December 2007 Archives
Iowa Predicitons?
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Hannah-Beth Jackson is going to be appearing in Thousand Oaks at the Democratic Women's Council of the Conejo Valley's meeting.
UPDATE: As a few people have made this entry's comments not about Strickland or HBJ I have locked the comments. Grow up.
What are your New Year's resolutions? Did you keep last years?
If you want to see Democratic candidate for congress ( CA-24 currently Gallegly) Mary Pallant's resolutions click on continue reading.
Iowa Countdown
by Owen Paun
Correspondent for Brian Dennert here.
For previous entries click here and here and here.
I returned from Christmas with my family, the first in about ten years, and walked into a full office. We’ve more than doubled our out-of-state volunteers, and turned our large workroom into a phone bank. We’re not the only one’s beefing up on staff. I’d say that half the plane I flew in on was staff for various campaigns. I even saw one person with a paper about Iowa caucus vocabulary. Huckabee had the most people that I could identify, but there were also conspicuous Ron Paul and Edwards staffers.
At this stage in the game, the focus is almost all on calling. There are two main types of phone calls: voter id, and turnout. Voter ID is meant to figure out if a voter plans on caucusing, and if so, who do they support. These are the calls that build up a campaigns list over months. Turnout calls are about getting your people to show up somewhere. It can be for an event with the candidate or a surrogate, or it can be turnout for the actual caucus. These calls can be tiring, and not many people actively enjoy making them. There were times when I would spend hours just leaving messages on answering machines. However, they can be quite uplifting when you run across a supporter. I finally understand why telemarketers always call during dinner – because people are finally home! If we call during the day, we get a lot of machines, and we can’t call too late, so that leaves 5 – 8 pm as our window when we can reach people. That also corresponds to dinner. My suggestion is to just screen all your calls.
There is some good news on the fundraising front. Over the past two weeks we’ve raised almost a million online. That may not sound like a lot considering the amount that some others have raised on one day or contributed from their own pockets, but it’s more than before, and is another sign of the building interest in McCain. He was in Iowa this past week to standing room only crowds and has received the endorsements of 25 New Hampshire papers, compared to zero for Romney. In fact, we’ve even received the endorsements of the two main Boston newspapers, the Globe and Herald.
One of McCain’s defining features is that he always stands on principle and does what he thinks is right, even if it goes against the political winds of the moment. A columnist at the Christian Broadcasting Network brings up another interesting point :
But maybe more than anything else,, what has been so impressive about McCain is how he's carried himself throughout this grueling process. When his campaign flamed out months ago, he didn’t get bitter or wallow in self-pity. He didn’t lash out against his opponents and start pointing out their faults. In the debates, he became the straight talker, the guy who wouldn't budge from his guiding principles. His attitude was low key and confident. Overall, as McCain regained his footing, he remained calm in the face of adversity. (at least publicly) In essence, this is the type of management skills he’s selling to the American public. A guy who has been tested time and time again and has risen to the occasion.
McCain has been tested like no other candidate in this race. Not just the years spent tortured in prison when he declined to be released early because of loyalty to his fellow prisoners, but he’s been through a knock-down presidential primary as well. Through all this he maintains his dignity and keeps going forward – exactly what we need in a president.
Five days until Iowa votes, and we’re doing all we can to get John McCain elected president.
Rudy Giuliani campaign gaffe
Rudy Giuliani's campaign has a loose cannon working for it.
Check out these quotes:
I don't subscribe to the principle that there are good Muslims and bad Muslims. They're all Muslims."
And
"When I say get rid of them, I wasn't necessarily referring to genocide."
Read the whole article right here.
I have Muslim friends who are very patriotic and have served our nation in a variety of ways including the Armed Services. The idea that there are no good Muslims is repugnant to American values. I hope it is a matter of hours until Rudy Giuliani asks him to resign.
UPDATE: Giuliani has ditched the guy for his embarrassing remarks. Now maybe Giuliani supporters can all admit they comments were out there.
I read the news today...
The Ojai/Ventura Voice was always a one of a kind paper with a very unique writer/editor/publisher. He will be missed.
Tom McClintock in 2010
( Tom McClintock campaign video)
Thanks to Timm Herdt for alerting me to his recent blog entry.
