HomeVolunteers In Politics: The History of The California Democratic Council ('53-'74)
By Dr. R. Fred Kugler, CDC Historian
This essay from the mid-1970s was published as part of the CDC's 50th anniversary celebration.
1953
January--State Senator George Miller Jr., Democratic Party State Chairman, called the Asilomar Conference to discuss, "What's wrong with the Democratic Party?" Participants put the blame on disunity, partially caused by Republicans cross-filing in primaries, lack of principled candidates, and other reasons. The conference formulated a liberal platform of state and national issues, then gave birth to the idea of an independent council of Democratic clubs with party leaders working together in such activities as making pre-primary endorsements of candidates.
November--First CDC State Convention wrote a constitution providing for a grassroots Democratic organization, Alan Cranston, first CDC President, told the delegates that the country was challenged to develop policies capable of meeting human needs and "to achieve secure and lasting peace." Young Democrats affiliated with CDC.
1954
February--CDC held first pre-primary endorsing convention.
June--With help of "DEM" on ballot, Democratic candidates won every primary for state and congressional offices, defeating numerous Republican cross-filers who had previously won numerous Democratic primaries.
November--General election resulted in Democrats picking up six Assembly and five Senate seats, most significant of which was the victory of Richard Richards for the L. A. County position. He had been endorsed by the L. A. County CDC pre-primary convention.
1955
March--CDC Convention adopted the following policies: (1) support of United Nations, (2) disclosure of all campaign contributions, (3) civil rights legislation, (4) opposition to political (loyalty) oath, (5) taxation based on ability to pay, and (6) increased funding for education,
1956
February--Two presidential candidates, Adlai Stevenson and Estes Kefauver, addressed the CDC Convention, and praised its members, Stevenson stated: "Your commitment, in the end, is no different than mine--to devote your energies to the furtherance of the ideals you believe to be right," (N. Y. Times, 2/4/56)
1957
March--Cranston told State Convention that CDC had organized almost five hundred Democratic clubs with 40,000 members.
December--Cranston, a candidate for state controller, resigned as CDC President. Board of Directors appointed Joseph Wyatt, CDC Secretary, as proxy.
1958
January--CDC clubs spent much of the year registering voters, and helped to increase Democratic lead over Republican registrants.
June--Just before the primary, CDC mailed its slate of endorsed candidates to voters. Most CDC endorsed candidates won their primaries.
November--Democrats won greatest victory since 1889, taking most top State offices, winning a majority of State legislative and Congressional seats. Governor Edmund "Pat" Brown and other victors gave CDC major credit for this.
1959
March--CDC Convention featured first full-blown issues conference for discussion of platform.
January to July--CDC clubs worked with other advocates of legislation to meet human needs, gaining passage of bills for Fair Employment Practices labor benefits, repeal of cross-filing law, and a halt to repressive acts.
1960
February--U, S, Senator Stuart Symington told CDC Convention: "I have never seen democracy in action any better." (L. A. Times, 2/14/60)
1961
March--Bennet Skews-Cox, head of CDC Foreign Policy Committee, sent to President Kennedy, the Committee's background material. The President replied:"I have always regarded the California Democratic Council as one of the United States' most important centers of citizens' participation in public affairs," (Original letter in John P. Kennedy Library.) CDC Convention predicted that the People's Republic of China will eventually be admitted into the United Nations. Delegates elected Tom Carvey as 3rd CDC President.
1962
November--Voters re-elect Governor Brown and Democratic legislature. Richard Nixon lost by almost 300,000 votes to Brown, in spite of his Watergate-like tactics, Nixon's Committee for the Preservation of the Democratic Party-- a secret front organization--failed to defeat Brown by smearing his CDC supporters for their resolutions favoring peaceful relations with China and also for calling for the abolition of the House Un-American Activities Committee. (See Congressional Record, 5/7/73, p. 8377)
1963
March--While supporting President Kennedy's progressive proposals, delegates at the CDC convention opposed his air-raid shelter program. The Convention took the position that the U.S. should emphasize steps to reduce world tensions rather than the opposite. (Later, the Kennedy Administration de-emphasized the shelter program, and moved toward arms control.)
November--CDC Board asked the President to appoint Mexican-Americans to meaningful posts in the government.
1964
February--CDC Convention called for the neutralization of Vietnam. The delegates asked for the seating of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party delegates at the Democratic National Convention.
1965
CDC was the first Democratic body to take a strong anti-Vietnam war stand.
March--CDC Convention called for a political settlement of the Vietnam war, and criticized President Johnson's efforts to win a military victory. Delegates elected Simon Casady as the 4th CDC President.
1966
February--CDC Convention contributed thousands of dollars to Farm Workers Union led by Cesar Chavez. The Convention called for joint Congressional committee to determine if the CIA was "exceeding its authorized role of gathering information." Gerald Hill elected as 5th CDC President.
1967
March--CDC went on record and then worked for the eighteen-year-old vote.
