The new year has just started but the campaign for the nominations of their party to be governor have already begun. I don't know who I will eventually vote for but I am trying to keep an open mind. I want a candidate that has serious solutions for our budget. A candidate that strongly supports public schools ( including charter schools ) but has ideas on how to reform education, and is in favor of gay rights.
I most often vote for Democratic candidates for statewide offices, but I am willing to wait to see more arguments put forth by the campaigns. On the Democratic side I don't know who I will support in the primaries.
( At least conservatives and the Mayor Newsom can complain over media coverage together.)
I think Gavin Newsom could be turned into a single issue candidate, whether he likes it or not, even though the door's wide open now for his party's nomination. Time will tell if he is able to expand the issues he is known for.
Jerry Brown has supported innovative ideas in the past including unique charter schools and environmental protection plans. He has the year's of public service that can help or could lead to a few quotes being played over and over. As a younger voter I don't think only of his previous terms of governor when his name is brought up, but instead to his run for the presidency in 1992, his time as mayor of Oakland, and his current office of Attorney General. I know my older Republican friends have a visceral reaction to him but what do the rest of you think? Check out his website and let me know.
It shouldn't matter in voting, but I don't care much for his website. The organizing tools are great but the color scheme and layout seem archaic. I am sure if he gets closer to the nomination there will be a complete revision but it seems dated as of now. By the way, I know he is constitutionally allowed to run again but it does seem odd, no?
Jerry Brown also left the Democratic Party to become DTS, which I don't think will matter much except to build the case he is a different type of politician.
The danger in supporting Jerry Brown is having to defend a decades long record that includes so much controversy. The same is true for most politicians that have been in public service for a few generations.
John Garamendi
( John Garamendi with former State Assembly candidate Carole Lutness. Makes me wonder how much the other candidates have worked to support Democratic candidates across California.)
John Garamendi is a work horse candidate in this election. He has been involved in state politics since he was elected to the state assembly in 1974. I expect he has the early lead for the nomination because of his support for Democratic candidates, his decent name ID ( without caricatures like Jerry Brown has from his time as governor), and the fact his website already offers free campaign material.
Seriously, campaign material already being sent out for free? I just took down my No on Proposition 8 sign and my Barack Obama signs. My magnetic bumper stickers supporting Barack Obama came off in November. Are people really going to be putting up stuff already? I guess so and I am impressed, although fatigued, that people are campaigning this early.
( Jack O'Conell's Back to School message.)
Jack O'Conell is mentioned as a potential candidate by many people but his only official website I found is from his 2006 re-election campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction. I have met Jack O'Conell before and he comes across as very down to earth. He is goofy and serious at the same time. He could find support because of his appearance in an ad against Proposition 8, but it wouldn't be the center of his public persona for voters.
With education being the largest expenditure in the state budget, his background could help propel him past his other candidates. But is he really going to run?
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is getting many endorsements from elected Republican leaders for the 2010 Republican nomination for governor. I don't know many of his positions and I don't know ideologically what type of Republican he is exactly. His tenure as Insurance Commissioner hasn't drawn much public scrutiny , which is normally a compliment. He also won state wide, which is something few Republicans can claim.
He already has a campaign staff, website, Facebook account, and regular email updates going out. His staff is quick too. I asked them about a fact they used on his website and I had an answer in a few hours. Thanks!
I am interested to see if he will position himself as the conservative candidate and align himself with many of their slogans, consultants, and positions.
He said he opposes same sex marriage but that he is pro-choice. I find that an odd mix. Are any of you pro-choice but against marriage equality?
Click on continue reading for a recent email he has sent out.
Tom Campbell has been a long time favorite of libertarian Republicans in California. He has liberal social positions and has the opportunity to appeal to the Ron Paul supporters in California.
Campbell served in the State Senate and the US House of Representatives but has been out of elected office for a few years. His support for the impeachment of Bill Clinton could rally Democrats against him.
He has consistently challenged and critiqued the right wing of his party. That makes me like him more, at least in the primaries.
Click here for his website.
Click here for his argument against Proposition 8 published on Reason Magazine's website.
( Meg Whitman helping raise money for Mitt Romney.)
She doesn't have a website up but she supported Mitt Romney, then flipped to John McCain, and she was in Support of Proposition 8. Steve Schmidt of the McCain campaign is working for her as she prepares to run for governor.
Click here for an article that explains in detail why Republican primary voters might or might not support her.
Because she didn't vote in a bunch of elections, she only recently became a Republican, and she has given large amounts of money to Democrats will give openings to her Republican Party primary candidates.
She is worth over a billion dollars ( but that was calculated before the economic slowdown) and would be able to self fund her campaign. If someone worth a billion dollars asks you for a donation would you be less likely to give them money?
Steve has had a busy December traveling across the state talking with Californians about the most pressing issues facing our state.Just last week, Steve weighed-in on the state's fiscal crisis as he discussed the need to bring California's economy into the 21st Century and to reform the state's budget system without raising taxes. Here are some excerpts of what he had to say:
"Silicon Valley tycoon and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said leaders need to make lemonade out of the state's financial lemons.
"With the state low on cash and digging itself deeper into an already massive deficit, Poizner, who is running for governor in 2010, said now is the time for serious budget reform.
"Such budget reforms are needed for California to regain its competitive edge in the 21st century, Poizner said."
Click here to read the full story in the Antelope Valley Press.
In the wake of the constitutionally questionable move by legislative Democrats to pass tax increases without a 2/3 vote of the Legislature, Steve penned a column for the Flash Report calling the plan a "slap in the face to the notion of civil and respectful debate, two-party rule and the voters of California."
