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ARMENIAN DEMOCRATS REJECT MIKE GATTO ENDORSEMENT
by Asbarez
Friday, November 2nd, 2012
GLENDALE-The California Armenian American Democrats (CAAD) held a
general meeting Monday, October 29, at the Pacific Park Community
Center in Glendale to discuss endorsements for the statewide
organization chartered by the California Democratic Party. Notably,
the membership overwhelmingly rejected the endorsement of Assemblyman
Mike Gatto, candidate for Assembly District 43 (AD 43) in Southern
California.
Dozens of members of CAAD crowded the room where the meeting was
being held. The importance of the meeting for the Armenian-American
community was highlighted by the number of video cameras recording
the proceedings. Allowing the cameras was approved by the executive
board, with the exception of CAAD Vice Chair, Juliet Minassian,
who voted against allowing the cameras.
Shortly after the start of the meeting, a proposal from a CAAD member
to have a special discussion on the AD 43 race was adopted. Three
individuals spoke on behalf of supporting Assemblyman and two spoke
against.
The first of three speakers for Gatto, a member of CAAD, was not sure
in which district Gatto was running and then mistakenly stated that
he is running against another Democrat, thus making it a difficult
decision.
The second speaker supporting endorsement, a former Gatto employee,
listed, in general terms, how the Assemblyman had been helpful to
the large Armenian-American community in his district.
The third speaker in favor of endorsement, Stacey Brenner, Gatto's
fundraiser, also discussed with broad generalities why he should be
endorsed. She had not stated initially her role with the Gatto campaign
until a point for clarification was raised from the membership.
Opposed to the endorsement were two speakers who expressed general
and specific reservations about the endorsement and its wisdom. One
speaker focused on his personal experience with organizing a college
fair for high school students with the All-Armenian Student Association
(All-ASA) where Gatto had promised to be present but failed to show.
Gatto received far less than the 35 required votes to win CAAD's
endorsement. The subsequent vote rejecting an endorsement of Gatto
had the concurrence of over 70% of the membership - a blow to an
incumbent Democratic candidate.
Failing to garner the endorsement of the two main Armenian-American
Democratic organizations - CAAD and the Southern California Armenian
Democrats - is sure to hurt Gatto in a district with a strong
Armenian-American population.
Minutes after the Gatto endorsement vote, the meeting was abruptly
adjourned by CAAD Chair Caro Avanessian at the suggestion of Vice
Chair Minassian although members had expressed the desire to continue
discussion on various topics. No explanation was given why the meeting
was ended.
Despite the resounding objection to endorsing Gatto, CAAD Chair
Avanessian posted his personal opinions on the group's facebook
page, praising Gatto and referring ambiguously to "the same group
who unknowingly time after time vote against their own and Armenian
community [sic] interest..." It was not clear whether Avanessian was
suggesting that he knows what is in the best interest of the Armenian
community and of the people who voted against the Gatto endorsement
or what group he was talking about.
Having represented the Assembly district with the largest
Armenian-American population the last two years, Gatto has not received
the endorsement of any major Armenian-American organization during
his reelection campaign.
According to its Web site, the "California Armenian-American Democrats
(CAAD) is an independent, chartered organization of California's
Democratic Party, formed: to provide a vehicle for systematic
participation in our Party's decisions and direction; to urge our
community to participate in Democratic policies, thereby enhancing
our political and social well-being; and to cultivate new leadership
committed to working within the state's Democratic Party."
Election Day is November 6.
From: Baghdasarian
by Asbarez
Friday, November 2nd, 2012
GLENDALE-The California Armenian American Democrats (CAAD) held a
general meeting Monday, October 29, at the Pacific Park Community
Center in Glendale to discuss endorsements for the statewide
organization chartered by the California Democratic Party. Notably,
the membership overwhelmingly rejected the endorsement of Assemblyman
Mike Gatto, candidate for Assembly District 43 (AD 43) in Southern
California.
Dozens of members of CAAD crowded the room where the meeting was
being held. The importance of the meeting for the Armenian-American
community was highlighted by the number of video cameras recording
the proceedings. Allowing the cameras was approved by the executive
board, with the exception of CAAD Vice Chair, Juliet Minassian,
who voted against allowing the cameras.
Shortly after the start of the meeting, a proposal from a CAAD member
to have a special discussion on the AD 43 race was adopted. Three
individuals spoke on behalf of supporting Assemblyman and two spoke
against.
The first of three speakers for Gatto, a member of CAAD, was not sure
in which district Gatto was running and then mistakenly stated that
he is running against another Democrat, thus making it a difficult
decision.
The second speaker supporting endorsement, a former Gatto employee,
listed, in general terms, how the Assemblyman had been helpful to
the large Armenian-American community in his district.
The third speaker in favor of endorsement, Stacey Brenner, Gatto's
fundraiser, also discussed with broad generalities why he should be
endorsed. She had not stated initially her role with the Gatto campaign
until a point for clarification was raised from the membership.
Opposed to the endorsement were two speakers who expressed general
and specific reservations about the endorsement and its wisdom. One
speaker focused on his personal experience with organizing a college
fair for high school students with the All-Armenian Student Association
(All-ASA) where Gatto had promised to be present but failed to show.
Gatto received far less than the 35 required votes to win CAAD's
endorsement. The subsequent vote rejecting an endorsement of Gatto
had the concurrence of over 70% of the membership - a blow to an
incumbent Democratic candidate.
Failing to garner the endorsement of the two main Armenian-American
Democratic organizations - CAAD and the Southern California Armenian
Democrats - is sure to hurt Gatto in a district with a strong
Armenian-American population.
Minutes after the Gatto endorsement vote, the meeting was abruptly
adjourned by CAAD Chair Caro Avanessian at the suggestion of Vice
Chair Minassian although members had expressed the desire to continue
discussion on various topics. No explanation was given why the meeting
was ended.
Despite the resounding objection to endorsing Gatto, CAAD Chair
Avanessian posted his personal opinions on the group's facebook
page, praising Gatto and referring ambiguously to "the same group
who unknowingly time after time vote against their own and Armenian
community [sic] interest..." It was not clear whether Avanessian was
suggesting that he knows what is in the best interest of the Armenian
community and of the people who voted against the Gatto endorsement
or what group he was talking about.
Having represented the Assembly district with the largest
Armenian-American population the last two years, Gatto has not received
the endorsement of any major Armenian-American organization during
his reelection campaign.
According to its Web site, the "California Armenian-American Democrats
(CAAD) is an independent, chartered organization of California's
Democratic Party, formed: to provide a vehicle for systematic
participation in our Party's decisions and direction; to urge our
community to participate in Democratic policies, thereby enhancing
our political and social well-being; and to cultivate new leadership
committed to working within the state's Democratic Party."
Election Day is November 6.
From: Baghdasarian