Hannah already has the west part of the county locked up. She figures she'll spend her time getting the east on board.

I hope she makes it to the February event at the Simi valley Democratic club.

Looks like the Dantona people on this blog are bailing. They must know a Dantona dropout is imminent.

HBJ, is well versed in public education. We all know where Strickland stands, Charter Schools for Profit, that is Strickland's profit, so he can pay for County school Board campaigns to in debt Trustee's that approve the Charter's that he is a paid lobbyist for.

Dantona is inexperienced on this issue as far as I know. Could he make the eloquent argument against Charter SChools that HBJ makes below? Read on...

Speak Out America - Are Charter Schools the Answer?
July 09, 2007

CHARTER SCHOOLS - Posted by Hannah Beth Jackson

What are we to think about Charter Schools? Well, as someone who began teaching in the 1960's when the Alternative Schools Movement was afoot, I would normally be all for them. And part of me is quite happy to see some charter schools in very low income neighborhoods that may well better meet the needs of students who are in enormous schools, stuffed with too many children and not enough facilities, teachers, or materials to teach them appropriately.

But as they currently function in most of California, charter schools are really a disguised form of school vouchers. The only difference is that someone has to create a "new" school to get state money, where with vouchers, one could just move students into existing private schools, especially religious schools. And, charter schools are creating a disturbing pattern of who is NOT included. On the whole, special needs students are turned away when they apply to charter schools. The explanation is that they are not staffed to take on these children. Also, since most charter schools do not establish free or reduced breakfast and lunch programs (since most of them do not have kitchens), well then hungry low-income children tend not to choose to attend charter schools. Finally, a disproportionate number of charter schools serve middle class and affluent children and are located in neighborhoods that include few if any very low income children. And since NO transportation is provided, your child must live near the school, or have a parent drive him or her, thus requiring that the family has a car.

And, charter schools are treated very differently from "regular" schools. Charter schools are exempted from most of the requirements of "regular" schools. They do not have to be in buildings that meet certain earthquake requirements. Most charter schools rent buildings, but are increasingly getting access to state school building bonds, and are building new schools, often in neighborhoods that also need schools. And so, they compete with existing overcrowded schools for limited state building funds. Charter schools get all their funding from the state for textbooks, and instructional materials. But they do not have to use those funds exclusively for State adopted texts even though that is the case for "regular" schools. The Charter schools set their own hours, decide if students need to attend classes at all or can work on "independent study." And charter schools do NOT contribute to maintaining the school district(s) from which they are drawing students.

There do not seem to be any rules for requiring charter schools to keep their students for the full year. In some cases, students not performing well, or who have special needs are encouraged to return to their former "regular" school before the state testing takes place. And when they return to their school district, that school district has no way to receive funding for that student for the remainder of the year, yet must take all returning students.

Now I am as guilty as most of complaining about the overhead costs that school districts have. "Downtown" at the district office, whatever the size of the district, is always listed as the cause for why there is not enough money for instruction. But school districts ensure that money is spent according to law, and that credentials of teachers are checked. They provide security for staff and students, and breakfast and lunch programs too. Districts also work to improve instructional practices and provide professional development for employees. And, school districts provide the support and structure that make it possible for schools to welcome all students regardless of disability, family income, immigration status, or ethnicity, race, or religion.

Systematically, charter schools threaten the funding for "regular" schools in school districts. A school district loses 100% of the funding granted districts per student whenever a student attends a charter school.
But even though a district may lay off the teacher when enough students leave for charter schools, a district doesn't close the school, so all the fixed costs of that school continue (e.g. utilities, grounds upkeep, food services, the library, the Principal and other non-classroom personnel) only there is no “"ncome" to pay for it. This means that those students NOT in the charter school suffer losses to their education because program cuts are often necessary in order to keep the lights on, and books in the library.

Finally, in almost every state that has charter schools, there is a set number that determines how many new charter schools can be added each year. Many states have an absolute cap as to the total number of charters allowed. NOT SO IN CALIFORNIA. There are no caps. As a result, some districts (who are required to charter schools in their geographic area if the charter school meets specific state-wide criteria) have large number of charter schools to which they are responsible for giving empty classrooms , and these districts are also responsible for monitoring the fiscal and educational programs of the charters. However, districts do not get funded to do these tasks. And thus, the costs are deducted from the resources that would otherwise be available to the district's students.

And some charters are receiving many extra dollars from private, wealthy donors, which means these students are receiving more than the number of dollars for students in "regular" schools. Perhaps if these wealthy tycoons would just pay their fair share of taxes in California, ALL children could have more than the wholly inadequate $8000+ that is spent on students in this state. But of course, not ALL charters get extra money. Only those with "connections" to the right charters organization get the extra dough.

Finally, there is the long term to look out for. Already, about one-half of all California charter schools have closed. This raises serious questions of viability. Some charters were closed by the State for misusing public funds. Some have been closed by their own charter boards, as they didn't always realize what it would take to sustain such schools. And some have been closed by districts who say that the schools are not meeting the student achievement standards they said they would when they got their original charter. And when these charters end operations, most of the students go back to schools in the district, while some try to find other charters.

This much flux, however, begs the question, how many charter schools will last 10 years, 15 years, 30 years? If they will last, they will become a part of infrastructure of California education. If they don't, they will just deplete the resources available to students who have no charter to attend, or whose family chose to stay in "regular" schools. If the "secret" agenda is to get rid of district bureaucracy, then what will schools become? Will every school have to check teacher credentials? Will each school need to work out how to feed hungry children? Will each school decide whether or not to "take" special education students?
These and other critical long term questions need to be discussed before the "undermining" process is allowed to continue, even if that undermining is not intentional.

Experimentation and innovation in education should be encouraged. A Charter School Program could have been set up that would help discover new and better ways to help students who are from very low income neighborhoods. It could have been set up in a way that did no harm to school districts and the schools in those districts. It could have been set up to allow for more diversity in how students are taught, and what extras could be added by innovative teachers and administrators. It could have been many things. But the California system is flawed, largely because it was established by a ballot initiative funded by those who hate public education, and want to destroy it as it currently functions. They want to "privatize" schools with public money. They want a different set of rules for themselves, because, I guess, they are smarter than the rest of us who work for school districts. And some of them just want to destroy teacher unions. Of course, some who support charter schools don't have any of these negative motives, but they are not usually informed on how the California system works in practice and the unintended (on their part) consequences of the growing number of charter schools in this state.

Actually, I think Jackie Goldberg wrote this and it was just posted by Hannah-Beth as moderator of the Speak Out California site.

But, yes, Hannah-Beth is very well versed in educational issues and that is just one of the many reasons I, as co-president of the Ventura Education Partnership, support her. She also has the endorsement of the entire Ventura Unified School Board.

What about Monique Dollone? Does she support Hannah-Beth Jackson too? I know she ran for the school board in the last election and did pretty well, in fact. I like her go-get-em attitude. I've always felt that the school district needed a good shaking up and that's why I voted for her.

Better give Jackson a good map. She probably will not be able to find the East County otherwise. Then again, she does know the route from Montecito to Newport Beach so she may know where Thousand Oaks is.

Hilarious, CAP-812, old boy. Good to see you back. HBJ and her elitist Montecito friends will be heading back to the hills after Strickland gets done with them (if they even get that far).

As I posted on another thread, these ridiculous fabrications of yours are getting old, CAP-812.

Hannah-Beth and her husband don't live in Montecito. They live in Santa Barbara in the same home they purchased in 23 years ago. Hannah-Beth's family background is solid middle class and both her parents were Rockefeller Republicans -- fiscal conservatives with a strong sense of social justice.

She and Tony Strickland served during the same six-year period, and any objective person who compares their respective records of legislative accomplishment and her 63 bills that were enacted into law and signed by two governors will recognize a huge difference between the two.

In the same period Strickland authored just two pieces of legislation which were signed into law. One was for the Arthur Murray Dance Studios and the other was for Reagan license plates ... which were never made.

Mongo, if she does have Montecito friends and they can help her out with fundraising, that's wonderful.

Mongo - you seem like a puffed up saber rattler. You clearly do not know East Ventura County and who the real movers and shakers are.
Here's the facts Jack:

2006 - USS Ventura County Election results
Feinstein 53.14%
Mountjoy 42.05%

2004 - USS Ventura County Election results
Boxer 52.0 %
Jones 43.6%

Clearly Ventura County Voters will vote Democratic.

Hannah Beth Jackson will need to pick up support from the moderate Richman supporters. The insiders and political shakers in Simi Valley remember how the Strickland machine turned on Keith.

