More campaigns should put dogs in their pictures. Ronald Reagan once said "You can tell a lot about a fella's character by whether he picks out all of one color or just grabs a handful." I feel the same way about the candidate's chose of dog. I am not sure what a dog breed or jelly bean eating habits tells us but I feel like it tells us something.

Mark Lunn canceled on a debate last week and was chastised for it in The Acorn. It would be good if he doesn't make a habit out of it. The person in charge of running elections should be among the last of local candidates that isn't able to make the time to get involved in grassroots democracy. I'd rather see coverage of debates in newspapers than yet another slick mailer with vague generalities from the candidates.

I am interviewing Lela Henke-Dobroth tonight in my ongoing Thursday Night Live interviews. Lela is running for judge which limits her ability to answer some questions. Because I am confident she will be asked more traditional questions on the campaign trail I am going to ask her opinion on a wide variety of questions.

This interview is just between the two of us but after it is over at 9PM feel free to give me feedback on the questions I asked and on her answers.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Read more about her campaign and background on her website.

Lela Henke-Dobroth , click on continue reading for my first question.

UPDATE: The interview is done. After you read it please give me feedback for my next interview.

I'm not running for political office.

The Simi Valley Town Center Mall is having a contest in honor of teacher appreciation day. The first teacher that gets 1,000 votes will win an IPOD. 1,000 votes is a tough task considering I am currently winning and I am more than 600 votes away from taking home the prize.

Anyways, if you appreciate my blog please go to their website and vote for me. Here's a link. Go to their page, click like, then post Brian Dennert Royal High School.

Thanks for reading my blog.

http://www.facebook.com/simivalleytc

( Danield Goldberg meeting State Assembly Member Audra Strickland at a recent Tea Party protest.)

Next week I am going to be interviewing Daniel Goldberg who is running for the Republican nomination in the 35th State Assembly District.

http://www.goldbergforassembly2010.com/

What questions should I ask him?

( This was taken at last week's Democratic Convention as Susan Jordan was being interviewed.)

Susan Jordan is running in the Democratic Primary to take over for termed out State Assembly Member Pedro Nava. She has been running based on her background as an environmental activist and as a reformer that wants to change the budget process.

I asked her to be interviewed on my blog in a one on one interview. Because of that agreement I will delete all other comments until after the interview.

I know on the campaign issue she will be asked many of the typical questions over and over again. If you see that I ignore many of them know that it is not because I don't see them as valuable but because I feel confident she will have answered them many times.

I interview candidates for all sorts of offices on my blog on my Thursday Night Live feature. If you know a candidate for any office in Ventura County that would like to be interviewed send me a message. Click here and here for some past examples. I do not limit myself to people that share my ideology or party.

Susan,

Thanks for your time. I know modern campaigns are time consuming and demand constant work. I appreciate you coming here to answer my questions. Click on continue reading to see my first question.

Ash Givargis is a brave man. He is running for a seat on the Ventura County Republican Central Committee (VCRCC) and he has agreed to be interviewed by my readers. Ask him any questions you want but let's give him some credit before he starts answering questions.

Ask hardball questions but remember that unlike most people running for central committees ( of either party) he is willing to answer questions from anonymous people in the internet. I will delete abusive posts so that the rest of us can watch him answer our questions.

Here's some of my questions:

Do you think the Central Committee should get involved in nonpartisan races when there are only two Republicans running?

Would you work for a candidate that supports marriage equality if they agree with you on fiscal issues?

Who did you support in the 2008 Republican Presidential Primary?

http://www.ashgivargis.org/

UPDATE:

I am not voting in the Republican Party primary but Ash is really impressing me with his direct answers and wit. Here is my favorite so far:

If anyone thinks Barack Obama is NOT an American citizen they're just morons. I say, get a life!!! They're just mean spirited people who should re-direct their bad research skills to finding Atlantis, or mermaids, or my damn keys. Where did I put those?

Since this will cost him a few votes can I get anyone to pledge to support him?

UPDATE: Peter Foy and Mark Lunn are not interested in debating it appears. They canceled their appearances. Peter Foy has been busy traveling around telling people that California should be more like Texas but I guess a local debate is too much to ask.

I missed a great event tonight with the Simi Valley Democratic Club hosting many candidates running for local office but I am looking forward to this forum.

