It won't surprise many of my regular readers but The California Association of Political Centrists ( CAPC ) leadership isn't exactly huge fans of Tony Strickland and his politics. They released their ratings for the most contested election happening in Ventura County this season.

Katie Teague or Leslie Cornejo, could you or other CAPC members answer a few questions?

1. How did you come to this decision? Did you meet in person? Vote on it? Was it more of a consensus?

2. How has former State Assemblymember Dr. Keith Richman been involved in the group lately? Do you think that his past political positions as a moderate have made it harder on your group? He has upset people on the left and the right locally.

3. What other positions do you plan on rating this election season?

4. I am surprised that Neal Andrews hasn't spoken out about this election. I know he is a leader for McCain in Ventura County. He must have something to say about the state senate campaign.

5. How would the group rate the governor's tenure thus far? If you want, speak for yourself instead of the group.

(Republican Sheriff Bill Brown w/ Hannah-Beth Jackson)

The Hannah-Beth Jackson campaign announced some more law enforcement endorsements to show that she is tough on crime. The latest is from The Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs.

Click on continue reading for more details.

Here in Simi Valley our police chief stays neutral during partisan campaigns as far as I remember. Am I wrong? I think I like it this way. I do think they should speak out about issues, policies, and the like but there is something to be said for neutrality. I haven't thought of the ramifications or issues involved much on this and I am open to your arguments. Should police chiefs endorse candidates?

I guess if it was an occasional campaign, something that is really important, I get it.

What important endorsements are left in the district?

Besides Mickey Jones of course. Hannah-Beth Jackson should reach out to him soon. If she got that endorsement I would be impressed.

Any word on what issues are important to him?

Tony Strickland's campaign is going after Hannah-Beth Jackson for attending a meeting where some Democrats debated holding up the budget in an effort to make political gain from a stand off. Oh, and someone forgot to turn off a microphone that broadcast the meeting across the capitol building.

The first time I heard the charge I thought it was in reference to this year's budget. I knew that the entire budget wasn't being held up to benefit Hannah-Beth Jackson.

But the charge was that while she was in the state assembly she attended a meeting where holding up the budget was discussed. It would be interesting to know what she said at the meeting. Was she against the ploy? Did she speak out in support of it? Was she picking up some free snacks at the meeting or trying to lobby someone for a bill?

Click on continue reading for the press release with newspaper clippings from the Tony Strickland Campaign. The original version including mast heads that showed what paper they were from. It looked really sharp, but importing the graphics was taking too long.

The leaders of The California Association of Political Centrists call out a few local politicians and the Ventura County Republican Central Committee over missing forums or debates in an editorial in The Star.

Why is it that Ventura County doesn't have more town hall forums during an election season or after?

Click on continue reading to see the editorial.

Three new stories on the State Senate Campaign.

1. Criminal complaint being referred to the state attorney general. Local DA might have a conflict of interest. Maybe it is time to get DA's to stay out of more elections?

Key quotes:
"Certainly someone could say there is an appearance of a conflict," said Chief Assistant District Attorney Jim Ellison.

Ellison said law enforcement agencies typically do not send files to his office unless they believe charges should be filed.

2. There was a debate last night between the two candidates. I wasn't there. Did you go? Click here to read an article about it.

After months of talking about alternative energy:

Strickland said he would like to have incentives, rewards and credits for people who promote and use alternative energy, while his opponent "wants fees, fines and penalties."

3. Lots of money flowing into the campaigns, including more tobacco money. Have fun arguing about cigarette company money again. Maybe Mr. Butt will be making more appearances ? Click here to read the story.

I have confirmed that a PAC with local connections has polled the State Senate campaign and has determined it is within the margin of error. They are raising money and are expected to spend a sizable amount on behalf of their favored candidate.

If you have information on polling of this campaign, please send it in.

( The name of the band is "Middle of the road".)

The California Association of Political Centrists is soliciting their members for opinions about endorsing a candidate in the State Senate campaign between Hannah-Beth Jackson and Tony Strickland. Katie Teague sent me an email that went out to their group members. Click on continue reading to see it.

Of all the endorsements not yet announced in Ventura County, which is the most valuable? I would think Mickey Jones could help. Any other ideas?

Should CAPC make their opinion known as a group?

I say go for it. If you think she will stand up for moderate voters, redistricting, and she is wants the groups endorsement, why wouldn't you do it?

Does Tony Strickland even want their support? It doesn't sound like it.

The Ventura County Chamber of Commerce PAC has endorsed Tony Strickland. Click on continue reading to see the press release. I have been busy and missed a few press releases from his campaign. Click here for the list of recent press releases. Tony Strickland has also updated his endorsement page. Click here to see it.

Hie energy policy hasn't been updated yet. It doesn't mention if he supports subsidies, tax cuts, eliminating zoning or other requirements that other businesses go through or money for research.

Ventura County Star reporter Timm Herdt wrote an article that says the campaign between Hannah-Beth Jackson and T. Strickland is between a candidate from the liberal wing of her party and a candidate from the conservative wing of his party.

