I've watched the Courage Campaign video three times now and it makes me laugh just as hard every time. Good job, guys!

How shameful that HBJ would blame Tony for attack ads and then let this slide while her supporters claim "Good Job". The ad calls Strickland a liar...twice...when all he has done is try to advance renewable energy solutions that don't mandate that taxpayers foot the bill. If HBJ is going to demand that "attack" ads be disavowed, she loses all credibility by letting this filth slide.

I agree, Hypocrisy. HBJ made all these promises about playing it clean in this campaign and then she turns around and runs this ad. I've lost all faith in politicians, but I'll probably vote for Strickland on principle's sake. At least he didn't promise he wouldn't go negative and then did.

The difference being of course that this ad from the Courage Campaign used his actual record to make their point and didn't make things up. Hannah-Beth only asked that ads be truthful as the Star's editor also did.

It's certainly fair for any of us to point out that he voted against nearly every single piece of environmental legislation that crossed his path. Voters should know this.

Was it snarky? Definitely. Was the "liar" thing over the top? Yes. But you can't blame any of Hannah-Beth's supporters for snickering over this after what Strickland's college buddies pulled.

They set the bar so low none of can be blamed for tripping over it.

Looks like Courage Campaign got its facts straight. Can Phony Tony's buddies claim the same thing?

OH Marie, you are so funny and by that I mean LAUGHABLE! I was just waiting for the first hit piece against Strickland and for someone like you, to say, "Oh, we didn't say we wouldn't be dirty and mean-spirited because it is all your T-R-U-T-H!" If the Strickland camp set the bar so low, why was it so hard for you to get over it?

It's amazingly hypocritical when you two-faced, sniveling Strickland supporters encourage your candidate to create attack lies out of thin air and then try to grab the high road by crying foul when those lies are challenged.

What Tony's done is "dirty" campaigning while HBJ's response is called "negative". The frst is slimy & despicable and tells us alot about his failed politics. The second is just damn good politics.

I'll be being real honest here, something the other side is incapable of. I hope the environmental groups and Hannah-Beth come out with both guns blazing for this guy. Go get him! All you have to do is list his voting record to do it.

I'm speaking as a mother of a child who was poisoned at her own school (along with dozens of others) by a toxic cloud of pesticide which drifted from a neighboring field. Hannah-Beth crafted bipartisan legislation to keep that from happening again and Strickland voted against it.

He's voted against countless measures to keep our children and our planet safe while taking thousands from polluters and oil companies and tobacco interests.

I'm happy as hell to see his record brought into the light and I won't apologize for it.

Strickland new "business" Greenwave is a slap in the face to all legitimate business owners. The various Chambers of Commerce ought to be embarrased supporting him. It's going to cost them some memberships.

CAPC, CLU and the Ventura County Star is sponsoring a forum for the Senate Candidates. The intention is to ask various environment groups to be participating organizations. Joe Howry with the Ventura County Star will be asking all questions but the public is invited to submit suggestions. Brian Dennert has some good suggestions on issues for both candidates to respond to earlier in this post.

Phony Tony can't tell the truth. HBJ should go after the Phony with everything she has.

Katie's organization tries, but fell short in its last forum when Howry let Greg Totten go on and on speaking for Gallegly in violation of the rules. Katie and her group need to stand up to Strickland and not let Howry's shaking legs get in the way of a fair and open event. The Phony is going to be standing there without any clothes on. He is Phony Tony, plain and simple.

I cannot deny that Greg Totten went on for six minutes instead of the three minutes that were promised. I found out afterwords (didn't have the timer). Maybe a loud buzzer is in order.

We are very glad to be partnering with the paper and I don't fault Joe Howry in the least. His goal is to have a fair forum. He feels very strongly that the citizens should be informed. I think your dismay should be placed on the candidate's shoulders.

CAPC is waiting to hear from both Stricklands and further confirmation from Mr. Nava's office.

Sorry, but I am giving an objective opinion. I am a HBJ supporter and I am disappointed in this ad. After watching it my impression was that it reinforced Strickland's message, the text debunking it was ineffective. If they are using their fundraising $$ for an ad like this they are only helping Strickland.

I would recommend they DON'T run it on TV or they will be paying for a STrickland ad for people to listen to while they get up to get a drink in between their shows they won't read the text, many people are auditory learners.

Marie, I think everyone's pretty sick of hearing about your kid's misfortune with the pesticide spraying, which Tony Strickland had nothing to do with.

Let's get back to talking about the real issues and stop with the personal vendettas you and others are pushing.

Which ad? The "Strickland is Unbelievable" ad was produced by the Courage Campaign and will never run on TV. It's "viral advertising" and was designed to be shared over computers. It was not coordinated through her campaign at all.

The Jackson folks did their own ad debunking the completely false commercial Strickland's college buddies put up and I thought that one was very effective. It will run on TV.

Both are here.

Brian made that pretty clear at the top of this thread.

"Hypocrisy,"

I use that issue because it is a striking example of the differences between the two candidates. Strickland voted against that bipartisan bill (AB 947) which was crafted with the help of the agricultural community.

I am still incredulous how anyone could vote against this and it shows a lot about his character.

It's a real issue which sparked real legislation along with the other bills which protect kids which he voted AGAINST:

SB 25 This bill requires the state to review public health standards for air pollutants to ensure they are set at science-based levels that protect children. It also increases air pollution monitoring around schools and daycare centers.

SB 567 Mandatory car seats for children under 6.

AB 1006 Prohibits public schools from using carcinogenic pesticides on school properties.

SB 1703 Expand state-supported childcare centers, purchase new instructional materials and undertake repairs and modernization to comply with health, safety and Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

AB 1683 Requires child care centers to post copies of site visit reports detailing violations that posed immediate threats to children and implemented a $50 to $100-per-day noncompliance fine.

What kind of guy votes AGAINST all that?

Katie, the 6 minutes rather than 3 wasn't the entire issue, just the frosting on the cake. Your rules didn't permit a stand-in to give a presentation, period. The rules were changed for Gallegly, then violated by Totten. It looked like a double violation to me; one by Howry and one by Totten.

