California's Next Governor: Steve Westly

Recall Arnold Schwarzenegger has been trying for some time to be even handed in the Democratic Gubernatorial primary, but its almost May and the state's Democratic Convention is behind us, I feel its time to take sides and give my highly coveted endorsement.

California's next Governor should be State Controller Steve Westly.

As the race began, I had my doubts about both candidates. Angelides was a party insider and former developer, and Westly had a reputation as being a little too moderate. After several months of the campaign, its clear my perception of Angelides was correct, but there was a lot more to Steve Westly. What initially appeared to be political moderation was simply pragmatism. There is no doubt now that Steve is a genuine progressive, but is also determined to get things done to make California a better place.

What sealed the deal for me was hearing Westly speak and having the opportunity to meet him at a campaign event in Long Beach. Having followed politics closely for many years and having worked in the State Capitol, I've developed what I feel is a pretty good feel for who is in the game for personal gain and who is in it to really make things better for the people. Steve Westly is the real deal. This guy believes what he says and will back it up with action. California needs a man like Westly in the Governor's office.

I don't want to bash Phil Angelides. I'm sure he's a decent guy and would sure as hell make a better Governor than Arnold, but he just won't be able to get much done, if he could somehow manage to beat Scwarzenegger which is doubtful. The party has endorsed him, as has most of the congressional delegation, but I can't help but think this is a repeat of the Democrats lining up behind John Kerry in 2004. We all know how well that turned out. These endorsements are meaningless of course. The public will make up its own mind, and they're leaning towards Westly. According to an LA Times poll out today Westly holds a 13% lead over Anglides in the primary and a 9% lead over Schwarzenegger in the general.

I encourage you all to visit Steve Westly's website and learn more about him and his campaign. Be sure to check out the Rally CA blog while you're there. It will keep you updated on where and when you can see Steve in Action.

Westly pulls ahead...and OC fends off the far right

Good news for Steve Westly as he has now pulled ahead in the Democratic primary race by 11 points. The Field Poll also shows slightly improved numbers for Schwarzenegger, but his approval rating is still below 40%.


In other election news, those of us stuck behind the Orange Curtain were spared a turn to the hard right as moderate Republican Assemblyman Tom Harman fended off uber-conservative Diane Harkey in the race for the State Senate seat vacated by John Campbell. I had to bite my lip and vote strategically here, casting my vote for Harman and I'm damn glad I did as the margin of victory was only 236 votes.

Arnold on Global Warming

The "Governator" revealed his plan on global warming today, such that it is, and may have handed the Democrats a campaign issue in the process. The plan calls for a pollution caps and trades plan (pollution credits) similar to many European nations...minus the caps.

Personally, I don't think transferable pollution credits are much of a sollution, but I can pretty much guarantee they aren't going to solve the problem if you don't cap the amount of pollutants a factory can send into the air!

Polls show Californians are in favor of strong measures to combat global warming, so hopefully the Democrats will call Arnold out on this one.

If you want to buy a bank...

Talk to Phil Angelides, he sold one for $1 in 1994. But why???

Ignoring History

If you want to know why the Democrats rule California, look no further than Pete Wilson and the Prop 187 fiasco. The immigrant bashing in the mid nineties turned the state Democratic for a generation by turning the state's largest minority group into a solid Democratic voting block.

If you've been watching the national immigration debate, you'll notice the GOP doesn't pay any attention to history. The "round em up and throw em out" led by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) is pressing ahead and refusing any type of sane compromise. To his credit, President Bush has always taken a realistic stance on the immigration issue, so hopefully he will veto any bill that doesn't include a guest worker plan and path to legalization for the 12 million immigrants that are here already.

One note on Tancredo, hailing from Littleton, CO, maybe he should focus more on gun violence in schools than an issue that probably isn't very relevent to suburban Denver like illegal immigration.

Angelides and Westly Debate

On Wednesday, the two Democratic candidates for Governor faced off in a debate. It quickly turned nasty...shocking I know.