Democrats want community center

Contra Costa Times ^ | 10/2/5 | Lisa Vorderbrueggen

[SmithL]

People gather at community centers for theater, youth activities or to share their golden years.

Why not do the same for politics?

A group of Contra Costa County Democrats has launched an initiative to open a year-round community center devoted to their party. It appears to be the first of its kind in the state.

"We want to create a venue where individuals who are Democrats or curious independents or Republicans go and learn about Democratic core values," said Terry Leach of Lafayette, a veteran local and state Democratic Party volunteer.

"We know people often feel isolated in their political views, and this would provide an opportunity for people to get together."

Leach and her colleagues envision a lending library and speaker series, all designed to help get across the Democratic Party's message. It would also offer purely social events where like-minded people get together for coffee, dances or a movie.

In her recent work to register voters, Leach said people often ask, "Who do I sit down with to learn what it really means to be a Democrat?"

"As Democrats, we acknowledge that we haven't done a good job articulating our values," said Leach, who is also the executive director of the Rockridge Institute, a Berkeley-based progressive think tank. "We need to find ways to promote our progressive values, which are shared by vast numbers of people in this country."

The center would also serve as headquarters for the party's traditional activities, such as voter registration drives and campaigns.

"If they are successful, they could become a model for the rest of the state," said California Democratic Party spokesman Bob Mulholland.

The group hasn't settled on a location, but Leach expects the center will open in central Costa Costa County to provide access to the greatest number of the county's residents.

The center is the brainchild of Marie McDonald of Walnut Creek, a former Republican who now leads the United Democratic Campaign PAC. She and another Democrat were driving to the party's convention earlier this year when the concept surfaced.

Meanwhile, Leach said that she and others had been discussing the party's perennial quest for office space during campaigns, a need the community center would also address.

To raise funds, organizers will host a Hollywood-style gala fund-raiser Oct. 11. They estimate they will need $125,000 a year to open and staff the center.

Lisa Vorderbrueggen covers politics. Reach her at 925-945-4773 or lvorderbrueggen@cctimes.com.

• What: United Democratic Campaign PAC fund-raiser for the creation of a community center for Democrats and others interested in learning about the party's core values.

• On stage: The Hollywood-style gala will feature political satirist Will Durst, Air America affiliate QUAKE of San Francisco, New Orleans-style blues band Pure Honey, state Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, and state Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides.

• When: Oct. 11

• Where: Orinda Theatre, 4 Theatre Square

• Time: Doors open at 6 p.m.; event begins at 7 p.m.

• Cost: $15 for students and seniors; $25 general admission. (Donations of $100 to $1,000 will buy up to four tickets and better seats.)

[SmithL]

They are really desperate to find something to name after Shirek.

[Ben Mugged]

learn about Democratic core values

Core values? They are going to have lap dancers?

[frankjr]

Great, now all of the hobos and crack addicts have someplace to go and chit chat with other Democrats.

[nmh]

If I ever want to know about their nonexistent godly values, I'll look up evil, Satan, hell etc. in the Bible. I certainly wouldn't waste my time or money giving them my attention.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

"We need to find ways to promote our progressive values, which are shared by vast numbers of people in this country."

If this is true, then why the need for a "community center?"

[TN4Liberty]

"We want to create a venue where individuals who are Democrats or curious independents or Republicans go and learn about Democratic core values,"

Isn't that what prisons are for?

[Condor51]

"As Democrats, we acknowledge that we haven't done a good job articulating our values," said Leach"

Hey, yeah YOU, you stoo-pid MOONBAT, your 'message and values' are coming through LOUD & CLEAR. They are just being REJECTED.

[msnimje]

Resident of Democrat Community center walking his dog (also a Democrat voter)

[BamaGirl]

Good one!

[Bommer]

"As Democrats, we acknowledge that we haven't done a good job articulating our values," said Leach

Don't you have to have some values first before you can articulate them?

[Wuli]

"We need to find ways to promote our progressive values, which are shared by vast numbers of people in this country."

Notice how those on the left always have to add: "which are shared by vast numbers of people.....".

When that type of thing is really true, the people who know it is true find no need to say so. It is said so often on the left, precisely because it is not true.

[Reaganesque]

"As Democrats, we acknowledge that we haven't done a good job articulating our values," said Leach, who is also the executive director of the Rockridge Institute, a Berkeley-based progressive think tank. "We need to find ways to promote our progressive values, which are shared by vast numbers of people in this country."

Which is why Air America is such a run-away hit across America.

[SmithL]

It must be those half-vast values of theirs.