Due to some candidate pressures, some 11th hour - and I mean 11th hour - decisions had to be made. Howry actually went to bat for CAPC so don't paint him with an ugly brush. If you want the details, feel free to e-mail me at katieteague@verizon.net

All the people holding signs for Tony the Scumbag are paid goons and thugs! It is time for change and to vote aganist the Strickkland's, they need to get real jobs and to quit feeding at the taxpayer trough like hogs!

I was at the forum where Totten had to agonizingly work his way through the pre-prepared speech, surely composed by Gallegly or his staff, and it seemed never-ending. Everyone was looking around for the hook to pull him off because it so obviously ran over time with no respect for the rules or attention to the person waiving the time card.
And of course, the lovely Mrs. Gallegly sat in the front row glaring at everyone.
And poor Totten had to give a very partisan endorsement in front of a non-partisan audience, thus hurting his own political prospects in this now red county.

The details don't matter. The lesson for CAPC to learn is to be strong. Otherwise, respect for the organization will fall. If the local private college wanted to play political hardball, then don't hold another event at the college. Clearly the College had a stronger spine that Howry or CAPC in that particular round.

Now this is exciting news! I just found it over on Political Watch Central Coast.
www.politicalwatchcentralcoast.org

"19th State Senate candidate Hannah-Beth Jackson endorses Proposition 11"

CAPC is a strong supporter of Proposition 11 - Redistricting.

As she so accurately points out “Competitive elections are the lifeblood of democracy,� Jackson added. “The public interest is lost when incumbent politicians cannot lose."

HBJ was hosted at my home last week and it was clear she is wholly in support of Prop 11. Though I won't try to put words in her mouth I believe she feels that entrenched, partisan districts are a contributing cause for the deadlock in Sacramento.

As more and more extremists of both parties find their ways into these "safe" districts they are encouraged to wield their extremist views with no concerns about consequences from the voters. This allows obstructionist groups like Club For Growth to thrive and maintain a minority stranglehold on almost all legislation.

There are only two solutions: elect moderates to office (which C-For-G fights tooth and nail to prevent) or give one party a 2/3s majority so that budget legislation can't be blocked.

Strickland's far right C-For-G efforts may have worked too well and after November the Repubs may be marginalized in Sacramento for some time to come.

George Skelton of the LA Times has a great column today on why we need Prop 11 - Redistricting to pass.

Oh, poor Marie Lakin and her kid who got sprayed in the face because she didn't have the common sense to move out of the way. Oh, boo-hoo, oh, poor me. I need the government to fix all my problems. Boo-hoo.

Charming. Please tell that to the dozens of other parents whose children were simply walking into school that day and didn't know that what they thought was fog drifting over the school was actually Lorsban, a neurotoxin which was banned by the EPA for use in homes because of its detrimental effects on children.

If this comment is representative of Strickland's supporters, you are a sorry, sorry lot. But nice try. As you may have noticed, I am not easily intimidated or bullied.

Please read this:
http://articles.latimes.com/2000/nov/19/local/me-54512

Lament,

Thanks for the very quotable response to all those children being poisoned. Priceless! It will read well in my next letter to THE STAR, as an example of the sort of attitude this community can expect if Strickland takes a seat in the Senate.

Smooth one Mikey - I'm sure Tony really wants you to keep this thread active.

Can we ask "Lakin's Lament" for permission for Brian to reveal who they are? Picking on kids that were hurt by pesticides?

A new low.

Farmers were happy with the compromise that led to the legislation that now regulates over spraying of fields. Children at schools and homeowners in their yards are now safe from exposure to neurotoxins. Nevertheless, someone has the nerve, no the stupidity, to attack a mother for wanting to protect children from Lorsban exposure. It is a weird world. Perhaps a frightening world, to realize that Ms. Lakin could be faulted for her concerns. Yet it is even more frightening to know that Tony Strickland voted against this legislation; legislation that was negotiated with the local farming community. How weird this is. How stupid this is. Thank God we have Ms. Lakin and other concerned parents in our community who care about the accidental poisoning of children at school. And thank God we have people with the concerns of Hannah-Beth Jackson who recognize problems and fix them.

Although I agree that this comment by "Lakin's Lament" is a bit out of line, I think people on this blog are making much too big of an issue over it. Let it go. You guys are a bit overboard here.

Pesticide spraying is not (by a longshot) the most important issue in this campaign. It's about a dysfunctional State Legislature that can't even get its act together long enough to adopt a budget. This is a Legislature that's dominated by Democrats.

I guess you can make a reasonable guess as to who I'm voting for in this election.

When backed into a corner of their own making, some politicians and their supporters will always start singing kumbaya, can't we just live together and ask that we forget about those annoying little issues....like poisoning school kids. Forget it! If his supporters are any indication, Strickland thinks child poisoning is just no big deal.

Let all your friends and neighbors know!

The dysfunction in Sac is because a minority group - the Republicans - are stonewalling the budget. Audra Strickland is a part of this. The bottom line is that Republicans will be voted out of office and the Dems into office - starting with HBJ. Thanks alot Stricklands.

If Tony Strickland can't get this issue correct how can we trust him with the budget?

It seems like his supporters don't know any of his energy policies and they don't know why he voted against this compromise bill. You ridicule the victims instead of seeing if he has a reasonable explanation. It is obvious you lack confidence that he has a reason. How about you try to defend your candidate?

Why not call him and ask?

How scared does a group of people have to be to call themselves "Courage Campaign"?

Phony Tony is going down and his drop is showing day by day. HBJ is punching hard in the northern part of the District where the Phony first came out of the closet with his new environmental hat. The Phony will have nowhere to hide. His core group of nuts is getting smaller and smaller. As he goes down, his silly wife will go down with him. Thug Joel Angeles, it's time for you to sign up for unemployment.

Hey Republican,

Great job on supporting Republican candidates for office. You're no more a Republican than I am a three-legged toad. You're just a Democrat trying to make it seem like there are actually Republicans out there who think like you do. Not a chance, pal. But, nice try.

CAP-983,

HBJ may be punching hard in the northern part of the district, as you say, because she can't punch at all in the rest of the district. That's the only part of the district that actually knows anything about her and supports her flaming liberal tax and spend ways.

