San Diego Politico

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Peters speaks out of both side of his mouth regarding cuts to Social Security, Medicare

“How can you trust someone like that to protect what’s important?”

SAN DIEGO – After being soundly criticized for his televised statement supporting cuts to Social Security and Medicare, Congressional candidate Scott Peters is attempting elaborate verbal gymnastics to wriggle free from his unpopular position.

A spokesperson for the Lori Saldaña, Joe Kocurek, said that Scott Peters has a pattern of changing what he says depending on who he’s talking to.

“The powerful thing about TV is that you can actually hear what Peters says,” he said.

“Scott Peters clearly said that he would be willing to cut Social Security and Medicare,” Kocurek said. “He doesn’t equivocate. But now that his pollsters are telling him that he’s losing and the public doesn’t agree with his position, he’s trying to weasel out of what he said.”

“It’s just like the living wage,” Kocurek said. “Peters joined with Republicans and voted against the living wage when he was on the City Council, but now he says he’s for it."

Kocurek noted that Peters, told a group earlier this year that he was ‘51 percent Democratic and 49 percent Republican’, and repudiated progressives in the same televised interview on KUSI where he said he supported cuts to vital social services.

“What Mr. Peters believes -or at least says he believes - is whatever is politically convenient.”

“How can you trust someone like that to protect what’s important?” Kocurek said.

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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Just when I thought I was Out, they pull me back in.

I was enjoying a nice sabbatical away from South Bay Politics. As a political geek living in the South Bay, it's very easy to lose sight of the simple pleasures in life because they is so much intrigue and turmoil. So much that it would make a great pulp political fiction novel. (I'm working on the draft so you can't have the idea!) Anyway so I was trying mightily to not get involved in the fights and let others comment on what's been going on with the Sweetwater Board, the City of Chula Vista races, the new 79th Assembly race, the San Diego Mayor's race, and the 51st Congressional. But with the latest stuff that has been flying around I felt compelled to post again and talk about the latest in South Bay politics. Hence the clip above... As we've seen in the past few days a lot has been happening so I'll start with the 51st Congressional District and maybe tomorrow on Chula Vista

As I stated in my last post so many months ago, anyone who has any knowledge of these two and the South Bay knows that this race was going to be big and these months have shown that to be the case. While Vargas has been fundraising at a good clip, got the State Party endorsement and California Labor Fed you would think he has this locked in and Ducheny should have gotten the hint and just let go.

Yet that hasn't been the case.

In fact, within the last few weeks with the Channel 10 poll and missteps by Vargas, like this, this and this. It has shown that this is not a cake walk and Juan's biggest hurdle is himself. Why do I say that?

Well, Juan has never been the favorite of Left-Center Democrats. Whether it was running against Bob Filner for Congress two times or voting against traditionally Democratic issues like health care reform, reproductive choice or consumer protection in the banking and insurance companies. He has either voted against or abstained against bills when he was in the Assembly and again in the Senate.

Of course when he was trying to court Democratic Party activists from late 2011 to early 2012, he was trying portray himself as a true blue Democrat that would fight for Democratic values but once he got what he wanted... The old Paco came back, true to his pro-business, anti-choice and pro-corporate banks soul.

Now the other thing has been his high name ID and very early in the campaign he was touting that he had the highest name ID and was trouncing Ducheny. Which is true, considering that he was just in a campaign in 2010 against Mary Salas but that name ID is a double-edged sword. Why? Because according to the SurveyUSA poll showed that almost half of the people who have heard of him don't like him.

The other thing is that people forget that Juan only beat Mary Salas in 2010 by only 22 votes. Considering that Mary did not exactly run a text book campaign and missed a lot of opportunities to really fight back against Juan shows that even with all breaks he got from his opponent he still only barely won.

So is Ducheny any better?

To start, Denise hasn't been the best on progressive issues either like gun control, helmet laws and labor issues. Also the fact that her fundraising has slowed down would have any armchair pundit be wary of her chances.

That being said, she does have a shot at beating Juan.

When talking about issues like choice, health care reform and consumer protection Denise has been consistently progressive. Also Denise has a reputation of being straight shooter when talking about issues and bills and is open to listening to all sides.

But her real strength is that any type of negative attack that Juan give would boomerang back to him and his negatives. For example if he attacks her from the left about gun control, she would respond about his wavering on health care reform. If he attacks her on the right on choice, she could respond about his attacks on personal liberty. Also Juan can't run as an outsider pushing reform because he's in Sacramento right now and last time I checked the approval ratings for the legislature ain't that great.

As for the rest?

Well miracles can happen...

CEPA Net Candidate Meet & Greet

FletchersFriends.com: The Story of a Rising Republican

Fletcher Deployed Last-Minute Appeal From Karl Rove in Failed Bid for Endorsement

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher’s history of relationships with some of the most powerful and conservative figures in his former political party are now documented at www.fletchersfriends.com, a website launched this week by the San Diego County Democratic Party.

Taken together, the information on the site shows an unusually high level of access for a junior state legislator, from connections in George W. Bush’s administration to personal campaign visits by Newt Gingrich and Karl Rove to support his Assembly and mayoral bids.

The site makes public for the first time an email message signed by Karl Rove and sent by Fletcher’s campaign to San Diego County Republican Central Committee members the morning of March 10 – the day the committee considered an endorsement in San Diego’s mayoral race.

Bush’s former top strategist wrote, in urging a vote for Fletcher: “One of the best ways to know how an elected official will behave in the future is to see how they have behaved in the past.” Those words now have an ironic resonance in light of Fletcher’s failure to get the endorsement, his defection from the Republican Party days later, and his sudden repudiation of his own partisan history.

“Two months ago, Nathan Fletcher represented his campaign with a testimonial from one of the most divisive, extremist figures in the country,” said San Diego County Democratic Chair Jess Durfee. “When the Republican endorsement turned out to be a dead end, he pivoted in record time to paint himself as a centrist.

“Mr. Fletcher has another month and a million dollars to tell voters all about his independence. But I’m still waiting for the TV ad where he takes back his vote against cleaner energy standards and vows to return the campaign money he got from Big Oil. I’d still like to know why he accepted $100,000 from the insurance industry, then voted to let them charge women higher rates and deny them maternity care.

“Here is a candidate with a distinctly immoderate track record prior to March 10 of this year,” Durfee continued. “As someone who ran ‘Duke’ Cunningham’s congressional office, signed Grover Norquist’s loyalty oath, and recently went on the campaign trail trying defeat Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer, Nathan Fletcher still has a lot to answer for among San Diego voters.”

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Trailing, Peters Goes Negative

Called out for sticking voters with $600,000 “Enron by the Sea” legal tab

SAN DIEGO – Voters across the 52nd Congressional District opened their mailboxes today to find Scott Peters trying to smear fellow Democrat Lori Saldaña.

Saldaña spokesperson, Joe Kocurek, called today’s development a last-ditch effort from a trailing candidate to confuse voters as they begin casting their ballots.

“Peters is dragging this race into the mud,” Kocurek said. “The fact is, Lori didn’t spend a dime of taxpayer money, so Peters' latest attack just doesn't make sense. And it's especially troubling coming from a multi-millionaire who used $600,000 of taxpayer money to defend himself from a federal investigation.”

While on San Diego City Council, Peters spent $600,000 on legal counsel when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigated him for voting to deliberately underfund the City of San Diego’s pension system and concealing that fact from investors.

The scandal--which led the New York Times to call San Diego "Enron by the Sea"-- left a $1.4 billion deficit in the pension system and the city’s finances in disarray for nearly a decade.

Investigators found that the city under Peters violated securities fraud statutes.

“With that kind of wealth, you’d think that he’d at least have the decency to pay for his own defense rather than leaving taxpayers with the tab,” Kocurek said.

