Dodd Urges Democrats to Mobilize for ’96 Vote : Politics: Senator defends President against GOP critics during address to Valley-based party activists.

In the face of a withering siege by Republicans, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), general chairman of the Democratic National Committee, urged local party members Saturday afternoon to begin mobilizing their forces for the 1996 national elections.

“What happens between now and Labor Day is going to be critically important to our success one year from now. . . . You’ve got to stand up for what you believe in,” said Dodd, appearing before about 250 people at the annual General Assembly of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley.

In a brief speech at the Encino Women’s Club, Dodd defended President Clinton against the barbs of his Republican detractors. Party members apparently heeded Dodd’s call to action, spending much of the following question-and-answer period on the nuts and bolts of putting together an effective regional campaign.

“What’s the most important thing we can do to have better luck next time?” asked Richard Kolber, 47, of Chatsworth.

Dodd suggested that California Democrats work to force Gov. Pete Wilson to implement the “Motor Voter” law, which Dodd said is enrolling significant numbers of Democrats in other states. Challenging its constitutionality and cost, Wilson has been delaying implementation of the new federal law, which makes it easier to register to vote by enabling citizens to do so when they renew their driver’s licenses.

The New Englander also said he hoped the Democratic National Committee would soon begin a candidate training program that would help local politicians learn effective communication and campaign strategies.

The quest for public outreach weighed heavily on Leah Herzberg, 72, of Encino and others who were critical of the Democratic National Committee for allowing Republicans to monopolize the media. They cited such innovations as cable access television, talk radio and the Internet--where conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) have widely distributed shows.

“We need to produce our own program, even if it’s shaky and not terribly sophisticated,” Dodd said. “We have to get into the arena.”

Dodd blamed the media for spreading inaccurate information about the performance of Clinton and other Democrats. He said local Democrats had to “set the record straight” by writing letters to the editors of newspapers, calling talk radio shows and promoting the Democratic Party’s virtues at social occasions.

“I’m a Democrat without prefix, suffix and without apology, and that’s what we’ve got to be,” Dodd told the audience, acknowledging the sentiment’s debt to the late Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn (D-Texas).

Russell Blank, 21, of Canoga Park wanted to know how the party could inspire apathetic Generation X-ers to vote Democratic.

Dodd answered that demonstrating a belief in the political process and providing an exciting social atmosphere for young people is the key to bringing them back into the fold.

“It’s important for young people to see the enthusiasm and to see that this is not a futile endeavor,” he said.

“I remember when being a Republican on a college campus was almost anathema,” Dodd said. “It’s incredible how quickly that has changed. This is a Party in desperate need of a party!”

New officers for the San Fernando Valley Democrats were elected at the meeting. They are Carol Blad, chairwoman; Tiffanie Scott, vice chairwoman; Blank, communications secretary, and Nancy Valentine, treasurer.