Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photo Gallery: The 29th District Delegate Caucus, or "Oh! The Humidity!"
()
There's a primary afoot and, if reports from all over the country can be believed, voter turnout in every state has consistently exceeded expecations. That ought to come as no surprise, considering that we're still talking about it, instead of fending off the latest iteration of Swift boating. Ordinarily, by this point in the game the remaining primaries would be mere formalities, Kabuki performances held mainly to support the pretense that the people who bother voting after Super Tuesday actually matter. Because, you know, democracy and freedom and the greatest country on earth and so forth. Then we just kind of sit around until the convention, which is generally more of a coronation than an actual ratification process. With hookers. Later, the Democrats lose because good is dumb.
This year, for the first time in a generation, things might not be settled until the end of the convention. It could take bargaining and cajoling activities and actual politicking to figure this out. I saw evidence of this with my own eyes on Sunday, April 13th, when I dropped in on the 29th District's Delegate Caucus. Adam Schiff's constituents went for Obama in the Primary, and they get to send two delegates to the convention in Denver. 398 people showed up to cast their votes among nearly 30 candidates. If that sounds like a paltry number, you'd be right, until you bear in mind that in 2004, the 29th's delegates were selected by approximately 40 people. It was packed, it was busy, and it was extremely hot.
Here then, for your enjoyment, is photographic proof.
Support for LAist comes from
Love it or hate it, the upswell in participation is pretty damned inspiring. I haven't seen anything like this in my lifetime and I suspect, I might not again. It's sad that it's taken 8 years of Republican policies to inspire it, but at least it's here. Finger's crossed, it'll be enough to make sure we don't get for more years of it.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist