Monday - Quick Hits

Candidates for judgeship have differing views of the role. UT

Despite Sacramento's total capitulation on the health reform in January, polls finds that health cares top the list priorities among voters. UT

The District Attorney office Public Integrity unit rightly comes under criticism for recent cases. UT

Full employment for attorneys, as California tribes and the state head to court over security issues related to gaming. UT

Wednesday - Quick Hits

SDG&E launches PR campaign on the benefits of the Sunrise Powerlink. UT NCTimes

Council votes comes up short on the private bond sale deal. UT

Two candidates for judicial seat spar in court over ballot language. UT

Chula Vista adopts green building rules. UT

Chula Vista city manager will present over $10 million in budget cuts to the city council on Thursday. VOSD

Riverside county supervisors agrees to labor deal with Sheriff's Association. UT

Oceanside begins construction on plant to treat creek water before it reaches beach. NCTimes

City of Vista considers sign ordinance. NCTimes

Obama Picks up Another Delegate here in San Diego County

As of Friday there was 42,000 Absentee / Provisional ballots still to be counted by the County Registrar of Voters. There are still two weeks to finish the final counting and to certify the February 5th primary results. Since election night, however, some of the delegate totals statewide have shifted in the favor of Barack Obama.

According to the most recent results posted on the Secretary of State website, Senator Obama has now taken the lead in the 53rd CD by 443 votes over Senator Clinton. If his lead holds until final certification, the allocation of the districts 5 delegates will be 3 for Obama and 2 for Clinton. One more CD to keep an eye on is the 50th, where Clinton's lead has been narrowed to 556 votes over Obama. This is another 5 delegate district that would see a change in the delegate allocation in favor of Obama if there is a change in the final results.

Don't Forget to Vote Today

Election Day - Quick Hits

By the time polls close this evening a record 8.9 million Californians are expected to have cast votes today. UT

Minutemen to sue Caltrans for moving its Adopt-aHighway sign. UT

Judge rules that president Bush cannot override a judicial ruling requiring the U.S. Navy to take more caution regarding marine mammals when there is no emergency. UT

Profiles in courage: city council still trying to figure out how to give themselves a pay raise without creating a uproar. UT

Housing crisis update, Riverside County Board of Supervisors to consider countywide foreclosue counseling program. NCTimes

Monday - Quick Hits

City and unions are heading on a collision course on bargaining. UT

City council to decide on ballot measures for June election. UT

Advocates see a rise in homelessness among seniors. UT

City of Coronado to consider placing on the ballot a measure to raise room tax. UT

La Opinión - Endorses Obama

La Opinión - The major Spanish language newspaper in Los Angeles has endorsed Barack Obama in the upcoming primary. In an editorial titlted "The Democratic Choice is Barack Obama," it explains why Obama is their choice:

Senator Barack Obama represents fundamental change in a campaign in which "change" has become a central theme. Obama’s approach to immigration and his inspiring vision are what the country need to break through the current feeling of political malaise.[Link]

The paper list many of Senator Clinton's accomplishments but come to the following conclusion:

Yet, this is a historic moment and tremendous skills and experience are not enough to inspire a feeling of renewal in our country after eight long years of George W. Bush.

As well, we were disappointed with her calculated opposition to driver’s licenses for the undocumented, which contrasts markedly from the forceful argument in support made by Obama. We understand that this is an extremely controversial issue but we believe there is only one right position and it is that of the senator from Illinois. And, while both senators support comprehensive immigration reform, only Obama has committed to bringing forward new legislation during his first year in office.[Link]

On closing out the editorial, the paper reminds us of the historical choices Democrats have this election and why Obama should be that choice:

By deciding between a woman or an African American as their presidencial nominee, the Democrats are making history. Barack Obama has the sensibilities of a man from humble beginnings raised in a multicultural home. He is the best option for a truly visionary change.[Link]

Cross posted at Calitics

Thursday - Quick Hits

Because they have done such a good job. Advisory panel recommends a 49% and 66% percent pay raise for the mayor and city council. UT

Navy blame for Chollas creek sewage in 2006. UT

ROV will be open on Saturday for early voting for Tuesday's primary. UT

County Board caves in to developers, lowers fee that was designed to road improvements. UT

Mayor Sanders and Councilmember Atkins endorse report recommendations for new management structure for Balboa Park. UT

City Council postpones decision to tap emergency funds to correct city general fund imbalance for fiscal year. UT

State Senate bill would require climate change to be taught as part of the science curriculum. UT

Over the objections of the planning group, board of supervisors approves controversial Elfin Forest project. NC Times

Last Day to Register to Vote for Feb 5th Primary

Today is the last day to register to vote, if you want to cast a ballot in the February 5th Presidential primary. Registration can be dropped off at the Country Registrar of Voters by 5:00p.m. or they can be postmarked today and mail to Registrar of Voters, P.O. Box 85656, San Diego, CA 92186-5656.