Treasurer results June 2006 primaries
Ventura County Richman 51.7 %
Parrish 48.3 %
Santa Barbara Richman 53.4 %
Parrish 46.6 %
Treasurer results Nov. 2006
Lockyer 48.5 %
Parrish 43.5 %
I know for fact that no one on the SV school board or city council are fond of the Strickland's. The SVCC knows that the Strickland's and their minions on the VCRCC took down their boy Richman.

HBJ needs to concentrate on the moderate Linda Parks supporters in TO, Mikels supporters in SV and Long in Camarillo they are the swing vote and DTS base that will help gain some footage in the East county. Parks, Bennett and Long did not support Dantona.

I do not anticipate strong open arms support from the majority of the leaders in SV for Strickland.

Another fact is that the entire School Board for Moorpark are Democrats. None of the Moorpark school board endorsed Dantona or Strickland.

There are many of us in the East County that have not forgotten the slimy campaign that Dantona waged.

If HBJ can pick up moderate supporters for the primaries like Supervisors Parks and Long, the Moorpark City Council and School Board, Conejo School Board moderates, TOCC Fox & Gillette.

Then there are the moderate Simi Valley grass roots leaders that are Richman supporters including Mike Sedell, Debi Schultze, Jarrod DeGonia, Jacquie Richardson and Donna Prenta.

Even if HBJ doesn't win the majority of East county she will do well in West County.

Dantona does not have the resume to hold a candle to HBJ. Strickland has many unethical skeletons in his closet and has burned bridges with moderates.

My prediction it will be a Strickland vs. Hannah Beth Jackson show down in the general.

East Ventura Friend, you don't know the political landscape as well as you think you do. Linda Parks did help Dantona in his race against Foy. Fox and Gillette are anything but moderates and will go with Strickland. Gillette is a long time Rep old boy network crony, and Fox has cast his lot with them too. Neither one will ever go with HBJ or Dantona.

What I want to know is why a lot of big names in Sacramento went for Dantona? Why have key Democratic leaders in the East end of the County gone with Dantona over HBJ? Why didn't Pedro Nava or Jack O'Connell go with HBJ? That tells us something, but I'm not sure what. I keep on hearing how she is disliked in Sacramento by her own party and in local circles too. I'm worried about how she will be able to bring all these people together if she wins the Primary. I'm worried about how Dantona will be able to bring SB people together after the Primary.

Exciting,

I admit I do not know as much about TOCC Fox and Gillette. As far as the Sacramento types I believe they will have little influence on East county.

I beg to differ about Parks supporting Dantona based on several conversations we had.

On the other hand I do know Simi Valley quite well.

I am mostly worried about Strickland and his ethics or lack of representing us in Sacramento.

East County Friend,

Yes, you know SV really well. They know you too. That's why they tossed you out.

Nice to see you posting, Judy.

Adding Mike Sedell to the mix? Who the hell is he? I thought he was just an entry level trainee who stayed at the job and slowly, very slowly, moved up in Simi Valley government to become City Manager. City Manager of Simi Valley? Now that really qualifies him as a mover and shaker in County politics. From what I hear, most people in State government think he is a joke when he comes to Sacto; very pumped up with ego, but lacking any contacts and a small town two bit player. Anyone who would name him in this blog is probably Mikels as "how's the weather in AZ" pointed out.

There is no way these moderate Republicans will support HBJ or Dantona because at the edn of the day they are still partisan Republicans. Sedell. Degonia, and the rest might be decent people but cross party lines? I will believe it when I see it.

What does it say about the Simi Valley city council that they all know, according to you, that Strickland is not a good rep but they don't do anythign about it? Does that make you lose any faith in them?

Jackson is going to tell voters in the East County that she supports abortion clinics and supporters even higher taxes and she is going to win? Marie, you're betting on a three legged horse and you think it can win the Derby. Jackson might have support in the hills of Santa Barbara County, but can't get elected dog catcher down here. There aren't many Democrats that the State Democratic leadership will not support, but Jackson made the list.

"Exciting race,"

What "big names in Sacramento went for Dantona?" It's hard to tell since he has not made the endorsements section of his web page available. Hannah-Beth's early Sacramento endorsements, as of December 20, include Senators Sheila Kuehl, Darrell Steinberg, Allan Lowenthal, Gloria Negrete-McLeod, Joe Simitian and Christine Kehoe as well as Assemblywoman Julia Brownley. Contrary to early representations by the Dantona camp, Senator Don Perata has not endorsed him. Have Pedro Nava or Jack O'Connell endorsed anyone? (Assemblymember Nava's wife, Susan Jordan, has endorsed Hannah-Beth!)

Lois Capps has also endorsed her!

As I am looking at a huge local endorsement list, I really take issue with any assertion that she is disliked locally. When Hannah-Beth completed her six years of service in Sacramento, the Ventura County Star lauded her accomplishments, which included a variety of legislation inspired by local issues and significant funds for local projects.

She is constantly in demand to serve as mistress of ceremonies and auctioneer for many political and non-profit organization fundraisers.

I also wonder about your assertion that she was "disliked in Sacramento." Her colleagues in the Assembly and Senate voted passage of 63 bills she authored that were enacted into law by Democrat and Republican governors, and she was selected to Chair the Legislative Women's Caucus!

CAP-812, your comment slipped in there while I was typing. Hannah-Beth is not as well known in that part of the District previously "represented" by Tony Strickland, but she will be remembered by those with whom she joined to fight against the development of Ahmanson Ranch and the perchlorate problems at the Rocketdyne facility when she chaired the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Waste Committee.

The female voters of SD-19 look forward to representation by someone who champions women's issues. Both McClintock and Strickland have dismal records here. For instance, HBJ authored AB 1928, the Violence Against Women Act which was signed into law in 2002. McClintock and Strickland voted against this legislation. Incredible!

She's for the abortion of babies of any age,
She raises taxes on every page;
She runs businesses out of the State,
Jackson gotta go, before it's too late.

CAP-812, I'm sort of confused about your stance here. I know you support Dantona, yet you seem anti-choice. Are you trying to tell me Dantona is also anti-choice? Here's a quote from the "Conejo Valley Democrat" attributed to him regarding reproductive rights:

“I care about the ability of women to be able to choose what they want, that they’re working on the same level,� he said.

I took that to indicate a pro-choice position. Am I wrong?

BTW, state taxes went down when Hannah-Beth was in the Assembly.

I don't think you could consider Mike Sedell (City Manager of Simi Valley) a serious contender at this point in his career. I wouldn't be surprised to see him throw his hat in the ring at some point in the future after he's left his career in city administration. He's definitely got the smarts, the political connections, and used to work as Elton Gallegly's Chief of Staff before he came back to Simi to serve as C.M.

First time poster. Although I do love reading the fights, some of us here really want to talk about the issues and candidates. I live in Newbury Park and I'm not sold on either candidate yet. I think Tony and Audra are bad news, so Im looking at the options very carefully. I want someone who can beat them. When redistricting was done, Ms. Jackson was purposely drawn out of having a Senate District to go into from the Assembly. She was thrown under the bus by her own party. That is fact. Anyone who follows politics in Sacramento knows it. That she had bills passed has little to do with whether she is regarded as a team player and an asset to the party. She is not considered either. Does she have supporters? Yes, she seems to be popular with liberals and the Santa Barbara/Ojai crowd. Having Lois Capps and Sheila Kuehl may help her with that crowd, but it does nothing for her in a general race against someone with the name recognition of Tony Strickland in the eastern part of the district, and with moderate republicans and independents.

Answer these questions if you can. I want to know how she is going to do that? Especially since it seems that she has little support among the Democrats out here. Why have so many already chosen to go with Dantona? Will she still run if Prop 93 passes and Tom McClintock runs again?

Go Obama!

CeCe Pacquin

The rhetoric of Dantona vs. Jackson is so ridiculous and self-defeating to Democrats. The issue is Democrat vs. Strickland and the political landscape. Jackson's resume looks great to Progressive Democrats but irrelevant to folks here in the East County.

Although Dems should fare well in the upcoming elections (and better than usual in Ventura County) the fact is that if either Dem gets into a pissing match with the other - he/she loses to Strickland. Game/Set/Match.

Dantona is the one that Decline to States and moderate Reps are more likely to vote for (he has already shown that) - Jackson is not precisely because her resume is so wonderful to Progressive Democrats.

I have no love lost for Strickland or any of the far right who have browbeaten my former party. Still, Jackson may get the nomination but she is highly unlikely to win vs. Strickland. She and Hillary can cry in their beer together.

