poll confirms CCWC’s POV, CA voters want more choices

Phil Trounstine and Jerry Roberts nail it

Without Newsom, new faces, same old thing

One year before the 2010 election, Gavin Newsom’s abrupt withdrawal from the governor’s race leaves the campaign without a candidate conveying the message most aligned with California’s zeitgeist of the moment: a call for sweeping reform.

With Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown the lone (if still formally undeclared) Democratic candidate, and a Republican field of former EBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman, ex-Rep. Tom Campbell and Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, the race now presents two fundamental, thematic choices:

Brown and Campbell argue, in slightly different ways, that fixing California is a matter of making government work better; Whitman and Poizner essentially contend that fixing California means getting government out of the way.

At a time when Californians have record-low regard for state government, none of the four has mounted a challenge to the status quo as strongly as did Newsom. A flawed messenger lacking focus and the discipline to raise the vast sums needed, he nonetheless came closest to seizing the mantle of change.

la times….

Breaking: SF Mayor Gavin Newsom Drops Out of the Governor’s race

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13679225

november redux: is tom steyer the right man to run for governor?

When CCWC states,

“We need competence to fix Sacramento. We would like a candidate with a background and experience that meets the moment. We need an inspiring voice, a compelling message that reengages the people with their state government. Our candidate will draw on the people to change California together.”

we are not limiting our search to the political class.  There are business and community leaders in our party, like Tom Steyer, that CCWC is interested in hearing from, in addition to the professional politicians making the rounds.  

Tom’s pragmatic point of view is substantive and resonates nationally regarding the banking crisis.  His bona fides as a democratic fundraiser and supporter are unrivaled in California.  His mastery of the crisis and finance are especially compelling given the current state of California’s economy.

As far as CCWC knows, Mr. Steyer has not indicated he is interested in changing his day job; should we consider a petition to persuade him to run for California’s highest office?  To work together to change Sacramento once and for all?

the politics of twitter

sf mayor, “it’s jerry brown who’s putting those rumors out.”

who is jane harman? sf gate’s marinucci cranks the rumor mill

Rumor mill: Rep. Jane Harman as a 2010 Dem gov candidate?

Harman, who represents the 36th Congressional district — which includes the beach cities of Venice, Torrance, and Manhattan Beach — has been out front on issues like terrorism as chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment.

So moderates argue she could have a strong shot in a general election — especially because she enjoys backing from key Democratic grassroots groups that include Jewish voters.

Downside: progressives say she’s too conservative for a primary win and political insiders correctly note that in California, even high profile Congressional types are rarely known outside their own districts.

Bottom line: we called Harman today to ask her directly about the rumors. She didn’t rule it out exactly — but she did address the buzz.

“My plan is to run for re-election to Congress…and I’m in the process of doing that. I don’t know where these rumors get started,” she said. “But it’s always flattering to be talked about in a good way.”

Read more: 

sf mayor newsom talks change talk in new you tube commercial

meg whitman on her abysmal voting record, “i am engaged now.”

new field poll leaves door open for a third, fourth candidate

Gavin Newsom Live 10/06/09 12:29PM

more about “Gavin Newsom Live 10/06/09 12:29PM, G…“, posted with vodpod

LAT’s: california ag files papers for potential campaign for governor

Jerry Brown LAT

rasmussen snaphot of ca governor’s race

Rasmussen

ya, gotan project

new america foundation CA call to “ACTION” – help us, help the governor to sign AB30

Dear Friends,

We did it! We are excited to report that all of your efforts on behalf of AB 30 – the innovative idea to lower the voter registration age to 17 –  have paid off. The bill passed both the California Assembly and Senate and is now sitting on the Governor’s desk.

WE NEED YOUR HELP ONE MORE TIME – we need you to contact Gov Schwarzenegger and tell him about the considerable benefits of lowering the voter registration age to 17, including: 

1. More young people registered to vote.
2. More young people voting (as a new report on preregistration from Pew Trusts shows).
3. Studies show that participation at an early age makes voting a lifelong habit.
4. Lowering the registration age would encourage high schools to become more actively involved in youth engagement and civic education.
5. It also would bring greater uniformity and efficiency to the registration process. Currently, some 17 year olds already can preregister to vote-if they will turn 18 before the next election-while the rest cannot. AB 30 would simplify and streamline the registration requirements.

