Hannah Beth better hope that all voters at this end of Ventura County read Dennert's Blog. Because that is the ONLY place non-independents can see her mailings.

Still haven't found a Dem who has received one. And I haven't found many people from any party who know who she is.

Sadly, that bodes well for the reinvented Tony.

I hope Santa Barbara comes out in huge numbers, and a disgruntled Republican faithful stay home.

That is just goofy. Our household has gotten several HBJ mailers, including the one yesterday and shown above. We are four Reps and one Dem. The pieces we have received have all been sent to our Dem.

We have two Republicans in our household and we did not receive the cartoon piece.

Both candidates were running TV ads after the presidential debate last night.

I have gotten numerous mailings from HBJ addressed to my entire family, as opposed to those addressed just to my DTS husband. There are two registered Democrats here.

My Dem-only friends around the county also received these mailings. I have been asking them to save things for me.

As a Democrat, the only thing I received from Strickland is that piece with the handicapped young man.

Many households are mixed registration, as I have learned from all the phone polling I do.

The ad is pretty clever, though I haven't actually seen one arrive in the mail. I've seen the T.V. ads but can't say that any ad from either side is particularly impressive or memorable. At the very least, this latest attack piece from HBJ should dispel the myth that sleazy campaigning comes from one side only. Every close campaign resorts to sleaze, on BOTH sides. That is just a fact. It happens because it works. Voters should expect a lot more sleaze in their mailboxes and on TV from both parties during the next month.

Brian;

To answer your questions:

Strickland is shorter in the scan than he is in the mailer. Looks like whoever scanned it for you compressed it.

Bill numbers, Tobacco sales to minors SB757,2001; Predatory lending, AB489, 2001; prescription drugs, AB1957, 2004; covering maternity and prenatal care, SB1555, 2004; Renewable energy SB 1078, 2002; greenhouse gas emissions, AB1493 2002, Financial privacy SB773, 2002; Car Buyers Bill of Rights AB1839 2004.

In every case Strickland voted with his corporate contributors and against our families.

re: Bubba Kidd

How is it sleaze to point out the truth about Tony Strickland? It's a FACT that he's taken money from big insurance companies, which, duh, has affected how he's voted. People have a right to know who they're voting for. Strickland's action in the Assembly shows voters how he's likely to act in the Senate. Jackson's ad presents facts, albeit in a clever way. Strickland's ads are riddled with lies about himself, his opponent, his company...pretty much everything. That's what I call sleaze.

re: Bubba Kidd

How is it sleaze to point out the truth about Tony Strickland? It's a FACT that he's taken money from big insurance companies, which, duh, has affected how he's voted. People have a right to know who they're voting for. Strickland's action in the Assembly shows voters how he's likely to act in the Senate. Jackson's ad presents facts, albeit in a clever way. Strickland's ads are riddled with lies about himself, his opponent, his company...pretty much everything. That's what I call sleaze.

re: Bubba Kidd

How is it sleaze to point out the truth about Tony Strickland? It's a FACT that he's taken money from big insurance companies, which, duh, has affected how he's voted. People have a right to know who they're voting for. Strickland's action in the Assembly shows voters how he's likely to act in the Senate. Jackson's ad presents facts, albeit in a clever way. Strickland's ads are riddled with lies about himself, his opponent, his company...pretty much everything. That's what I call sleaze.

I don't think accurate information presented cleverly on a campaign mailer is sleazy, either, Bubba.

I think taking that much tobacco money and then voting against measures that would help keep cigarettes away from minors is sleazy.

Taking $47,575 from the banking industry and then voting against cracking down on predatory mortgage lenders is sleazy. I could go on here...

Yesterday, on my blog, I got Mongo to admit that the consumer loan legislation AB489 was a good bill. He said, "It sounds like it provides some much needed protection for consumers from predatory lending practices, which, as we're finding out now, were rampant during the so-called real estate boom."

So his buddy Tony Strickland voted against it and even Mongo agreed with the intent of the bill.