CeCe,

Polling was done that indicates this race is winnable for Hannah-Beth in a match-up against Strickland.

She has the West County and Santa Barbara County endorsements pretty much locked up. Where I live, in Ventura, nobody has heard of Dantona. Ditto with S.B. County, so he has plenty of work to do out here.

I've heard a couple of theories about the redistricting. Some contradict what you have stated here. It's late, so I will save all that for another day. The people in her Assembly district, both Republican and Democrat, value the excellent representation she has given us. She was an incredibly effective legislator. That's all that matters to me.

I think there may be another scenario here:

Gallegly will finally announce that he has decided to go lay on a beach somewhere instead of going back to DC in 2008. Then look for Strickland (who has the money) and maybe a Simi Valley Republican (with a much cleaner record) to run for Elton's congressional seat.

To no one's surprise, Tom McClintock will not likely seek the seat in congress as he badly wants to be the governor to undue all the harm he thinks that Arnold has done.

All this should make for musical chairs and all sorts of interesting fireworks in BOTH party races at the filing deadline. Why? Because at the basis of all this is a weak Republican ticket running for the White House , Bush's continuing disasters in foreign policy and a recession of the first order in the next few months. These factors would hurt the chances of local Republican incumbents to keep their jobs and could make this congressional seat winnable for an ambitious Dem that has the time, effort and money to run.

Tax and spend Jackson, she never saw a tax increase she couldn't support. Abortion clinics on every street corner, she never saw value to an unborn baby. Strickland is a scary joke, but Jackson belongs back in the 60's in San Francisco.

CAP-812, now posting as Jackson 4 Jackson, we can always count on you to drag any thread down to the gutter and avoid all legitimate questions. No wonder you never use your own name.

Hannah Beth Jackson is already making friends in Simi Valley. She will have to prove that she wants to represent our community and won't forget about us once she returns to SB.

There are those of us that are loyal to what is best for our community not the East county political machine or partisan politics.

Don't underestimate passion.

Marie, you sure do avoid her abortion record as well as the tax and spend record. No one ever said she isn't a nice person, a smart person, an OK lawyer, or an environmentalist. Those issues you don't dodge, just abortion and taxation. Well Marie, those will be key issues for Jackson to address.

I thought this was a thread dedicated to Jackson, Marie. Though you would prefer it to be a praise Jackson thread, it ain't gonna happen. Jackson is so far out of the main stream views of East County residents that she will not be able to pull herself into the moderate zone.

Marie I appreciate your response, but there are two questions that you didn't answer.

Why have so many of the Democrats in East County already chosen to go with Dantona?

Will Hannah still run if Prop 93 passes and Tom McClintock runs again?

CeCe Pacquin

CAP-812 (Jackson 4 Jackson),

I am not sure what I am avoiding. She's pro-choice. There now, I've said it. So is her opponent in the primary, if I can believe what I've read. So are most Democrats. So are most Americans.

Please show me where in her record she has voted to exponentially raise taxes. As I posted before, state taxes went down when she was in the Assembly.

Those who know me on this blog know I just finished working on the second campaign of a DTS centrist candidate for city council. Before that it was a very pro-business Democrat. I've worked for two Republicans, too, and a rather liberal school board candidate. My own views are very centrist. I used to be a registered Republican. Now I'm a Democrat.

What prompts me to blog on behalf of Hannah-Beth? She's a workhorse. She's had incredible success at getting legislation passed which her district wanted. This is just a night-and-day difference from the McClintock-Strickland machine.

It's time for a change.

Oops, CeCe, just saw your post.

It was late last night when I was answering you. Sorry. The polling that was done was not measuring how she would do in a race against incumbent McClintock, so I don't have an answer there. I wonder if Dantona would also run against McClintock.

It's important to consider that Dantona announced his candidacy a few weeks before Hannah-Beth's decision to run and, I suspect, he may have solicited endorsements based upon representations that Hannah-Beth would not enter the race. I don't know the identify of the Democratic leaders in the East end of the county referred to in this blog, but I remain confident that when they meet Hannah-Beth and become familiar with her record, they will be impressed.

As I posted earlier, she pretty much has all the key Dem endorsements in West County and S.B. County.

Jackson better buy a long stick and a net. Dog catcher is about the only position she would have a slim chance at getting elected to. Pro choice? That isn't the issue, that is a buzz word. Jackson has favored 2nd and 3rd trimester abortions. Pro choice sounds pretty cool, Marie, but Jackson is way beyond that. As for taxes, she is known as the Assemblywoman who never saw a new tax she didn't support. She believes, and has stated, that increased taxation is the cornerstone of a strong government. She is beyond moderate, far to the left of liberal. She is great for Montecito; she will fall on her face in the East County.

Marie,

I am also certain that most East County Dems will welcome Hannah-Beth as opposed to Strickland/McLintock. But they do not make the election here. It is up to the forgotten folks in the middle, the moderate Republicans (the party does even acknowledge a moderate wing) and those of us disgusted with both parties who are now independent. Hannah-Beth is unknown or does not resonate at all with them at this time.

Yes, Hannah-Beth could get legislation through a Democratic legislature - that's not a challenge for either Democrat running. The challenge is to reach across the aisle and represent the true constituency of this district - not Santa Barbara.

You tout her 63 bills. Aside from her Violence Against Women bill, (which only a fool would openly campaign against - and yes both parties have many fools) what bill of substance has she reached across the aisle for and represented a more moderate approach to government than she is known for. Whether you like it or not - her "progressive" reputation is what she will have to play down to win this part of the district.

This is not a provocative post, I would really like to know what those 60+ bills represented. It is not a major accomplishment for a Democrat to have her/his name on bills in a Democratic-dominant legislature. I want to know when she represented something other than bought and sold "progressive" Democratic issues.

Please respond. Thanks Marie.

CAP-812,

Partial-birth abortion -- a seldom-used procedure but used often by Republicans as a red herring to distract attention from other more pressing and vital issues. You can do better than that.

What about education? Health care? The rights of consumers and workers? The budget fiasco in Sacramento? Water issues? Fixing our aging infrastructure? An overloaded prison system? The environment?

Let's talk about real issues, shall we?

Marie,

Do not be baited. Some of these supposed Dantona supporters are actually working for Strickland, they are just trying to smoke you out and drive up the google results regarding this race that's why CAP-812 always hammers the same two issues. Strickland wants Dantona and Jackson supporters to argue among themselves

Strickland will lay low and will never campaign face to face, he will only show up in friendly territory and ignore the rest of the community. Strickland is a good advertiser and self promoter I have never seen him active in helping hands on our community.

Someone else stated this is not a Dantona vs. Jackson race it is Moderate, Progressive, Rep-Dem-DTS vs. Strickland showdown

Jackson and Dantona need to leave each other alone and run their own campaigns and may the best person win.

Strickland needs to get a taste of his own medicine and have a swiftboat campaign waged against him.

Look out for the stealth IEC's and VCRCC membership communications.

Good lawyers know how to build their defense prior to revealing they are preparing for a case. So what if Dantona had endorsements prior to HBJ announcing, the campaign literature has not been printed in stone. Don't forget Strickland endorsed Dantona for the supervisor race and then turned on him when Foy jumped in.

IMO Dantona is not real articulate, he also is not a very good listener he more talks at you, more huff and puff, he made a mistake when he attacked Foy's religious belief's he should have left that one alone.

Strickland spends all his time raising money for politics and has never invested in his own community non-profits or public schools. He really is quite naive about his own community. His only real skill is marketing and fundraising from outside of his District. Who are his real friends?

Thanks, East Ventura. I'm getting pretty tired of this and I promised to take my kids somewhere. I need to get a complete list of Jackson's bills from her campaign to give a thorough answer to "Former Republican's" question. It's a long list...

Stay tuned.

Jim Dantona NEVER attacked Foy's religious beliefs, even though Foy used religion to campaign. Be careful you don't believe your own lies or the rhetoric that some have posted here.

Foy belongs, though refuses to admit or deny that he does, to political extremist groups that use religion to take cover. Even open-minded Republicans are tired of politics masquerading as religion as it has in the GOP for too long.

Strickland ran because those "religious" folks at Salem Broadcasting bankroll him and wouldn't have it any other way. That's called blackmail and there is nothing religious, and certainly not "Christian" about it.

CeCe,

Your question is simple East Ventura County want's access to their Senator, they established a relationship with Dantona during the Supervisors race - he's tangible.

East Ventura County want's representation in their zip code they like schmoozing with VIP's at the Reagan Library it makes them feel important. They really do not want their representative to come from Santa Barbara that is a big issue that HBJ has to overcome.

