Tom Waldman is the chief of staff to Los Angeles school board member Tamar Galatzan (and he formerly was press secretary to Rep. Howard Berman.) He's also the author of "Not Much Left: The Fate of Liberalism in America," new in May from University of California Press. It's got blurbs from Rep. Henry Waxman, journalist Joe Domanick and this from Harold Meyerson, the writer and former LA Weekly editor:

Liberalism and liberals have been wandering in the political desert for nearly 40 years. Now, in this important, revisionist, smart and funny history of liberalism since it's been down and out, Tom Waldman tallies its lasting achievements and argues that Democrats can't achieve a lasting resurgence unless they embrace their inner liberals.

Waldman previously wrote "We All Want to Change the World: Rock and Politics from Elvis to Eminem," "The Best Guide to American Politics" and "Land of a Thousand Dances: Chicano Rock'n'Roll from Southern California."