She won't do well at all in the rest of the district where most folks care about government overreach and taxing policies. We certainly don't need one more Democrat who will work to hold the State government hostage without a budget unless the Republicans agree to support tax increases, which ain't gonna happen anyway. We need Strickland and that's who we're going to elect in November because he cares about the hard-working taxpayers in this district.

HBJ only cares about her liberal lawyer and union buddies up in Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Summerland.

Hey - I'd be happy to see ANY ad.

I am a high propensity Democrat - have NEVER missed an election. I am active in local politics so I have shared drinks with Dems at local gatherings where HBJ appeared. But here in the East Ventura County, deep in Ronald Reagan Valley where she must turn the tide of moderate Reps and Independents to win...

I have yet to receive ANY mail piece, have yet to see ANY TV ad, have yet to hear ANY radio ad and have yet to hear from ANY Republican or Independent friend (who is not an active insider) of ANY knowledge of the invisible Hannah Beth Jackson.

News flash - most voters are NOT invited to these gatherings and have NO IDEA who Jackson is. If she is banking on being the anti-Tony to win - it ain't enough. She better hope she can ride Obama's coat tails and eloquence for all they are worth.

Maria - I would vote for you over Jackson based on your knowledge, accessibility and visibility.

But honestly, if you guys think pesticides are going to put a largely invisible and seemingly aloof candidate over the top - you are mistaken.

Funny I was just thinking the same thing about Strickland. My son has received two of Jackson's mailers and I saw several of her ads discussed in the Star by Tim Herdt. We saw her at the Camarillo Farmers Market a month ago.

Stay tuned Gibson, the tidal wave is coming. Phony Tony is going to the bread line or Wasco. You can take that to the bank. Phony Tony is going down!

HBJ is out campaigning Strickland in his home turf and will probably win. Even his team of volunteers believe this.

She has been very visible in the county and has been wooing the independent voter very effectively. As a "Dem" she doesn't need to campaign for your vote - there is no way a Dem will vote for Strickland. Conversely, many Republicans, myself included will vote for HBJ.

Sadly Disappointed,

Instead of being disappointed get involved. It is time for the Democrats in Ventura County to claim their majority and realize "yes you can" win elections. Start running GOOD candidates, don't apologize for being a Democrat, lift your head up and cease this opportunity. Don't make negative assumptions, be confident and devote your time and resources, we can make change together regardless of our party affiliation.

HBJ has a new office in Simi Valley opening this week at Sequoia and LA Ave., come by help us out, more importantly, help yourself out by owning this election it's YOURS and MINE together! It's not about HBJ or TS, it never has been, this is OUR Senator she represents US and WE will hold her accountable to her constituents not corporate greed and special interests.

WE demand honest, dignifed, intelligent, representatives with the integrity and the courage to represent us in our district and stand up for what is right.

To quote Hannah-Beth, "I will fight/work like the dickens for my constituents."

Together we will hold our representatives to OUR high standards regardless of party affiliation.

I would have gladly voted for a Republican if they had the strong character of Hannah-Beth Jackson. Unfortunately the Republican Party has fallen victim to the hi-jacking of the VCRCC by the Strickland's and their thugs. The Republican's should hsve chosen a candidate that was honest and not self serving and greedy. The VCRCC has betrayed the Republican Party by subjecting the people to the Strickland's.

When the Strickland's are no longer controlling the VCRCC I will re-register as a Republican, for now I will not associate myslef with the VCRCC.

I've got news for you, many Republican elected leaders in the East County may have endorsed the Strickland's out of fear of reprisal but when they go to the voting booth they will be voting for Hannah-Beth Jackson, I know that to be a fact.

Phony Tony is going down. He has been on the take for far too long. Perhaps he should move to Chicago and try a run. There kick-backs are the norm. Here, the Phony will be on the bread line or in Wasco before you know it.

The Phony Tony is going down!

CAP-643,

I do not believe you are a Democrat just like the non-existent "Democrats for Strickland" group, where are they, who are they. Just like you are a poser Democrat you are a poser CAP, use some imagination rather then stealing someone else's identiy. Oh that's right, that is the Stricklands MO, stealing identities-he is trying to morphe into Hannah-Beth a true environmentalist.

Tell you what, have Kunicki/Osborn/Valenzano/Angeles/Wangsoporn/Henry all re-register as Democrats then you can truthfully claim you have a Democrats for Strickland group-why not; you formed a shell of a corporation so you could give Tony the Phony a title of Alternative Energy Executive, You can be the "Alternative Democrat Pimps for Strickland" and then the VCRCC can boot you out for changing parties.

Hannah-Beth has been to Simi Valley numerous times, I have not seen Strickland. I am DTS and I have received two flyers. I received one Strickland flyer.

Their were five recent meet and greets in SV and MP and the local Moorpark/Simi Valley Democratic Clubs were informed of where & when.

Funny thing all the meet and greets were hosted by Republicans and Independents.

Hi, Mongo,

Welcome back from NYC. Or were you ever really there? No, I didn't think so. Having fun masquerading as others? We all know what you're up to with your posts as other people. You were slimy yesterday, too. Desperate people do desperate things.

I'm the only CAP (643) and Gibson/Mongo has once again stolen my blog name. Sick individual who can't even hide behind his own name. Sort of like Phony Tony who has to reinvent himself at every election.

Brian, please keep any CAPs who don't post from my IP off. This Gibson is a real weirdo. Poor Ventura. I thought Simi Valley had it bad with Steve Frank and Moorpark with Phony Tony, but Ventura has Gibson and he is apparently a real wack job.

If I'm in error and this imposter isn't Gibson, then I'm sorry.

Dear You Lie and How About You,

A candidate's job is to go out and get the vote by convincing Democrats, Republicans and Independents that she deserves the position. I am proud to be a Democrat but I resent any politician of any party who believes they are entitled to a position. That is what I perceive in both of these candidates.

NO candidate should ever presume that "she doesn't need to campaign for your vote."

Forget about me. It's not about me. It's about whether she truly WANTS to do the work necessary to win. Sorry, but so far I don't see it. And that means 4 more years of Tony. Wake up this candidate NOW!