It looks like Tom McClintock is gearing up to run again. This time for the Board of Equalization in 2010. A recent poll said that exactly .03% of people know what this board does and even less ( .02%) can tell you what qualities would make someone an excellent member of it.
Does this mean Tom is not planning to run again for state senate regardless of what happens with term limits?
Do you think Tom McClintock will ever go to the private sector?
Rudy Giuliani
Local Rudy Giuliani supporters are meeting at the Ventura County Republican Central Committee HQ in Thousand Oaks this Friday and Saturday.
Click on continue reading for details and for more Rudy news.
Merry Christmas
Here are some recent Christmas messages from the candidates. If I missed one please leave it in the comments.
From Barack Obama and family.
John McCain's Christmas story. This is really moving.
Huckabee and his bookshelf. But no books? Not even his book?
Hillary Clinton's Holiday greetings.
Rudy's ad. Nice sweater. Festive.
( In Ron Paul's world Santa would only need 5 reindeer)
Do you want your candidate to wish you Merry Christmas?
Corn-tastic Iowa Countdown
Owen Paun is my correspondent from the Iowa Caucuses. He moved to Iowa from Simi Valley to campaign for Senator McCain.
For past entries from him click here and here.
Owen brings up good questions about the validity of signs. Do they help win campaigns? I think they show momentum, vitality , and creates name recognition. In a well educated democracy they wouldn't be needed but sadly many people wouldn't know who is running without them. Simi Valley has a new sign ordinance that restricts the places where signs can be placed. New candidates should work with like minded past candidates for their address book of supporters that our open to placing signs on their property to save resources and time.
Owen, I have a question for you. Do you think Mike Huckabee really thinks environmentalists are one of the causes for school shootings or was he just trying to appeal to the fringes of American politics?
Here is Owen Paun.
Signs and Debates
By Owen Paun
Visuals are an important part of any campaign. They build name recognition for candidates and keep them in the minds of voters. Taken to the extreme, these visuals can turn into a “sign war.� When certain big events take place, campaigns will each try to outdo each other - and Wednesday’s Republican debate was the perfect opportunity.
The day before the debate, we drove out to Iowa Public Television, to get the lay of the land surrounding the forum where the debate was to be held at one o’clock. There is a small knoll, and we decided to get the high ground, where our signs would be most visible. The next day we got to the site at 6am, hoping to get the choicest spot. To our surprise, we were the only ones there, and proceeded to set up – taking both the top of the hill and lining the road in to the TV station.
Mitt and Ron Paul people eventually showed up around eleven, but with a far smaller presence. For all that time, we had the media and photographers taking pictures of us. More than anything it was embarrassing for the other candidates. McCain has supposedly given up on Iowa and has neither money nor staff, and yet we clearly dominated all the other campaigns. Every candidate driving in and coming out saw the preponderance of McCain signs. We received some very good news coverage, including pictures, headlines, and cartoons:
The debate itself was horrible, and perhaps most unforgivable of all, boring. They took off the table immigration and Iraq, and added in Alan Keyes. If they wanted a comparable Democratic debate, they should have eliminated education and healthcare, and included Ralph Nader. So almost all Republicans were disappointed but what went on inside the studio, but were very pleased by our performance outside. We were interviewed by several news sources from around the country and the world (Europe and Japan).
There is some disagreement as to whether or not sign wars are actually worthwhile. I think it depends on the event, but having a preponderance of signs can have a psychological effect, and certainly displays the fact that your candidate is in the race. At the end of the day, it was definitely worth it for the McCain campaign to get up at 5 and stand in 15 degree weather for seven hours. It points to the dedication and determination of our volunteers vis-Ã -vis other campaigns.
To those who have participated in political campaigns before, what are your thoughts on signs and sign wars?
Peter Foy Toy Drive v 2.1
I wrote about Peter Foy's Toy Drive and said I wanted to donate at a local drop off box but since then I haven't heard back where there is one in Simi Valley.
Any clues?
First person to post an answer gets a toy donated in their blogger name.
A reader asks for your input
A friend of mine sent in this letter asking my readers for input with a problem they are having with the City of Simi Valley. Read on and give them any advice you might have for them.