The Governor can sign or veto AB 30 at any time.  Please contact the Governor RIGHT NOW. Tell him you support AB 30, and ask for his support too.

You can reach the Governor’s office by calling 916.445.2841 (press 1, then 2, then 0), by sending a FAX to 916.558.3160, by emailing him through his website at http://gov.ca.gov/interact (choose “Governor” for the subject), or by tweeting him directly @Schwarzenegger.

You will find a sample email after the fold,

ya, bounce that

CCWC twitter talk with sf mayor gavin newsom

1. Noozhawk RT @GavinNewsom: We need give more fiscal control and responsibility (realignment) to local governments.#ttnewsom11 minutes ago from TweetDeck
2. johnholz @stevenefowler Thanks for that, nice job#ttnewsom11 minutes ago from web
3. GavinNewsom Thanks everyone – this was great. Looking forward the next one. Time to go the hospital! @ccwc#ttnewsom19 minutes ago from web
4. stevenefowler thank you to everyone for meeting up. we will post the feed in our blog and get into the thoughtful questions. #ttnewsom21 minutes ago from TweetDeck
5. agurbash What are the mayor’s views on the Armenian Genocide? #ttnewsom21 minutes ago from web
6. stevenefowler mayor, thank you for taking the time, to be continued. we look forward to seeing you on the trail. love to your wife and montana. #ttnewsom24 minutes ago from TweetDeck
7. mellaughsalot @GavinNewsom How do you feel about education budget and teaching to the test? #ttnewsom24 minutes ago from web
8. stevenefowler @kholleran we look forward changeing CA and fixing Sacramento. #ttnewsom #FIXCA25 minutes ago from TweetDeck
9. ndgc12dx Duh, considering Cali is almost bankrupt. RT@GavinNewsom: We need give more fiscal control and responsibility to local govts. #ttnewsom25 minutes ago from UberTwitter
10. GavinNewsom @johnholz No bigger champion for HSR. Top priority. Essential to state’s environ & econ future. Benefits vastly outweigh costs. #ttnewsom25 minutes ago from web

join twittertalk now #ttnewsom

going on now on twitter…jump in

la times blog, “he’s hosting a “twitter talk” on tuesday at 12:45 p.m. pacific to discuss his ideas for california.”

green party invites van jones to run for governor of california

attorney general jerry brown to sf mayor, my resume is bigger than yours. CCWC R: really?

Jerry Brown says being mayor doesn’t provide good governor credentials

Does being mayor of San Francisco qualify Gavin Newsom to serve as governor of California? Attorney General Jerry Brown, expected to challenge Newsom for the Democratic nomination next year, doesn’t seem to think so.

Read more from SF Gate here:

Hopefully, the campaign for the democratic nomination for governor is going to be about the future.  While CCWC would like more choices, our point of view is that both the mayor and AG are capable and qualified to be governor.  Our support will go to the candidate with the best plans to fix Sacramento.  We want to be engaged in a debate, not petty political antics.

ya, cherokee morning song

president clinton, jerry brown redux. CCWC Q: who would obama endorse?

According to ABC news former president Bill Clinton endorses SF Mayor, Gavin Newsom.

CCWC to host san francisco mayor for late lunch in twitter, 09.22.09

Join us on Tuesday, 22 September 2009 from 12:45 to 1:30 and meet San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, candidate for governor of California.  We will meet up in twitter @ #ttnewsom.  The mayor has agreed to chat for forty five minutes, however we encourage CCWC members and Newsom supporters to come early and stay late.

Thanks for taking the time mayor, we look forward to getting to know more about your vision for the future of California.

CCWC welcomes all candidates to meet our members and to share ideas on how best to fix Sacramento.  If you would like to schedule a twitter talk, then let us know and we set a date.