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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Debate in San Diego City Council District 9

The Honorable Lucy Killea and County Supervisor Leon Williams (ret.) Endorse Dave Roberts for Third District County Supervisor

"Both former State Senator Killea and Supervisor Williams (ret.) represent the strong bipartisan coalition I bring to the job!" - Dave Roberts

San Diego, CA - Dave Roberts announced today that former State Senator Lucy Killea and Supervisor Leon Williams (ret.) endorse his candidacy for Third District County Supervisor. Killea and Williams join the growing list of over 100 Democrats, Republicans and Independents supporting Roberts.

"When I launched my campaign for County Supervisor on January 10, 2012, I promised to work in an inclusive fashion for all parts of the Third District and the County to improve our region's quality of life," said Roberts. "Having the strong support of visionary bipartisan leaders like former State Senator Lucy Killea and Supervisor Leon Williams (ret.), both who are respected across the political spectrum in San Diego County, continues to demonstrate that I have the right experience, leadership and vision to serve as the next Supervisor."

Roberts is also endorsed by Supervisor Pam Slater-Price who is retiring and crossed party lines to support Roberts' run for her open seat.

"Dave Roberts shares many of the same inclusive goals which I championed during my three terms on the County Board of Supervisors," said Williams. "I know that Dave Roberts will work tirelessly on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to support core county services and never forget that he reports to the taxpayers. I am so pleased to add my name as one of his supporters."

Supervisor Leon Williams (ret.) has accomplished a number of firsts in his life. He was the first African-American to serve on the San Diego City Council and County Board of Supervisors. He retired from the County Board of Supervisors in January 1995 and since that time was the last Democrat elected to that Board. Former State Senator Lucy Killea served in the California State Senate from 1989 to 1996. She is well-known for supporting women's rights and was inducted to the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame in 2002.

For more information about Dave's campaign for the Board of Supervisors, visit his web site at www.DaveRobertsForSupervisor.com.

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Peters Outlines Elements of a Sustainable Energy Policy

“Congress Must End Subsidies and Tax Breaks for Profitable Oil Companies” ~ Scott Peters

San Diego, CA – Scott Peters, candidate for new the 52nd Congressional District, today outlined the elements of a long-term sustainable energy policy which he will make a top priority when he is elected to Congress. Peters is the Democratic frontrunner in the race to succeed entrenched Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray who has taken nearly $200,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry.

“Earlier this year, House Republicans, with Brian Bilbray in lock step, proposed a highway bill that basically funds more highways and guts funds for alternative transportation. When gas prices are skyrocketing this makes absolutely no sense,” said Peters. “And it doesn’t get us any closer to a practical and sustainable national energy policy that reduces our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil.”

Peters said the House Republican plan especially hurts seniors and others on a fixed income. “When gas prices are high, more people, particularly seniors, students, and others on fixed incomes, turn to public transportation for a reliable, affordable way to get to health appointments, school and work,” he said. “This is just another way Brian Bilbray has put large oil companies first, and our seniors and working families last,” said Peters.

“When I get to Congress, I will make development of a sustainable energy policy a top priority,” he added.

Peters said that as a nation, we must work toward a long-term energy policy that: 1) creates new American jobs; 2) emphasizes greater energy independence; 3) invests in the development of alternative fuels; 4) promotes clean energy technology like wind and solar; 5) ensures greater national security; and 6) provides automakers with incentives for producing fuel-efficient vehicles.

He also suggested that planners do a better job of building housing and employment centers nearer to one another to reduce commutes, and to make communities more pedestrian- and bicycle- friendly, as was done in the community of Bird Rock when he was the San Diego City Council. Bird Rock has been held out as a case study by federal transportation authorities, and has won awards from public works associations, engineers, and the Urban Lands Institute.

The House Transportation bill proposed by Republicans, and supported by Bilbray, would end funds for bike lanes, sidewalks, and the critically important “Safe Routes to School” program which helps neighborhoods pay for infrastructure improvements that keep kids from getting hurt or killed while walking and bicycling to and from school every day.

