MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As the 2012 campaigns commence, Bay Area Democrats is committed to developing a strong network of voters, community leaders, business professionals, and residents.  It is through our network that we hope to build support and raise crucial funds for the important campaigns facing us this cycle. With the President kicking off his re-election campaign in San Francisco tonight, I am looking forward to working with every one of you to ensure we support his candidacy, along with other important Democratic races nationwide.

I hope you will take a look at our events bar and choose to support the many worthy candidates who will be visiting us over the next several weeks.  These are excellent opportunities to engage with our nation’s leaders and join the dialogue on local and national political issues.  For more information, don’t hesitate to call or email.

There is no better time than right now to join Bay Area Democrats.  For more information on our membership options, please visit our website at www.bayareadems.org.

Best regards,

Marjan Philhour
Executive Director, Bay Area Democrats
381 Bush St., Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-692-3556

2012 ISSUE SPOTLIGHT
Over the past two weeks there has been a Republican push to completely defund Planned Parenthood on the grounds that the organization is expendable and a waste of money.  While the argument for this stance is obscured by the pretext of balancing the budget, there is good reason to be concerned that Republicans have chosen to ignite this debate.  If Republicans choose to run on this anti-Planned Parenthood stance in 2012, the health and wellbeing of millions of American women will be in serious jeopardy.

Republicans have chosen to politicize women’s health for the purpose of gaining power by exploiting the common misconception that Planned Parenthood is an enabler of indiscriminate abortions.  In reality, the organization provides a wide range of affordable, non-abortion related, services that have been shown to take a tremendous strain off of the country’s already overburdened healthcare system.  A study done by the Guttmacher Institute found that taxpayers save nearly $4 for every $1 invested in family planning programs due to the prevention of more serious medical conditions.

President Obama and Congressional leaders were able to rebuff Republican attempts to defund Planned Parenthood this past week, but political analysts agree that similar efforts will surface in the coming months.  With this issue looming as a possible focal point in the upcoming elections, it is especially important that Democrats have a strong showing in 2012.  The continued funding of organizations like Planned Parenthood will not only improve the wellbeing of millions of American women, but it will help reduce healthcare costs by preventing conditions that would comparatively be very expensive to treat.

SENATOR JON TESTER (D-MT)
As the 2012 Senate elections approach closer, there are still very few races that are set in stone.  In many states it is simply not clear which candidates will win the primary, or in some cases which candidates will be running at all.  Montana, however, is almost assured to see a tight contest between incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester and current Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg.  A recent poll performed by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research has shown the two men in a dead heat for the upcoming election.  Senator Tester will be campaigning on his record of government reform and education prioritization, while Rehberg’s record is typified by strong opposition to both environmental reforms and LGBT equality efforts.  Many analysts have pegged this race as one of the most competitive in the upcoming cycle, and one that will garner nationwide attention.  Montana has a history of electing Democratic Senators, but the state typically leans Republican when it comes to presidential voting and the voting dynamic is very complex.  While both candidates enjoy nearly unanimous support of their respective parties, Montana is home to one of the largest contingents of independent voters in the country.  It is this block of independents who will ultimately decide the outcome of this contest.

SENATOR BOXER’S WOMEN MAKING HISTORY LUNCHEON
On March 23rd, Bay Area Democrats was thrilled to be a part of Senator Barbara Boxer’s Women Making History Luncheon Celebrating Women Breaking Barriers at the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco.  The event honored California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Jane Morrison, and Susie Tompkins Buell for their accomplishments in California Politics.  We were glad to see many BAD members among those in attendance, and want to thank all who contributed to make this event a success.

DSCC LUNCHEON
Bay Area Democrats was pleased to be among those hosting Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for a luncheon benefitting the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on March 24th in San Francisco.  The event was a great success, and afforded the opportunity to BAD members to meet and discuss with some of the top leaders in the Democratic Party.  Having three party leaders in the same room was a rare opportunity for BAD members, and the event was enjoyed by those who attended.

CONFERENCE CALL WITH GAVIN NEWSOM AND JIM MESSINA
On April 5th, Bay Area Democrats members were given the opportunity to participate in a conference call with California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, and Obama campaign manager-in-waiting Jim Messina.  The call was hosted at the offices of BAD board member Scott Smith, and the discussion centered on LGBT issues in the year ahead, including the repeal of past policies like Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act.  Gavin Newsom spoke about the importance of the LGBT community in the upcoming election, and the Obama Administration’s leading role in championing Gay Rights Issues.  Conversation also centered on the topic that the Obama Administration has appointed more openly gay officials than any other administration in American history.  This event is among the many opportunities BAD has been able to offer to our members free of charge, and represents the great value of maintaining an active membership with our organization.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Meet and Greet with Bill de Blasio (D-NY)

Date: April 21
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: San Francisco

Reception with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

Date: April 26
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location: San Francisco

Cocktails & Conversation with Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)

Date: April 26
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Location: San Francisco

Breakfast Reception with Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)*

Date: April 26
Time: 8:30am
Location: San Francisco
*Please note that space is limited for this event.

For more information on these upcoming events, please contact Bay Area Democrats at (415) 692-3556.