On the eve of Election Day 2006, state Treasurer Phil Angelides and other Democrat officials turned out to support the gubernatorial candidate’s campaign.

Stan Oden, a professor of Sacramento State’s government department and a member of the California Faculty Association, attended the Monday night barbecue and rally.

“I came to show support for Phil,” Oden said. “It’s really a courageous campaign, fighting against Gov. (Arnold) Schwarzenegger’s money and star appeal and the force, lies and brute strength of the Republican Party.”

Oden described the crowd who showed up for the event as symbolic of the people of California. “It’s a great cross section,” he said. “You’ve got labor, you’ve got women and you’ve got people of color.”

Gina Caprio, a woman sitting at Oden’s picnic table who works in advertising for the Sacramento Bee, expressed her support for Angelides because she’s disgusted with Schwarzenegger.

“I not only dislike Schwarzenegger’s political views, I dislike his personal views,” Caprio said. “He’s out of touch with the people of California. Phil is more in touch.”

“Schwarzenegger and his campaign don’t honor the diversity that this state is,” said Monica Caprio, a program director for UC Davis.

Former Sen. Art Torres, now chairman of the California Democratic Party, took the stage first in a politically star-studded lineup.

He spoke about how the Angelides team crossed through the state that day, saying, “Brad Pitt showed up at the 5 o’clock rally,” to cheers and swoons.

“All you get is Art Torres,” he joked.

Torres introduced Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, who is running for Insurance Commissioner.

“My mother always says that in order to be successful, you need three things: un rezo (a prayer), un beso (a kiss), and un peso (a dollar),” Bustamante said. “When she mentioned un beso, she meant passion, embracing what you’re trying to do.”

“Are you guys passionate?” Bustamante asked to cheering, sign-waving audience members.

“Also, un peso doesn’t literally mean “a dollar,” he said. “It means resources. We’re going to prove this year that people are more important in politics than all the money they’ve thrown at us!” “We will win, and bring California back to the people!” Bustamante exclaimed.

Assemblyman Dave Jones spoke about possible democratic victories.

“This is the night before we take back the House and Senate!” Jones yelled. “This is the night before we return a solid democratic majority to the Assembly and State Senate!”

“Are you going to restore the governor’s office to a man who cares about the people?” Jones asked, receiving an overwhelming “YES!” in response.

Phil Angelides appeared to a thunderous applause and highly pitched shouts.

“We’ve got 24 hours until these polls close,” Angelides said. “Over the next 24 hours, we’re going to work our hearts out, we’re going to go 24/7.”

“And I don’t mean like the way Will Ferrell talks about (President) George (W.) Bush, ’24 days a month, seven months a year,'” Angelides said.

He called California the land of “boundless opportunity,” and credited it to his success. “I had a chance to grow up in a state that believed that if we used our wealth wisely, that we could create wealth for future generations,” Angelides said.

“I had the fortune to grow up in a state that understood that if we lifted the burden off the hardest working people instead of lavishing more on those that had the most, that we would all be richer and stronger,” Angelides said. “It’s time to stand up for the working men and women of California.”

“With 24 hours to go, let’s be clear about something,” Angelides said. “We’re in this fight to win this fight.”

“This isn’t just about one electoral victory, this is a chance to say, once again to the world, that California is still the frontier of the American Dream,” Angelides said.