This election is over a year away but it is gaining traction. It would seem that this campaign is too far into the future but some evidence says the race is already underway. I have talked to people already interning on
And the Strickland Dynasty is being attacked from the right!
Anyways leave your thoughts about this race here.
How will Ferial Masry's campaign be any different? How is she going to break out of the pack in a district that is clearly stacked against her? Does she really have the excitement around her that I am witnessing?
Audra seems like a safe bet. But is there any reason to think this could be a challenge for her? Two years in the capitol could drag alot of popularity down, but of course, incumbents tend to be tougher to beat.
Will this campaign capture media attention?
what say you?
Brian:
How come no one in the democratic party is challenging Ferial Masry. I think this is a symptom of something wrong in the democratic party... :)
Scott
Scott,
You are WRONG on this, as ALWAYS. This race represents a choice between two candidates. They're giving us a CHOICE, and I think that's a great thing!
Tim
Guys all kidding aside, you agree it is nice to have a choice, yes?
I don't know all the positions of each candidate on every issue but I admire that they help our democracy function.
As the candidates cover the area asking people for their votes they will discuss the critical issues facing our state. The district favors Republicans, so Ferial knows it will be tough.
Ferial Masry has an inspiring life story ( She was born in Saudi Arabia and truly knows what freedom is) and her son Omar Masry served our nation in the military in Iraq.
I think we can all respect her and her families devotion to our republic.
On the other side of the aisle we have Audra Strickland. Say what people do about her, I think the Strickland familiy will be in Ventura County politics in one way or another for a long time to come. Both of them are young and I yield alot of influence.
So, I want to thank both candidates for offering us a distict choice and vision. Both candidates ( or any members of their team) have an open invite to guest blog here.
Thanks ladies,
Brian Dennert
Take a look at www.tonythestrickland.com
Ferial has my vote!
Why?
I have spoken with Ferial Masry. She is smart and dedicated. I think she would represent all the people of her district and not just a few special interests. According to the Star the guy from Hummingbird Ranch gave Audra $10,000 and then she calls Cal Trans to get him signs claiming the City of Simi Valley wanted them. Then the City said they never asked her to call. Audra also told me she favors local control of schools, then her husband on the Board of Vista Real gets a backroom deal from the County Board that subverts local school control and she said nothing. Also I think the Stricklands should say whether or not they are investors in Vista Real that were promised 10% returns first year.
While I agree with Arleigh that Masry would probalbe serve the District better than the Stricklands, I think the underling problem is that both parties are controlled by their own special intrest that keep good candidates from running, or if they do run the parties cut off funding to them.
Ferial is very smart, very deep. She does understand freedom and sacrifice, not in a textbook way but in a real life way. She has the ability to talk face to face with anyone- supporter or no- with respect and thoughtfulness.I do believe that she would do her best to represent the entire district. She's not a "pander to the base" sort of person.
Audra, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have that deep thoughtfulness. Audra responds to every issue with reliable talking points that are palateble to social conservatives and the chamber of commerce.
A few months ago, a teenager I know went to Sacramento as part of a lobbying effort on a specific issue. When he met with Audra's staff, he was told that she opposed the specific legislation based on a specific right-wing fear tactic. No one who had read the newspapers or the legislation could actually believe what her staff said she did. It was just a red-herring offered up to explain an inexplicable position.
If I granted her any credibility before, she certainly lost it then.
Having said that, we're districted in such a way that it will be nearly impossible to contest an incumbent.
Knowing Ferial, I'm certain that if another Democrat came forward to run for the 37th AD seat she would try to engage him or her in lively debate and relish the challenge! The woman is a dynamo! She is intelligent, thoughtful, sophisticated and definately does not "pander to her base." She will tell anyone who asks what her true position is, no matter who is asking.
I am hosting a "Bunco for Ferial" fundraiser at my home on Thursday evening, Nov 10th at 7:00PM. I'm hoping to get 24 women to attend. The contribution is $50 per player. If you know of any women interested in an evening of chocolate, wine and Bunco - a "progressive" dice game! - please email me at kdsmiles@msn.com. I have some seats open, still. Go Ferial!
Hi Elinor:
My comment was more of a prank I was playing on Brian Dennert. Please don't read too much into it.
Scott
What has changed since the last election that will improve her chances? Conventional wisdom tells us Audra Strickland will now have grown stronger with access to even more money and the claim of past experience since now she has been on Sacramento for two years.
To my readers:
If you were Ferial Masry's campaign manager what advice would you give her to shake up the race? If she had millions of dollars and Bill Clinto behind the scenes helping her, could it turn around? Is there issues she should hit? Issues to avoid?
What can a nice Democratic woman in a Republican town do?
Treat this thread as a college discussion case study. Do your best.
Brian