California's Turn

Tomorrow, Registrar of Voters throughout the state will be mailing out over 4 million absentee ballots for the upcoming February 5th election. "The use of mail-in ballots has grown rapidly in California in recent years, and analysts predict it could hit a record in 2008."[Link]

For the presidential primary in 2004, votes from absentee ballot made of 34.31% of the total votes cast. In 2006 primary that number increased to 46.90% of the total numbers of votes. With campaigns focusing more on absentee voters than ever before, I wouldn't be surprise if absentee votes make up over 50% of the total in February election.

Top Three Dem Pres Candidates Looking at TV Buys in California

Via the California Majority Report:

The three top contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination are making inquiries of television stations to purchase commercial time -- yet another indication that the decision to move up the California Presidential Primary was a smart one for California voters.

Media buyers have confirmed to the California Majority Report that the Clinton and Obama camps have contacted cable networks throughout the state for rates and specs for television advertising. The Edwards campaign is looking at the bay area and sac media markets only, according to the buyers.[Link]

I'm actually suprised that they have waited this long to go on the air here in California. I know the state is very expensive, but the first absentee ballots go out in the mail two weeks from Monday.

Dolores Huerta in San Diego this Sunday Morning to Support Hillary Clinton

Holidays with Hillary

Featuring Special Guests: Dolores Huerta & Assemblymember Mary Salas

Join friends, family, and local community leaders to make phone calls on behalf of Hillary Clinton and enjoy food, drinks and the company of friends during the holidays.

Sunday, December 23, 2007
10:00am – 12:30pm
Home of Bea Fernandez
261 Twin Oaks Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910[Map]

Please consider bringing clothing, a book, or a gift card to be donated to a local charity.
RSVP to SanDiegoHRC@HillaryClinton.com or call 213-908-0190

Obama Campaign First in Town

With the presidential primary here in California 10 weeks away from today. It appears that the Barack Obama campaign is the first presidential campaign to set up operations here in San Diego. The office is located at 1502 6th Ave. (NW corner of 6th & Beech), San Diego, 92101. [Map]

The office hours are from 9am to 9pm Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and 1pm to 9pm on Sunday. There will be a San Diego Believes in Obama!, Grand Opening on Sunday, December 2, from 11am-4pm. To RSVP contact regional field director LM Clinton at lmclinton@hotmail.com.

Voting on Paper

This morning's UT reports that with the decertification of the electronic voter machines by Sec. State Debra Bowen paper ballots will be used here in San Diego County. I'm glad to see this happen. After seeing the HBO documentary Hacking Democracy, I sure had my doubts about the security of electronic voting confirmed.

UPDATE: Monday's CQ reports that bill HR-811 which is scheduled to come to a vote this week in the House is now facing stiff opposition from within the Democratic caucus. The bill would require a paper record for every vote cast nationwide beginning next year. I don't know why this bill is facing opposition from within the caucus?

Wingnut Alert!

I have to give up to Jon Fleischman over at the Flash Report for coming up with quite the theory on why the State Senate recently passed a bill placing an "straw vote" regarding Iraq on the February primary ballot. According to Fleischman: "[w]ell, it doesn't take much thought to understand that this measure authored by Democrat Senate President Don Perata is a cynical plot to drive up liberal turnout for the election on which the Perata/Nunez Career Politician Term Limits Weakening Initiative will appear. Perata (and Nunez) are completely fixated on trying to blow a hole in the state's term limits so that they can cling to their prestigious offices."

Wow Jon, and Republicans are as pure as the driven snow! They would never try anything cynical like trying to pass an initiative to change the way the state allocates its electoral votes.

Candidate Gore?

Press release pm Wednesday from the California Draft Gore organization is going to start a signature collection effort in order to put Al Gore's name on the February California presidential primary ballot.