The heckling of DNC Chair Tom Perez and the state party chair lobbing f-bombs at protesters marked the California Democratic Convention. A nurses’ union booed Mr. Perez for his lack of support for a universal health care agenda, warning corporate Democrats that they are ready to primary them (via Sacramento Bee):
State Democrats’ three-day convention had a raucous start Friday, as liberal activists booed and heckled Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez after marching from the state Capitol to promote a universal heath care program.The leader of the nurses’ union that opposed Perez’s recent election had just warned California Democrats that they would put up primary election challengers against lawmakers if they don’t support a bill to create public-funded, universal healthcare.
“They cannot be in denial anymore that this is a movement that can primary them,” RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of the California Nurses Association, told hundreds of nurses and health care advocates gathered for a rally at the Capitol.
“Vote them out,” the crowd chanted back, referring to Democrats in the Legislature wavering on whether to support their cause.
Outgoing Democratic State Party Chair John Burton took a more blunt and profane approach, telling protesters to “shut the f**k up." Burton is known for having a mouth (via The Mercury News):
John Burton, the outgoing leader of the California Democratic Party, had nothing but F-bombs and sarcasm for the protesters who disrupted the welcome reception of the California Democratic Convention Friday, calling for universal health care and chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, corporate Dems have got to go.”“That’s really very controversial. Let’s disrupt something for health-care-for-all, I mean that’s really a good f—ing way to get something done,” Burton said, later adding, “There’s some people who have been fighting for that issue before you guys were born. You ought to get on with it.”
At one point he singled out one of the many demonstrators holding a universal-health-care sign. “Put your f—ing sign down man, we’re all for it,” he said. “Jesus Christ.”
And this circus still isn’t finished. Eric Bauman was elected to become the next state party chair, narrowly beating Kimberly Ellis, who was backed by the Sanders wing of the party (via WSJ):
Delegates to the state Democratic Party convention in Sacramento chose Mr. Bauman as a successor to departing Chairman John Burton, who has been credited with helping solidify the party’s control of the state, even at a time when much of the rest of country has been awash in a sea of red.Supporters of Mr. Sanders had backed Kimberly Ellis, who had promised to reorder the party establishment and redefine what it means to be a Democrat in this deeply blue state. Mr. Bauman received 1,493 votes while Ms. Ellis got 1,431. A third candidate, Lenore Albert-Sheridan, received seven.
The problem: Ms. Ellis isn’t conceding (via AP via McClatchy):
Ellis said late Saturday her team has "serious concerns about the vote count" and has talked with a lawyer. She says "this race is not over." Ellis did not say what made her question the vote count.She lost by 62 votes out of nearly 3,000 cast to longtime party insider Eric Bauman. The result was a letdown for Ellis supporters who'd been energized by inaccurate reports on social media that she had won the race.
UPDATE: Over at Hot Air, Ed noted that Burton concluded his speech at the convention saying “f**k Donald Trump” while throwing up both middle fingers. What a clown show. He also noted that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was on that stage.
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