Dear Sadly,
Sorry you're feeling this way. The rest of us are seeing real progress. The fact that you continue to go on and on here leads us to one of two conclusions:

1. You're fishing for information.
2. You're out of the loop for a good reason.

Dear Sadly,

Your posts seem strangely familiar but that's because I was writing just about the exact same thing, for the same reasons about two months ago.

Then I decided to get involved and do something about it, rather than rail against the candidate. I've helped host an evening with HBJ and I've made a point of contacting them, rather than wait til they call me. I'm out on the streets everyday talking up local issues and generating votes for HBJ. She and her campaign team are doing the same, on a different scale and in different ways.

I'm now satisfied that HBJ will win and that my small contributions will help.

Get involved.

What does Alternative Energy Executive Tony Strickland think he knows... and when did he start to pretend he knew it?

Dear GS and Progress -

I am very much involved in the local scene and I know GS well. You are a good and intelligent man. I am not fishing because there is nothing to fish for. All the progress you believe you see is insiders feel-good rhetoric.

I am "going on and on here" in hopes that someone might convince Jackson to get up off her entitled butt and reach out beyond those who will tell her what she wants to hear.

You think I like Tony Strickland? I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than have him around again. But while there are many hard working well-meaning individuals like GS who would like to see Tony gone, I am not convinced Jackson can do it beyond the safety net of Santa Barbara.

I've worked with many candidates with fire in their bellies for the job. And I've been stuck working for some dogs as well. Jackson fits neither definition, but she needs to be more of the former to help herself win. GS, Marie and CAPPY can't do it all for her.

Sadly, you are a smart gal and your points are well taken. I must disagree with you on this point, however. HBJ's campaign is extremely well funded and organized. While I agree we have not seen a lot come out, stay tuned. You will be favorably surprised and excited. Her Simi Valley office will be opened this coming week. This is her fourth office to open. Mail, TV and surprises far beyond will be coming in a manner you may have not seen previously.

Now for the other side of the coin. Is she the perfect candidate? No way. Will she be the best State Senator? No question about it. She is very smart, very dedicated and works around the clock for the residents of the District.

I hope to see you at the opening of the Simi Valley campaign office. We need and want your help, my friend. I'll bring a special bottle of wine to share with you.

Hi SD,

This is just a place where we blow off steam, debate and entertain each other. Don't mistake it for the real world, please.

If you are truly concerned, I would ask you to volunteer in one of the four campaign offices. But if you are not interested and don't want to be involved, I would only ask that you respect those of us who are working very hard alongside hundreds of others.

Quite frankly, I've never seen anyone work harder at a campaign than Hannah-Beth does.

Brian, I'm yet again getting emails accusing me of being a posting name that I am not. In this case, "Sadly Disappointed". Can you please check the IP and either confirm that it is not me, or prove me a liar and say it is.

It's not me people. Go find yourself another boogeyman for every anonymous post that you don't like. For the Reps, I'm any Liberal post that makes them angry. For the Dems, I'm any post that they don't think is liberal enough. And of course any post about the CVUSD is me too. Katie unfairly catches a lot of these accusations also.

This is one of the reasons it's not much fun to read or post here anymore, at least for me. The never ending finger pointing and almost no one willing to use their real name. JMHO

It is not Laura Winchester.

Thanks for reading and commenting Laura. I appreciate your input.

Anything Laura says is worth listening to. She is a class act and a wonderful person. Laura has one purpose in politics and that is to make life better for those most in need. Laura, don't stop posting as Laura or anyone else

Moondoogie sends his love as well.

PS: Brian, anyone who wants to post under a "different" IP can do so with ease so I trust you will not put too much faith in your marginal detective agency.

Come on LW - I'd take it as a compliment! I get beat up all the time but it is usually by one person and everyone knows who he is - I suspect the same is true for you.

I speak truth and what I say can be verified by public record and/or by at least two independent sources.

As I always say, I'm not going to lie for a pedophile or a candidate. Unfortunately, this philosphy is not well accepted by some.

Looks like somebody else has decided to work on getting the truth out, too.

It is true, but if the IP matches a history of comments from another person there are two choices:

1. It isn't Laura Winchester.

2. Laura Winchester drove to another city to use someone else's computer.

You guys are unbelievable...

I am NOT Laura Winchester so please leave this classy lady alone. I'm trying to let you know that Jackson is still largely unknown and perceived as (hate to use this overused word) an elitist. You guys have proved my point entirely. You think the whole voting world revolves around one or two little groups of insiders and you target one of the hardest working women around as a threat.

Sadly, you don't even recognize respect when you see it here. I offered complimentary words for the work of Marie, GS and old CAPPY - but you guys took a shot at Laura instead of taking any of this info to heart. This is why we Dems self-destruct in this district, because more focus is spent on trying to silence phantom critics on a blog than reaching out to those who think they may be seeing the Emperor's new clothes. I hope I am wrong, but your actions and baseless accusations just reinforce my critique. Richard Nixon paranoia - pissing on Laura while inviting me to "help out."

Simi Valley office opens next week? Where has Jackson been up to now? Are we expected to fall in line because she is THEE Democratic candidate? One point of view without dissent? I thought that was the Ventura County GOP credo.

Brian, you offer such a great opportunity here. Sorry, the infighting and "one pint of view" only gets in the way.

Sorry you took the heat Laura. I'll work with you, Katie or GS any time.

I'm off to help Obama now.

You guys are unbelievable...

I am NOT Laura Winchester so please leave this classy lady alone. I'm trying to let you know that Jackson is still largely unknown and perceived as (hate to use this overused word) an elitist. You guys have proved my point entirely. You think the whole voting world revolves around one or two little groups of insiders and you target one of the hardest working women around as a threat.

Sadly, you don't even recognize respect when you see it here. I offered complimentary words for the work of Marie, GS and old CAPPY - but you guys took a shot at Laura instead of taking any of this info to heart. This is why we Dems self-destruct in this district, because more focus is spent on trying to silence phantom critics on a blog than reaching out to those who think they may be seeing the Emperor's new clothes. I hope I am wrong, but your actions and baseless accusations just reinforce my critique. Richard Nixon paranoia - pissing on Laura while inviting me to "help out."

Simi Valley office opens next week? Where has Jackson been up to now? Are we expected to fall in line because she is THEE Democratic candidate? One point of view without dissent? I thought that was the Ventura County GOP credo.