Peters has become an expert and nationally recognized advocate for better bike lanes, trails and sidewalks as the co-founder of a national organization called the Walkable and Liveable Communities Institute that helps city planners find ways to incorporate into neighborhoods more ways for people to get around without their cars. He said that, this, too, should be a part of the nation’s plan to achieve greater energy independence.

Peters also said that there are some steps Congress could be taking now to stop price-gouging at the pump, such as holding Wall Street commodities traders and speculators more accountable. Many experts agree that speculation in energy markets drives up the price of oil, which raises the price of gas for consumers. Last year, House Democrats tried to increase funding for the agency in charge of policing price manipulation in oil markets. But Republicans, Bilbray included, voted to slash these funds by almost half.

“We’ve also got to stop subsidizing oil companies,” said Peters.

Last year, the five largest oil companies posted record profits of $137 billion. That’s a 75% increase over 2010. Yet, House Republicans, Bilbray included, continue to support enormous tax breaks, deregulation, and subsidies for them, while taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from them.

“Brian Bilbray alone has taken almost $190,000 from the oil and gas industry,” he said. “Are the votes and the contributions connected? The voters are smart and they’ll decide for themselves.”
For more information, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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SDCDP Official Voter Guide

OFFICIAL VOTER GUIDE

Early voting in the Primary Election has begun! If you vote by mail, please help all of the Democratic Party's endorsed candidates by filling out your ballot completely and mailing it in as soon as possible.

Our endorsements are listed below. You can also view and print our official Democratic Voter Guide online at www.sddemocrats.org/endorsements.

Please forward this link to your family, friends, and associates via email, Facebook, and any other means you have to promote the Party's recommendations. As an informed Democrat, you are a vital source of information for other voters in your personal network.

You can confirm your voter registration status here and register (or reregister) to vote here. For more information, please call Democratic Headquarters at (858) 277-3367 or email info@sddemocrats.org.

Thank you for being a Democratic voter in this important election!

Federal
President: Barack Obama
U.S. Senate: Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Congress, District 49: Jerry Tetalman
U.S. Congress, District 50: Vote for a Democrat
U.S. Congress, District 51: Juan Vargas
U.S. Congress, District 52: Vote for a Democrat
U.S. Congress, District 53: Susan Davis

State Legislature
Senate, District 39: Marty Block
Assembly, District 71: Vote for a Democrat
Assembly, District 75: Vote for a Democrat
Assembly, District 77: R.J. Hernandez
Assembly, District 78: Toni Atkins
Assembly, District 79: Vote for a Democrat
Assembly, District 80: Ben Hueso

Judicial
Superior Court, Office 24: Terrie Roberts
Superior Court, Office 25: George Schaefer
Superior Court, Office 34: No Endorsement

Education
Board of Education, Dist. 1: Gregg Robinson
Board of Education, Dist. 2: Lyn Neylon
Board of Education, Dist. 4: Mark Anderson
S.D. Community College Board, Dist. B: Bernie Rhinerson
S.D. Unified Schools, Dist. A: John Lee Evans
S.D. Unified Schools, Dist. D: Richard Barrera
S.D. Unified Schools, Dist. E: Marne Foster

County/City
Board of Supervisors, Dist.1: Brant Will
Board of Supervisors, Dist.2: Rudy Reyes
Board of Supervisors, Dist.3: Dave Roberts
Chula Vista City Council, Seat #3: Pamela Bensoussan
Chula Vista City Council, Seat #4: Mary Salas
Mayor of San Diego: Bob Filner
San Diego City Council, Dist. 1: Sherri Lightner
San Diego City Council, Dist. 3: Todd Gloria
San Diego City Council, Dist. 7: Mat Kostrinsky
San Diego City Council, Dist. 9: Marti Emerald

Propositions
Prop. 28: YES
Prop. 29: YES
Prop. A: NO
Prop. B: NO
Prop. C: NO
Prop. D: NO
Prop. E: NO
Prop. F: NO
Prop. G: Yes
Prop. H: Yes

Sunday, May 6, 2012

COMMUNITY HOSTS MAYORAL FORUM TO SHED LIGHT ON ITS CONCERNS

Mira Mesa — The Mira Mesa Town Council will host a mayoral forum on Wednesday, May 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mira Mesa High School to highlight issues unique to Mira Mesa.

