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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Whitman now debate-jonesing: challenges Brown to another debate as he steps out of the shower
Suddenly, Meg Whitman can't get enough debates. Yes, you read that correctly. Team Meg-a-millions just surprised Jerry Brown as he stepped out of the shower this a.m. to do his weekly appearance on KGO (810 AM).
Towards the end of the segment, Mark Silverman, producer for KGO's widely-heard Ronn Owens show said Team Meg had agreed to a live on-air debate in the first week of October on Ronn's show. So, Mr. AG, Silverman asked, do you agree to show up?
Audibly surprised, Jerry hemmed and hawed and we think said something about just stepping out of the shower and not knowing his October schedule verbatim. (We tried to put that image out of our minds as we made sandwiches for the kids.)The campaigns have been trying to work out a Ronn debate for weeks behind the scenes.
Brown spokesman Sterling Clifford just told us that they are considering the date. Look for it to happen, we're betting.
A couple of things: What's up with the flurry of debate acceptances from Team Meg? There are now FOUR gov debates. Hey, it's great for voters to get as much UNSCRIPTED exposure to the candidates as possible, but we couldn't help flashing back to the primary, when Meg never accepted a full hour debate on Ronn's show against Steve Poizner, despite months of pleading from KGO and Poiz.
Could it be that somebody's internal polls aren't looking as good? Is she hoping that by clustering A FOURTH debate into late September/early October that Jerry is more likely to have an Unscripted Jerry Moment?
Regardless, Meg's newfound debate lust is good news for Californians interested in hearing more about the next California guv.
On another note, Team Meg fired a huge dig at Jerry this a.m. on KGO: Just before he appeared, they aired their 60-second "No Plan" commercial -- featuring Jerry saying he had no plan when he was gov. Ouch. Can't beat that ad placement.
The one problem with that ad, though: Jerry made the "no plan" comments in the mid-1990s, while on Larry King Live, back when Jerry was a KPFA talk show host. It was, you know, one of those Unscripted Jerry Moments.
| Jul 29 at 03:15 PM
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman: "I would let the Arizona law stand for Arizona" (AUDIO)
California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, who has heavily advertised her opposition to Arizona's immigration law SB1070 on Spanish-language media, told conservative Talk Radio's "America's Morning News" Wednesday that "I would let the Arizona law stand for Arizona."
The appearance was noted by the Huffington Post blogger Chris Kelly, who provided a link of the audio of her interview with the radio station on the East Coast:
Whitman's comments came as a federal judge was poised to issue a ruling on the controversial Arizona law Wednesday; Judge Susan Bolton blocked key portions of the measure, setting off what's expected to be a prolonged legal battle over the matter.
Whitman was asked about her views regarding the law, and she was also grilled about her thoughts on the impending ruling.
"I understand why the people of Arizona have risen up in sheer frustration because the federal government has not done the job of securing the border,'' she said.
But, she added, "I don't think the Arizona law makes sense for California, because we have a much bigger state with much bigger geography."
She called for securing the border, saying that in California, "I spent a day on the border and I can tell you we have not given the border patrol agents the resources they need."
But the radio hosts pursued the matter, asking Whitman to further define her view: so what did she want to see the federal judge decide?
"I would say the states have got to be able to decide what is right for their state...so I would let the Arizona law stand for Arizona,'' she said. "You have to let the states do what they gotta do..until the federal government proves that they can secure these borders."
Whitman's campaign in recent weeks has heavily advertised on Spanish language radio what it said has been her position on the issue: "NO a la Proposicion 187 y NO a la ley de Arizona." (NO to Prop. 187 and NO to the Arizona law.")
| Jul 28 at 08:41 PM
Maldo to attend GOP fundraiser with Breitbart -- and is ready to give him the what-for
For years -- even as we knocked down a beer with him at a recent GOP convention -- Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado has talked about how he's a moderate Republican. You know, post-partisan and all that.
And that's why Dems are going nuts with word that Abel will be sharing the bill at a GOP fundraiser next month with Andrew Breitbart -- aka the conservative media titan whose site presented the world with the creative editing of comments made by former Ag Dept. employee Shirley Sherrod.
"So much for moderation," says CA Dem Party spokesman Tenoch Flores. "Imagined or otherwise."
Hey, we're eternally grateful to Breitbart for giving us a ride to a Tea Party event in Nevada a few months ago (check the video of THAT ride here). There -- and at the CA GOP convention last fall -- the guy gets standing ovations and a hero's welcome.
But sharing a bill with him is not exactly a come-hither to the decline-to-state voters and moderates that Maldo needs to score to take down SF Mayor Gavin Newsom in the CA Lite Gov race.
