March 11, 2005

Evergreen Democratic Club

Craig Dunkerley discusses ‘California Clean Money Campaign’

By Tom Harney
Special to the Times

Craig Dunkerley recently spoke to the Evergreen Democratic Club about the movement underway to provide competitive public funding for candidates in California.

Craig Dunkerley

The program, called the “California Clean Money Campaign,” was enthusiastically received by the 64 members and guests at their monthly meeting March 1.

Following Dunkerley’s presentation, the members circulated and signed the “Clean Money, Fair Elections” petition to support public financing for elections in California to “end politics as usual” and to back the “reform that makes all other reforms possible.”

Dunkerley said afterwards, “It was wonderful being here. The people here at the Villages are such a great audience. It was great to see so many people with the same sort of passion for democracy that they all have.”

After Dunkerley’s presentation, club President Bob Applebaum commented, “He was an excellent speaker. Legislation for this Clean Money Campaign financing has been introduced by Berkeley Assemblywomen, Loni Han-cock, which will truly stop the stranglehold of special interests in Sacramento.”

Also on the program were videos of two Public Broadcasting System interviews with two remarkable women. The videos were “What’s ahead for Working Americans?” by Connie Rice (second cousin of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice), a civil rights attorney and co-director of the Advancement Project and Zain Salbi, the Iraqi/American Director of “Women For Women, International,” discussing the status of Iraqi women.

The next Evergreen Democratic Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 5, at 3:30 p.m. at the Foothill Center at the Villages. Refreshments will be served.

Phone Democratic Club President Bob Applebaum at (408) 238-5811 if you would like to attend.