April--President Hill appointed members of the Labor Liaison Committee. (Later, this committee elected Paul Perlin as its chairperson.)
September--Board of Directors, in compliance with the March Convention decision, called a special convention in Long Beach as the result of the Johnson Administration's failure to get out of Vietnam. The delegates called for a reduction of military expenditures, and the reordering of national priorities; they demanded more funds for urban areas and consideration for the rights of all the people. The Convention kicked off a campaign to run a Peace and Equality slate of delegates in the California presidential primary.
November--Gerald Hill, Allard Lowenstein of New York, and others persuaded Senator Eugene McCarthy to run for the presidency. Apparently, CDC's peace actions and its opposition to the Johnson Administration encouraged McCarthy. (See Albert Eisele, Almost to the Presidency. Blue Earth, Minn,: Piper, 1972, p, 278 and elsewhere.) Ray Cox, who organized the CDC Black Caucus, and Evelyn Velarde Benson, who organized the Brown Caucus, contributed to minority representation in CDC and then in the Democratic Party.
December--National Conference of Concerned Democrats led by CDC President Hill endorsed McCarthy and then launched his presidential bid.
1968
March--CDC Convention called for the "total, active support" of Senator McCarthy's presidential campaign. In his speech to the delegates, Martin Luther King commended them for supporting McCarthy, and added: "You have been standing up for peace, when it was not too popular to stand up for it... " King spoke on his decision to work for peace as part of his work for human rights. The Convention sent its policy recommendations to the Democratic Party Platform Committee. (The 1972 National Convention adopted many of CDC's proposals, particularly on foreign policy and women's rights, copying the latter plank almost word for word.) CDC delegate Ruth Ehrlich organized the CDC Women's Caucus. The Convention also advocated public ownership of those vital industries which could be operated better by the government.
March--Jo Sedita, CDC Secretary, led the successful effort to put Senator McCarthy's name first on the California primary ballot; during one night after midnight March 5, some 30,000 names were collected! Such actions raised the morale of McCarthy's workers, who scored an upset in the New Hampshire primary, winning twenty out of twenty-four delegates. This helped to bring Robert Kennedy into the presidential race and take LBJ out of it.
June--Robert Kennedy won the California primary, but McCarthy came in a close second, giving the peace vote an 88% total, with the Lynch (Johnson-Humphrey) slate receiving only 12%, Kennedy was assassinated on election night.
August--Although McCarthy lost to Humphrey at the Democratic Convention, the reformers won some issues. Out of this Convention came the McGovern Reform Commission and more representation for the unrepresented. CDC delegates at the Chicago Convention took an active part in the reform activities.
1969
April--CDC Convention added five positions to the Board of Directors, giving representation to women, youth, labor, Black and Brown caucuses. Delegates elected Assemblyman John Burton as 6th CDC President.
June--Hans Schiller, Chairperson of CDC Resolutions Committee, presented CDC's proposals to the McGovern Commission. He told the Commission that CDC's leadership on peace and reform issues "helped to prepare the climate" for the presidential candidacies of Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and George McGovern.
1970
March--CDC Convention emphasized action needed to safeguard the environment.
Mid-Summer--CDC News carried Congressman George Brown's letter of praise, which stated that CDC had influenced public policy by its leadership.
December--Board of Directors elected Ernie Hartz as interim CDC President, after John Burton resigned.
1971
April--State Convention elected Nathan Holden as 8th CDC President, Delegates cheered speeches of two members of Congress, Bella Abzug and George McGovern, who criticized Nixon's failure to end Vietnam War and take care of home needs.
November--CDC and the L. A. Democratic County Central Committee (Les River, Chairperson) co-sponsored issues conference, which recommended a progressive platform for the National Convention. The Miami convention adopted many of the CDC's recommendations, which had, in part, been made four years ago, while others (peace in Vietnam, etc.) had been made earlier--as indicated above.
1972
March--CDC Convention amended its constitution to permit endorsement of a presidential candidate, but the Convention did not avail itself of this opportunity. McGovern received 56% of the vote, but fell short of the 60% required for official endorsement, Congressman Ronald Dellums inspired the delegates with his call for a coalition of all oppressed groups-- victims of racism, injustice, sexism, exploitation, age, and others who constituted the majority of the people. Congressman Jerome Waldie stated to the delegates: "When the California Democratic Council is active, the Democratic Party has a conscience; when the California Democratic Council is inactive, the Democratic Party loses its conscience." He admitted that power-hungry office-holders had turned against CDC, because its stands on issues had embarrassed them.
July to November--CDC and Democratic clubs participated at all levels in support of the Democratic slate. CDC's local priority candidates who won included: for Congress--George Brown, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Fortney Stark, and Ed Royball; for state Assembly--Jim Keysor, Richard Allatore, and Pete Chacon.
1973
February--In the special state senatorial election, CDC helped to elect Alan Robbins. His victory regained Democratic majority in the Senate.