Here's the details:

League of Women Voters of Ventura County
Presents
Ventura County Candidates Forums
Thursday April 29th
Simi Valley City Council Chambers
2929 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley
Co-sponsored by:
California Lutheran University
Ventura County Civic Alliance
Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law
Schedule:
6:30 - 7:20 PM Candidates for Treasurer/Tax Collector
7:30 - 8:00 PM Candidates for County Clerk/Recorder
8:10 - 8:45 PM Candidates for Supervisor 4th District
Moderators will be David Maron, a member of the League of Women Voters and
Dr. Herb Gooch Director of the Masters in Public Policy and Administration Program at California Lutheran University
This is a public service of the non-profit, non-partisan League of Women Voters.
RSVP not necessary. Questions about the forum may be sent to LWV@ez2.net

The Ventura Government Center Tea Party drew together many local conservative / libertarian activists and local Republican politicians looking for their support. This picture has State Assembly candidate Daniel Goldberg and County Supervisor candidate Audra Strickland meeting. Daniel Goldberg posted it online. If you are interested in his campaign he updates his Facebook page frequently with his latest news.

The Republican primary campaign is between him and Strickland consultant Mike Stoker. The winner will be face off against either Susan Jordan or Das Williams in a district that heavily tilts towards Democrats.

Daniel Goldberg started off his campaign by saying he was a moderate that represents a Republican Party that can win in California. Now is trying to appeal to the more conservative elements of his own party.

Daniel,

You can't be a moderate and praise people that say:

"I have no idea whether or not he's a citizen," Bonney said.

She doesn't budge on this. When told that Hawaiian newspapers carried birth announcements for Obama, she counters that Kenyans believe he was born there.

"I don't really know," she said. "That's pure speculation, I don't get involved in that."

She claims to not know if Barack Obama is a US Citizen. Local Tea Party rallies often have signs with the Soviet Hammer and Sickle with Barack Obama. Their website has captions on pictures that falsely smear the commander in chief stating he won't salute the flag.

Does none of that offend you?

By the way, did you mention to them you supported Barack Obama?

This isn't the campaign I expected from you. There is time between now and June to show you are truly a moderate Republican. Use it.

Check back Thursday night for my interview with Susan Jordan. Feel free to suggest questions. I will use your interesting questions and ignore the rest.

Rep. Sherman releases his public schedule so that if you want to meet him at a town hall forum to ask him questions you know where to go.

I haven't seen the same from Rep. Gallegly. ALL other area Members of Congress ( of both parties) hold town hall forums. Rep. Gallegly should too.

What would you ask him?

Trivia Question: When was the last time Rep. Gallegly held an open and scheduled forum where people could come and ask him questions?

This is too funny. In a caption of a picture posted to mock people for spelling errors the poster makes a spelling error when he captions it "self explainatory".

If you ever see a grammar mistake or spelling error in a blog entry please email me. I make plenty.

Because I live in Simi Valley I do not get the mail that Audra Strickland and Linda Parks have been sending to voters. If you scan and send me any mailers of theirs I will post it so that we can analyze it. Feel free to include the demographic details of the voters in your household if you want.

The election isn't until November but both declared candidates are running strong campaigns.

Steve Sojka has a new campaign site up. The page is sharp but his team made a mistake in choosing their URL. Campaign URL's shouldn't be specific to the current election so that they can be used for future campaigns. I don't know all of Steve's aspirations but he should keep his options open. Among the top search results for Steve Sojka is his old campaign site. I am sure SteveSojka.com is available for this campaign.

Steve Sojka will be a leader in our community for many years. His web presence should reflect that fact.

That said it is difficult to find much fault in a campaign that has their own music video.

http://www.sojkaformayor.com/

The campaign to be the next Sheriff of Ventura County will be among the top decisions voters make locally in June. I don't know about other parts of Ventura County but in Simi Valley I have seen many more signs and bumper stickers for Geoff Dean. I even saw someone at Lowe's with a Geoff Dean tshirt.

I did see my first Dennis Carpenter sign today with the line about being endorsed by Sheriff Bob Brooks on it.

How is the campaign to be the next Sheriff going in your area going? Are they regional pockets of support for each candidate?

Dennis Carpenter's campaign sent me the HTML for their Facebook Fanbox. Click on continue reading to become a fan of his campaign.

( Mitt Romney supporting a mandate to purchase healthcare insurance.)

