellows spend the year after college in a prestigious, paid,
full-time position within city government and also participate in our
proprietary Civic Leadership Development Program.  In 2008-2009, Fellows
will be placed in Houston, Texas and San Francisco, California.  The
program was designed with the full support of Houston Mayor Bill White and
the office of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
City Hall Fellows' goal is to connect you -- the next generation of civic
leaders -- with the opportunity to make significant change at the
grassroots, local level of government right out of college
 In addition, preference will be given to applicants who have a
demonstrated connection to either Houston or San Francisco.  More
information and application materials and instructions are available on
our website: www.cityhallfellows.org.  Applications are due February 29,
2008.