The recall election and the secretary of state scandal were low points for California Democrats.

His style has earned him a solid reputation among California Democrats.

California Democrats who have worked decades to stimulate grassroots participation know how formidable their task is.

The move was begun by California Democrats, who want their state to have more influence in the nominating process.

In April of that year, California Democrats made him their party's chairman.

"There is not a thing that he has told us that didn't check out," said the California Democrat.

But the Colorado electorate did not vote in the way, say, California Democrats might have.

And soon the 57-year-old California Democrat from Oakland will be in a position to hold any hearings he wants.

The exchange provided uncharacteristic sparks in a campaign that thus far seems to have made little impression on California Democrats.