Meet Emanuel Pleitez, The Other Progressive Candidate Running To Replace Hilda Solis In CA-32
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When Obama nominated longtime Blue America fave Hilda Solis for a cabinet position, I got a call from another Blue America alum, Roberto Rodriguez, who had run against GOP crook Buck McKeon in a district northeast of Los Angeles in 2006. Roberto wanted to introduce me to an old friend of his who is running for Congress in CA-32, the East L.A./San Gabriel Valley district that Hilda has represented. There are three Democrats in the race and all are solid progressives: State Board of Equalization head Judy Chu, state Senator Gil Cedillo, and Roberto's friend, Emanuel Pleitez, straight off President Obama's transition team. Judy and Gil are both very well known to people who follow Los Angeles and Sacramento politics. Emanuel is well known in the district but unknown outside. We invited him to join us today so we can talk about his very DIY grassroots campaign. He'll be live at Firedoglake today between 11am and 1pm (PT).
When I spoke with Emanuel on the phone he talked more about Wilson High School, where he was a starting quarterback (and had 19 varsity letters) than about graduating from Stanford. Fellow Stanford graduates aren't going to elect anyone to office but Brown graduates are-- and El Sereno and City Terrace are his base. But even in the San Gabriel Valley segment of the district countless people-- or their parents or grandparents-- were Brown students and moved from East L.A. Emanuel was one of the founders of the Wilson Alumni Foundation.
He's the local boy in the race. Many people from outside the district don't realize that Gil Cedillo doesn't represent any of CA-32. He represents Downtown L.A. The district is over 60% Hispanic and almost 20% Asian. Hispanic elected officials from inside the district have tended to line up behind Judy and Hispanic elected officials from outside the district are behind Gil. Wilson High graduates are lining up behind Emanuel. He has a small army of volunteer staffers and his field program has been in operation for over a month. That's the only way you win low-turnout special elections.
At 26 years old, Emanuel would be the youngest member of Congress if he's elected. His playbook seems straight from Obama's campaign. He represents the new kind of Obama politics and public service. You can learn more about the campaign on his website and by speaking with him directly-- in the comments section below at FDL.
Labels: California, Emanuel Pleitez, Gil Cedillo, Hilda Solis, Judy Chu
posted by DownWithTyranny @ 10:00 AM
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16 Comments:
Emanuel Pleitez has a lot of potential. But, how come he knocked off, and pretty much copied the website of barrackobama.com ??? Can't he hire some professional designers that can create something original for him??? Judy Chu is my choice for now. The idiot that told Emanuel to make his site almost look identical to Barrack's should be fired. Now, if it was Emanuel's idea or approval, then obviously he is not a leader but an opportunist...
"Emanuel was one of the founders of the Wilson Alumni Foundation."
This statement is wrong, Emanuel was not one of the co-founders of the Wilson Alumni Foundation. That's not event the organization's name. Before you give credit on your blog you should check your facts:
www.lawilsonscholarship.com
Whats wrong for duplicating a succesful, well organized, simple to ustilize website.
Have you ever heard of why re-invent the wheel. Every successful corporation has duplicated or made revisions to things already work.
Wheels were on horse pulled wagons then, FORD used tires on there cars does that mean Toyota, Chrysler, Jeep, Honda, Hummers cant use tires.
I bet Judy Chu, and Gil Cedillo wish there site was as functional as Baracks! Wouldn't you agree?
As to given credit or not to Emanuel - If you know who started the alumni association, why not just say who did instead of playing games.
Put it out there. If you want to set the record straight then do it or you can remain a fustrated blogger.
Here is your opportunity to set the record straight and release your anxiety.
Dont knock down the owner of this blog he just the statement Emanuels office reported.
No harm no foul... Pull yourself together -Everything will be alright!
Pleitez speaks of change in very much the same way Obama did, without any specific plans. I would like more focus to be placed on his track record within the community... what has he done for a broad community he aims to represent? Simply hoping to access votes based on the fact that he is a 'local' boy does not make him qualified for public service. And the age should not be an issue, Alex Padilla was that age when he took position of LA City Council President but he was ready, he understood the needs of his constituency and teh City as a whole and even moreso, he was prepared to lead. I do not believe that Pleitez is prepared. His old and jaded accusations, harping about the established politicians up to same old tricks applies to him as well. He is a politician after all, grassroots or not. He should focus on outlining specific programs rather than merely suggesting it's time for change... what can he offer, realistically that Judy Chu and Gil Cedillo cannot?