Don't worry about a long list of endorsements unless those endorsements are from moderate Republicans like Keith Richman that would be a victory.

HBJ will need to win the voters over in this area by dealing with the Waste Management, affordable housing, economy - especially re: Countrywide and Amgen issues, declining enrollment in schools, rather than clean beaches and environmental issues. Win over the small business owners that make up our Chamber of commerce. Whether they want to admit it or not most of our City Council and School Board Members are blue collar workers, none of them are rich corporate smoothies - they are teachers, nurses, police officers, printers, advertisers, branch level banker. There are only two local officals that work at a corporate level and they are middle management.

Land Developers and Waste Management are the big financial backers locally and grease all the local politicians by contributing to their favorite local charities.

Dantona will make Waste Management a huge issue to win over SV and Moorpark.

HBJ needs to funnel some of her financial supporters from Santa Barbara and Montecito big money to local charities, that will buy her influence and gratitude in this town, it will also show that she is interested in this area.

If she concentrates on issues that are important to displaced workers from Amgen (stem cell research) and Countrywide (credit meltdown) and how she can help their industries issues she will be able to reach the professionals that have a mind of their own. Strickland appeals to the Good ole Boys and Old School Republicans.

HBJ is a professional woman highly educated. Strickland is a career politician who launders campaign money into his own pocket and Dantona is a lobbyist and political consultant.

It is a presidential election year and people are disgusted with status quo, they want change. More young people will come out for the vote this year for the general election that wil help her or Dantona whoever wins.

Marie doesn't want to talk about the key issues, just the old issues that Jackson created. Jackson was a key player in running up the State deficit that Arnold has not been able to fix. Jackson is soft on crime and thinks that is a way to free up space in our prisons. Jackson spent every waking moment courting union support and that had a had in why our public education system is screwed up. Jackson did work for the environment, but had a strong hand in sending jobs to Texas, Utah and Arizona. No Marie, Jackson isn't the Ms. Fixit, she is the cause of the problems. She is old news, not the future. She will spend us further into debt, not create a sound budget. After all, that is what she accomplished when she was in office before.

No Friend,

I was at the debate, Dantona brought up Foy's religious affiliation, I watched the audience's reaction, that went over like a lead balloon. Like I said, he should have left it alone it was a no win situation and lost him votes.

Dream on East Ventura. Voters will not give a darn any more than they have in years past. Those few who vote will do so on rumor and gossip and church dictum but will not study, read or discuss. Five percent know what is going on. The rest watch TV. Dream on about the youth. They haven't been involved in mass since the 60's. People want change, but watch them elect the same just like they have before. The nation has made changes, but Ventura County has fallen flat.

I saw an attack on Dantona for not updating his endorsements on his website. But I don't see a website for Strickland or Jackson that says anything about this race. Please post a link to one for us if you know the url.

Otherwise, I conclude that HBJ is a dinosaur and doesn't even have a website up yet. How does she expect us to defend her? When does she expect to build an East County grassroots following? Inbetween Feb. and June? She needs to start now. A Myspace account takes 30 minutes, tops.

For the record, I voted for Dantona in the General Election. His Mom got him a lot of votes including my families, she was a kind and warm lady and I figured he must come from good values because of her.

DK, Truth is you are probably right about the voter apathy and projected results. I choose to believe and hope that more young people will come out because of the war...that's if they haven't all moved to a more affordable area.

I'll talk about any issue you want, CAP-812. You have proven you know very, very little about Hannah-Beth Jackson. You make things up all the time, from her place of residence to manufactured quotes. For instance, she is hardly soft on crime. She was a former prosecutor! She already has multiple law enforcement endorsements: Pat Miller, City of Ventura Police Chief; Mike Tracy, City of Ventura Police Chief (Ret.); Santa Barbara Police Officers Association; Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and more will be forthcoming. It's early yet.

HBJ has a web site, which I link to here. Granted, it's not a campaign site, but it has reams of information about her and her thoughts on a multitude of topics, which is better than either Dantona or Strickland can come up with right now. Strickland has no site; Dantona has one with links that go nowhere. I'd be happy to post all HBJ's current endorsements here, if you folks want.

I've been really forthcoming here. I post with my own name and try to answer as many questions as I can. I still know very little about Dantona. The only reason I'm put on the defensive here is because it's an East County blog. (One for W. County is coming soon on the Star's site)

Hey East VC - I was at the debate too. The "lead balloon" was actually quite vocal and entirely from the Foy contingency. His family mostly, right on cue, who filled the second row. There was laughter - laughter because nobody can believe how far out of the mainstream this guy is - Like Kucinch and space aliens. That's not religion. that's cult. Something Dantona's advocates have been called by those who hate him here. In the end - it all meant nothing - hurt nobody. And it should have been mentioned because, though true, it was so ridiculously unbelievable. But this isn't about Foy or his ministry. It is about the upcoming race.

We are all agreed we do not like Strickland. I know Dantona and I have seen first hand the heart this guy has, as well as his work in the community, long before the race. So I will defend him. I do not "know" HBJ. I vaguely know of her reputation which she will need to disprove if she expects to win.

Marie - you dismissed the "choice" question above when directed to HBJ but I remember you jumped on the bandwagon when Bubba threw the same divisive wedge issue out at JD's advocates. That is when I first chimed in with what I knew about Dantona's points of view. You accused them of dodging the issue and now you seek refuge against CAP.

Democrats and America may very well feel one way, but this is Ventura County down here, home of the Reagan Library and even the Dems here do not necessarily mirror the progressive Democrats you would like them too. (By the way "America's" opinion of abortion is much more gray than you seem to believe).

I await your research. I appreciate your candor, whether or not we agree.

CORRECTION East County-

"And it should NOT have been mentioned because, though true, it was so ridiculously unbelievable."

"If you give me a week, I might think of one."

--- Eisenhower's response to reporter's question of whether the president could give an example of a major idea of Vice President Nixon's that was adopted by the administration. Press conference, August 24, 1960, during Nixon's presidential campaign.

"I need to get a complete list of Jackson's bills from her campaign to give a thorough answer to "Former Republican's" question. It's a long list..."

--- Marie's response to a blogger's request to know when Hannah-Beth Jackson represented something other than bought and sold "progressive" Democratic issues and what bill of substance she reached across the aisle for that represented a more moderate approach to government than she is known for. Posted by: Marie at January 2, 2008 during a well-intended but ironically truthful gaffe.

Hannah-Beth Jackson is an old school, tax-and-spend liberal from the East Coast. She's pro-union, pro-abortion, pro-environmental extremism, and pro-Republican bashing. She will not cut it in this district in an open election. She will lose to Jim Dantona, by a slim margin, most likely, because it will be a high-spending, mud-slinging, battle royal that will work in Strickland's favor (since he has no formidable opposition from within his own party).

If I were the Dems, I'd be trying my best to talk her out of running at this point because it will just make it all the easier for Tony to secure the seat.

I've been trying to stay out of this thread for obvious reasons. This election has had the most potential to be divisive in Ventura County for the Democratic Party. And sure enough, the mud, half truths, lies and attacks are in full swing. From both sides. All you guys are doing is giving Strickland his jollies.

CAP, give the abortion stuff a rest. East Ventura Friend, I think I know who you are, and my, aren't you a disappointment. And Marie, I thought you pledged to not go negative on Dantona.

It's really insulting when you say that people only endorsed Dantona because he told them she was not running. First off, he never said any such thing. Second, you're talking about some heavy hitters and politically savvy people here in East County. They all know both HBJ and Jim, and chose to go with Jim. Just like some people in Ventura know both, like Steve Bennett, and went with HBJ. (no surprise)

The trick here is to remember who the enemy is: Strickland. We have to remember that come June, the Party will need to pull together to reach common goals. The East will need the West, and the West will most definitely need the East. It becomes much more difficult if both sides have firebombed the hell out of each other. We're not talking about Presidential candidate races that come around every 4 years and are removed from our daily lives. We're talking about having to work with people every month, who are showing up at your picnic, meetings, school board races and Christmas dinners.

People tend to sit on their hands, or even work against you, if they feel they or their candidate were unfairly maligned. Do you want to risk that if your candidate wins the Primary? Do you want to see someone pull a Lieberman? I sure don't.

Though I disagree with his stance on the war, I like Lieberman. If the party is out of touch - leave the party and represent the people. But that's another thread. Let's beat Strickland. But let's find out what choices are available to us.

To Mongo -

Jackson is running and won't be talked out.