I post guest blog entries on a variety of topics from my readers. If you would like to post a guest blog entry send me an email. I don't need to agree with your point of view to post your entry. That said I agree with much of what community activist Jay Kapitz has to say.

Opposition to Health Care Reform Spells Trouble Ahead for GOP and Tea Party By Jay Kapitz

A new Associated Press-GfK Poll finds a widespread hunger for improvements to the health care system, which suggests President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies have a good chance for a political gain with their successful enactment of the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act". According to the poll only 4 percent of Americans say the existing health care system shouldn't have been changed at all. Although there had been was no clear majority opinion on the best way to reform the health care system, most polls have indicated that at least 40% favored President Obama's plan while another 13% favored an even more extensive overhaul.

The challenge for President Obama was that although there was always great support for health care reform there was never a particular formula for reform that was easily supported by enough members of Congress in order to obtain the supermajority needed for earlier passage.

Imagine if the President needed to order a military action for our national security and that 96% of the public and Congress were supportive of this action. Now suppose further that there was no obvious consensus on which strategic plan: land, sea or air forces, to use. Should the President take no action at all? This turns out to be the trouble for the GOP , both in their opposition to the health care reform by their entire Congressional membership and their alleged desire to repeal it. They may now be labeled as the party against all health care reform even though some form of health care reform was supported by almost all Americans. Even worse for the GOP is that many reforms are expected to be very popular once enacted - especially prohibition of pre-existing conditions, students remaining on parents policies until 26 years of age and tax breaks for small business.

The GOP and the Tea Party gambled that health care reform could be blocked. Now that they have failed, they continue to fight for repeal and block other initiatives that are linked to support for working Americans including extension of unemployment benefits.

The GOP and Tea Party brand is already demographically and regionally limited and now may be further limited to Americans who were against health care reform and against support for working families. The Democrats stand to lose some Congressional seats in 2010 because President Obama is not on the ticket. Do not be surprised if 2012 is a good year for Democrats, especially if the economy improves.

Has anyone seen this vehicle on the road?

The Ventura County Government Center will be the host of two protests this week. Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions is protesting the military budget and nuclear weapons. A Tea Party group is protesting against President Barack Obama, spending, and taxes.

I wonder if there is anyone in the middle of this venn diagram that wants spending on the military decreased, taxes lowered, and a smaller social safety net?

I lost respect for the local Tea Party movement when their leader refused to say Barack Obama was born in The United States of America and that he is a citizen. Leaders make themselves easy to marginalize when they engage in conspiracy theories.

Here is the press release from Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions:

Every April, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions calculates Ventura County's tax contribution to the military budget devoted exclusively to nuclear weapons. A mock check is presented to the US government on behalf of Ventura County taxpayers. Typically, our county's share of the $50 billion nuclear weapons budget is around $160 million. CPR advocates the abolition of nuclear weapons.

At our press conference on April 15, we invite community leaders to offer their peaceful proposals for reallocating those nuclear war funds. Please join us on Thursday, April 15, 2010 - TAX DAY Ventura County Government Center, Main Plaza, Fountain Area 12:30 p.m. to express your support for an end to the wasteful spending on nuclear weapons and a better use of our tax dollars. For more information call 805-850-5849.

Here are the latest lookalike for local politicians. Let me know in the comments section how close they look.

Ventura Council Member Christy Weir as Erin Andrews of ESPN:

Ventura Mayor Bill Fulton as Bill Murray:

For the next challenge which celebrities look like these elected officials?

Click here and here for my past lookalike entries.

A new candidate has emerged in the Republican primary to replace termed out State Assembly Member Audra Strickland. Robert Howell is running to push the Republican Party further to the right, especially on social issues like gay rights. His opponent Jeff Gorell doesn't mention social issues at all on his website.

With all of the problems California is facing I don't see why someone would make denying legal equality to gay people a priority. But I guess we will see if that helps Robert Howell in the primary. As of now Jeff Gorell has the money, momentum, resume, endorsements, and campaign organization to win the primary. I don't expect to see an upset in the next few months. Republicans of Ventura County will most likely nominate someone closer to being a social moderate.

Click on continue reading for his press release. I have asked his campaign for an interview this Thursday or on a following Thursday night. That may be surprising after you read my critique of this campaign but if you have been following my blog it shouldn't shock anyone.

