One View: Looking forward with Michael Dukakis

Michael Dukakis, 83, former governor of Massachusetts and 1988 Democratic candidate for president, spoke recently to the Rancho Santa Fe Democratic Club where I am VP for programs. Congressman Scott Peters was there. Also Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and new husband Nathan Fletcher, a likely candidate for supervisor in 2018.

Inspired by the recent election of Donald Trump, a capacity crowd of more than 200 came to hear the Governor at a home in Fairbanks Ranch. There was palpable energy to take action. Here are some highlights.

(1) End the electoral college by a vote of the electors. California and New York already have done this, so only 30 more electors from other states would dissolve this antiquated institution without a constitutional amendment.

(2) Organize for the 2018 congressional races by having precinct captains for each of the 200,000 voting precincts in the US. Establish face-to-face contact. Have conversations.

(3) California will continue to be a model for the rest of the nation on immigration, climate change, LGBTQ equality, and more.

(4) Resist the divisive red state/blue state narrative. Uphold Democratic values and principles as best for all our citizens – a “we the people” narrative. Do not segment the electorate.

(5) In the 49th District, Republican Darrell Issa is one of the most vulnerable congressional incumbents in the country and major resources will be devoted to his TBD opponent (Col. Doug Applegate or Mike Levin) in the next campaign.

(6) The Governor opposed Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, saying he is to the right of Anton Scalia – and that the seat was stolen from the Barack Obama administration.

(7) While campaigning door-to-door in the 2012 Senate campaign of Elizabeth Warren, the Governor faced a skeptical middle-aged woman, who after a long pause said, “Well, I guess I will vote for her, but could you please ask her do something about her hair?”

June Strasberg. Del Mar said goodbye recently to June Strasberg who died March 8. She was 95. Born and raised in New Yawk City, June came to Del Mar in 1957. She and new husband Nate lived for two years in the guesthouse at the castle on Crest Road. June was active in community affairs and Del Mar politics. She was a founding member of the Unitarian Fellowship in Solana Beach. June was an original. And delightful company. She will be missed by her many friends.

-- Gordon Clanton teaches Sociology at San Diego State University. He welcomes comments at gclanton@mail.sdsu.edu.