Sorry, Laura, I didn't feel that was overly negative. I am just guessing that it is possible some people who gave him support did so before they knew she was in the race. I apologize if it came off as insulting. This blog is frustrating me, obviously. But you must concede, my friend, it would be nice if you folks would get those web site links working. I'd like to see both positions and endorsements.

Now back to "Say it like it is" (Mongo):
It's just ridiculous to expect me, a volunteer blogger, to have memorized 63 pieces of legislation and what bipartisan wrangling went into them. Probably the only person who could answer this question with assurance is Hannah-Beth herself. So I've made a good-faith effort to get an answer for "Independent" from someone in the Jackson campaign and I hope to have one soon.

This would be an easy question to answer if you were asking a version of it to a Strickland fan. Piece of cake to recount his handful of bills.

One thing you conveniently forget is that the genesis of these bills comes from the community a legislator represents. If she had more progressive-leaning bills passed, it is because she represented a more progressive area.

Since there are impatient hyenas here, I can give you a specific example from my own memory, but I am sure someone in possession of the entire 63-piece legislative record can do better.

AB 947 allows county agricultural commissioners to place restrictions on the use of all pesticides applied on farms within a quarter-mile of schools. In addition, it increases the maximum fine for serious pesticide-related violations from $1,000 to $5,000. It also includes language encouraging school districts to address in their safety plans steps to take in the event of pesticide drift. In order to maintain broad support for the legislation, Hannah-Beth narrowed the scope of her original legislation. It initially called for an increase in regulatory oversight of pesticide application within a quarter-mile of all sensitive sites, such as day-care centers, nursing homes and hospitals.

AB 947 was in response to a pesticide poisoning incident at a local school and it took tremendous bargaining ability to get all to the table to talk about this -- school officials, farmers, the farm bureau, etc. She built broad bipartisan support for this measure to protect kids.

Laura, I'm your love child. If it were up to Jackson you would have aborted me. But, OK, I'll yield to your request and knock off the abortion thing. I know Jackson's people are sensitive to that issue. How about the tax issue. Is it OK? How about the job killing positions she took? Is that OK? I'll be on good behavior. But then again, I don't think I'll see Jackson or her supporters at any picnics, meetings, school board races or Christmas dinners.

Don't leave out AB 2662 from your list of great legislation that Jackson authored. As I recall, that one condemns any limits on abortion, including parental involvement laws regarding minors, limits on late-term abortions, and laws recognizing the right of health-care providers to refuse to participate in abortions, because all such laws "apply only to women." That one piece of legislation should get Jackson a lot of support in Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Simi Valley. Just one of the many pieces of fine legislation that she authored.

How about AJR 2 aponsored by Jackson; a non-binding resolution "celebrating" 42 million abortions over a thirty year period? Now that was a resolution we needed made by this attorney legislator. Don't leave that one off your list, Marie.

Marie & CAP,

No harm, no foul.

I know you're both good people. I didn't want to lecture, but just wanted to see if we could dial it down a notch. We can save the firebombs for after the Primary in June, and they'll all have Tony's name written on them. Brian will have to install some flame retardant on the blog.

CAP, as my love child, I know well your loyalty to Dantona. I would never have aborted you...but I would have hoped for a different baby daddy than BK. Maybe John Edwards?? ;-)

The following quote sums up Jacksons view of State government best:

Yes, government taxes, and yes, it spends. That's what it's for, and our society is better because of it. Government isn't some arbitrary burden, it's the engine of growth, security and protection. Somehow over the past 30 years we seem to have forgotten these basic civics lessons.

Yes, according to Jackson, Government is the engine of growth. Boy, how wrong this woman is. This is Reagan country and he sure didn't believe that government "is the engine of growth". But then again, Jackson never was in the private sector creating jobs. Unless one believes that a lawyer creates something.

Hey, Marie's back and she has answers. The first one repeats what I already said:

One of the most dramatic examples of HBJ reaching across the aisle is her Assembly Bill 947, which was enacted in 2002 as a result of pesticide drift from agricultural fields neighboring Mound Elementary School in East Ventura. She worked with parents and teachers, and brought environmental and agricultural advocates who are frequently adversaries, to achieve support of legislation that empowered County Agricultural Commissioners to impose conditions on the use of pesticide applications near schools and other sensitive sites as well as increasing the amount of fines that could be levied against those responsible for exposing children and teachers to pesticide drift. The legislation also directed schools to ensure emergency plans responsive to pesticide drift events.

HBJ authored Assembly Bill 384 in 1999, which simplified payment of sales and use taxes by businesses that faced confusing and irregular prepayment requirements during the second quarter of the year. The legislation was sponsored by the Board of Equalization.

HBJ authored Assembly Bill 1284, which was enacted in 2000 and was sponsored by former Ventura County District Attorney Michael Bradbury. The legislation provided much greater protection for victims of stalking by imposing new limitations and other requirements related to pre-trial bail. The legislation was inspired by the tragic murder of Vicki Shade in Ventura pending the trial of a man accused of stalking her.

Others include, Assembly Bill 2567, signed into law in 2000, providing protection to trial jurors by imposing strict limitations on attorneys' efforts to contact them after trial and ensuring the privacy of their personal information; Assembly Bill 3546 established certification requirements for devices used to monitor radon; Assembly Bill 2879 established a tax credit for teachers who made unreimbursed expenditures related to classroom instruction; Assembly Bill 1145 enabled the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to propose the creation and boundaries of a regional open-space district by resolution following public hearings.

This is just a small sample of HBJ's legislation affecting public safety, the environment, public health, education and does not mention any of the millions of dollars she brought to both Ventura County and Santa Barbara County for open space preservation and local projects, such as the $15 million for the City of Ventura's California Street offramp, $90 million included in the state water bond for coastal pollution prevention when none had been provided before her intervention, $2 million for San Buenaventura State Beach improvements, a $650,000 grant for a 75-acre open space acquisition in Ojai.

Finally, even though Ahmanson Ranch and the Rocketdyne facility were outside her Assembly District, HBJ provided leadership, participating in demonstrations against the Ahmanson Ranch development and speaking out about the hazards of perchlorate as Chair of the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Waste Committee. Where was Tony Strickland?

I know how all the various CAP incarnations just love to listen to me go on, but it's super late and I'm still wound up and on a roll here.

So while CAP is snoozing and I'm on my second wind, I feel inclined to explore what CeCe brought up last night, but I was too tired to answer.

The redistricting story CeCe heard is a perfect example of that Joseph Goebbels quote: "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."

I did some checking and the fact is, the redistricting fiasco had nothing to do with Hannah-Beth; she was merely one of three victims of an ill-conceived plan to protect congressional and California legislative incumbents.

State Senate District 18 had been represented by Gary Hart and Jack O'Connell for 16 years; because O'Connell was termed out in 1994, there was no incumbent to protect, so the District was collapsed and moved to the San Joaquin Valley. The intended beneficiary, a friend of former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, upset the apple cart when he decided to run for Congress instead of the State Senate seat designed for him; as a result, a Republican was elected!

Highly-regarded Assemblymembers Fred Keeley and Helen Thompson suffered the same fate as Hannah-Beth and her constituents, who inherited Tom McClintock and thereby lost a representative in the Senate.

Just for the record, not every East County Dem is going to vote for Dantona, Laura. Dont take the progressives that do exist over here for granted. East County is a Reagan back-water for sure and I dont think we ought to continue ushering the idiocy along by negotiating from the middle with people who are only interested in new ways of justifying greed. People like CAP take a lot of pride and solace in their own ignorance. Lets not join him by playing that game.

HBJ fully intends on running her own campaign and not speaking out about Dantona. I have yet to hear her utter his name on the stump. She simply has to run on her record because she actually has one. That is more than Dantona or Strickland can say. Only hard-core ideologues like CAP will argue with the approach because it isnt one his boy can win on. All he has is the Reagan Library in his backyard as proof of relevancy. And the Library at Alexandria it aint. Unless you are a disaster capitalist of course...

Jackson's couple of minions are back at it and stumping full speed for the Montecito queen. Marie, especially, proudly announces she is back and has allthe answers. Clearly she and Jackson do have on thing in common; a giant ego!

Marie, as always, fails to address any of the Jackson legislation that I post. This is classic behavior for a zealot with an agenda that she wishes to keep in the back seat; get elected on fluff issues and then implement the agenda.

