Other classics of course include small business person for a lobbyist or a lawyer.

Why would the size of the person doing business have anything to do with it?

Before joining in the game, this issue has to duscussed further in seriousness.
Chris Wangsaporn and Joel Angeles have been (and still are) highly paid political operatives for the Stricklands for a decade. The fact that they are working for "free" in Tony's new company for potential future "considerations" should be investigated.

Are those "considerations" promises of employment by the State of California in Tony's staff when elected? All that sweat equity, as Tony calls it, will be rewarded with payroll and benefits in the hundreds of thousands of tax dollars for Wangsaporn and Angeles.

Does someone need to be involved on a campaign to have standing to sue over this mockery of democracy?

When the Star endorses they better remember the joke that has been done to the ballot statements.

Also, Tony Strickland's title should be professional politician.

Let the voters interpret if that is a good or bad thing.

At least it is honest!

I understand that Hannah Beth Jackson is using the title educator this time but what has she used in the past? Does anyone remember?

Brian,

Hannah-Beth used "Attorney" in the past as she had both her own practice and was a Assistant District Attorney. But she hasn't practiced law in 10 years. When she left office after being termed out in 2004, she taught at UC Santa Barbara as the university's "public policymaker in residence." From March 2007 to March 2008, she reported making $50,000 as an educator. So that is her most recent source of income.

I really think candidates should list as occupation what their income comes from. In Strickland's case, he is apparently the owner of a company called New Market Strategies and received from $10,000-$100,000 from this company. A routine Google on this firm comes up empty.

Does anybody know what he actually does?

Perhaps County bureaucrat? That's what she used to be before she got into politics.

Do not underestimate the value of packaging in selling anything is including soap, cereal and political candidates!

My favorite "oldie, but goodie" packaging job was 2006 board of supervisor candidate Peter Foy as "farmer." His website was particularly amusing in generating the image that showed photos that really looked more like from a modeling portfolio of someone who posed for a high-end, mail order catalog showing the latest in what the well-dressed rural citizen should wear to the local grange meeting or county fair. "Gentleman farmer" would have been a more appropriate title on the ballot as it denotes an avocation in agriculture or perhaps for a realty tax shelter
. . . and not a career.

Farmers I have met - including several in my family - do what they do as a full-time career and derive their daily bread from it. Moreover, in all the photos I have seen or taken of them working hard in their fields or tending stock they show the results the such effort brings - soiled and worn clothes and boots and liberal amounts of perspiration on their faces.

On the other hand, politics would not be nearly as much fun as it is without a bit of show business and marketing tied into it.

I assume, Mongo, that you had not seen my earlier post before you posted that "county bureaucrat" response. Once again, you're not doing your homework.

After receiving a law degree from Boston University, Hannah-Beth worked as a deputy district attorney for Santa Barbara County. She later established a family law practice in Ventura and Santa Barbara, where she earned a reputation as an advocate for justice for women, children, and victims of crime. She then ran for the Assembly and was easily elected to three terms. Now she is teaching at UCSB.

Since you often speak of being a Strickland acquaintance, maybe you could ask him for me what New Market Strategies is. Is it a lobbying firm? I am not sure.

Mongo,

Are you calling prosecutors that put criminals behind bars government bureaucrats?

I think it is refreshing that Hannah Beth Jackson was honest both times about her occupation even though listing attorney didn't likely earn her many votes.

Do you think it is truthful what she listed her occupation as on the ballots?

Marie, although you seem to have done your "homework" (i.e., spin marketing) on a candidate you're supporting, you apparently have not done the same on Tony Strickland.

New Market Strategies is a government relations firm that does consulting works for an energy development company, something that is sorely needed (energy development, that is) in light of the $4 per gallon gas prices you and I and the rest of the consuming public are paying these days.

I did make an attempt to do my homework, Mongo. I tried looking it up through the Sec. of State and through the Internet. I could find nothing. So that's why I asked you.

I still need clarity here. "Government relations work for an energy development company"? Are you talking about GreenWave Energy Solutions? The company he is working on with his two campaign staffers, a large contributor to his campaign and a member of the VCRCC? That company?

Or are we talking about another company? When you say "government relations," what do you mean? Lobbying?

Please explain.

Marie, no need to argue further. Jackson's ballot statements have always been accurate. The woman has never been dishonest to the public. Strickland, on the other hand, and his new minions Kunicki and Osborn, pride themselves on dishonesty. Just look back on their public records to see where they have been in trouble previously. Kunicki has remade himself no less than six times; each time he is an expert in something. Strickland thinks he is smarter than voters; boy is he in for a shock. Yes, Strickland is an environmentalist alright, just like Foy is a farmer.

Marie, when I say "government relations" I mean, of course, a consultant who is trying to help a private company navigate through the bureaucratic maze that your party refers to as "protecting the consumer." Huh, what a joke!

If I'm a company trying to help develop energy sources to provide alternatives to the public that is currently paying $4/gallon at the pump, I've got to jump through more hoops than a crazy tiger at a Ziegfried and Roy show.

Now, I'd like to hear more about Taxan Jackson and her plans to solve the State budget crisis. Any thoughts?

How about a tax on oil production in California? It is good enough for Texas, why not us? Strickland has it down pat. Give more money to him, his wife and his cronies to kick back more money to him and cut benefits to those most in need. Now that will balance the budget Strickland style.

I'll make you a deal, Mongo.

You don't call my candidate Taxan Jackson and I won't call your candidate Phony Tony.

We can both take the high road from now on and just discuss issues.

Surf's up Marie. Keep going with your Phony Tony. He is. HBJ, on the other hand, authored, what, about 60 bills through the Assembly intended to make California a better place to live and work. Cutting government is a great idea. But Phony Tony is no Ronald Reagan. Phony Tony is out for Tony and his clients. To hell with the tax payers and voters. HBJ can run circles around the Phony. Yep, stick to the issues, Mary, but don't call Strickland anything but a Phony.

Let's catch a wave together Mongo, my friend.

Moondoggie, my man! My image of you is descending fast, like a huge swell breaking and collapsing.

HBJ? Are you serious, dude? Taxan Jackson's reputation notwithstanding?

I'm not buying it. I'm thinking it's some sort of a delayed April Fools joke. Either that or too much time in the chowder.

Sorry Mongo, my friend, but Jackson has gotten to my heart and I'm a Jackson fan to November. I sure don't agree with her on a lot of issues, but I respect her and I don't respect Strickland. Get close to both of them, and I think you too will find her to be a sharp lady with lots of good ideas for making California a better place.

Alternative Energy Executive - yeah and he invented the internet too!

Gee, wasn't it Al (looks like he ate the old Al) Gore who invented the Internet? That and crusading to stop global warming, while using 200 times what the average American uses at his Tennessee mansion, seems to have eroded his credibility.

Mongo,

He never said he invented the internet.

You should use truth, not a lie, to prove your point.

Brian, this is a long time quote that has been attributed to Gore. I'm not making it up, I'm simply repeating it. Sound it be testy there, Bri. What's the deal? Was he your preferred presidential candidate or something?

Mongo,

I am sure you listen to all sorts of media sources that lie to you but he never said he invented the internet.

Why am I quick to point this out? I think it is sad when people will say anything to win.

Brian, if you've been following this thread, my Al Gore Internet reference was in response to a previous post about Stickland's ballot designation as "alternative energy executive" being as big a lie as Gore's claim. It was simply a sarcastic comeback, no offense meant to you.

I'm not sure what it has to do with winning either.