Hey Brian, thanks for providing this blog as a venue for local citizens to make inquiries and express concerns about their neighborhoods and communities.
My wife and I have lived here at our house in the Fig Track in Simi Valley for over fifteen years. We initially purchased our home to accommodate our small business needs requiring extensive, spacious property in which we could store equipment. Following a career change, equipment storage was no longer necessary, so we began providing space to RV owners looking for RV parking. For well over ten years we (along with many of our neighbors who also own large properties) have offered this service.
This service has become all the more necessary in recent years since the city has passed strict ordinances prohibiting RV, trailer, and boat owners from parking their vehicles on the street. The city currently only allows RV/ trailer parking in front side yards on concrete, asphalt, or brick surfaces. As I understand current city code, no variation (gravel, dirt, etc) is allowed. As you might imagine, most RV/ trailer owners do not own property in compliance with these standards. I regularly receive calls from interested persons needing RV storage space.
It has recently come to my attention by a city code notification that RV/trailer storage in backyard areas is only permissible when owners store their vehicles in a carport or garage. Further, any homeowner extending their driveway into their backyard for RV/ trailer storage is also in violation (according to the notification). Due to this recent notification, RV owners storing their vehicles in properties in the Fig Track (as well as the rest of the city) must now seek very scarce and unreasonably expensive alternatives.
Some may express concern that providing such a service would create an eyesore for neighbors in the community. However, many properties in the Fig Track (including our own) extend back at least three quarters of an acre, and vehicles stored in backyards are not visible from the street. Such an ordinance seems unnecessary, superfluous, and troublesome for owners of trailers, boats, and RVs.
As homeowners for more than 30 years, we’ve paid property taxes and monthly mortgages for most of our lives. What business does the city have in regulating our backyard usage, so long as we create no health, safety, or aesthetic problems for our neighboring community? Are property rights disregarded? The owners of these vehicles have expressed outrage and concern over increasing impositions for vehicle storage. Why have these ordinances become ever more rigid and unreasonable? Have commercial RV storage facilities pressured local lawmakers to their own advantage? Do we have any recourse? We would very much appreciate any input from readers.
Sincerely,
Fig Track Homeowner
Local politics
There doesn't seem like there is as much going on right now. If you have news tips e-mail them in.
DA Totten V Judge Gutierrez
I read this editorial by Joe Howry today and it created more questions for me then it answered.
1. Who or what caused the case back log?
2. What is the most common crime/misdemeanor/infraction people are pleading to?
3. Did Peter Foy push for term limits for all county wide positions or just county supervisors?
4. Any chance Ron Bamieh will be running again?
5. What is with the racial angle that some letters to the editor have brought up? Where did that come from?
I don't have a background on this issue but I am hoping readers will fill us in.
15 days...
For the last few weeks Owen Paun has been writing to us about his adventures in Iowa.
He is from Simi Valley but moved to Iowa to work for John McCain.
Owen, where you going after Iowa?
Iowa Update
By correspondent Owen Paun
The momentum on the ground is palpable. We're doing hundreds of calls a day from the office, and talking to undecided voters one-on-one is a good way to gauge the general feeling on McCain. After the endorsement by the Des Moines Register, we're getting a lot more people willing to reconsider McCain.
The McCain team is much more active around town that other campaigns. We have had a larger presence at the main convention, gun show, and basketball game than any of the other candidates. No, it doesn't necessarily get you caucus goers, but it does create the atmosphere in which people vote. We're not up there in the polls, but we're making sure that people know John McCain is still in the race.
McCain The Comeback Kid?
A video about McCain's comeback from political oblivion.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4017576
McCain's Surge
The Wall Street Journal comes as close as it has to an endorsement.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110011007
McCain wants no yes men in his White House
This article provides insight into how John McCain would run his White House. He wants to draw his advisors from his peers, and he wants people who won't agree with him just because he's the president.
http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/mccain_he_wants_people_to_tell.html
Ron Paul attacks Huckabee
Now that Huckabee has become Huck-a-boom the long knives are out from Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and others.
First Ron Paul interjects fascism charges into the race:
And then Mitt Romney hammers away at Huckabee:
And lastly scary quotes keep showing up blaming school violence on things like environmentalism. He is lucky TR isn't around anymore.