Team Maldo, what's up?
"We were going to the function. We didn't even know this guy was invited," Team Maldo spokesperson Brandon Gesicki told us. The GOP event is a "stop-by" for Maldo that night, he said.
"But if we run into (Breitbart) we'll tell him what we think of what he did to that woman (Sherrod)," Gesicki said. Nope, Maldo did not think it was cool.
Also attending the GOP event will be GOP Secretary of State nominee -- and recent convert to voting -- Damon Dunn. But when asked about it Wednesday by Comrade Marinucci, DD wouldn't touch the Breitbart question. Nope. Not on the day that he scored a Ronnie Lott endorsement.
Your invitation.....
| Jul 28 at 06:26 PM
Powerful teachers' union joins indy group backing Democrat gov candidate Jerry Brown
California Working Families for Jerry Brown, the independent expenditure group working to help the Democratic State Attorney General's 2010 gubernatorial campaign, just got a powerhouse ally -- the 325,000-member California Teachers Association.
CTA President David Sanchez, in announcing the move, called Brown "the education candidate for governor."
"He gets that California's future depends on a world-class, quality public school system,'' Sanchez said in a statement today. "We believe Jerry Brown can lead this state of of this fiscal crisis, and bring collaboration back to Sacramento."
The CTA, in making the move to join the California Working Families group, becomes part of a coalition aiming to boost Brown that involves labor, healthcare workers, construction workers, engineers, teachers, environmental and women's groups, among others, says CWF spokesman Roger Salazar.
Among them: the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, the California Professional Firefighters, SEIU California State Council, the Professional Engineers in California Government, the California Association of Professional Scientists, and the California Federation of Teachers.
| Jul 28 at 02:18 PM
"How many cows must die?" -- Cali GOP makes tenuous parallel between dead cow, state budget
It's a stretch, but hey, at least we got a laugh out of the dismal budget situation: The California Republican Party sent out a statement today linking Tuesday's shooting of a pregnant cow at the State Fair to the stalemate over the budget. The back story: the cow was shot by state fair police after she fled; both she and her calf died. The bovine was supposed to give birth in front of fair-goers (maybe that's why she ran.) Anyway, animal rights activists are up in arms about the incident and the "Livestock Nursing" program the cow was to participate in before her untimely death.
Paraphrasing is of no use here, so we'll just let you read the statement:
"Obviously, the stress of state budget uncertainty is taking its toll on these dedicated state employees, from fair management, to state fair police, to the U.C. Davis veterinary director who had to make the fatal decision to tragically down this pregnant cow and her unborn calf. We're not second guessing the call. Considering the circumstances, it may have been the best decision. But it's not fair to force people to make life-and death decisions when they're also coping with the prospect of fewer vacation days or reduced office supplies.
"With the state budget nearly a month overdue, the Democrat legislative leaders are happy to hang out in their own corral, unable to agree even among themselves how to close the state budget gap. This is inexcusable. This is bull. This is a new low for Democrats.
"Is nothing sacred to them anymore, not even cows?"
We're waiting to see what the Democrats have to say ... we're guessing they won't agree with the characterization.
| Jul 28 at 02:10 PM
CA GOP Sec of State candidate Damon Dunn, former NFL player, lands endorsement of Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott
Republican California Secretary of State candidate Damon Dunn landed a big name free agent today with the endorsement of former San Francisco 49er Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott, who praised the Irvine businessman and former NFL player as a man who "represents what America is all about."
Lott delivered the glowing endorsement today, saying that Dunn's life -- a former impoverished kid from the Deep South who became an NFL player and then a business success -- underscores "the future of our state."
Ronnie Lott endorses Damon Dunn
Dunn, speaking to us a few minutes ago, said he's charged up to receive the backing of a "leader among leaders" whom he's long admired. And one, he adds, who supported Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential campaign.
"I think in an era when we talk about bipartisanship and reaching both sides of the aisle, I'm exemplifying that,'' Dunn said.
Dunn, the first time California candidate and GOP former NFL player, said that he met Lott "when (the late 49er coach) Bill Walsh recruited me for Stanford; Ronnie was on my recruiting trip in 1994.''
Dunn became close friends with Lott's son at a Harvard Business School entreprenuership prgram, and when he became a candidate for Secretary of State, he said Lott made the time to hold some long conversations with him about his goals and his political future.
Lott, in his endorsement, said that "from his humble beginnings growing up in deep poverty in the South to his hard work and admission to Stanford University, NFL career and many achievements in business and public services afterwards, Damon has an incredible story. But what separates him really is the content of his character, his faith, intellect and what's inside of his heart."
