General News

A string of Green Party victories and strong electoral showings across Germany, from the conservative south to the port cities of the north, are helping to redefine politics among voters who are increasingly losing faith in the more established parties.

The national tea party movement held what was billed as a major rally in Napa Saturday, but the promised thousands of conservative voters failed to turn up. Police and newspaper estimates placed the crowd at the Napa Valley Exposition at about 600, with another 200 Green Party, Democratic and union activists demonstrating in opposition outside the Expo fence.

State Senator Leeland Yee didn't show up, but Green Party candidate Terry Baum was more than happy to take his place. She was a last-minute addition who did more than her fair share to liven up the proceedings.

Mayor Lee was not the only new participant in tonight's forum. Terry Joan Baum, a Green Party candidate and Castro resident, crashed the stage with her own chair before the debate started and was allowed to stay there.