Dem presidential hopefuls flock to Calif. state party
SAN FRANCISCO — More than a dozen Democratic presidential hopefuls flocked to California on Saturday for the chance to make their cases to thousands of activists in the nation's largest liberal stronghold during a threeday gathering of the state party.
California's own Sen. Kamala Harris looked to make a show of force in the prime first speaking slot to kick off the day's main event, and her campaign even emblazoned the official convention lanyards with her name. But it was Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren who electrified the crowd the most among the early morning speakers, bringing the Democratic Party's most faithful voters to their feet repeatedly as she pledged bold action.
“Some say if we all just calm down, the Republicans will come to their senses,” Warren said in a thinly veiled shot at former Vice President Joe Biden, who has expressed hope the GOP will have “an epiphany” after President Donald Trump is gone. “But our country is in a crisis. The time for small ideas is over.”
Biden was the only major candidate not attending the weekend gathering, opting instead to campaign in Ohio.
A man described as an animal-rights activist disrupted a panel at which Harris, D-Calif., spoke, snatching a microphone out of the presidential candidate's hand as she looked on in surprise.
Harris stepped aside as the man tried to speak and organizers tried to stop him.
He was quickly restrained by several men.
“We need to begin impeachment proceedings and we need a new commander in chief!” she declared.