Dems rally

A series of last minute rallies by Democrats to wrap up Election 2008 are being staged today to give local officials a last chance to get out the vote for Sen. Barack Obama as well as other favored candidates and issues.
State Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas received support for his bid for the Board of Supervisors at a noon City Hall rally from Democrats, even though a number of city officials who have endorsed Councilman Bernard Parks also appeared.
Leading that charge was Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Council members Eric Garcetti and Janice Hahn.
While they kept quiet about the supervisors' race, the three offered wide support for the Obama ticket as well as urging support for Proposition 1A as well as Measures R and A _ the transportation sales tax measure and the anti-gang parcel tax.
There also was vocal opposition to Proposition 8, the measure that bans same sex marriage.
The City Hall rally drew a number of state officials, including Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Assembly members Mike Feuer, Felipe Fuente and Anthony Portatino.
At 3 p.m, the mayor and others were gathering at the freeway overpass near Union Station for a rally and march in support of Measure R.
Villaraigosa campaigned in New Mexico and Nevada over the weekend for Obama and he said he is confident both states will turn Democratic this year.