Thursday, August 27, 2009

Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on the Passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy

The nation has suffered a great loss with the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy, who was a giant in the history of the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Kennedy was a friend and ally for decades. We shared a passion for broadening health care coverage, protecting the rights of poor and middle-class Americans, expanding civil rights and so much more.

Ted Kennedy was perhaps the most accomplished senator of our time. He created the Family Medical Leave Act and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. He passed countless measures to expand health coverage and improve education. He raised the minimum wage, enabled 18-year-olds to vote and opposed the Vietnam and Iraq wars.

I consulted with Sen. Kennedy in 2003 when I passed SB 2, a bill that would have vastly expanded health care coverage in California were it not for a referendum.

On a personal level, Sen. Kennedy and I shared other common bonds: We were both known as “liberal lions.” And we were both the baby brothers of prominent men.

While Sen. Kennedy’s three older brothers died young in the service of their country, Ted was with us for 77 years. During that time, he worked tirelessly to improve all of our lives.

My prayers are with his wife, Vicki, his children, his sister, Jean, his niece, Maria, his nephew, Bobby, and whole family. Ted Kennedy will be deeply missed.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Read This

From today’s San Diego News Network:
State investigates alleged San Diego Republican corruption


Given the bang-up job Nehring is doing that the state level this is really no surprise. To see it covered in the press is.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Districts 2 and 6 get one each

The SDUT broke this yesterday:

Jim Morrison, 52, of Pacific Beach is joining three other people to challenge the incumbency of Kevin Faulconer for the District 2 seat. A property manager, Morrison is involved with the Pacific Beach planning committee, town council and parking committee. This would be his fourth time running for City Council.

Like all the challengers in the District 2 race, Morrison is a Democrat.



And

Meanwhile, the District 6 race has gained another late entrant, Ryan M. Huckabone.

Huckabone is a sales representative for an electrical supply warehouse. His resume also includes a stint as a Chinese linguist in the Army and participation on the Clairemont Town Council. This is his first foray into city politics. Huckabone is a Republican.


As of this writing, the entry of these two won’t change things significantly. Morrison will join Funicane and Towbridge slinging rocks at Faulconer. With three Democrats in a marginally Democratic district, their division of the vote will make it easier for Kevin.

In District 6, Huckabone’s arrival will make Zapf work for the Republican base support but not too hard. She seems to getting grudging support from the Republican establishment and, with similar levels (meaning low) of name ID in the district, that could give her the nod in June to take on the winner of the Dem party cage match between Wayne and Hadley.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Steve Hadley and Steve Francis

The SDUT last Wednesday reported, under the headline “GOP Steve endorses Democrat Steve”, that Steve Hadley, Donna Frye’s current Chief of Staff and candidate for her seat on the San Diego City Council, has been endorsed by Steve Francis, the Republican former mayoral candidate.

Some initial thoughts:

WTF is Hadley thinking?
I get the bipartisan angle but I don’t see Francis as a positive influence in passing progressive legislation. Francis isn’t exactly loved within GOP circles, except for his money, and would be helpful to Hadley were he running for a city-wide position. Because Francis’s experience is limited to running for mayor, I don’t know what help he could give, other than as a name to list and possible fundraiser, for Hadley.

WTF is Francis thinking?
Francis seems to have been laying low waiting for an opportunity like this. Hadley seems like a nice guy who can help rebuild Francis’s stature among those who have been burned by the partisanship of electeds by showing that even Democrats can work with him.

WTF?
Remember when Donna embraced Carl’s reform effort? Then remember, during the vote for the new council president, how Carl praised Donna before burying her with his vote? I see a similar dynamic at work here. Carl used Donna’s credibility to crack open a post-partisan niche for himself, which is difficult when he is a very partisan warrior. I see the same thing playing itself out in the 6th with Hadley and Francis. Hadley needs recognition and Francis need rehabilitation.

In both cases, the post-partisan image looks great. In both cases, the Democrat has more to lose while the Republican has more to gain. It didn’t work for Donna and I don’t think it will work for Hadley.