I include my commentary at times and that isn't going to change. Although I try to be fair to all of those involved I am not just reporting news. That's why candidates from the left to the right have come on my blog to be interviewed. I have interviewed many conservative candidates including Tom Campbell, Steven Hintz, and Mike Stoker. I am looking forward to continuing interviews with a variety of candidates. I am currently trying to schedule Jim Dantona, Susan Jordan, and Daniel Goldberg.

I am interviewing Steven Hintz tonight using the comments section of my blog. I asked him for a one on one interview but when we are done please leave me feedback or comments for my next interview.

Click on continue reading to see the interview.

I will be asking a variety of questions, some of which will likely be surprising. Because we can count on traditional media to ask the typical questions I am going to use this opportunity to explore the ideology and background more.

If you know a candidate that would like to be interviewed on Thursday Night Live have them contact me.

The Simi Valley Democrats are going to have a great club meeting in a few weeks. I am posting it now so that activists and reporters can make their plans.

The Simi Valley/Moorpark Democratic club had scheduled a candidates forum, 7pm, Wed,
April 21, at the Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Rd.

Candidates include challengers in the 24th Congressional District, Ventura County Sheriff's office, county clerk and recorder, and others,

For more information, please call 805-210-6061. Refreshments are available.

Campaigns are frequently negative and too often end up dividing people. But elections can provide us with an opportunity to have fun on the campaign trail. Anarchist Emma Goldman has been quoted as saying:

If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.

I am going to be doing my part to bring civility to the campaign for mayor of Simi Valley. It would be great if both candidates can run campaigns that unite us. They team that is having the most fun should win.

Back in February I posted this challenge to Steve Sojka's Music Team:

Steve,

I am issuing this challenge to your campaign music team: Film a great song that extols the virtues of Simi Valley. Sing it to the tune of a recent hip hop song dedicated to a more famous city. Feel free to mention Happy Face Hill, The Duck Pond, and other area landmarks. Keep it nonpartisan and we can use it for years. Go inspire them!

If you do I will keep a blog entry from you at the top of my page for a month.

You have 72 hours to accept the offer but as long as you want to get them to write the lyrics and film it.

Within hours his Music Team posted their acceptance of my challenge:

By Kyle Quiroz on February 13, 2010 12:21 AM

Hello, my name is Kyle Quiroz. The maker of this video... I accept your challenge! Thank you Mr. Dennert!

Kyle,

A deal is a deal. I will keep an entry on Steve Sojka on the top of my page for the entire month of July. The video is awesome and will be an instant classic. I bet it gets 1,000 views within a few weeks. I am thinking a parade float with this on repeat during Simi Valley Days would be amazing. Think it over.

Here is the video:

Click on continue reading for the lyrics.

Next up: I issue a challenge to candidate Bob Huber. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your suggestions of celebrity lookalikes for local politicians. Here are the latest lookalikes:

Check out my previous entry on the subject.

For the next challenge which celebrities look like these elected officials?

From time to time I post guest blog entries from my readers. Martin Breen has been the most prolific but I am open to essays from others too. I don't need to agree with your view to post your essay.

Here is Martin's latest:

So if the rich and poor in California are in fact being financially supported by the Middle, shouldn't both groups treat me better and with a little more respect? Perhaps since the poor don't pay taxes and I completely carry their burden, they can send me a "thank you" post card twice a year like the kid my family supports in Africa. But we get no thank you; rather, we get demonized and attitude like how dare we even consider cutting back free housing, healthcare and school? It's time for the middle class to push back and demand some gratitude.

Click on continue reading for the rest of the essay.

Please leave a comment as feedback to let Martin know what you think.

My feedback:

Martin, stop focusing on faraway "elites" and tell us what you think of our local state legislators and the jobs they have been doing. Change begins at home.

Most of the candidates I interview will have more traditional questions as they campaign. I like to take this opportunity to explore their ideology and background. When I ask candidates to be interviewed I tell them it is just the two of us. I will delete other comments. After the interview ends feel free to give me feedback.

Click on continue reading to see the interview.

I have been hired by a British Paper to blog about American politics for substantially more money. Their contract disallows me to blog for a direct competitor. It has been fun.

My resignation is effective 4/1/2010.

I am deleting my blog tonight. If you need to save anything you should start going through the archives.