There are many things that Pleitez offers which Chu and Cedillo cannot. But let me just address one key item: It is helpful to understand what the U.S. House of Representatives is all about: SENIORITY. The only way for a district to spawn a truly powerful Congressman is to send a young one to Washington. Here is a list of the top 14 most powerful Democrats in the House of Representatives today (and the ages at which they were first elected to Congress): Pelosi (46, by far the oldest), Hoyer (41), Rangel (40), Dingell (29), Obey (30), Frank (40), Conyers (35), Waxman (35), Boucher (36), Markey (30), Murtha (41), Miller (29), Gordon (35), and Pallone (37). Among the leading Hispanic Democrats on the Hill, the top three are Becerra (34) and the Sanchez sisters (36 and 33). The youngest member of Congress today, Aaron Schock, was elected at age 27. A powerful Member of Congress NEVER starts life on the Hill after age 46. It just doesn't happen. What DOES happen when an OLDER person is elected as a freshman to Congress? Very simple: They die in office, without ever having built up any power. A recent example: Juanita Millender-McDonald was elected at age 58 and died at age 68, and during that time her claim to fame was heading the Committee on House Administration responsible for really important things like the, uh, Library of Congress and the, um, Botanic Garden. Judy Chu and Gil Cedillo celebrate their 56th and 55th birthdays this year. That's right, 56 and 55. What Pleitez offers that Chu and Cedillo cannot is a decent shot at POWER for the 32nd District, something the 32nd has NEVER had. The choice is quite simple: If you want your representative to wallow in the back benches of the U.S. Capitol, then elect Chu or Cedillo, it doesn't really matter which one. If you want to be able to call your Congressman 18 or more years from now and get something DONE, because unfortunately that is roughly how long it takes to accumulate real power in Congress, then elect Pleitez.
Youth is not good enough. The 32nd district needs a representative that will be ready to deal with the problems our country is facing today, not 18 years from now. This means the person we elect should be politically able, something that is best determined by the number of years a candidate has been involved in politics, as well as the overall quality of the candidate’s experience. Put simply, Judy Chu and Gil Cedillo have the experience we need TODAY.
From what I have read about Pleitez, it appears he has embellished his resume a great deal. I mean, a previous posting to this site basically revealed he lied about co-founding a scholarship foundation. Moreover, it took him much longer than 4 years to graduate from college, something that worries me. I understand he was campaigning and taking time off and so forth, but his semesters at sea and in random study abroad programs do not inspire confidence. The time he spent away also bothers me because he claims he was the man of his house but then he left his mother for years at a time to live the life of a wild frat boy looking for his next good time. Being away at college is a good reason not to be home, but taking random trips abroad and not supporting your mother is just shameful. I ride the Dash regularly to work and see that your mother sells goods to make ends-meat. Instead of donating thousands of dollars to politicians who have more than enough money to run their campaigns, why not help your mom pay the bills? But I digress.
Emanuel is a likeable person, but he is not the best representative for the 32nd district. He does not sound like a capable leader but like a mumbling, inexperienced child. Listening to him speak at events and watching videos of meetings I have missed has shown me he is not qualified. He does not speak to the issues, but instead spends all of his time talking about his troubled upbringing—in a very uninspiring way no less. We get it, you grew up poor with many obstacles to overcome. So did most of us, but that alone is not a good enough reason for you to be our representative. Unfortunately, the substance Emanuel is lacking will only be earned with quality years of experience. I am not prepared to let him learn on the job—something I do not believe he will do well—given the severity of the crises our country is facing TODAY. Chu or Cedillo have my vote, definitely not Pleitez.
I just read the previous post and am very disappointed with Pleitez. We definitely need a stronger leader than him.
A friend just emailed me this link and I have got to say, Emanuel does not inspire confidence. Also, why would someone be talking about power in Congress taking 18 years? I loved the job Hilda did for us and she was good from day one. Emanuel is not ready
A co-worker of mine told me about the posts on this site and sent me the link. I can't believe Emanuel once took credit for co-founding an organization he didn't join until much after it had started. I don't trust his resume anymore.
Also, I read somewhere that he worked in the Goldman division that was responsible for a lot of the economic problems we are facing today. How can we trust him to fix this mess when he was part of the problem? 2 months in the transition team is not enough experience, especially since they don't even have a full staff yet.
An earlier posting talked about power in Congress taking 18 years. Well, Hilda Solis was in office for 8 years and she was powerful the entire time. The reason she was powerful throughout (powerful enough to get a key cabinet position) is because she had many quality years of experience in California politics before she assumed office.
Why does Emanuel think power in Congress take long? Two reasons: because he doesn't have experience in politics to know how to get power (which Hilda did amazingly) and he is not a capable leader.
Crazy manny. Always trying to get into the sweet sauce parties. Did you see the flyer? My abuelita went all kinds of nuts with that s***
"What Pleitez offers that Chu and Cedillo cannot is a decent shot at POWER for the 32nd District, something the 32nd has NEVER had. The choice is quite simple: If you want your representative to wallow in the back benches of the U.S. Capitol,"
I can't believe this person is saying Hilda Solis did not have real power!!! I love the job Hilda did for the district, and apparently so did President Obama! These young Emanuel Pleitez supporters from Stanford are sooo out of touch with the 32nd district! I'm so mad!
Judy Chu has the most integrity, Gil Cedillo has the most quality experience representing the little guy, and Emanuel Pleitez has the most out of touch campaign and exaggerations on his resume. What a joke.
Emanuel is gonna make Congress fun again...ANIMAL HOUSE STYLE!!!
Go young people!!!
Also, old people need to stop hating just because he's 26. We need a representative who doesn't wear depends!!!
I went to Stanford with Emanuel and the culture promotes study abroad / semesters at sea for growth & development as individuals. He was totally capable of graduating within 4 years, but chose to foster his own growth so that he could be a better leader. Don't you want that in your candidate - someone non-traditional who has had creative, unique experiences to make real change?
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