The grassroots will be taking back the soul of the Democratic Party in California's 36th Congressional District if challenger, Marcy Winograd, has anything to say about it.

In a stunning blow to incumbent, Jane Harman, Winograd swept the voting of members of the influential West Los Angeles Democratic Club 54 to 19. Promising to support single payer health care as well as the impeachment of Bush and Cheney, Winograd was the clear favorite as the crowd cheered and gave her a standing ovation at the Venice Center for Peace with Justice last night.

Venice resident Harman, who had refused to attend the event if it were a debate format, spoke first, laying the groundwork for Winograd's withering attack on her record of complicity with the Bush administration. Harman left the auditorium, however, immediately after her presentation and did not witness the overwhelming crowd support for Winograd, a long time peace activist whose endorsements include the United Farm Workers and United Teachers of Los Angeles.

Winograd's campaign has become the focus of national attention as one of the target races of Progressive Democrats of America. Winograd has served as president of the Los Angeles chapter of PDA and was named "Democrat of the Year." She leads the Media Reform Committee of the CA Progressive Caucus and is host of their public access show, "They Say/We Say."

Harman, speaking first during the WLADC Candidate's Forum, responds to questioning of her record on Iraq and knowledge of the NSA spying on Americans without warrants.