On Sunday, the Fresno Bee praised Steve for his leadership as Insurance Commissioner calling him "very impressive" and adding that he "has been Californians' best friend in protecting their insurance interests."
December has also meant rapid growth in support for Steve's potential run for Governor. Just last week Steve picked up the endorsements of four members of Congress and 20 County Republican Central Committee Chairs. They join 70 percent of Republicans in the Legislature, Board of Equalization members Bill Leonard and Michelle Park Steel, and many other Republican leaders in supporting Steve.
Have you formally endorsed Steve? If not, click here to join Steve's team today!
Happy Holidays,
Team Poizner
If Diane Feinstein enters, she will probably win. Jack O'Connell will be next. I don't think there is anyway a Republican can win - the Republican nuts have gutted the party. Even Poizner will be tagged as Poison.
Katie,
Who is your personal favorite, not just who you think could win, of all of the Democrats?
Hmmm, of the Dems probably Diane. She hasn't declared yet so probably O'Connell. Of the Republicans, need to do some more research. Poizner may be too compromised now. Don't know enough about Whitman. I heard Romney's name a few months ago. He might be a possibility.
Why would Steve Poizner be compromised?
Would you support Mitt Romney for governor if he announced?
Too early for me, I'm afraid. I like what I'm hearing from Poizner so far, but I need to hear more. Not that big on Whitman, but I don't know that much about her either.
I agree that Feinstein would be a formidable candidate. She's probably getting some good positive exposure with the release of the movie, "Milk," as well.
I know Brown won the AG spot by a significant margin, but it will be much different if he runs for governor.
What's the deal with Romney? Is he a California resident now?
Did you see the Harvey Milk biography?
Brian, yes, it was quite good. It really brought you back to those times in California's history (late 70's) and reminded all of us who lived through that event how tragic and unnecessary it was. Sean Penn (as usual) did an amazing job at portraying Harvey Milk. Definitely an Oscar contender.
BTW, I know Mitt Romney bought a place in La Jolla recently, but I wasn't sure if he was qualified to run as a legal resident of the state yet. I think most folks would probably view him as a carpetbagger given his presidential candidacy as former governor of Massachusetts.
This is why I'm not sure about Poizner - there is an article today on Bill Postmus and his drug addictions and transgressions in office. He and the Orange County Sheriff, Carona, give the Southern California GOP a bad name.
California State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard Help Raise Nearly $100,000 For County Assessor Bill Postmus' Campaign
Posted by: SB Insider | 09/10/2007 1:41 AM
Just this past Friday, at a noontime campaign fundraising event that shattered Postmus Campaign officials’ most optimistic expectations, over one hundred supporters of Assessor Bill Postmus today jammed a Postmus Campaign fundraiser in Rancho Cucamonga. The maximum capacity event at Las Campanas gourmet Mexican Restaurant featured addresses by Republican California State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and GOP Second District State Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard, who delivered stirring speeches in support of new San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus.
“Bill Postmus is doing an outstanding job for the taxpayers of San Bernardino County,� stated Bill Leonard, who has been a beloved public official for three decades in San Bernardino County. “As assessor, Bill is doing a tremendous job of fighting for the taxpayer; and every assessor in California can look to Bill Postmus for excellence in safeguarding tax dollars,� thundered Leonard to the guests.
Commissioner Poizner also delivered remarks equally strong in support of Assessor Bill Postmus. “Bill Postmus really cares about his community, and he is proving to be a determined advocate for protecting taxpayers,� said the first-term statewide elected official. “Bill Postmus is doing a terrific job as your county assessor, and I know he will continue to do a terrific job in implementing an office which eliminates bureaucracy, increases efficiency, and proves innovative for taxpayers.�
In addition to Poizner and Leonard, other notable local elected officials in attendance included Board of Supervisors Chair Paul Biane, County Treasurer Dick Larsen, Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales, First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt , Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Don Kurth, Fontana City Councilmember Acquanetta Warren, and Upland City Councilmembers Ken Willis and Ray Musser. Numerous other influential county residents also were on-hand in support of Postmus.
In addition to a strong local show of support, the event even attracted newsmakers from throughout California, including former Orange County Assemblymember Ken Maddox (who was representing the office of State Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel), Orange County Republican leader Mike Schroeder along with his wife, and Chris Wangnasporn of Tony Strickland's State Senate Campaign.
No state lawmakers were in attendance, as both the State Senate and Assembly were in session.
Postmus thanked his supporters and commented on his success as both assessor and his previous position as county supervisor for the First District. “Together, along with my colleagues on the board, we accomplished many great things,� said Postmus to his supporters. “I could never have succeeded without the support of tremendous county leaders like Paul Biane, Josie Gonzales and Gary Ovitt. I thank them for their support and I look forward to continuing to build a better San Bernardino County with them.�
Sources close to Postmus reveal the event raised nearly $100,000 for the Assessor’s likely 2010 re-election campaign. The event apparently exceeded Postmus’ best expectations, who were expecting a take of around $70,000.
With such a successful event, and having assembled both a roster of key supporters and a significant fundraising base - the ranks of both will likely only continue to grow - Assessor Bill Postmus is already starting to emerge as a shoo-in for re-election, even at this very early stage on the election calendar.
I am definitely for Garamendi. He has the vision and leadership that CA needs right now. Plus, he raised 1.1 million dollars last year. Off to a great start!
I am definitely for Garamendi. He has the vision and leadership that CA needs right now. Plus, he raised 1.1 million dollars last year. Off to a great start!
Jack O'connell should be put on trial for malpractice while in office:look what he has done to the schools
The alphabet is given a bad name when you use its letters to call Jack a "school superintendent"