Brian, you offer such a great opportunity here. Sorry, the infighting and "one pint of view" only gets in the way.

Sorry you took the heat Laura. I'll work with you, Katie or GS any time.

I'm off to help Obama now.

I agree with Sadly Disappointed. HBJ is too aloof and out of touch with the majority of voters in SD-19. That's why she will lose this election.

HBJ may be a bit aloof, but she isn't a crook, she doesn't prostitute herself to oil, insurance and gambling, she isn't a phony, she doesn't whore her spouse around to make extra bucks, she doesn't pay her husband to work on her campaign and she doesn't have her staff knock down children and seniors. Yep, she may be a bit aloof, but she is a helluvalot better than the Phony Tony! No question about it.

SD,

I don't recall taking a shot at Laura here. I like Laura a lot. She knows that. And I appreciate your kind words for me earlier in the thread.

I was trying to get you to reach out to people in person rather than venting on a blog, which really isn't productive. I understand some people don't like leaving their names here, but it certainly helps reinforce your message and clear up misunderstandings.

Feel free to email me:
Makingwavesventura@gmail.com

It's a really BIG district and Hannah-Beth has four offices. She's out there, believe me.

I have found Hannah-Beth to be really down to earth and funny, so your impression is different than mine, I guess.

I live in Ventura and haven't seen Strickland campaigning here nor have we received anything in the mail since before the primary. I received two mailers from Jackson recently; I have seen her ads analyzed in the Star and watched her commercials on CNN.

If you ask me, it's Strickland who needs to work on his image problem...

Oops, make that three mailers from Hannah-Beth. Just opened my mail today. Of course, she had me at hello.. :-)

Let's all try to enjoy our Saturday, OK?

P.S. I am also planning on helping the Obama campaign, too! That speech was fabulous, Brian!

When you meet HBJ you'll realize its not that she's aloof....she's focused on her responsibilities to her community in a way that few of us have ever experienced.

No. She's not the social charmer who's perfected the ability to talk you in circles as he deftly picks your pockets. HBJ simply answer your questions thoroughly and simply.

Neither is she the bubbly scene stealer who has a wealth of anecdotes and jokes to keep the old boys' happy. Yet HBJ has the information you really need to make an informed decision about all the issues that affect us and not just a bunch of bullsh-t with which to confuse those issues.

HBJ doesn't tap dance around the issues very well. Though she's all left feet when it comes to the Sacramento Two Step and may not be able to whirl you off your feet with a phony biography and a flip flop on every occasion, HBJ has shown a rock steady devotion to the correct side of each issue. She's been right on every occasion while others have had to either slink off in shame or lie about her accomplishments.

HBJ's done the right thing by working hard to firm up her support amongst her westside base before coming east to do battle with her opponent. With the TO office recently opened and the Simi office about to turn on the lights the battle ground is now Simi Valley & Moorpark and you'll see a lot more of her during the next two months.

That's not being aloof. It's being smart.

You have received 3 mailers - I have received none here in Ronald Reagan Valley. Yes, the diligent informed citizen will go to her office to learn more. But what of the other 97% of the electorate? We do not all live in your Ventura zip code.

Seriously, check your mailing lists Marie. Is somebody ripping you off or is Jackson focusing her mailings up north? That is not an accusation - it is a real question. It is a REALLY big district and this little portion is in the dark (other than the handful of loyalists who blog here).

Yes our perspective is different and THAT is my point. The perspective of those in East Ventura County is different. Jackson's task is to change it. I know from one of the many "CAPs" above what Hannah Beth is not. But the voters here in KoolAid land do not know what she IS.

I am active with many local groups and unfortunately Strickland's name recognition (for better or worse) is far stronger with them than hers. Those that know of her, perceive her as some distant figure. Strickland is one of their own (yes I am cringing too).

That does not bode well as voter history has continually proven that the average voter will support the devil he knows rather than the one he doesn't know.

Marie you have always been classy on this blog even when disagreeing others. Whomever turned this into a personal battle with Laura should be ashamed. It is not fair to Laura and it is insulting to those of us wishing to truly engage in Democratic discussions and debate. If we wanted to be told to tow the line, we would join the GOP.

By the way - where ARE these offices located?

The Simi office is at the corner of LA & Sequoia and will be the gathering point for volunteers to come in to make phone calls and help get those mailers out locally. I'm sure that neighborhood walks will also be organized out of that office.

Stop by with a friend or two or seven or more and lend a hand. It's people like us that'll make Hannah-Beth the choice.

They have all come to my DTS husband. So did Strickland's mailers.

Neither one of them has sent me personally one mailer. I am a registered Democrat. I am sure they are coming, though. It's still early.

You seem awfully focused on your end of the world forgetting that people in north county and Santa Barbara County don't know who Strickland is, but they do know Hannah-Beth because she worked so hard for us. Mostly I hang around with folks not involved in politics and they all sort of draw a blank about him. If they do come up with his name, he's not spoken positively about.

Office locations:
Ventura Campaign Office
701 East Santa Clara St Ste 36
Ventura, CA 93001
 
Santa Barbara Campaign Office
430 Chapala St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
 
Conejo Campaign Office
810 Lawrence Street
Newbury Park, CA 9132

Simi Campaign Office
Corner of Los Angeles Ave. & Sequoia

Um, I'm not sure what this has to do with Laura...? Nobody was focused on her here until she posted herself. It's definitely not a personal battle, that's for sure!

P.S. It's easier to be classy when you use your own name and you know your teen-ager is reading what you write! Please contact me at the email I provided. I'm happy to talk offline!

Laura's just bitter because she favored Dantona and he pulled out under pressure from the Dem bosses and the Jackson camp. Good riddance...

Hey... not cool, let's just leave personal stuff out of this and focus on issues, voting records and things that really matter.

I like Laura very much. She's always been very kind to me.

Marie - I'm "focused on my end of the world" because I'm sending you a message that we have not heard from her and I thought you might care.
The word on the street from those with any knowledge of her here is that she is only focused on her corner of the world. Do with that info as you wish when you move into Reagan Valley.