Enjoy this quote. I am sure more are coming from this gift to Democrats that will keep giving and giving.
Abortion, environmentalism, AIDS, pornography, drug abuse, and homosexual activism have fragmented and polarized our communities.
How does he come back?
Merry Christmas.
In the end I think it is a sign of Republican dissatisfaction with their front runners rather than a specific attraction to Huckabee that is swaying the polls. Remember when people were swooning over Fred Thompson?
Somehow all of this chaos leads me to believe there is a chance for McCain to rise above it all by playing the elder party statesman.
Social Host Laws
This article from the Star about the local use of laws made to discourage or punish people that have parties with alcohol available to underage people ( and other issues) is very interesting. What do you think accounts for Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks having a large gap in actual tickets handed out? Is there a bigger problem in T.O. or is this tool not used that often in Simi Valley?
Do you have a problem like this in your neighborhood? How effective is your city at stopping it?
County Board of Education
I haven't heard much about the County Board of Education lately except for this article.
Can anyone update us on the issues involving hiring lobbyists and the push for more charter schools? What about science books talking that discuss intelligent design? Are these issues behind them?
Southern California Edison
An employee of southern California Edison e-mailed me a link to a contest they are having.
The theme is saving energy and you can find out more by going to sce.com/pledge
Which city in Ventura County is the most green? Not which one gives out great press releases but which one is actually leading the charge with new, innovative ideas?
Let us know why your city should be considered a leader.
If you look through the past several months of blog posts you will see that Bob Folger of Alliance, Pennsylvania has been updating us with his ongoing battles with Waste Management.
I am not able to investigate his claims but now you can by going to his group's new website.
Their mission statement is to "A civic organization formed to inform and provide residents information on the expansion of Alliance Landfill and its owner and operating company Waste Management Inc."
You can also see WM's point of view by visiting their official website.
Why am I writing about this? Bob Folger found this blog while working on the expansion of a landfill in his area. I was surprised at the similar issues and shocked at some of the more wild claims involved in their expansion back east.
I don't think citizens should rely solely on politicians for the truth. At the same time they shouldn't need to get all their information from citizen's groups but instead should have a newspaper like The Star cover all the competing claims and research them. I am hoping that is what will happen with our landfill.
But back to our neck of the woods. Any word on hearings, news updates, and the like for the proposed landfill expansion here in Simi Valley? A recent story said something about a sewage treatment facility. What was that about?
Corn Field Report
I have a few correspondents reporting for you from afar. Owen Paun is one of them.
Owen Paun of Simi Valley is currently in Iowa stumping for John McCain and sending back dispatches. Click on continue reading for a short update.
Poll: Mitt Romney Is Candidate Most Voters Want To Get Into Bar Fight With
(Warning the video has some strong language.)
With the polls going in every direction it is hard to predict where they will end up. But this video explains many issues.
I came across this video on youtube and even though it isn't about politics it was funny enough I figured I would share it with all of you.
Conejo schools...
It has been quiet lately. Anything exciting to report? Is the board getting along better than before?
Mitt Romeny Grassroots
Mitt Romney attacking non-believers
( The above video is from Keith Olbermann of MSNBC)
Mitt Romeny has announced he has a Ventura County Republican grassroots leader.
Her name is Denise Nielsen.
Does anyone have her contact information? E-mail it to me.
Liberals Drinking
With less than a month before the first voting in Iowa the local Drinking Liberally group is meeting this Wednesday night.
Click on continue reading for details.
Ron Paul?
Is Ron Paul going anywhere? He is raising money like a Republican front runner. He is getting more attention on youtube and myspace then any other Republican. He has bipartisan support. He stands out as a unique Republican which avoids splitting his support with like minded candidates. He is bringing new voters to the Republican Party.
But yet his polls are still in the basement.
Why?
Will he end up running on another party's ticket in November?
( By the way this doesn't mean I support him, I am just curious about Republican Party primary voters. I want to better understand what issues drive you in different directions. Thanks for the help. )
Here is a funny video about Barack Obama and Fox News.
VC for Obama
A Barack Obama group would like you to know about their blog and upcoming meetings.
