From: Dan Schneider
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 11:00 AM
Subject: CAUCUS


Dear Friends and Family –
The amount of support I have received from all of you since declaring my candidacy for District 11 Delegate has been both amazing and inspiring. I can’t thank you enough. This Sunday should be an amazing event, and I am looking forward to it with great anticipation.

Many of you have asked some very pertinent questions. Many of them I did not know the answer to, so I called the California State Democratic Headquarters yesterday. I had a great conversation with a guy named “Chris” who seemed to be on the same page as myself as to what “the spirit of the caucus” was.

Some new information has come into light as well and I hope to share what I learned as clearly -and succinctly- as possible in this email.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please ask. I have greatly enjoyed the correspondence I have had with old friends and students because of this.

Question #1
“Can I vote for you if I am not a Democrat?”
Yes. JUST SHOW UP. They can sign you in at the caucus. To quote Chris, the official I spoke to in Sacramento “Will can register anyone as a Democrat on the spot so they can vote for you, and they can change your party affiliation the next day if they wish.”

Question #2
“How long do I have to be there?”
Not long at all if you get there early. Registration begins at 2pm. At this point you can sign in, vote for me and leave. That’s it. Barring complication the guy said it should take 15 minutes. Doors officially close at 3pm. Speeches will begin at 3:15. You do not have to stay for the speeches to vote for me.

Question #3
“I have two addresses, I’m not sure which one I am registered at, how do I find out?”
If one of your addresses is in District 11, you can show up to the caucus this Sunday, register at that address and then vote for me.

Question #4
“Who are you caucusing for?”
Hillary Clinton.

Question #5
“…What?”
Yes. I am caucusing for Hillary Clinton. Let me make this simple: I want to go to the Democrat Convention in August. Hillary Clinton won California District 11 by a 65% to a 45% margin. That means that three of the four delegates from District 11 need to be “pledged” for Hillary Clinton. Therefore, my greatest chance of going to the convention is to “pledge” my support for Hillary Clinton.

Question #6
“What does it mean to be ‘pledged’? Can a delegate change their vote?”
My phone call yesterday to the California Democrat Headquarters confirmed everything I am about to type. The purpose of the National Convention is to serve as a safety net. For example if at the conclusion of the primary cycle “Candidate A” has the most delegates… but then goes on a rant about nuking Canada. Then the delegates can change their vote to “Candidate B” at the National Convention. This begs the question: What would it take to overturn the vote of the District? The answer is anything. It is up to the individual Delegate.

Question #7
“Will you change your vote?”
The National Democratic Convention this August is currently on target to be an incredibly historic one. Debates will be had, negotiations will be made and, in the end – hopefully - a compromise will have to be reached. If you trust me to make the best decisions and to represent you, the California Congressional District 11 and the United States of America to the best of my ability, then I would greatly appreciate your support and attendance this Sunday.

Question #8
“Do I have to pledge my support for Hillary Clinton to vote for you?”
Yes...“On the penalty of purgery.”… Harsh and scary language. I paused when the representative I was talking to on the phone said this. But then he added. “Look. This is an impossible conviction. How can anyone prove what anyone thinks at a given moment? Unless your supporters are wearing an Obama or a McCain shirt, we will not turn them away.” And then he added a line that I was most thankful for “The spirit of the caucus is to send representatives to the Convention who hold the most support from the citizens of their given District, regardless of who those voters actually support.”

Question #9
“I can’t be there, but good luck!”
THIS IS NOT A QUESTION. But I am turning it into one. If you can’t be there… please, please, please, just find ONE person who can be there and will support me. More than one is fine, too.

Three representatives will get to go to the convention. People attending the caucus can vote three times. I am hoping to muster some votes from other candidates’ supporters with my speech. But I would ask that if you show up to support me, that you only vote for me.

I originally thought I was only running against nine other people. The list is up to twenty people. One of the candidates is the Mayor of Pleasanton, Jennifer Hosterman. I’m running against the mayor! I support her, but I want to beat her. What an awesome opportunity! It’s all about whoever gets the most people to show up.


Qustion #10
“Where?”
IBEW Hall6250 Village ParkwayDublin, CA 94568
Sunday 4/13
2pm

So much for succinct.
Good thing I only get a minute to give my speech on Sunday.

Looking forward to it. It’s going to be fun.
ds