More Lott: "This is exactly why I'm excited for the future of our state, as Damon takes on his next endeavor of bringing new leadership to California and a positive vision for our communities and our citizens. I am proud to stand by his side; I am proud to follow him."
Dunn, you may recall, raised some eyebrows when we first reported his candidacy last year and broke the story that he had never voted -- in his life -- until May 2009. But since then, he's talked openly about being a "recovering" non-voter and upped his game, while winning some major backing and endorsements from big party insiders.
Today, he's got a press conference going in Bell, California -- site of that headline-grabbing city salary scandal -- to whack at incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Debra Bowen.
Stay tuned.
| Jul 28 at 12:00 PM
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Star endorser at Latino "values" event to help Fiorina -- the 2008 Queen of SF Gay Pride Parade?
That "Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles" fundraiser in Los Angeles to reach conservative Latinos, celebrate "Tus Valores" (Your Values) and help U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina had an interesting twist: among the star celebrity backers in the lineup was Mexican-born telenovela star Karyme Lozano -- who also happens to be the crowned Queen of the 2008 San Francisco LGBT Pride events and parade.
Today's event wasn't associated with the Fiorina Senate campaign; it's an independent expenditure. Still, the Christian News Wire reported that it was part of a "Vote Your Values" effort to educate Latino voters to the pro-life stance of Fiorina. The Susan B. Anthony List is participating in the effort, putting $100,000 in to "include a bus tour to areas of high Hispanic population as well as a Google ad campaign targeting California Latino voters."
The news of Ms. Lozano's high profile role in the conservative indy effort on Fiorina's behalf comes on the heels of a Sac Bee blog post which reported a rather embarrassing glitch this week in Fiorina's own Latino outreach: picking a restaurant for her Hispanic efforts owned by Griselda Barajas, who has now decided to endorse U.S. Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer.
The Latino conservative group advertised their event today at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel as the rollout of an "initiative" to raise $1 million -- and to help Fiorina -- through American Principles in Action, a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to "fundamental principles on which our country was founded."
Lozano, star of such Mexican telenovelas as "Amar Sin Limites" (To Love without Limits) and "Mujeres Asesinas" (Assassin Women) was among those touted as endorsers at the event targeted to Latino voters.
So how exactly does the former 2008 SF Gay Pride Parade Queen link up with the "conservative values" of today's fundraiser?
We don't usually reference Wikipedia, but here's a quote from Wiki -- we don't vouch for the site -- that might shed some light: "Today Karyme Lozano, after the death of her father, is dedicated to promoting values and defend their Catholic faith, his testimony has joined the many who leave everything to follow Christ and make Him known. He has served on several Catholic Congress in the U.S., Central and South America and has initiated pro-life action with Eduardo Verastegui by standing outside a clinic near downtown Los Angeles, handing out pamphlets, trying to stop women from obtaining health services such as contraception, pap smears, and abortion."
Julie Soderlund, spokeswoman for Fiorina, notes that the organizers -- and the endorsers -- of today's events are "not affiliated with the campaign."
| Jul 27 at 03:49 PM
Whitman up for three debates; Brown still wants 10
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman today "challenged" her opponent, Democrat Jerry Brown, to three debates.
We're all for candidates "challenging" each other to debates, but remember how Brown, the former governor and current state attorney general, announced last month that he was up for 10 debates? It seems like he had accepted Whitman's challenge before she even issued it.
Anyway, enough with the semantics, here are the details of the debates Whitman said she will attend:
1. Tuesday, Sept. 28 at UC Davis
2. Saturday, Oct. 2 at Cal State Fresno
3. Week of Oct. 11 at Dominican University (Whitman already said last month she would attend this one)
Slight problem: the Oct. 2 debate at Cal State Fresno was not one that Brown had originally said he was going to attend.
Also, Whitman did NOT accept an invitation from The Chronicle, KTVU and KQED for a Sept. 7 debate. What gives?
Both sides have been using the debate issue as a vehicle to take swings at other aspects of their opponent's campaign -- Whitman's reliance on what one group has called misleading ads, and Brown's lack of publicized plans for the state.
Brown has called out Whitman for depending on ads to get her message out instead of debating openly.
"The people of California deserve better," Brown said last month when Whitman announced she had accepted one debate invitation. "They deserve to see their choices for Governor stand side-by-side and honestly discuss the challenges facing our state."
He added: "I am calling on Meg Whitman to treat voters with the respect they deserve. It's time to step out from behind consultant-scripted commercials full of falsehoods and distortions and debate."