How about Jackson taking a strong position against our churches? Speak to that one Marie. Another Jackson Bill, opposed by the Catholic conference and other religious groups, forced insured that do not want or need contraceptive drugs to subsidize other insured that want these drugs. This bill forcedCatholic entities into a position of dropping all prescription coverage for their employees. In an intense debate on the Assembly floor, members rose in opposition and support for the bill, but their common reference was the Catholic Church. Pro-choice Assemblyman Lou Papan (D-San Mateo) stunned politicos by rising in opposition to the bill, objecting that he couldn't support legislation that adversely "affects the services that Catholics provide the indigent." Assemblyman George House (R-Mariposa) rose to support freedom of the exercise of religion, which he argued, the bill would violate. He quoted, from memory, the relevant section of the Constitution. Assemblyman House read from the writings of an unnamed signer of the Constitution and co-author of the Declaration of Independence. "To compel one to furnish funds," House quoted, "for the propagation of ideas he abhors is both sinful and abhorrent. Yes it is," finished House. Soon after, Santa Barbara super liberal Hannah-Beth Jackson rose to scold all the male lawmakers present for having the temerity to object to the bill for any reason.

With all due respect Marie, I don't see any of these bills as evidence of Jackson reaching across the aisle. It proves her name was on many a Democrat sponsored bill. Even California's Republican legislators can tout that. Simplifying tax codes is nice (though vague) but it is not cutting wasteful spending and senseless earmarks.

Contrary to Brian L's objections, many of us rational folks do search for the middle ground and consensus, not extreme dogma. Stand the ground on your outdated lib agenda and lose again to Strickland and other ineffectual politicos whom I loathe. The far left and right have dictated agendas for far too long, to their own detriment and that of our State and Country.

Yes, Jackson has a record, and it will bite her in the ass down here if she cannot offer a piece of it that says she is independent enough to break the stereotypical liberal mold that follows her.

Oh honestly, CAP, you know I'm not a zealot and I hardly have a big ego. Calm down, would you? Can't you take Laura's advice and narrow your focus on Strickland instead of picking through HBJ's legislation and looking for ways to twist it and make it sound bad?

She has an exemplary record. Not a bit of fluff in it. If you're looking for fluff, look no further than Strickland's record -- license plates and dance studios.

I see you are busy quoting verbatim from a Catholic online publication. I don't think that was one of Jackson's bills, actually. That, I believe, was AB 39 (Hertzberg)/SB 41 (Speier) Access to Contraceptives, which was signed into law in 1999. McClintock and Strickland voted against this legislation which increases access by requiring health plans to cover FDA approved contraceptives.

But Hannah-Beth was chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus at that time and supported it. Why did you leave her quote in the article off? She said "I am deeply offended by the notion that my employer should have the power to exercise my reproductive freedom of choice. I thought this battle was over with."

I looked up the other two bills you referenced and twisted to suit your own purposes:

AB 2662 (Jackson) Would require the Governor and the Legislature to adhere to the principles underlying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) when implementing state policies, programs, the allocation of state funding and delivery of services.

AJR 57 (Jackson) Memorializes the Congress and the President to protect and uphold the intent and substance of Roe v. Wade, relating to reproductive rights.

Good work Marie. I kept you busy on that round.

Fear not about Strickland getting attention. I will support your candidate fully should it become a race between Jackson and Strickland. For the moment though, it is important that you hear all the negatives and formulate your responses. As of today, I do not believe Jackson can win. I do believe Dantona can win. Winning, my dear, is the importance of this exercise.

Of course Brian, I'm sure that Jim doesn't take any Democratic vote for granted. I'm glad to see you getting more involved and active. The Party always needs new blood that is willing to work, raise money, register voters and build the party.

I'm sure HBJ isn't taking votes for granted in Santa Barbara and Ventura either, as well she shouldn't. I've never heard Jim utter a word about HBJ on the stump or much in private. Several blogs including Calitics and Conejo Democrat have pointed that out.

The fact is that both candidates have strengths. Jim has 30+ years in politics, working for and with people that most of us have only read about. HBJ has 6 years in the Assembly and many years of good works.

The fact remains that the Democratic Party is made up of more than just people who call themselves Progressives. There are many good Democrats, who have worked tirelessly for years to build, grow and maintain this party.

The candidate who wins this nomination will have their work cut out for them, as they will need to get every single Democratic vote AND a good number of Moderate Reps and DTS voters. Whoever wins MUST be able to reach across the aisle and appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.

The answer is not to rip the party apart over who is the most progressive, but to find a place at the able for each voice.

Word in Sacramento is that Dantona will pull out of the Primary, most don't even expect him to pull papers.

Word in Sacramento is that this race has been crossed off the list of seats in play. That will equal not enough money to win the general. It has become a lost cause, and neither candidate is interested in playing in that game. Watch for both to drop out soon.

LOL and Its Over are both all wet. What goof balls. You "word" in Sacto is from the garbage pit. Your contacts stink.

Laura,
I appreciate your thoughts on my increased involvement and while I dont have a personal agenda for being involved beyond insuring that my children grow up in a society that is fair and full of opportunity for all humans, my involvement does come with a price.

For many years I refused to register with either party because they really were one and the same economically speaking. BushCo changed that for me because things were so accelerated in the wrong direction that I could not sit idly by with a clean conscience.

While certain people on this blog who dont even know me have seen fit to label me, I am willing to accept a moderate consensus on certain issues. But I dont believe you negotiate to the middle from the middle. That has been one of the nasty little tricks that the other guys have played on the minds of the Dems for many years and IMO is the reason why this country has lurched right on economic issues.

How many thousands of years of selfish economic ideology do we need to look at before we understand that it doesnt matter what you call it or how it is packaged - greed is not a viable model for an economy, a society, or a democratic form of government?

OK, folks, word. Jackson and Dantona will fight tooth and nail during the primary and Dantona will come out on top by a slim margin. I think they both have access to some funding, her from her rich Santa Barbara friends, he from his rich East County friends and many in the political establishment (i.e., Sacramento).

They will both spend a bag of money and it will be a fight for the ages, to be sure. But, mark my word, Dantona will come out on top and then will go down to Strickland in the General election, by a significant margin.

Yes, Mongo, we all know you are the best election prognosticator around.

Mongo called it nearly right. My money is on Mongo and I'm never wrong. Only error Mongo made is the final count. Strickland will go down and be at the unemployment line where he belongs. Dantona will win by a hair. Jackson will go back to her computer and live happily ever after in Montecito's hills.

If Dantona makes it to the General, Strickland doesn't have a chance.

Oh, come now, Bothered. Name recognition alone automatically catapults Strickland into the lead. Dantona is going to have a difficult time carving out his niche is this district. No one really knows anything about him on the west end of the County and he definitely won't do as well in SB County as Strickland, given Tony's statewide name recognition as an assemblyman. Audra's current seat in the Assembly only adds to the name recognition advantage. Dantona will be just trying to get his name out there, whereas, Strickland will be able to name his accomplishments in elective office - big plus for him!

Please refresh us on exactly what Tony Strickland's record is. He got no significant legislation passed while in the Assembly.

The Stricklands have made a practice of funneling campaign money into each other’s firms. Over five years, the couple channeled more than $138,000 in campaign contributions to businesses owned by them and a legislative staffer who lived in their home.

Additionally, the Ventura County Star revealed during the primary campaign that while he was serving in the Assembly in 2004, Strickland lobbied the county Board of Education to approve a charter high school, but neglected to tell the board that he was being paid as a consultant to advise operators of the school.

The certainty of the ignorant and foolish while the wise man has doubts.

Mongo Mongo Mongo

Marie and I agree on this - Strickland goes down in SB - period. The race will be won or lost in Republican territory - east VC.

I realize that anything positive that is said about Strickland will cause the HBJ/Dantona folks to get a case of the vapors but, while he was not allowed by the Democrat majority to have his name end up on much, he was effective.

One example that some of you who have been involved beyond the last year may remember is that Strickland was the lone voice in the wilderness sounding the alarm about the cost of the Gray Davis energy contracts.

In fact it was Strickland who, alone, sued then Governor Davis forcing him to reveal the details of the contracts and his other financial screw-ups, which ultimately led to his recall.

No small feat.

Strickland's a political opportunist, no doubt about that. Most people believe now that Davis inherited the energy deregulation scheme which put California at the mercy of price-manipulating companies like Enron. I think Enron's fall has largely vindicated him.

Speaking of energy, I really think the Dantona brawlers should devote some of their energy to taking down Strickland. Do you realize that Strickland, a virtual unknown in Santa Barbara, is introducing himself to the community through radio ads which represent him to be an environmentalist!

No, I'm not kidding about that.

Wake up, people! Follow Laura's advice. We need to focus on who the real enemy is.

