Another view of Democratic convention

The California Democratic Party didn't expect such troubles. Not with Barack Obama winning California in November by the biggest margin by a Democrat since FDR in 1936. Not with state Republicans turning on one another in a circular firing squad. Sacramento Bee.

But as thousands of party delegates and guests convene in Sacramento today for their annual state convention, the party is splintering over the state budget crisis, cuts in social services and a slate of special election ballot initiatives intended to resolve the fiscal mess.

The last time California had a special election, core Democratic constituencies flexed their power as union members from teachers to nurses and machinists to prison guards routed Republicans and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.