by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

It’s 2009. Do you know where your 2010 candidates are?
 
With little more than 500 days left until the June 8, 2010 gubernatorial primary election, the race to succeed Schwarzenegger has begun in earnest. While other contributors here have handicapped the potential field, it’s helpful to consider who California voters have elected to the state’s top post when making predictions.
 
With two notable, but similar, exceptions, California voters over the past 75 years have only elected governors who have held other statewide posts.
 
So what do Governors Earl Warren, Edmond G. “Pat” Brown, Edmond G. “Jerry” Brown, Jr., George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis have in common? They were elevated to the governorship from a previously held statewide post -- US Senator, Attorney General, Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor.
 
At first blush, it seems voters prefer candidates with previous experience in a statewide office. This doesn’t hold true for Governors Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the notable exceptions mentioned earlier. Instead it illustrates one critical factor all these past governors shared before being elected: name ID.

There's more...

Image courtesy Daylife/Getty.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

There was much to like in the Governor's Weekly Radio Address this week, at least to the untrained eye.  It was presented by the Governor's Finance Director Mike Genest and includes an open plea to the Legislature.  It spoke of the dire situation our state is facing, in end of the world like terms.  A snip:

So, bear with me a moment while I speak directly to your state legislator.

Sir or Madam, I know that you didn't run for office so you could vote to raise taxes or cut spending for vital programs. I too wish there was another way. But, we have to do what is needed to bring this state back from the fiscal brink. You are a leader. In times like this leadership requires compromise. Your state needs your help.

You can save it from disaster, but only if you reach across the aisle. Time is up. Please act now.  

The problem of course? It's all propaganda that ignores the $18 Billion package that is facing his veto. While the state dawdles away its general fund, the Governor's team dishonestly ignores the fact that the Democrats have compromised, and the Republicans refuse to move an inch.

And that veto.  So, Mr. Gest, if you want to point a finger, perhaps that finger should turn right back upon the current Administration.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

•  Meg Whitman looks increasingly like a candidate for the governor's gig.  She quit a couple boards of directors over the last few weeks. Great, just what we need, another political neophyte who thinks they can buy their way into the job.  That will never work...oh wait.

•  It really was rather unfortunate that Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church was vandalized over the weekend.  While the Catholic Church, and specifically the Arch Diocese of San Francisco did actively support Prop 8, I can assure you that the parishioners of Most Holy Redeemer were not the leaders or even supporters at all.  MHR is generally pretty darn gay friendly, and swastikas are never appropriate.  

•  Interested in an inauguration night party? Well, the Amador County Dems have what sounds like a fun one. Check the flip for more details.

The Amador County Democratic Central Committee

Joyously invites our great Volunteers and Supporters

To a Thank You and Victory Party on Inaugural Night

Tuesday, January 20th from 7 to 9 p.m.

At the Jackson Elks Club Lodge, 12500 Kennedy Flat Road

Hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. The Elks Club bar will be open.

We hope you will be able to join us,

read more »

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

by David M. Greenwald Editor, California Progress Report Last week right before New Year’s Day, I got a call from the Speaker’s Office, they were putting on an afternoon teleconference where Speaker Karen Bass addressed the current budget situation. She was working right up until the holiday. Where was the...

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento Recently I blogged against a BEE story that headlined the fact that 15% of the Legislature’s staff received a pay raise “in the midst of a state fiscal crisis”. The fact that 85% of the staff DID NOT receive...

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By David Dayen d-day Five top Democratic governors have called for a larger stimulus package than what is presently being called for in Washington, precisely to fill in the gaps created by a loss of tax revenue in the states. To help offset state budget cuts, a group of...