by Chairman Art Torres [courtesy of Party Line]

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Shocking news out of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom is setting up an exploratory committee to run for Governor! Not shocked? Well, I guess that's to be expected. Interestingly, this was the first year that Gavin took the stage at SF Pride and was actively involved. In previous years, he would hang out in the background. But, good on him for stepping up this year.  From the LA Times:

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who built a national reputation pushing cutting-edge -- and controversial -- policies on same-sex marriage, healthcare and other issues, today launched an exploratory bid for governor.

His move placed the 40-year-old, two-term mayor out in front of a large Democratic field eyeing the race to succeed Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is barred by term limits from running again in 2010. Newsom said he expected to decide by year's end whether to proceed with a full-fledged candidacy. (LAT 7/01/08)

I must admit that I am a bit surprised about the timing. He was slightly less obvious about his ambition than Jerry Brown, who practically begged for votes based on his experience. Get ready for a long battle, folks.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Randy Bayne
The Bayne of Blog's California Notes

This one should be placed under the heading of “should have seen this one coming.” A writer of a Letter to the Editor in the Sacramento Bee has put to print what surely many others are thinking. The more than 1,000 fires charring the north state landscape are a result of California’s legalization of same-sex marriage.

Do you remember when same-sex marriage was front-page news? Less than a week later, California was burning.

The letter writer’s rationale is that since same-sex marriage licenses started being issued on June 16 and less than ten days later, on June 25, it was reported that 1,026 fires were burning across the north state, obviously there must be a connection. California is experiencing the wrath of the Almighty. The writer goes so far as to actually make a connection between dry lightning strikes and fire from heaven.

Furthermore, on the same day, the Associated Press reported, “In less than a day, an electrical storm unleashed nearly 8,000 lightning strikes that set more than 800 wildfires across Northern California – a rare example of ‘dry lightning.’ “

God must be mad. (Read that any way you like)

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of Blog for America]

Karl Rove and the Republicans have gotten a lot of mileage out of scaring people about gay marriage.  In many ways, the 2004 anti-marriage equality ballot initiatives proved to be an important factor in George Bush's reelection.  But it looks like the homophobic, fear-mongering train has come off the rails.  From McClatchy:

Yet it's not as solid a boost as it was for President Bush in 2004, when more Americans opposed gay marriage, and social conservatives surged to polling places to approve constitutional amendments banning it in 13 states, including such pivotal presidential election battlegrounds as Missouri and Ohio.

"This year is very different than 2004," said Joe Solmonese, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest advocacy group for gays, lesbians and transgenders.

He said that other issues such as Iraq, the economy and rising gasoline and food prices had pushed marriage down on the national priority list. And Americans have grown somewhat more tolerant of same-sex marriage, he said.

What do you think?  With California's recent court ruling legalizing marriage equality, will this issue drive voters to John McCain?  Will evangelical voters come out in force for Sen. McCain's campaign?  Or, have we turned a page in the so-called "culture wars"?

Danny
Communications Director

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

At its executive board meeting this past weekend in Millbrae, the California Democratic Party voted to take the following positions on ballot measures that have already qualified or will likely appear on the November 2008 statewide ballot.

Redistricting: OPPOSE
High-speed rail bond: SUPPORT
Treatment of farm animals: SUPPORT
Children’s hospital bond: SUPPORT
Parental notification for abortion: OPPOSE
Sentencing of nonviolent offenders: OPPOSE
Increased criminal penalties: OPPOSE
Renewable energy requirements (solar): OPPOSE
Same-sex marriage ban: OPPOSE
Criminal justice system, victims’ rights: NEUTRAL
Alternative fuels and renewable energy bond: NEUTRAL

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]