I got the cartoon piece and I'd like to know what was sleazy about it. Every point in it was true and part of the public record, without any slant or exaggeration. Bubba, what was it about that ad that was sleazy?

Parke Skelton is the same genius that guided Phil Angelides to a huge loss against Arnold. I bet Tony loses a lot of sleep over you running this campaign.

I got the mailer too and had a good chuckle because it was sooo true. My wife got the sleazy Strickland mailer the same day - it had a letter from Tony on how he could lead Dems, Reps and Independents yet he refuses to particpate in a fair debate sponsored by Centrists? Now that is sleazy.

I don't think Parke Skelton did Angelides' campaign, but I do know he helped John Chiang defeat Tony Strickland in the controller's race. They also did Debra Bowen's and Antonio Villaraigosa's races, among many others. They are doing Fran Pavley's.

They are really good at what they do.

Joe Justin is doing Strickland's campaign and from what I understand from good sources, their record is not nearly so good...

CAP & Marie -

You keep telling me how crazy it is that we have not received any mailers. I couldn't agree more. We have not and my Democratic friends have not. Marie lives in Ventura. CAP has 4 Republicans in his household. It was stated on this blog months ago that "Jackson doesn't need to send to Democrats because they are already voting for her." That is a terrible assumption to make and a strategic blunder. You must always secure your base. We were assured we would hear from her. Commercials are out there and blogs are alive but most Dems out here are in the dark guys.

I know you don't like to hear it, that but it is the truth. I don't want Tony Strickland elected. But I think you have made it tougher on yourselves. Instead of attacking the messenger, you ought to figure out what is wrong with your mailing lists, or admit that your strategy was clearly for households like CAP and GS - in search of moderate/disenchanted Republicans and Independents. Even Strickland has sent me a mailer - insincere as it was.

As for the piece - nothing sleazy about it except for Tony Strickland's record. Nothing is sleazier than that.

You're absolutely right, TTT. I'm an NP voter and trying to drum up support in the east end. I'm finding that the Sen 19 race is too far under the radar for many of our voters.

Getting Dem voters on board early helps make the Senate 19 race more visible. The best voter is one that will carry four more voters along with him.

I have a Dem friend in an E. County city who has received several. I have no explanation for why you personally have not.

But keep complaining on blogs because that is a very constructive use of your time. If you were really so worried, you would be in one of several campaign headquarters making phone calls and walking precincts.

Come find the light oh disgruntled Dantona supporter. Swallow your bitter pill and join our band of merry HBJ campaign volunteers. Laugh, wear out your shoes precinct walking and talk on the phone to voters until you are hoarse . It is for a nobler cause.

Question. Bush, Cheney, McCain, Palin, the Strickland's, Foy, Bubba Kidd and Osborn are all in a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean, who is saved? Answer. THE COUNTRY!

Hey TTT!

I'll head over to the HBJ campaign office to try phoning for an hour if you'll join me. What'dya say? 5:30P

Anyone else???

I'll even buy the pizza if we deciede to stay longer.

I received the mailer along with all my Democratic neighbors in Camarillo.

Joe Justin is a contributor to the right wing blog - www.flashreport.org. It appears by looking at the number of posts, The Flash Report has had declining readership in the last couple of years but you can find his bio over there if you look. I think a fair number of right wingers advertise on his site. Jon Fleishman, the owner, holds some kind of position with the California Republican Party. He and his commentators are always knocking Arnold S. for not being conservative enough and applauded the Republicans for holding up the budget.

Each campaign picks and choses its recipients of mailers. In a few weeks we will know who did a better job. My vote is for Hannah-Beth's team. Her mailers are well done, clever and present a factual story. Phony-Tony's mailers are all about the same They either babble about the Phony's green energy scam or they call Hannah-Beth "taxin Jackson". The Phony would do better to not print the mailers and bank the money to be used in the prison store.

I just read Timm Herdt's blog - he reports that Greg Totten is showing support for both candidates - smart man.

And he has recused himself from the Joel Angeles fiasco.