In today's announcement, Team Meg countered by saying that Brown has been silent on the his plans for what matters most -- the issues.
"Meg is looking forward to debating Jerry Brown," Whitman Campaign Manager Jillian Hasner said in today's announcement. "Meg has laid out specific plans for getting Californians back to work, making government more efficient and fixing our schools. We've heard almost nothing from Brown. Hopefully, between today and these debates, Jerry Brown will tell us what he plans to do. Californians deserve a substantive debate on the plans and proposals each candidate will use to lead California out of crisis."
This report was written by Chronicle staff writer Drew Joseph. E-mail him at ajoseph@sfchronicle.com.
| Jul 27 at 02:29 PM
Monday, July 26, 2010
Whitman's new ad goes soft focus
Perhaps her internal pollsters are whispering that those Jerry Brown-bashing ads aren't working, as Meg Whitman released a new 60-second radio ad Monday that's all soft-focusey about Meg's time CEOing eBay. When Whitman arrived at eBay,it was just 30 people and an idea, the ad says. "Meg's job," the ad's narrator notes, "was to turn that idea into a reality."
"The eBay Meg created had an ability to weather storms and seize opportunities." (Subliminal message: Just like California...could?)
The ad also refers to a time when eBay's servers crashed and messed with all sorts of transactions. Meg and team worked round-the-clock to fix the servers. Later, against the advice of some advisers, the ad says, eBay "refunded money to everyone affected by the outage."
We smell a consultant who has earned his Meg-a-money by finding a way to wedge the phrase "refunded money to everyone" into a 60-second political ad. Ohhh, the subliminal powers are overpowering us....we're getting sleepy...the room is spinning...money...refunded...to everyone..zzzzzzzzz....
Listen to the ad here:
| Jul 26 at 06:04 PM
A first: Bakersfield Dem puts up $20K for radio ad opposing pot legalization
Unless you live in the Central Valley, odds are that you would never have heard of the campaign of Michael Rubio, a Kern County supervisor running for state senate in Bakersfield. But the Democrat just became the first California politician to spend his own cash for a radio ad AGAINST Prop 19, the initiative that would legalize and tax cannabis.
The ad, which is airing in the Central Valley on stations between Bakersfield and Fresno, cost Rubio $20,000. He just told me that he expects to spend $1 million on his campaign.
He decided this was worth it because "this is just bad public policy" that would add "even more confusion" to marijuana laws that often put state, local and federal laws at odds with each other. The Valley has got enough problems -- high unemployment at the top of the list -- than to have to deal with legalizing (and taxing) dope.
Or as he says in the ad:
"I'm so mad about this, I've decided spend my campaign money to fight back against it. Sure I'd like your vote for state senate. But even if you decide to vote for the other guy, join me to fight back against Proposition 19. Thanks."
Whoooooa, dude, that's harsh. You're stepping on some buzzes there -- like those of other Dems.
Of course we all remember when Democratic Party chair John Burton told us that "pot" could bring out young and first-time Obama voters who aren't thrilled/don't know much about top of the ticket septuagenarians like Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer. If not, check out this Shaky Hand video. Other consultant types say that the measure could boost turnout maybe by 1 percent or so. Mayyyyyyyybe -- but that might be just three-bong-hit wishful thinking as there really is no modern California precedent there in terms of dope-inspired get-out-the-vote. (Although plenty of dopes have inspired voters to turn out, ba-dump-pa).
But Rubio could care less about all that.
"I'm not running for office to help one party out," Rubio said. "I'm running to help the people of the Central Valley. If that goes against what people in the Bay Area are feeling, then so be it."
Asked if his anti-cannabis campaign came from a personal experience, Rubio said "No. It's just bad public policy. This isn't what government should be doing."
Rubio's ad comes on the heels of other top Dems just saying no on Prop 19 (Among them: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Guv candidate Jerry Brown, AG candidate Kamala Harris, etc.). Yes, much was made of the California NAACP endorsing Prop 19, but the California League of Cities said it would be a bad idea.
Here's Rubio's ad. Take a listen.
Oh, and this is Rubio's second radio ad. His first was about how the government (The Kern County elections office) screwed up and had him living in the wrong district. So he moved from the house he and his wife fixed up themselves. Turns out the KC elections office was wrong; he wasn't in the wrong district. No wonder the dude doesn't trust gubmint to regulate dope.
| Jul 26 at 05:29 PM
Welcome to the Politics blog.
By Wyatt Buchanan, Michael Collier, Richard Dunham, Bob Egelko, Joe Garofoli, Marisa Lagos, Carolyn Lochhead, Carla Marinucci, Read Bios
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