Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thanking the Circuit City Coalition
Make no mistake, our Circuit City boycott has made an important impact. Through our demonstrations thousands of Valley residents were alerted to the company's callous firing of loyal, hard-working employees, and as a result chose to make their purchases elsewhere. Through our combined e-mail lists we have alerted thousands more that Circuit City is undeserving of our business. Our boycott garnered newspaper and radio coverage, and caught the attention of supporters all over the state.
While it is disappointing that our efforts have not led to management hiring back these fired workers, I do not believe Circuit City won this round. Their stock is currently trading at its lowest level since 1996 - not a sign that getting rid of their best employees was a smart financial move. For our part, we now have a working coalition of labor-friendly organizations that can be called up at a moment's notice to respond to future mistreatment, and bring it to the public's attention. This protest action was a new experience for SFVYD, and we learned lessons today that will make us doubly effective tomorrow.
Recognizing that success, and recognizing that it has now been almost six months since the firings took place, I believe it is time for us to conclude our public protests and focus our energies on what lies ahead. With the '08 elections in front of us, scheduling protests and bringing out enough people will become increasingly difficult, and should not distract us from larger issues.
That being said, THIS IS NOT THE END OF OUR BOYCOTT. I, for one, will never shop at Circuit City again; their values are totally abhorrent to me, and to patronize such a company would make me part of the problem. I know from our conversations that many of you feel the same way. I will continue to educate friends and family about Circuit City's history, and not let this be forgotten. I know you will do the same. Again, thank you everyone - individuals and organizations - for joining together in this endeavor, and let us stay vigilant to protect the American Dream from those who would sell it for profit.
Best regards,
Damian Carroll Immediate Past President, SFVYD
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Poll: Young voters disenchanted with Republican party
The polls keep coming out--young people are more and more turning to the Dems!
Yesterday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on a Democracy Corps poll from the Washington firm of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner that shows that on every single issue Democrats are doing better with young people that Republicans- no matter what the issue is.
On June 27, the New York Times reported on a New York, CBS, and MTV poll which revealed that young voters favor Democrats over Republicans. The poll conducted from June 15 - 23rd showed that young Americans dramatically favor the Democratic candidates over the Republicans in the 2008 presidential election by a spread of 54 to 32. Furthermore, the poll also showed that young Americans are far more likely to agree with Democratic positions on issues. Also evident from the polling is the fact that young people are engaged early on in the 2008 election and are closely following the important issues facing our country.
Dear Editor,
While the Chronicles' recent article (Poll: Young voters disenchanted with Republican party by Carla Marinucci: 8/27/07) rightly addresses the fact that the Republican Party is at cross purposes with young voters on every single issue, it fails to ask why young voters are flocking to the Democrats in droves.
The short answer: young voters are interested in solutions, not scapegoating.
From college affordability to health care, global warming, the war in
Today, a winning campaign is one that acknowledges that young people are progressive, passionate and hardly apathetic. Consider last year's election, where young voters provided the margin of victory to 22 Democratic candidates who now proudly call themselves members of Congress. Without the engaged youth vote, Nancy Pelosi would not be Speaker of the House.
In 2004 and 2006, youth turnout increased in the largest percentages since 18- year-olds gained the right to vote. Next year, we're poised to hit the election with the force of an earthquake. We're motivated. We're energized. We're passionate about our future, inspired by the Democratic Party and its candidates. In 2008 we will continue to be the margin of victory.
Sincerely,
Tim Steed
President,
And the California Democratic Party put out this Press Memo today:
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
According to a new Democracy Corps poll from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, voters ages 18 to 29 have undergone a striking political evolution in recent years.
Unfortunately for the Republican Party, there’s not much good news in the poll’s findings – the evolution doesn’t trend the GOP’s way.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports: "‘Young Americans have become so profoundly alienated from Republican ideals on issues including the war in Iraq, global warming, same-sex marriage and illegal immigration that their defections suggest a political setback that could haunt Republicans for many generations to come,’ the poll said.
"The startling collapse of GOP support among young voters is reflected in the poll's findings that show two-thirds of young voters surveyed believe Democrats do a better job than Republicans of representing their views - even on issues Republicans once owned, such as terrorism and taxes.
"The anti-GOP shift for this generation - which is expected to reach 50 million voters, or 17 percent of the electorate, in 2008 - represents a marked contrast from their predecessors, the Gen Xers born in the mid-'60s to mid-'70s whose demographic represented the strongest Republican voters in the nation….”
Let’s compare that with the poll’s findings with respect to Democrats’ prospects, looking at the 2008 presidential race, for example:
The poll finds: “While early in the cycle, Democrats seem well poised to carry the younger cohort. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama lead Rudy Giuliani (the most acceptable of the Republican candidates among youth) among all young people; among likely voters, they lead by 15 points, 55 percent to 40 percent. They have an advantage across a diverse set of groups including independents, moderates, less and more educated voters and in every region of the country.”
Still, the California Democratic Party refuses to take the youth vote for granted, and is continually taking proactive steps to solidify support from young Californians.
For instance, the CDP is currently establishing new partnerships with the California Young Democrats and College and High School Democratic clubs to build upon the successes of 2006 among young voters. In 2006, the CDP recruited over 2000 students from 160 high schools across
It’s a tale of two parties, that’s for sure. Only time will tell which approach will pay off in the long run, but if the national and California Republican parties’ current situation are any indication, it’s not a good omen for the GOP.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Republican Leadership Out of Touch with Californians
“How does this add up? Whose priorities are these? Republicans held-up the budget for what? Certainly not to protect California’s young voters,” said California College Democrats President Nick Warshaw.
Republicans will pay at the ballot box for their contempt of students. On Election Day, young Californians will again turn out to the polls in record numbers and we will all be wishing Senate Republicans a Bon Voyage!