According to the news today 100% of McCain's ads in the past month have been negative attack ads. Anyone remember how much Bubba Kidd cried and cried when Dantona went negative against the creep Foy? You will notice that none of the hypocrit conservatives say anything when it is their guy doing it. McCain has truly become a slime, yesterday at his rally the crowd was screaming they should assasinate Obama and McCain and Palin were actually winking and giving the crowd thumbs up. If you want 8 more years like the last 8 then vote McCain, if you want prosperity back vote Obama and don't vote for the Strickland's!!!!!

HBJ has sent over 8 Mailers to Decline to State houses. 8 different mailers. She is using the shot gun approach and hopes that one of these made up issues will hurt Tony Strickland. Knowing that absentee voters would be receiving their ballots yesterday and today, she sent 2 to my house on the same day. Anyone who claims they are not receiving them, it means HBJ doesn't care about you. I am registered DS and she seems to really care about me, but not so much about "socialists"... I mean progressives.

Every piece she has sent was either paid for by some union (evil heartless money grubbing unions) or encouraged some sort of need for revenue (new taxes) in an already trying and difficult economic time.

In a debate, she declared she was FOR "Capital Punishment" How many of her "progressive" cronies are aware of that? Also, she adamantly denies that it can be used as a deterrent, so does that mean she just wants to kill people for revenge? Eye for an Eye right? How bohemian.

The "centrist" committee that HBJ loves so much, exists only because Tony Strickland beat the former republican in the Primary for the 19th senate. Had Tony lost there would be no centrist group. Anyone who doesn't make the connection between disgruntled "losers" and this group are blind at best.

As far as the environment. Tony is a real believer in green energy. Why shouldn't he be? Are conservatives not allowed to have good ideas too? Here are my perceived differences: HBJ thinks that you can end global warming and solve the energy crisis by taxing and punishing people who don't cooperate...i.e. Stalin. Former Assemblyman Strickland believes if a product like green energy is economically viable than you encourage its growth with tax breaks and incentives. When dealing with this type of commodity the private market should prevail and allow the growth of the industry after subsidies and help not taxes and fines.

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I surely don't want Chevron, Shell, and PG&E controlling the prices to my alternative energy. Not only will HBJ's plans force them to raise rates on regular energy, but until fossil fuels become more expensive than alternatives these companies will use old guild world tactics of price controls to make sure they still make enough profit. Do you trust an oil company to deliver clean, renewable, reliable energy from a wind turbine or solar panel? These guys are in the business of making money, not saving the world. Let the new upstarts try and take some of that market share away, and maybe actually impact the environment and economy.

HBJ has never denied wanting to increase taxes.

And to many people I ask this: If 5,000 dollars is some insignificant amount to invest, than can everyone who reads this please invest 5k into my company. I haven't thought of a cool name like GreenWave yet, but it seems like everyone who thinks that it is a scam must have a few extra thousands of dollars laying around to make subtle political points.

Last point: HBJ takes money from the National Democratic Party. The DNC takes money from lobbyist groups from Tobacco, Drug Manufacturers, Oil Companies, and even the Pesticide and Agricultural people that fought so hard against HBJ. Along with many others she takes dirty dirty money and has no leg to stand on to attack Tony Strickland on financing his campaign.

There is absolutely nothing in your post which is accurate, Libertarian, except that HBJ is in favor of the death penalty. She is a former prosecutor and has the support of law enforcement.

"Tony Strickland beat the former republican in the Primary for the 19th senate" ???? He ran unopposed.

The legislation that HBJ supported in the past re: alternative energy included tax credits. GreenWave will likely never even get a permit to do testing. It's a small unknown company with no reputation in the industry. Nobody up in the Mendocino/SLO area where the permits are being applied for is taking them very seriously. Even the big players in wave energy that develop their own technology are having trouble right now. Finavera's test buoy sank to the bottom of the ocean and OPT's stock tanked long before the rest of the market did.

