First, she stood up with Representative Conyers and questioned why so many citizens - especially minority voters - were denied access to the polls this past November. Yesterday, she called Condoleeza Rice to account for some of the many falsehoods uttered by this administration. To quote our fine Senator,

"I'm disappointed and I'm frustrated, because I don't think Dr. Rice has been forthcoming in our quest for the truth. Time after time, Dr. Rice had the opportunity to set the record straight on many issues. And, on issue after issue, she failed to do so.

She failed to set the record straight on the hyped-up nuclear threat leading up to the war on Iraq; she failed to do it on the total number of trained Iraqi security forces, which is key to the Administration's exit strategy there; she failed to do it on her misstatements about Al Qaida operating in Iraq; and she failed to do it on the U.S. policy regarding torture. This last issue is the most troubling one, as it was clearly demonstrated that while Dr. Rice speaks out against torture, she actually personally intervened to kill an anti-torture provision in a recent intelligence bill."

We thank you, Senator Boxer. Don't ever back down, and don't ever stop telling the truth. And we invite all our friends and members to stay in touch with your efforts by signing your petitions and getting email updates from your Pacforachange.com.

San Francisco for Democracy heartily endorses Governor Howard Dean, M.D.'s candidacy to be chair of the Democratic National Committee. We encourage all our members and friends to write letters to the editor in support of Gov. Dean. And if you know or have worked with any of the people who actually get to vote on this, write them too. Please check www.blogforamerica.com for regular updates and information about how to get involved in this important campaign.

Our Top Ten Reasons why Governor Dean is the best candidate for the job of DNC chair:

1. He really understands the power and the promise of grassroots organizing.
2. His experience as an elected official and outstanding record as Governor of Vermont for over a decade.
3. His ability to communicate effectively with and inspire "ordinary" Americans who haven't previously been engaged in electoral politics.
4. His innovative use of Internet organizing and blogging to spark activism.
5. He's the hardest working man in politics.
6. The success of the Dean Dozens candidates and Democracy for America.
7. He'll stand firm on our core democratic values: health care for all, a healthy environment, a moral foreign policy, quality public education, economic opportunity, equal rights, reproductive freedom, fiscal responsibility, and civic participation.
8. He still draws a crowd. Almost a year after he ended his presidential campaign, people still want to hear what he has to say.
9. He's the reason the whole country is even talking about the DNC job - before him, very few people, including longtime Democrats, even knew or cared who the DNC chair was.
10. He is a proven fund-raiser.

In a bit of related news, Communications Director Stephanie Linder was quoted in the SF Chronocle yesterday...Check it out here...and Stephanie was also interviewed on 960 AM the Quake (Air America radio affiliate) today...way to go Stephanie!

EMILY’s List will be offering a series of trainings for pro-choice Democratic women in California. As the nation’s largest political donor network and political resource for pro-choice Democratic women candidates, they have initiated a program designed to recruit, train, support, and elect women to office at the state and local level. San Jose Feb. 25-26; Oakland March 18-19. For more info, click here.

In response to a suggestion from Democracy for America, San Francisco for Democracy members got together and donated phone cards containing 18,480 prepaid minutes so that wounded American soldiers stuck in VA hospitals over the holidays will be able to call their families back home. These minutes will be matched by Democracy for America, making a total of 36,960 minutes or more than 600 hours of injured vets connecting with their families over the holidays. "Support the Troops" isn't just a slogan for right-wing bumper stickers anymore.
UPDATE! Outreach Director Will Carsten's Blog For America report on distributing the cards here in San Francisco.

Each month, we recognize a SF for Democracy member for his or her volunteerism. The December Volunteer of the Month is John Trinkl. Currently, John is one of our talented web coordinators who keeps our Web site up-to-date with fresh content and timely announcements. During the primaries, John was a tireless volunteer, registering voters and coordinating canvassing. His calm, thoughtful manner and political insights are a great asset to our organization. THANK YOU JOHN!

Although you may never have heard about these reorganizing committee meetings – they only happen once every two years – they are actually the most direct and important way a Democrat can gain entry into what some have called the "insider’s game" of Assembly District politics. You get to vote for officers, as well as for delegates to the Democratic Party state convention in Los Angeles. This is your chance to participate in the Democratic Party process and make a difference for the good of our state and country.

The meetings are organized by Assembly District. San Francisco includes Assembly Districts 12 (the western part of the city, represented by Leland Yee; click here for a map) and 13 (the eastern part of the city, represented by Mark Leno; click here for a map). The reorganization meeting for District 12 will be held January 9th (details on our calendar here; see important note below) and the reorganization meeting for District 13 will be held January 8th (details on our calendar here.)

Important! To participate in the District 12 reorganization meeting, you must pre-register by December 19th. Instructions are here, and a sample registration letter (word format) is here. (There is no such pre-registration requirement for District 13; you will be able to register at the door.)

... please, for the following San Francisco for Democracy events:

• December 18th - DeanCorps planting with the SF Parks Department (details)
• January 5th - Meetup (details/RSVP)
• January 11th - San Francisco for Democracy membership meeting (details)
• January 22nd - Member/Volunteer Appreciation & Renewal Party (details)

Michael Faulkner of California for Democracy lays it out step-by-step in a Powerpoint presentation, linked from his posting on the californiafordemocracy.com website. Check it out!

"The pundits have said that this election was decided on the issue of moral values. I don't believe that. It is a moral value to provide health care. It is a moral value to educate our young people. The sense of community that comes from full participation in our Democracy is a moral value. Honesty is a moral value.

If this election had been decided on moral values, Democrats would have won. It is time for the Democratic Party to start framing the debate. We have to learn to punch our way off the ropes. We have to set the agenda..."

(Read the transcript here... or view the archived webcast in Real Media here.)

San Francisco for Democracy volunteers pitched in with KQED for their pledge drive and helped raise more than $50,000 to support public broadcasting in the Bay Area. Many thanks to all who came - it sure was a lot more fun than phoning undecided Iowa voters!