The contest is going to be a battle to see which candidate proves their ability to work with people from the other party and which candidate has the ability to connect with people regardless of their party.

( He even has a green shirt! Way to stay on message!)

The Tony Strickland campaign has spent resources and time to introduce West County and Santa Barabra voters to Tony Strickland as an environmentalist in an effort to look more moderate. He has also put "independent" leadership on his campaign signs. I am curious. If he is independent of his party, how has he also been a leader in his party? If he is not a partisan in his party, who is a partisan in the Republican Party locally or at the state level?

But will it work? Will a leader of The Club for Growth, which has often gone after moderate Republicans really be able to show he has the record to share the same vision with moderate voters?

( Hannah-Beth Jackson with the Santa Barbara Sheriff, Bill Brown. I think a testimonial from a criminal she helped locked up would be great. If the criminal attacks her that makes her look great. If he talks about her helping to lock him up and how he has reformed that looks great too. Start researching Team Jackson. Maybe win a Poli Award?)

On the other side we have Hannah-Beth Jackson. She has been trying to show that her top priority isn't social issues but the basic local issues that matter to people of either party. For example, in Simi Valley she is pushing her record of legislation related to Rocketdyne/SSFL, her opposition to the expansion of the Simi Valley area landfill/dump, and her past support in successfully keeping Ahmanson Ranch as open space. She has also been fighting the stereotype that liberals are soft on crime by bragging about her past as a prosecutor, her legislation dealing with crime, and her endorsements from people or groups involved with public safety.

But will she be overwhelmed by attacks calling her "Taxin' Jackson" when budget problems are the top issue Sacramento has been dealing with? With bank failures, massive government bail outs being proposed, and a budget passed that legislative Democrats, Republicans, or the governor aren't proud of could any candidate win while being the target of ad after ad that says they will raise your taxes without cutting spending?

I am a Democrat but I realize there are major problems in Sacramento. I want to elect a Democrat that knows that big money doesn't just influence the Republican Party and recognizes that Californians are willing to pay for our government if we are assured that the money is being used wisely. I also don't believe that the closing tax loopholes on yachts will make a real impact on the budget. I am bored with Democrats bringing up an imaginary flotilla of minimally taxed yachts that could make a major improvement in our budget.

Is Hannah-Beth Jackson a different type of Democrat?

What do you think? Has the branding of the candidates started to work?

Which candidate is able to connect on issues that motivates voters in the middle?

Sidenote: If you write a political blog about Ventura County politics but you don't know her name is Hannah-Beth Jackson are you really staying informed? We all make typos from time to time but you have been getting her name wrong for weeks. You should correct your errors.

If you see a typo, misspelling, or grammatical error on my blog I'd appreciate an email from my readers before it goes into google cache. Thanks!

The Ferial Masry Campaign recently held an event with Retired USMC
General Hoar. If you have been following her political activism you might know she has worked with Bush administration officials to promote America in the Middle East. I don't know much about her involvement but it would be a great story for a print reporter to cover.

She is running against State Assembly Member Audra Strickland again.

Click here to see the district map.

The California Association of Political Centrists is hosting a East Ventura County Candidates' forum next week. Joe Howry from The Star will be running it.

Click on continue reading for details.

Many candidates will be there including school board candidates, Hannah-Beth Jackson, and Ferial Masry. It isn't surprising that Tony Strickland has said he will not attend the forum.

I would guess that he is avoiding the leaders of CAPC as they have been critical in the past. But is there any debates scheduled between the candidates? Are there any groups willing to put on a debate between the state senate candidates? If you know of a group Tony Strickland might speak in front of please post some suggestions.

I doubt there will be a forum between the candidates unless it is scheduled soon. Maybe a one on one forum between the two at Simi Valley city hall with Joe Howry moderating?

( This photo was from Hannah-Beth Jackson's Simi valley days group. If you have more Simi Valley Days photos that you want posted send them in.)

Both campaigns have more endorsements to announce.

For Hannah-Beth Jackson's endorsements click here.

For Tony Strickland's endorsement page click here. It isn't currently updated but look at the press releases for details.

Tony Strickland has a press release detailing the former Sheriff of Santa Barbara endorsing him, whereas on Hannah-Beth Jackson's page she lists the current Sheriff as a supporter. I don't follow Santa Barbara's politics enough to know which sheriff is more widely known and/or respected. Fill us in with that you know if you have something to share.

I did notice that the former sheriff mentions Tony Strickland's independent leadership. How has he been independent? To my knowledge he has been a long time supporter of the Republican Party, a career politician or political professional, and holds conservative Republican values. In addition, many of his allies or supporters run the local central committee. He has supported and worked for Tom McClintock, who hasn't worked well at times with his party's leadership including when he ran against the current governor in the recall election.

It is obvious he just doesn't want the word Republican associated with his name.

To see his press release click on continue reading.