Hold on a minute! It was Strickland and his buddies who fought tooth & nail for deregulation of the energy markets which directly led to companies like El Paso Energy, Duke, Houston Power & Gas and Enron to collaborate on shutting natgas pipelines into California. It was Strickland's help that caused natgas prices to be less than $4/unit in NYC while keeping it over $14/unit in CA UNTIL Gov Davis began to negotiate long term deals with the suppliers. Even as those deals were being done Davis sued those same companies for manipulating market supplies (which turned out to be proven in court) and it was Strickland and his cronies who pressured Gov "CreditCard" Schwarzennogin into ending those suits before those crooks could make good on $20B in refunds.

For the record, Strickland's role helped the crooks and screwed the consumers AND the State.

Marie, I heard those Strickland ads too. Pretty interesting strategy. Sounds like he's trying to pull an Arnold and make himself appear as green as possible for the benefit of the SB folks.

GS speaks the truth. Here is a quote from Tony Strickland in 2001.

``It's more clear than ever that the long-term contracts are a bad deal,'' said Assemblyman Tony Strickland, R-Camarillo. ``The governor's really hurt the ratepayers for the next five or 10 years.''

Published Tuesday, July 10, 2001, in the San Jose Mercury News
BY MARK GLADSTONE, NOAM LEVEY AND DION NISSENBAUM

Hi Nobody...I'm Somebody.

How about neato-blue? Remember that saying back in the 60's?

Jackson's buddy Marie had better give her a map to find Thousand Oaks. She always flies from Santa Barbara to Newport Beach and isn't familiar with the Ventura Frwy.

CAP ate one too,

Newport isnt near T.O.

Maybe your map is broken.

CAP-812,
She won't have any trouble finding Simi Valley between the radioactive glow and the landfill.

Recycling old jokes again, huh, CAP? To be honest, I think her usual mode of transportation is her 6-year-old Toyota Prius.

Yeah, she's such a huge environmentalist, right? People with Prius's automatically make me suspicious. Most of the Hollywood limousine liberals drive Prius's too to the Oscars in Hollywood and then fly back to Manhattan in their Lear jets. Some environmentalists!

Marie, please forward to Jackson:

Map to T.O. event -
Go down Montecito hills to 101 Frwy. Enter Freeway south toward Los Angeles International Airport. Instruct driver to go beyond Ventura and continue southeast into unknown territories toward Los Angeles. Before coming to Los Angeles you will go over a grade. Watch for a sign reading "City of Thousand Oaks". It will be about 20 miles south of Ventura and before you reach Los Angeles.

CAP-812,
You are correct. Jim Dantona doesn't have any trial lawyers endorsing him. You must have seen Ron Bamieh in a trial. I know what you mean. I don't know anyone that has ever seen him win one.

Anyone who questions Hannah-Beth's environmental credentials should ask the leaders of the California League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Heal the Oceans and other similar organization why they chose her as their Legislator of the Year -- for her action, leadership and votes -- not just words.

Organizations that will really rally the voters in the East County, Marie. You have all the troops behind your candidate. Outside of Montecito and north Ventura, those organizations will be the kiss of death for your far left wing fanatic.

If you think the Sierra Club is the kiss of death for a candidate, it's a sorry world you live in. Now go back to your double wide and finish off the six-pack, would you?

Oh backwoods, a true Jackson groupie to be sure. I'll stay in my trailer if you stay in your abortion clinic.

CAP-812, What is Dantonta’s position on reproductive rights?
Here's a quote from the "Conejo Valley Democrat" attributed to him:

“I care about the ability of women to be able to choose what they want, that they’re working on the same level,� he said.

Progressive voters want to know.

CAP-812, You won't post under your own name, you won't provide any information on Dantona's positions, you won't provide any endorsements, you won't tell us how much money he has raised. (Like I did on another thread.)

What are you hiding?

CAP-812, You won't post under your own name, you won't provide any information on Dantona's positions, you won't provide any endorsements, you won't tell us how much money he has raised. (Like I did for Jackson on another thread.)

What are you hiding?

Marie, I hardly know the fellow. I have no idea what is position is/will be on issues. I do know a lot about your candidate, Jackson, however, and she is scary. She was a major player in the State nearly being bankrupt and she has not changed her spots.

But CAP, on another thread you told us he is your good friend. You also told us that unions have given him money. So I don’t believe you when you say you don’t know anything.

What are you and the Dantona campaign hiding?

CAP-812 doesn't post under his name, but then again neither does "Marie". With 25,000 Marie's in the County it hardly fills the bill as constituting a name. How about I tell you I'm Ed? Does that satisfy you as have a name, Marie?

It's my own name. I promised my husband I wouldn't use the last name here. But a bunch of people on the blog, including Brian, ML and Laura know it.

Oh boy, so three people might know who you are. Now that is really open government. Glad you think you are therefore posting under your name.

Just call me Ed, Marie.

By the way, CAP-812 is Joe. Now we are all out of the closet.

Two posters and the blog owner definitely know who I am.

Why doesn't anyone answer my questions?

Must be dumb questions. That is what gopher alerts were all about.

Dantona is out. It is a great loss to the 19th District to lose him. Now it is time to move on.

Marie, if you team needs help in this end of the District, my wife and I are ready to hit the pavement for Hannah-Beth.

It's time to get representation in Sacramento from someone who gives of themself rather than takes to enrich oneself. Hannah-Beth Jackson represented her District while in the Assembly in a manner that gained her the respect of voters from Ventura through Santa Barbara and beyond. I'm convinced she will do more of the same when representing us in the Senate. In the Simi Valley area we have a soon to be Superfund Site and a want to be mega-dump at the Simi Valley landfill. Hannah-beth is what we need in Sacramento to protect us from these two disasters.

Not to be one to say "I told you so," but if you check my above post of January 3, 2008 01:59 PM, I predicted Dantona would drop out.

Well if you check the Star homepage you'll find that Dantona bailed today.

I just hate being right all the time!

Hey, the Dems are smarter that I thought (kind of). They got one of their candidates to bail, so they could focus on getting only one candidate's message out there to help defeat Strickland. Unfortunately, they picked the wrong horse.

Strickland will make absolute mince meat out of this old school, east coast liberal from Montecito!

Look what happens when I finally get up from my computer. I just read Timm's story about Dantona dropping out. I thought something was going on.

Can we be friends now, CAP?

Anyone who would like to volunteer for Hannah-Beth's campaign can email jackson4senate@yahoo.com

Oh, and Mongo dear. This fixation with identifying her as a resident of Montecito is ludicrous. She doesn't live there and doesn't travel in Montecito social circles.

Finally great representation for the 19th District instead of a right wing nut who can't get anything done. Hannah-Beth provided fantastic representation for Ventura-Santa Barbara when she was in the Assembly and we all enjoy beautiful beaches because of her efforts. She will do the same thing for the East County when she is in the Senate.

So much for the great fighter Jim Dantona. He went out with a wimper and was easily outgunned and outclassed by HBJ and her supporters before the contest even began. He obviously didn't have the endorsements, financial support, or backing by his own party. Good riddance to him and all his fanatical cult supporters. Maybe he should run for dog catcher.

Marie, what do you do follow her around all day? She does, in fact, have many associations with the country club set in Montecito. Sorry to burst your bubble on that. She will, in fact, receive plenty of contributions from them as well. Wait and see...

Woof, woof!

Ahh, Marie, you're an old sour puss!!!

HBJ got legislation passed to begin tackling the perchlorate contamination from SSFL when she was in the assembly. Even back then, she was concerned about an area that was outside her direct supervision as a representative. Now I realize that all the east county right-wingers think perchlorate is just a tasty additive for their children's cream-of-wheat but I have concerns about its' health effects. Oh, I also hear that radioactive strontium isnt good for you either - unless you consider cancer growth good for the local economy.

Those crazy Prius-driving limousine liberals wanting a clean environment and safe working conditions!! Buncha far-left fringe family types those people!!

Hey - good work winning over those east county right wingers! You ever been to the Knolls Brian L? No not the grassy one where you are still looking for that Cuban CIA mafia sharpshooter. I'm talking about the Santa Susana Knolls where the very people you are talking down to live with the poison every day. You better put your thick skin on because if the anonymous anti-Prius jive talk is getting your defenses up - you guys are doomed.

Now it's a real horse race. A clean, highly educated, profession woman against a goon who only eats from a taxpayer trough and never accomplished a task benefitting humanity in his life. Simi Valley is ready for leadership. Jackson will provide it.