As for Laura - she was evidently contacted and blamed for my questions and criticisms. That was childish and paranoid on the part of the individual as is the absolutely divisive comment from LFD above, though I am sure that last comment is more likely from some ass like Dean Slimeball Kunicki or Bob Loser Larkin or some other unholy incarnation. Good riddance to all of them.

Boy politics makes strange bedfellows.

SD, I wouldn't rely on your street information. That's all it is -- gossip.

If you really wanted to be helpful you would send the campaign -- or even me -- a personal email or make a phone call and talk about your concerns. Instead you are waging a very public war for whatever purposes and now calling people ugly names.

It's easy to do this when you post under a pseudonym. You just lost me with the name calling.

You know what? These are the voters who are gossiping. My email to you will not educate the voters. You have to do that.

And I have no sympathy for either of the individuals named above who have blasted Winchester and Dantona and who deserve more respect than that.

Granted one of them is using Jackson now because he hates Strickland. Use him right back because he'll stab you in the back when it is over.

I expressed my feelings because I respected you and a few of the other individuals here. If you think my info is gossip, ignore it. I thought you wanted to win.

Ever heard of the term "divide and conquer" Marie? Don't waste your time with this crap. Go back to your own blog and carp about Walmart.

Marie,

Why do you think so many people that attack you do it under a fake name? Are you dangerous? You seem pretty mild mannered to me.

It's hilarious to watch all these Democrats cut each other's throats in the name of their favorite candidates. That's why they'll self-destruct prior to the November election, just like they always do.

Nobody is attacking Marie. I thought this was a discussion forum. But when participants are not in agreement, they are told not to discuss "publicly?"

I was planning to take Gary up on his offer, maybe join him for morning coffee at his favorite haunt to discuss. But it doesn't seem like "discussion" is invited here.

Good luck in your "private" campaign. I wish you all the best.

Oh Come on,

I wasn't referring to the discussion about Hannah-Beth Jackson's campaign in Simi Valley. I too have complained many times about what had looked like she wasn't trying very hard here.

I was talking about people faking to be her, talking about stuff that doesn't belong here, and the taunt last week to shut up about pesticide use at schools.

But thanks for reading and commenting. I do think constructive criticism can help a campaign and/or a blog.

Brian,

You, Katie and I are the only ones who post here regularly under our own names. It keeps us honest, don't you think?

I have one point of view based on my own volunteer involvement and "Sadly" has another based on what (he/she) says (he/she) is hearing. Opening an office in Simi when there is one nearby in the Conejo seems to me to be a sign that she is serious about campaigning there.

I just would have preferred to have a more discrete conversation with 'Sadly," that's all.

"Sadly," you know where to find me.

what a goofy bunchy of idle chatter. The Phony Tony is the issue, not a "Laura", "gs" or "Marie". The Phony is finally under attack and he is spilling blood. The Phony Tony is going down and just like Steve Frank took down his wife, the Phony will take down his as well.

Sadly, I'd like to know who you are, if you feel like telling me: winchesterlaura@aol.com

And to LFD - nothing about Dantona has ever left me bitter. You, on the other hand, sound like you have an axe to grind.

You can keep on trying to beat me up, or him up, but in the end, we always have the last laugh. So why so serious??

Oh come on Brian!

Coffee & discussion's always welcome. I'm usually there between 0830 & 0930. Its a great coffee house!

Our household of five DTS voters has received six mailers from HBJ.

TS left one on our doorstep delivered by a service that employs non-english speakers that drop off flyers and advertisements at homes, I wonder if they were legal immigrants.

I walked my precenct and talkied to all of my neighbors prior to the event at my home. I have been devoting myself fulltime to HBJ's campaign.

HBJ has attended at least 8 events in SV that I am aware of.

TS has not sent any flyers to republicans either.

Donna,

If you email any of her flyers I will post them. Same goes for Tony Strickland. I have seen a flyer from Tony Strickland and zero from Hannah-Beth Jackson at my house. But if they are targeting DTS voters that makes sense.

Donna -

It is clear that DTS has been targeted by Jackson and suggested by a previous poster that she doesn't need to campaign for Democratic votes (neither Brian or I or any of my Democratic friends have received one).

I know she has been at a few small local gatherings of active individuals like us (I attended one). But the main stream voter is in the dark. Those are the facts. The strategy is obviously to introduce herself to them late in the game, perhaps dictated by finances. My observation is simply that the vast majority down here do not yet know her and it is late.

By the way I proudly voted for you Donna.

Gary -

It is THEE best coffee house in town. All tri-partisan coffee and discussion lovers should visit Cafe Valentino's. And I will proudly vote for you when you decide to run.

I'm a Republican in northern part of the county and haven't seen one mailer from Strickland. Good thing because it will go in my round file.

Tony Strickland has always been available whenever I've called his or Audra's offices for assistance in the past. They have always followed up to questions or requests I've submitted to their staff when they haven't been available to respond personally to the inquiry.

On the other hand, Hannah-Beth Jackson has always been an aloof and distant representative. She never returns phone calls and her staff follows suit on her poor example. She's never available in her field offices to take calls or interact with her constituents.

I was so glad when Tony announced he was going to run to represent the 19th Senate District in the Legislature. I thought Jim Dantona would have done a commendable job as well. But, when I heard Jackson decided to run, my heart sank.

I just hope the voters in the district see through her thinly-veiled attempt to regain the 2/3 majority vote in the Legislature, so they can impose tax increases at will on all of the hard-working people of Ventura & Santa Barbara counties.

If all you have to say is nice things why not use your real name?

How do we know you aren't the same person posting under different names?

So you were represented by both Tony Strickland and Hannah-Beth Jackson?

Well, I am a Republican that has been represented by the Stricklands for years and they NEVER did the right thing.

Oh my goodness, what a bunch of bunk you've just posted, "He's been there."

I have never in my life worked with any elected representative on a state level more dedicated than Hannah-Beth Jackson. She had an amazing record of constituent services, including helping us with the pesticide incident I spoke of before.

Hannah-Beth authored AB 1284, which was enacted in 2000 and was sponsored by former Ventura County District Attorney Michael Bradbury. He came to her, not Strickland. 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.

Even though Ahmanson Ranch and the Rocketdyne facility were outside her Assembly district, Hannah-Beth 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?

