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Today, the California Democratic Party state convention kicks off in San Francisco.

No, it’s not going to determine whom the party is endorsing in the presidential race.

And, anyway, the party’s endorsement may not have much sway over California’s newly relevant presidential primary, if its move to back Kevin de León’s unsuccessful bid to oust Senator Dianne Feinstein is any indication. Plus, the party’s leadership is mired in scandal, as a result of sexual harassment allegations that led Eric Bauman to resign his post as chairman late last year.

So why should anyone but the most die-hard politicos care?

I asked Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of the Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs at Cal State L.A. He told me that it comes down to a couple of things:

First, the convention will be as good as any early poll for observers hoping to get a read on which of the 23 Democratic presidential candidates may be able to make a dent in what is now a very important primary state.

“It’s an audition,” Mr. Sonenshein said. “It may do a lot to eliminate some of the more marginal candidates as much as it will help clarify who’s at the top.”