It's telling that Strickland could only find support for his company from another shaky company: Save the World Air. This company's past includes stock fraud and they currently do not have a viable product that works. They have an agreement with a university to develop something the university is trying to patent. But their own quarterly report says they have defaulted in payments to the university for those licenses.

It's also telling when the best man in Strickland's wedding and former campaign manager now tells the Star, "I don't think he is in this for anything other than Tony Strickland."

I would not pin my hopes on the nation's energy future on either of these two entities, especially the one that only formed a year ago right before Strickland announced his candidacy for Senate District 19. It's disingenuous to run a campaign on this issue, especially when Strickland's record on the the environment and alternative energy issues has been so abysmal.

I want a candidate with integrity like Hannah-Beth Jackson who is not afraid to run on her record, which is remarkable.

"if a product like green energy is economically viable than you encourage its growth with tax breaks and incentives. "

What is your source for this policy? Link to it please.

It is my civic duty to tell all people that declare they are a Libertarian that there is a strong link to pedophilia because Libertarians have no age of consent and they used to have a table at the National Man Boy Love Association conventions. This issue reared its ugly head before the recent platform was redone and as far as I know, there is still no age of consent. So becare about announcing you are a Libertarian. Bob Barr should also be advised.

I don't follow the logic of tax breaks and tax incentives for corporations. Doesn't it penalize the individual taxpayer? Doesn't it increase their tax? That's why I don't like farm or tobacco subsudies.

Libertarian, your purported facts are a bunch of nonsense. Keep trying. I'm sure Phony Tony appreciates your efforts.

If you want to really help the Phony, send him soap on a rope. He and his gumba Jose will need it where they are goin'.

Marie,

For the record, I HAVE been trying to drum up support for Jackson. I even brought a friend to hear her speak. But nothing I, GS, CAP or you do is going to matter if people do not know who she is. There are many people who think like Losertarian above in this district. You need the numbers to beat them. You need your base.

But people liked to be asked for their vote.

As for blogs, I thought your own blog and Brian's were places to voice your opinions and discuss ongoing campaigns.

I know you are Jackson's friend, so I appreciate your loyalty and understand your defensiveness. But recognize some sound advice when its given and put it to use in the waning hours.

Both candidates will have to ask their bases for their votes - I think enough time and $$$ has been focused on the DTS voter and the cross-over vote. Most of the undecideds will make up their minds this weeks and then some time should be spent ensuring that their base support isn't taken for granted.

I agree with TTTT - people like to be asked for their vote. I have four voters in my household. All of them absentee. Soon we will be filling out the forms.

And, surprise, Katie votes for Jackson.

I've received 4 mailers from both HBJ and TS, all in the past 10 days or so in TO.

I haven't seen the TV ads for either candidate, so I must be watching the wrong channels. I haven't seen any on the statewide propositions either.

In fact, come to think of it, the only political ads I've seen are for Obama & McCain.

TTT, please forgive me if I was just a little frustrated with your post because I know definitively that the mailers are being sent to Democrats. Every Dem I know has gotten them, except you, apparently.

As a Democrat I have received only one from Strickland and that was the pandering one featuring the handicapped young man.

Please volunteer to walk or do phone calls. I would appreciate it.

See the light,

When you make dismissive statements calling someone who may disagree with HBJ on an issue, or offers their opinion/observation about the campaign, "a disgruntled Dantona supporter...swallow your bitter pill", you could be costing her a vote or volunteer.

When people are discussing the Obama campaign or one of the debates here, do you immediately jump on their back and call them a "disgruntled Clinton/Edwards/Richardson/Biden/Dodd/Kucinich supporter?" I doubt it.

More bees with honey and all that...

