Seven months ago, California had four Democrats running for Governor. Now, we only have one – who has yet to formally declare. John Garamendi’s ego dropped out to run for Congress in the wrong district (which he won anyway), Antonio Villaraigosa stepped out to focus on his day job as Mayor of Los Angeles, and Gavin Newsom appears to have withdrawn from both the Governor’s race andhis day job. Unless someone jumps in (or back into) the race, June 2010 will be the coronation of Jerry Brown – a 72-year-old ex-Governor who quit the Democratic Party 11 years ago, and whose record after quietly re-joining has been a nightmare for progressives. Faced with only Republican opponents next year, Brown is moving further to the right – and will be pressured to do so down the road. Even though the Golden State, where the G.O.P. is in deep trouble, deserves a lot better than that.
As Beyond Chron has written on a numberofoccasions this year, California has led the progressive charge on the national level – but our state is in dire need of that kind of energy to fix Sacramento. And yet, progressives have failed to recruit a candidate of their own to be California’s next Barack Obama – leaving Jerry Brown as the only viable Democratic candidate to lead the largest state in the union.
Now, with no other Democratic alternative for Governor, progressives are left with two choices: (a) recruit a candidate to face nearly insurmountable odds to defeat Brown, or (b) organize on issues to the point that Jerry somehow feels compelled to respond. The former isn’t likely to happen, because the only Democrats with the stature to run a viable campaign are in Congress – and who would want to risk a safe seat when your party is in power in Washington? The latter is practically our only choice, and it remains to be seen how much Brown will bend in to public pressure. If 2010 is a wake-up call to California progressives that we need to focus more on state issues, it may be a good thing long-term.
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.
“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?
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.”
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.
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.
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.
