Posted on 04/20/2009 7:58:28 AM PDT by SmithL
In an age of Obama and Internet-savvy politics, former California Senate president pro tem John Burton doesn't own a computer.
He can recall fundraising "when you knocked on people's doors and asked them for a dollar for the Democrats."
But at 76, Burton, a passionate liberal, defender of the poor and disabled, and a famously profane and prickly political sage, is about to become the new face of the California Democratic Party.
After two other top contenders dropped election bids for state party chair, the post was all but ceded to Burton, a University of San Francisco law school graduate who served 26 years in the California Legislature and eight in Congress.
If there are doubts about where Burton is headed, ask Chris Finnie.
The little-known activist from Santa Cruz is the lone remaining challenger to Burton's quest to be elected party head at the Democrats' convention in Sacramento this weekend. Finnie said Burton told her pretty clearly what her chances were for beating him.
Finnie said he growled at her in a phone conversation, saying, "I'm going to win this thing and, if anybody doesn't like it," they could go perform some unnatural acts.
"I'm rarely speechless," Finnie said. "He wasn't teaching me any new language. It was just the sheer arrogance of the man."
Burton disputes her account. But the leader of the California Senate from 1998 to 2004 said his salty, pugnacious nature reflects a sheer determination of a man who demands action, pushes hard bargains and stands up for California's most vulnerable citizens.
"I am what I am," he said in an interview. "People would have bet a million I would never have been elected (Senate president) pro tem. I think I was very effective in protecting Democratic principles and backing them.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
California’s ‘most vulnerable citizens’ are the ones that pay taxes.
“But at 76, Burton, a passionate liberal, defender of the poor and disabled, “
(except if they are in the womb).
——waaay back when I lived in the Bay Area, John Burton (better known then as Phil’s little brother) was briefly my Congressthing—he resigned (or his staff caused him to do so), primarily because he was too stoned to function by early morning-—
Oh crap. Just what we need another round Burton follies. Lord wasn’t Willy and John’s brother more than evnough for us poor suffering souls?
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