Area Democrats seem pleased so far with Barack Obama

The first 80 days of President Barack Obama's presidency was the topic of a meeting of Democratic women last weekend.

About 50 people filled a room at Westlake Village restaurant Mandevilla on April 11 for a brunch sponsored by the Democratic Women's Council of the Conejo Valley.

"With an intelligent, confident man like Obama in the White House, we feel good," began featured speaker Jill Martinez. The Presbyterian minister and former Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives emphasized how much the president has accomplished in just 80 days.

"He reached out to everybody in his campaign and he's done that with his cabinet," she said.

The Obama administration has already made inroads toward a more transparent government, healthcare insurance for children, the decriminalization of homosexuality through the United Nations, restrictions on lobbyists, funds for Planned Parenthood, a higher minimum wage, and continued support for faith-based and neighborhood organizations, Martinez said.

As she spoke, cheers frequently arose from the audience.

"Right from the beginning he had to deal with the economy," she said. "He ended up with a stimulus and economic package and they are working."

Obama is also strengthening the core infrastructure of the country as he deals with bridges and roads that are falling apart, she said. He's fostering healthy communities, helping people climb the job ladder, combating homelessness among veterans, improving energy efficiency and protecting the vulnerable.

"So much of what his work has been is reversing what Bush did."

Martinez cited Obama's decisions on greater stemcell research, the removal of troops from Iraq and the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.

"He's returning to the American and constitutional ideals of no torture," she said.

"He also stopped the sale of horrific cluster bombs that look like toys and are killing children around the world," added an audience member.

"Obama surrounds himself with top-notch people and isn't afraid to be surrounded with people smarter than himself. Then he is the decision-maker," Martinez said.

"(Obama) called for elimination of nuclear arms. That was really brave. Don't we love that man?" she said.

He also wants to establish 20 "promise neighborhoods" to bring people out of crime and into education. Martinez said she thought that would be a good program for Oxnard.

The audience sat at tables covered in white linen and filled the room with lively chatter. Champagne, bacon, eggs, sausage, pastries and fruit were served, and music ran the gamut from "The Star-Spangled Banner" to Queen's "We Will Rock You."

Martinez asked for volunteers and donations to help the Ventura County Democratic Party raise $100,000 for a campaign to sign up 10,000 new voters.

An emphasis will be made to register more young people into the Democratic Party, she said.

This story was written to balance a February article about a speech to the Conejo Valley Republican Women Federated.