Laura, I'm a disgruntled Dantona supporter and proud of it. I will also remain convinced that he would have been the best candidate for Dems and Moderate Reps alike. With him out of the race, his supporters were left with the options of Hannah-Beth Jackson and Strickland. I looked at both their records and found dramatic differences. But aside from their philosophical differences regarding the purpose of government, one more significant character trait stood out. I found Hannah-Beth to be honest and of strong convictions. On the other hand, I found Strickland to be dishonest in nearly ever respect. In the words of his best man at this wedding, "Tony is only out for himself". I found this to be true. Based on this alone, I chose to actively support Hannah-Beth. An honest person with strong convictions can always be engaged in dialogue with the hope of changing her views at times. In the case of Strickland, however, I find him to be bought and paid for by the highest bidder. Isn't this what many of us hate about our elected officials of late? The name Phony-Tony fits! Hannah-Beth Jackson all the way! Join us Laura. It is a great team to work with.

I really like getting the flyers from Tony the Phony Strickland because I use them to line the bottom of my cats litter box. My cats really seem to enjoy dumping on Tony, so to speak.

Hi CAP-745,

You're preaching to the choir, my friend. I've spent years volunteering for and supporting the Democratic Party team and our candidates, and continue to do so. Perhaps you mistake my low visibilty this year for indifference. I can assure you that is not the case, but rather due to a serious injury & subsequent treatment/ recovery that has physically limited what I can do.

I'm glad that you have been so active in the election this year, as you have been in years past. I was merely suggesting to "See the Light" that a different response to the poster TTTT, and others like him, might be more productive. jmho :-)

Anybody go to the LWV debate yesterday afternoon? Reports?

Once again Hannah-Beth proved herself the superior debater and once again Strickland's followers were rude and obnoxious. But what can you expect from people who send a taxpayer-paid chief of staff out to harass people on sidewalks?

Herb Gooch did a great job as moderator.

They really let a one time member of the Republican central committee moderate the debate? I have heard many nice things about Herb Gooch but it doesn't alter the fact he was a member of the central committee. Although, if I remember correctly he was an alternate.

I guess Hannah-Beth Jackson is willing to debate in front of almost anyone!

Listen, I wouldn't hold it against Herb Gooch that he was for a short time a member of the Central Committee. He was indeed an alternate for Arkady Milgram. Arkady is an emigree from communist Russia and appreciates being in America and living in a democracy. I think Herb only went to one meeting and I really doubt if he ever voted.

I think it is great that the League of Women Voters was able to have a debate. They tried to sponsor one between Peter Foy and Jim Dantona and Peter Foy refused to participate because they were too "biased".

Laura, I'm aware of your unfortunate condition and we wish you a speedy recovery. We are very sad that you are having to endure this. You remain close to our hearts, the three of them, and I only raised the issue for selfish reasons that I miss working with you.

Do well my friend.

Herb is a good guy. He's a moderate Republican. He's brilliant and unbiased.

Gooch unbiased? Ha. Not in my experience. He was known to be advising two extremist candidates that ran for school board in the last election. He also ran briefly to unseat Linda Parks, a true moderate Republican, in her last election.

I'd say he's anything but non-partisan or moderate, and I cringe anytime he is quoted as a source for political commentary by the Star. No one ends up on a Party Central Committee by accident, even for a brief time.

Cap, thanks for the kind words.

I got to know Herb pretty well when we worked together on a fundraising project a year ago for the Martin Luther King Memorial in D.C. He's a very moderate Republican. More liberal on social issues.

For an example of unbiased behavior, he was the one who helped bring the very outspoken Democrat Ambassador Joe Wilson here to speak at CLU for Mary Pallant's speaker series.

I stand by my original comment.

I have many Republican friends and I like to spend time with them. It's good to listen to other viewpoints and opinions. It keeps me balanced.

I'm sorry about your neck problems, too, Laura. And know I will stick up for you on this blog as well.

Marie,

I have heard he is a great professor and he has obviously been proven as a fair moderator.

But, isn't it funny that Hannah-Beth Jackson will debate in front of a Chamber even though their PAC endorsed her opponent and she will agree to allow a former member of the other party's central committee to run a debate?

To be fair to Marie et al.,

I just received my first mail piece from Jackson today. Aside from touting her allegiance to the Boston Red Sox (though thank God it was not the Yankees), this is the only positive piece of political mail I have received from anyone or any cause in this election cycle.