March--CDC Convention assembled 629 delegates, 145 alternates, and over 300 observers in L. A. "Hot Seat" dinner featured leading gubernatorial candidates answering questions of caucuses. Delegates passed a resolution calling upon Democrats to work for the election of Tom Bradley as mayor of Los Angeles.
May--L. A. voters elect Tom Bradley, who received support of broad liberal- minority-labor coalition. CDC helped also in election of Burt Pines, City Attorney, Dr. Robert Doctor, L. A. Board of Education, and Ralph Richardson, L. A. Community College Board. CDC held rally on Watergate in L. A.
June and July--CDC testified before Democratic Party Commissions in favor of a open party, affirmative action, and democratic procedures. Ms Wally Albertson, CDC Vice-President South, served on Democratic Party Charter Commission.
August--Northern CDC members help to elect Bill Lockyer in 14th Assembly District.
September--Board of Directors called for the impeachment of Nixon. Board elected Adria Garabedian as interim Vice-President North.
1974
February--Over 1000 delegates came to the CDC Convention in Sacramento. As the result of numerous strong candidates seeking endorsement, the delegates could not agree for most of the positions. Delegates commended Wilson Riles for his work as Superintendent of Education. Mayor Tom Bradley, U. S. Senator John Tunney, and State Senator George Moscone praised CDC's leadership on the issues.
June--CDC-endorsed primary candidates who won included Ed Edelman, L. A. Board of Supervisors; Nate Holden, 30th District, State Senate; Norman Mineta, San Jose Mayor and congressional candidate; and Assembly nominees, Art Torres, Betty Brennan, Julian Camacho, and others.
June 8--For the November elections, the Board of Directors gave top priority to gubernatorial nominee Edmund "Jerry" Brown and U. S. Senator Alan Cranston.
September 7--Board recognized new Asian/Pacific Caucus, and also endorsed candidates for November election recommended by the Brown Caucus. Passed resolutions for giving jobs to the unemployed, and the Board opposed the destruction of food and the waste of funds for the B-1 Bomber.
November 4--Largely as the result of Watergate, inflation, and the recession, Democrats won many electoral contests. In California, Edmund "Jerry" Brown led a long list of state victories by becoming Governor, Democrats winning five out of six state-wide constitutional offices. For the first time a Chinese-American woman, March Fong, won a state-wide race as Secretary of State, and Mervyn Dymally took the Lieutenant-Governor's post. Alan Cranston won re-election to the U. S. Senate. Democrats increased their legislative majority in Sacramento. President Nate Holden took the 30th District Senatorial seat, Ed Edelman won the 3rd District L. A. County supervisorial seat.
November 9--CDC actively participated in congressional district caucuses of all Democrats to elect delegates to the Kansas City Charter Conference. California sent the largest delegation of any state, and strongly supported affirmative action and democratic party procedures.
November 23--CDC, L. A. Democratic County Central Committee, and the State Central Committee co-sponsored a conference on political reform. The Conference also passed a resolution on economic proposals to end the recession.
December 6-8--The Kansas City Conference wrote the first constitution of a major political party, providing for an open party based on progressive principles. The Black Caucus, with support of other caucuses (Women, Latino, and Labor), as well as help from progressives, won the issue of affirmative action. Although the Conference resolution on economic policy did not touch on basic issues, it did call for immediate help for the unemployed, the poor, and other victims of the recession and inflation. CDC delegates supported the caucuses.
Thus as this history shows, in its first 22 years CDC led the Democratic Party on many issues, and, as the result of similar grassroots activity in other states, the Democratic Party has become more liberal. As the Democratic Party becomes more liberal and more responsive to the people's needs, the people will, as they have demonstrated in recent elections, not only vote Democratic but stay Democratic.
Although Watergate, inflation, and the recession have been the main factors in turning voters against the Republican Party, voters could also turn against the Democratic Party. If the people are disappointed in the record of Democratic incumbents then they might either boycott the elections or join new parties. On the other hand, if the voters become organized in CDC clubs and similar groups in other states, they can make the Democratic Party what they want it to be. When the Democratic Party really becomes a grassroots organization, it can then win popular support.
To make the Democratic Party more of a grassroots party, it must first give representation to the unrepresented--minorities, women, youth, the aged, working people, and others. CDC has given special representation to these groups within its structure, and the Democratic Party, although it has begun to do the same, has a long way to go in this direction, By giving more representation to the unrepresented, the Democratic Party will gain their loyalty and active support.
Nationally, CDC provided a model for grassroots groups in many states, These volunteers have been influential in liberalizing the Democratic Party platform and structure. The 1972 platform and the Kansas City Charter reflect this movement. If more Democrats were to join CDC and other grassroots groups, the Democratic Party could become a people's party. If this happens, the nation could truly celebrate the Bicentennial of the American Revolution in the proper spirit. Once more the people would be fighting for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is what CDC has worked for, and what it will continue to work for. That is why CDC has made history, and will, in the future, write more glorious pages in the history of humanity.
The above essay was written by past CDC Historian Dr. R. Fred Kugler in 1974 or shortly thereafter.