Dont worry about the Knolls' dealing with east end poison. The latest news from WMI is that the landfill site is sitting atop an abandoned Class I toxic dump that holds at least 60,000,000 lbs of hazardous waste. Didnt know that? They're not quite sure what's there but they do know there's PCBs, amongst other toxic chemicals and the only thing protecting them from migrating upwards into the rest of the waste is a clay cover (I'm not sure if there's anything been done to prevent them from migrating outwards and downwards into the aquifer cause WMI doesnt say).

Just to put it in perspective, a large part of the Hudson River was declared a SuperFund site when over 1,000,000 lbs of PCBs were discovered trapped in the river bottom silt. How much of the 60,000,000 lbs of toxic waste under the landfill are PCBs?? WMI doesnt say.

Are we repeating the mistake made up at Rocketdyne? HBJ...will you help us find out?

Appears that the gopher now barks like a dog. When the trap springs, it will just squeek.

Marie, I solved the puzzle. Can I post a guess who you are?

I didn't realize I was a puzzle, Moondoggie.

With that cryptic response it appears you wish to remain nameless. I'll abide by that desire. So that you recognize the Doggy's resolve, let me just say that it starts with an "L".

Surfs up, my dear. We shall meet soon to pursue our common interest in seeing Hannah-Beth win an election.

Marie Osmond?
Marie Antoinette?
Marie de France?
Marie Curie?
Princess Marie of Edinburgh?
M.A.R.I.E. (Mars Radiation Environment Experiment spacecraft experiment)?

You guys are funny. I actually prefer Bubba's last suggestion.

Moondoggie, even if I did use my last name here, which I promised my husband I would not do, it would be absolutely meaningless to any of you.

I am just what I said I am on an earlier post: an active community volunteer, employee and mom. I would put emphasis on the mom part.

I appreciate your support of Hannah-Beth. It means a lot to me. She is a great lady.

How about "La..." Close? No more clues coming from me.

Hannah-beth and I are catching waves this afternoon. Hope you can join us at the pier.

Geez, Moondoggie. Do you think anybody really cares? I don't. Go knock yourself out on Google. You can find pictures and everything. I have no skeletons in my closet. But I know you have way better things to do with your time.

P.S. I think CAP stands for Cantankerous And Perverse. I haven't figured out the 812 part. That may be his weight as I doubt he gets up from the computer much. :-)

OK, sorry CAP. You deserve at least that from me after what you've been up to lately.

You are so funny, Marie, and a great sport. Keep up the great work for your friend. You have already accomplished so much for the school kids as well as for the betterment of Hannah-Beth's campaign. Your reward will be a big one on election night.

Do well, good health, and thanks for the quick and sharp responses to my very negative and hostile comments over the months. Being on your team for just 24 hours has been exciting and my friends and I are looking forward to many good times ahead.

How nice for you Moondoggie, catching waves with HBJ. La donna e mobile, and so it appears is the doggie.

Gee CAP, were you able to think up all those big words by yourself? A couple of them actually had more than one syllable. Your circus friends must be impressed!

Since CAP and Moondoggie are so curious, I thought I'd share this nice video I am in. Enjoy!

Moondoggie, I will tell you the real reason Bubba Kidd hates Dantona, but don't tell anyone. It seems Dantona was taking a leak at Denny's and Bubba Kidd was using the stall next to him and he glanced over. Bubba was already extremely insecure with his manhood and after that encounter Bubba Kidd lost what little self esteem he had left. Now he blames Jim for his own shortcomings.

Your sense of humor has no bounds Marie. Like a fool that I am, I watched the silly video. I'm going to enjoy working with you during the campaign.

It's me BK. Come get me.

Is that all you have, gopher alerts and references to Larry Craig? Get some new material. No wonder your candidate went down in flames. Next time he should pick a better team.

What a winning candidate needs on his team is BK. Now that will really do the trick. Imagine that jerk actually working for someone.

What do you get if you put BK in a meat grinder and take the ground up meat to Jamaca?

Jerk gopher

There you go, at least that last one was a little more imaginative (maybe a 4 on a scale of 10, which is pretty good for the Dantona crew). If you guys are reduced to throwing out cheapg insults at least try and make it entertaining for the rest of us.

I feel sorry for Bubba Kidd. All of the republicans running for Pres are looking like fools and they have no one! The dems have excitement and the numbers. Looks like another wipeout for Bubba Kidd and his rethuglicans in 08! IF YOU WANT TO SAVE AMERICA VOTE DEMOCRATIC!

It is one sick gopher. BK offers society nothing, but has a fetish for Dantona. One minute with Dantona and this fetish would be terminated as would the gopher. It is so sad that such a pathetic jerk can spew so much hate from its dark cave underground.

We all vote democratic you dimwit!

democratic
1: of, relating to, or favoring democracy
2often capitalized : of or relating to one of the two major political parties in the United States evolving in the early 19th century from the anti-federalists and the Democratic-Republican party and associated in modern times with policies of broad social reform and internationalism
3: relating to, appealing to, or available to the broad masses of the people
4: favoring social equality : not snobbish
— dem·o·crat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Go back underground, jerk!!!

You really are a sore loser.

and you Bubba are a fraud...

(still looking for that damn "ignore" button on this site)

Gopher surfaces out from under rock. Must be the good weather. What a jerk.

Dantona and the clowns who support him talk a tough game, but when the chips were down he folded like a cheap tent. Still they resort to their usual tantrums and smear attacks. But in the end it is the Dantona gang that has been exposed as frauds.

Same old crap out of the vermin's mouth. What a jerk!

Clowns? Gang? Frauds?
Gophers can't talk, they just squeak when the trap springs.
Nothing ever comes out of its mouth worth listening to.
A month of bliss without this idiot and now it resurfaces.
Surf's up, otherwise I'd grab my traps.

Bubba your public humiliation with come in time, then we will all enjoy the circus, clowns notwithstanding.

The gopher isn't even worth responding to. It feeds on this limited and warped publicity. Let it lie in its hole and hopefully a heavy rain will flood its burrow.

CRAP-812 and his pals love to dish it out but they sure can't take it. Boo hoo.

Sure they can take it, gopher. Any time any place. You name it, jerk.

Bubba,
It's over. Why are you so angry?

I'm just giving CRAP-812 and the other Dantona cronies a little taste of their own medicine. They like to talk tough, but the the total collapse of their candidate's campaign exposes them for the frauds that they are.

No doubt they loved it when I took some time off so they could run their little smear campaign against Jackson and bully folks like Marie and Heather. I'm sure that picking on women makes CRAP-812 and his pals feel like real men. But when they get smacked back they behave like little weasels with their childish insults and gopher alerts. Pathetic indeed.

So pardon me if I take the opportunity to relish in the total collapse of the Dantona machine and the lies that propped it up. And I will enjoy rubbing CRAP-812's nose in it much like you rub a dogs nose in it when he craps on the rug.

Crap on this BK, jerkwater gopher. Any place, any time. Let's see whose nose you will rub. Your a coward, lonely and full of hate. Dantona must have really shoved it up you and you didn't have a soap-on-a-rope. You harbor too much hate. What a waste of protoplasm. Remember, gopher, any place, any time. You are quite an imposing figure when hiding behind a keyboard. Vermin, plain and simple. Vermin!

CRAP-812, are you threatening me with physical violence? Ha ha ha ha!!

What I'm saying is that you are a jerk hiding behind a keyboard and subhuman to the level of a gopher. What I'm saying is you are a coward spewing hate against a man who has done more for his his Party than you can comprehend. What I'm saying is you don't have the courage to come out of your hole in the ground. What I'm saying is I welcome the opportunity to look you in the eye; and that day will come gopher.

Ha ha ha ha, gopher. You show your cowardice every time you type and hide.

That's quite a statement coming from someone who also hides behind a fake name and has routinely spewed hate against HBJ and countless others. Everytime you call me a coward for remaining anonymous you insult yourself.

Besides, you're too short to look me in the eye.

Dean Dean the B.S. machine,
Your the biggest coward the county has ever seen. You're a big wimp but on the computer you act so mean. Ignorance is all you can gleam. Nobody wants you on their team. From Saperstein's nipple you must wean. Pretty soon you'll look pretty lean. If you ever fought CAP-812 Wikipedia would have another definition of cream.

That is because CRAP-812 would cream his pants. LOL!!!

Got that right "nobody". The vermin is a coward. I've told him I will meet him any place and any time and he calls me a coward. He is one warped vermin. Again coward, any time, any place.

Come on coward. Let's see who creams. Then one of us can LOL and the other will join the gophers in vermin heaven. Come on coward. Show you have a little human left in you. Come on coward. Place and time.

Pretty big talk for a little boy. You keep saying place and time, place and time for what? If you're gonna talk tough try and be clear about what you are saying.