Will Hillary or Obama perform better in Simi Valley as compared to Thousand Oaks against each other?
Barack Obama in Los Angeles
Barack Obama will be coming to Los Angeles next week.
Right now I am leaning towards Barack in the primary. I think he stands the best chance of uniting the country and restoring America's image abroad. But I am not convinced yet.
In the Republican primary I think McCain could make a decent president. I will not vote for Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee, or the others the Republicans are likely to nominate ( Does anyone seriously support Lazy man Thompson anymore?). But McCain could have bipartisan support like he did in 2000 before Bush destroyed him. Luckily for me it will likely be an easy choice since McCain isn't the strongest contender as of tonight.
If the primary election was held today and you were allowed to vote in both primaries who has earned your vote thus far?
Term Limits
There is a proposal on the Feb. 5th ballot to alter term limits. If it passes I expect McClintock to run again and HBJ, Dantona, and Strickland to not run against an incumbent.
What are the chances that it will pass?
The basic proposal lessens the amount of years someone can serve ( 14 to 12) but allows all of those years to be served in one of the state houses ( assembly or senate).
Of course, if Gallegly steps down chaos will rein. Not because he is limited by any rule from running again but because McClintock, Strickland, and others would seriously consider running for the seat.
Candidates and religion
Attacks on Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are really starting to bother me.
I have read way too many attacks claiming Barack ( who is a serious Christian), is some sort of secret Muslim. A reader here tried to deny it and said nobody was using his Muslim faith against him. Then when corrected they said they should of use "alleged" when talking about Barack and Islam. Who is alleging it? Strange e-mails?
And Romney. I have also seen a comments about him not being Christian. He might be the type of Christian that someone else disagrees with but last time I checked he is a member of a church with JESUS CHRIST in the title. I can't imagine ever voting for Romney but I wouldn't deny he is a religiously devout Christian.
All of this doesn't mean we shouldn't ask tough questions but it is amazing to see people getting attacked for not being Christian when they really are. When did some Christians get the idea it would be fun to label other Christians as something else?
If Huckabee had all the same political beliefs but wasn't a devout Christian would he still be getting so much support? When asked if Romney is a Christian Huckabee didn't answer with a simple "yes" or "he says he is and I take him at his word" but instead each person must answer for themselves. Decent answer and a decent way of keeping the attack against Romney alive.
Will the undercover Muslim rumors continue to haunt Barack if he wins the nomination?
I thought Christians would be thrilled that Democrats have a serious believer on their side instead of trying to deny that he is a follower of Christ.
Peace Treaty
Hey,
I am tired of the gopher alerts.
To satisfy the gopher alert faction/ fans I am posting this gopher video.
Gopher Broke - More bloopers are a click away
It was fun for you while it lasted.
If someone really annoys you feel free to ignore them. Or attack their facts and opinions.
Thanks for reading.
UPDATE: Okay, a Peace Treaty, even during Advent, couldn't bring people together or at least get them to ignore each other. I hope you got it out of your system. This entry is locked.
If you don't understand the taunts and attacks on this entry these people have hated each other for way too long for most of us to keep track of it. Forget it. There is almost nothing of value to read about.
Ron Paul Meeting at VCRCC HQ
( This is the year of the attack youtube ad. If you don't like negative campaigning don't click on it. But for everybody else doesn't it seem this is really going to be a tough hit to bounce back from for Rudy?)
Ron Paul supporters are meeting at the Ventura County Republican Party HQ next Week.
( Side note: The party opens it's HQ to different candidates not just Ron Paul)
Ron Paul is an interesting man. He is booed at Republican debates for his beliefs on foreign policy yet has raised the most donations from active members of the military.
Maybe with Rudy " I had police officers walk my future wife's dog" Giuliani having his worst campaign week yet Ron Paul can start moving up in the polls.
Many of you have likely already read it but here is an article from the VC Reporter about Jim Dantona and CA-19. I like the VC Reporter but they have a reputation for giving Democrats false hope. I remember a whole series of articles by Brett Wagner for example. His candidate's diaries were entertaining but they seemed to make it sound there was a real race going on.
I look forward to a HBJ and Jim Dantona debate in Simi Valley.
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