She brought money to both Ventura County and Santa Barbara County for open space preservation and local projects, such as the City of Ventura's California Street offramp, coastal pollution prevention when none had been provided before her intervention, and improvements for San Buenaventura State Beach.

While I've been out talking to folks about Hannah-Beth, I have heard countless stories from people who have been absolutely stonewalled while trying to talk to aides in the offices of Tony Strickland, Tom McClintock and Audra Strickland. "It was like talking to a brick wall," one person told me after she went in to talk to Audra.

We all know that Tom McClintocks lives in a mailbox here and has not worked for us AT ALL. We can look forward to more of that if Strickland is elected, I'm afraid.

Oh, boy, here we go with Marie's pesticide incident drama again (as if that's something to base your support of a candidate on).

I'm speaking from my own experience in dealing with Tony and Audra Strickland's field offices. If you don't want to believe me, or somehow wish to discredit my personal experiences without any firsthand knowledge of them, well that's certainly up to you.

While Hannah-Beth Jackson may have sponsored more legislation than Tony Strickland, I don't necessarily see that as a plus. In fact, in her case, it's very much a minus. Many of the bills she sponsored or co-authored resulted in increased fees and taxes, or were disincentives for business expansion or economic development. Many others would fit into the category of "nanny bills" (i.e., let the government do it for you because you're too dumb or incapable of making your own well-reasoned decisions).

Given this, I'm taking Strickland over Jackson without another thought.

Strickland tried to push through a bill that would have allowed registered sex offenders into our children's classrooms. THAT one bit of stupidity disqualifies him from representing anybody in Sacramento.

All his political career Strickland's fought child protection measures at every opportunity. He is not worthy to be a Senate leader.

"He's been there.."

Oh boy, here you go with ridiculing mothers for asking for protection for their children against being poisoned by neurotoxins again. Why would I believe anything you say when you post under a pseudonym and take potshots at me for being a good parent?

Since you're clearly only interested in taxes and not in keeping children healthy, here's a few things to consider:

Hannah-Beth voted to eliminate the minimum corporate franchise tax for start-up businesses.

She voted to increase deductions for self-employed business health plan premiums. Strickland voted no.

She voted to expand the capital gains exclusion for small businesses (Strickland voted no and then yes.)

She voted to increase the R&D tax credit for businesses.

She voted to cut the gas tax from 18 cents to 9 cents for low-emission alternative fuels to encourage heavy trucks to convert from polluting diesel fuels. Strickland voted against that.

She authored a teacher tax credit that Strickland voted against.

AND Hannah-Beth was one of five moderate Democrats who opposed their party's leadership and voted against the 2004-05 budget because it relied on borrowing and accounting tricks.

Guess what the Republicans have just proposed? More borrowing and accounting tricks!

Sentimental hogwash!!! We don't really care about your daughter's supposed near-death experience with pesticides. You've been milking this to build up Hannah-Beth Jackson since day one. I have my doubts that it even happened, at this point.

Hannah-Beth Jackson is a charlatan who has not done one thing to advance the interests of the average person in this district. All of those pieces of legislation you've cited have had the opposite effect on promoting business in the State.

For example, the gas tax reduction sounds good on paper, but what it actually does is reduce the amount of money available for highway improvement and bridge construction projects in the State while doing nothing to reduce gas prices (if that was even the intent).

The teacher tax credit does nothing for the average taxpayer, except shift the tax burden to them.

I'd go on, but I think I'm through with you for now.

...in other words, Strickland has a long record of voting AGAINST tax breaks for CA small businesses and working families and FOR tax breaks for the wealthy.

"He's been there..."

The pesticide incident was covered in a series of stories by both the Los Angeles Times and the Star. In an earlier post I provided a link to a piece written later for the Times by our PTO president at the time.

I've left another one from the SD-19 ad watch series the Star is doing.

I never said my daughter had a near-death experience. I said she and 40 others got sick and the symptoms were consistent with Lorsban exposure.

Three of the tax cuts I cited your guy voted for, too. Are you saying now you're against tax cuts? Wow, that was a quick about face.

And I can't believe you're complaining about lowering a gas tax! This is hysterical after the silly false ad your guy's college buddies ran. Moreover, Strickland and his wife have been pushing to completely eliminate the sales tax on gasoline for years which would wreak havoc with our transportation project funding. He was soundly ridiculed for this by the Chico paper when he was running for controller.

No - pesticides are not going to get Jackson elected. Unfortunately a campaign based on weak communication of more noteworthy qualifications does NOT make Marie's gal a charlatan.

However...

If the Stricklands are exceptional at answering phone calls, let's all pull together and get them a job at an 800 infomercial call center. That way they can continue to answer phones and continue to launder money for they don't deserve for services they really don't provide. They are no better than any of these infomercial products. Talk about charlatans!

Don't forget Jackson's laundering of campaign contributions from tobacco interests via Ron Calderon's campaign - "The Inconvenient Truth"

I'm writing in Pedro Nava for SD-19.

Tony Strickland's prey is the tax-payer.
Tony Strickland has never had a real job. He has been feeding off the tax-payers his whole life. I even think this alternative energy thing is a way to leach off the tax-payers with grants. The VCRCC basically put an ad on Craigslist soliciting bribes for Tony Strickland. Tony Strickland will take money from anyone to do anything. That's how Tony Strickland makes a living. These aren't elections these are Tony Strickland Telethons and Tony Strickland is the recipient.

Dear He's Been There....

As long as you're including monies indirectly passed on from 3rd parties to politicians and then to other politicians and so on, how much has Strickland from Abramoff, DeLay, Enron, Halliburton, El Paso Gas, Duke Energy, et al, in this manner?

My guess is its substantial anf if its, as you say, "laundered" monies, Strickland has a lot to answer for...doesn't he.

Strickland took money DIRECTLY from Enron in 1998.

He also took a big chunk of change from Arthur Andersen & Co.
As you may recall, Arthur Andersen was found guilty of criminal charges relating to the firm's handling of the auditing of Enron, resulting in the loss of 85,000 jobs.

I went to a BBQ in Ventura today and I saw several Tony Strickland signs up. Has anyone else seen them? I'm sure there will be people keeping an eye on them since he once filmed an opponent stealing his campaign sings and it helped him get elected.

