Health, reproductive rights, racial justice and housing were some of the strongest issues discussed at the party’s California state convention.
Among the thousands of Democrats gathered at the party’s California state convention there are questions about the re-election of President Joe Biden, but optimism prevails that they will retain the White House in 2024.
“Biden is a bit old. He worries me a little bit,” said Lusa Kiara González, who is at the California Democratic Party Convention promoting the formation of a fund for health equity and racial justice, the Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund.
González would prefer the Republican nominee to be Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who announced his candidacy for the party’s nomination a few days ago. But he believes that 2024 will be similar to 2020.
“I think it will be Biden against Trump again and I hope Biden prevails because Trump, for me as a Latina and a queer woman, definitely does not represent my values.”
For Maggie Sisco, who was at the convention on behalf of the National Union of Health Professionals (NUHW) and the organization Healthy California Now, it makes no difference which Republican nominee will be.
She’s also not entirely sure Biden is closed to the nomination, but not because of age, which “was once an issue” in the last election cycle.
“I don’t know if it will necessarily have an impact on his ability to govern, because he has surrounded himself with smart people and he seems to be in his right mind right now,” the Democrat said. “I hope it stays that way.”
The convention’s motto is “Don’t Agony, Organize” and the delegates who attended reflect the breadth of the party and of California, from the youngest to the oldest and with enormous ethnic and religious diversity.
Health, reproductive rights, racial justice and housing are some of the hottest issues being debated at an event attended by several party leaders and elected officials, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for like-minded people to connect and have productive conversations about how to keep our state at the forefront of progress,” said Maggie Sisco.
But the Democrat was concerned about the approval of conservative laws in states such as Florida, Indiana or Missouri, which “are limiting education, access to healthcare and changing labor regulations to put children to work.”
Sisco also mentioned the ban on cross-dressing books and shows and the denial of attention to gender affirmation.
“It’s basically a war on children that the right is waging because they see the progressive ideals of Gen Z and millennials and they don’t want that to continue,” he said.
“These generations are much further to the left and I think the conservatives are seeing that they will become irrelevant if this continues,” he said. “That is why they try to limit access to knowledge, reduce the ability to organize and access to health.”
These were also concerns transmitted by Kiara González, who is part of these young generations.
“We’re seeing what’s happening with transgender rights and reproductive care, this is all healthcare and it’s on the cutting edge,” she said. “Being part of the ‘queer’ community and seeing my ‘trans’ friends not even being able to wear clothes that represent who they are is terrifying,” she continued. “They are taking away their rights. What are people afraid of?
It is in relation to younger voters that Angel Ruíz, a community organizer from Tulare County — whose representative in Congress is Portuguese-born Republican David Valadão — frames his doubts about the Democratic president’s re-candidate.
“Biden may be out of step with the younger ones,” he considered, noting that the party has to choose younger candidates and make use of networks like TikTok and Instagram, which is where “people go to find out.”
Ruíz, himself a millennial, argued that the problem is not so much the age of the current president as the potential lack of connection of generations with very modern issues. That would be resolved with a younger candidate, something he considers possible.
“I think Governor Newsom could try to run. What other reason would you have to run ads in Texas and Florida?” he noted. “It will appeal to California voters and to a lot of people across the United States.”
Jevon Price, another Tulare delegate, said Biden “was the right choice for what we needed him to do” but would prefer the country not have to repeat a confrontation it has already lived through and ended in attack. at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Price said DeSantis’ biggest draw was “not being Trump,” but the governor has jeopardized his chances because of the war with Disney.
Ángel Ruíz also doubts that the governor of Florida can win the Republican primaries and was confident that if Biden is confirmed, he will win against any of the Republican candidates.
Lynn Summers, a delegate from District 50 in the San Diego area, gave an even stronger point of view.
“I am very confident that the Democrats will win the White House,” he said, meaning that he does not see anyone else entering the race for the Democratic nomination and the alternatives on the other side are impossible.
“The problem with the Republican Party [partido republicano] it is that it is too extremist, and our country is not extremist,” he said.
Summers said he hoped Biden’s age was not an issue, noting his own vitality at 60. “I see Biden as very productive, very concise, I feel comfortable with his age,” she said. “Age is just a number.”
An armed Democrat with a son in the military and an active member of the church, Summers praised Vice President Kamala Harris and predicted an overall victory next year: “I think the Democrats are going to take back the House of Representatives. get a full scan.”
The California Democratic Party convention runs in Los Angeles through May 28 and will honor former House Democrats Nancy Pelosi, who will be one of the keynote speakers at the event.
Source: Observadora