HBJ's an unusually courageous politician. Not simply because she'll face any challenger, with intelligent argument and fair play towards her opponent, but because she's not trapped by any ideology. She will listen carefully to the other side of any issue, be brave enough argue it to death and courageous enough to change her position if proven wrong.

That's a rare commodity in Sacramento today and its why HBJ's been so right, so many times.

My goodness, TTTT, that truly is snail mail. I received that piece two weeks ago. I loved it. It sums her up perfectly. Glad you received it, too.

On Brian's comment: Yes, I think Hannah-Beth has the confidence to take on tougher territory because she is a skilled debater.

Marie,

What's the major point of these debates? It seems that only a few undecided voters show up at them.

I think the primary purpose is to generate a great quote or headline in the paper. I don't know if being a great debater is directly related to getting a favorable quote or headline.

How is she at managing the news generated by these events?

What are the headlines saying? Are they upping her name ID in areas of the district she didn't represent before?

It was standing room only at both debates, Brian. Both were televised here in Ventura.

It's part of the great thing we call Democracy and I would always encourage participation. As far as managing news coverage, I think you just need to let the press do its thing; that's also part of democracy.

The print stories I've read (three) have all been very balanced, albeit rather incomplete.

But I will admit to being really taken aback by the bad behavior in the Strickland crowd both times. Booing? Standing up and yelling at everyone? Good grief. We're seeing that in the McCain rallies lately, too.

The issue wasn't how many people attended, the issue is how many were undecided. If, like almost every debate for an office like state senate, the crowd had already made up their mind the point remains.

The goal shouldn't be to convince Tony Strickland campaign supporters to switch sides. It should be to generate coverage that helps a candidate's campaign.

Letting the press tell both sides is fine. But was there an effort to have a memorable line? What about a central theme that reinforces recent advertisements that is repeated enough that every news story echoes it. Are you going to let a reporter decide what the theme was going to be about or a campaign?

The question wasn't about if the newspapers reported what happened and tell both sides of the story. It was about trying to get an idea spread through the media filter.

This last debate wasn't particularly well promoted so I'm not suprised that attendence was down compared to the Ventura debate.

It is really important to have free forums - the public needs to get informed and has to meet the candidates. Unfortunately, we have been in a mode for several years where candidates avoid the public - it is beginning to change now.

I think both campaigns made an effort both times to force memorable lines. Being a great debater means you can effectively diffuse your opponent's arguments which I think Hannah-Beth was excellent at doing.

Marie seriously, booing from the strickland crowd? I was at both debates and watched all of you lefties snicker and laugh..

The one freak sitting in the ventura crowd that yelled at Hannah Beth was reprimanded by everyone from the right. He was a jackass and was treated as such. Now if you're going to count him as part of the "Strickland" crowd go for it, but no one was happy with that guy.

There were some funny moments in the debates. I saw both sides laughing.

Quiet laughter and the loud booing we all heard are two entirely different things. Strickland said many things that I think we all would have liked to boo at. But we exercised some self restraint. That apparently is not your group's forte.

I saw no reprimands, just like Joel Angeles was hardly reprimanded by Audra for knocking down a minister and injuring him at the Hyatt.

It is amazing to see the amount of anger and accusations and little substance in any of this discussion. So far besides mailers I have learned that both candidates are for the death penalty. One is a republican with a great record from taxpayer and industry coalitions. The other candidate has a great record from labor union and environmentalist groups.

What is either candidate doing to reach for the moderates?

What has Hannah Beth Jackson done? Because besides a lovely biography and some serious attacks against her opponent, I haven't seen anything but environmental policies and things that cost me money.

I received quite the mailer yesterday explaining about Strickland's very poor record of sticking up for families and consumers on economic issues.

And I learned that Jackson has voted for lots of tax cuts and was named Legislator of the Year by the Consumer Federation of California.

She voted for tougher regulations on predatory lenders and Strickland did not. He's only in the race to line his own pockets, it appears.