Phony Tony is going down. He will be in either the bread line or the Wasco chow line by election time. He had better get Angeles as his bunk mate. Otherwise, he will need a lot of soap-on-a-rope. Support Phony Tony. Send a soap-on-a-rope.

Signs aren't very respectful of the environment.

You know what, you're right. Someone should definitely tell HBJ that if she's a true friend to the environment, no campaign signs. Oh, and no paper mailers either. Poor trees.

Direct Mail can be recycled - not sure about the campaign signs.

Coroplast campaign signs can go in the plastic recycling container. I checked this last year with Harrison & Sons before we ordered them for Mayor Weir's campaign.

So can the metal stands and paper signs

But we gave the majority of the coroplast signs to a local science teacher who uses them to make airplanes with his classes.

I saw Mike Gibson (Strickland's bag man in Ventura) putting some Strickland signs up on Victoria Avenue in Ventura yesterday. Judging by the number of signs Gibson put up during his City Council campaign, this guy doesn't know the meaning of the word "environment".

Well then he would be a good "bag man" for Strickland because he doesn't either.

Those campaign signs Gibson put up didn't do him much good, I'm afraid. No. 8 in the race.

Yeah, I agree, although I think it's likely to be quite a different story in the Ventura City Council race next year. Gibson, and others, may fare much better in that election given the current level of disatisfaction with the City Council.

All the incumbents will be vulnerable given what I keep reading in the paper about more fees, more taxes, building height limits, Wal-Mart, etc. Lots of real issues this time.

Yeah, I agree, although I think it's likely to be quite a different story in the Ventura City Council race next year. Gibson, and others, may fare much better in that election given the current level of disatisfaction with the City Council.

All the incumbents will be vulnerable given what I keep reading in the paper about more fees, more taxes, building height limits, Wal-Mart, etc. Lots of real issues this time.

Gibson certainly couldn't fare much worse than he did the first time he ran, coming in 7th out of 8 candidates. But at least he beat Caroll Dean Williams. That means he was probably on McCain's short list for VP running mates. Maybe if Mongo Gibson had been willing to put on a little lip gloss and a wig, he could have beat Pallin for the spot.

He's kissing up to Strickland and his buddies over at the VCRCC to get the support he'll need for another run at City Council. I'm sure he'll do better next time, given the sorry bunch we've got on the Council currently, but it's scary to think he could actually make it this time.

Since he outed himself as Mongo Flamo on Marie's blog, everybody in Ventura knows what an idiot he is. Not likely.

Do you seriously think everyone gets their information from Marie's blog? She must have 5 or 6 serious bloggers over there. So Gibson loses them, so what?

The Star tells me my blog gets great traffic and that people spend a longer time reading my blog than any other blog on the Star's site. I know people from City Hall, the Downtown Ventura Organization, the chamber, the community councils, the school district and others read it. I hear from them all the time when I'm out at various functions. I have gotten comments from people in foreign countries and from all over the U.S. I can tell this by IP addresses.

The vast majority read it without commenting. I also write it a bit differently in that I don't always put up pieces that encourage comments.

Brian gets huge traffic. You'd be shocked at the number. Only about 20 or less regular bloggers.

I won't comment on what others think of Mongo. I know what I think.

I guess my point is that the majority of people who vote in Ventura don't spend that much time on blogs at all (Marie's, Dennert's, or whoever's). Bloggers' opinions in elections are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

Gibson Mongo is a nut case. He darts around as this person and that person trying to satisfy Phony Tony and his gumba Osborn. In the end, Gibson is finished in politics in Ventura County. He may have come in 7th place out of 8 candidates the last time, but he will be 8th out of 8 next time.

I know both blogs are widely read with the majority of people not posting because they are scared or they have political aspirations. I am neither, thus I use my name.

I suspect that some of the regular bloggers under a fake name(s) would be hard pressed to get any endorsements so hopefully they don't have any political aspirations either.

They may have few readers, compared to newspapers, and even fewer contributors but a heck of a lot of information gets passed on blogs and its this information that can have a big impact on elections.

Much of the info that sunk Mikels originated on blogs. They're wonderful tools for local candidates & elected officials to put themselves (or be placed) under the spotlight for all to hear. Blogs are helping to keep the SSFL, the landfill expansion and other local issues under the noses of the candidates. Quite a few regular contributors have linked up through Dennert's blog and are now teaming up to work on local races. And the great thing about blogs is that they allow contributors to develop their talking points, their pros & cons and polish them up so that they become much more effective advocates for their issues and candidates.

Embrace the future: BLOG!

I think what "Seriously" said may be true, but I will be bold enough to say that anyone in Ventura who can provide a meaningful endorsement has probably read my blog or talks to somebody who does. Capiche?

Karma is a powerful force.

While I was typing this, I just had somebody email me and tell me it's their favorite news source. A lot also tell me they don't bother even looking at the comments.

But I consider blogs in the realm of infotainment and I don't take myself or what I do there all that seriously. My real job and volunteer work in Ventura is much more important to me. And my family. That I take very seriously.

Thanks for the kind words and for reading my blog. The traffic numbers have indeed been huge, especially since so much of the discussion covers local school board and city council races.

I agree that most voters don't use the internet to get information about local candidates yet.

But for the voters that do they are being directed to blogs.

Look at current city council member and probable future candidate Glen Becerra's google results:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=9e5&q=glen+becerra+simi+valley&btnG=Search

I think blogs are better at connecting people to others with similar views. I would be curious at how many of my readers have contacted each other or attended an event that I have listed on my blog.

GS, Katie, can you think of any examples?

Some good comments here on the relevance of political blogs in the election process.

I think they can have some real meaning to those who are connected to or interested in local politics and they certainly provide a valuable forum to discuss and debate the issues and the candidates. Now, whether they make or break elections, well, I think that's quite a leap, but they can have some influence and are becoming more and more popular as a source of information for folks.

CAP-832 seems to definitely feel they make a difference in her/his decision-making process (maybe a little too much).

Brian, to answer your question - I have established many contacts via your blog - usually when I provide my e-mail address - KatieTeague@verizon.net. Also, I have contacted many people via your blog. I find it an invaluable service and I just wish that more people would post under their real names.