“As a safe, middle class community, Mira Mesa is often forgotten when it comes to city services, infrastructure and investments,” said Ted Brengel, president of the Mira Mesa Town Council. “Our hope for the forum is that the candidates will be cognizant of the needs of Mira Mesa residents.”

Mira Mesa is home to close to 80,000 people, making it the largest community in San Diego, yet there are only three major bus routes servicing the area, no hospitals and no community center. Many high-tech and biotech companies, such as Qualcomm, Gen-Probe and Abgent, have their headquarters in Mira Mesa, making it the heart of the San Diego tech industry.

“The problem is that the western half of Mira Mesa, where many tech companies are located, is often mistakenly referred to as ‘Sorrento Valley’ or ‘Sorrento Mesa’ denying Mira Mesa the recognition it deserves,” Brengel said.

The mayoral forum is also cosponsored by the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC). Roughly 38 percent of the population in Mira Mesa is of Asian descent and APAC hopes that this forum will give the candidates an opportunity to address the concerns of Asian/Pacific Islanders, who are often underrepresented in city government.

Both Nathan Fletcher and Bob Filner have confirmed their attendance. Carl deMaio is trying to rearrange his schedule to be at the forum. Bonnie Dumanis has declined the invitation to attend the Mira Mesa Mayoral Forum.

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When IEs Misfire

There is a nice mail piece that arrived in mailboxes this weekend throughout southwestern San Diego promoting Dr. Shirley Weber. She is a candidate for the 79^th Assembly District and the well-designed letter-sized mailer is a good introduction to her.

Which would be great if the recipients actually lived in the 79^th AD.

The mailer, paid for by the AFSCME CA People Independent Expenditure Committee, seems to have been sent to residents of the CURRENT 79^th AD and not the NEW 79^th AD.

Democratic voters living in the current 79^th AD, represented by Ben Hueso, may be confused as to when Huseo drew a challenger and why Dr. Weber won’t be on their ballot when they vote for him in the NEW 80^th.

What is even more important is that the AFSCME CA People Independent Expenditure Committee choked on the weekend before absentee ballots are mailed. By sending a mass mailer to the wrong universe, which has very little overlap with what should have been the target universe, they wasted resources and threw away an opportunity to lock down VBM voters.

In a multi-candidate election like the 79^th, any opportunity to break away from the pack matters. The other campaigns in the 79^th should be counting their lucky stars that this attempt failed, allowing them to fight on a leveler field than those that the IEs would permit.

The Weber campaign had nothing to do with this but the money lost in this misfire could have been better spent by the campaign itself.

I can understand how this happened (multiple data bases, the mail house, the vendor, etc.) but it doesn’t excuse the fact that someone at some level didn't review everything required for the mailing. All campaigns take note: DETAILS MATTER.

U-T Editoral Board Endorse In San Diego City Races

In a complete surprise to everyone the UT's Editorial ~~Republican~~ Board followed suit with the San Diego County Republican Party in endorsing in all the city races. Well, where the San Diego County Republican Party did not provide them guidance of an endorsement, then they were forced to endorse the Democrat.

Mayor: Carl DeMaio best protects the Republican brand and they think can best beat Representative Bob Filner
District 1: Ray Ellis "has the best shot at toppling the incumbent"
District 3: Todd Gloria drew no Republican challengers
District 5: Mark Kersey is the "single candidate [that] stepped forward in this district"
District 7: Scott Sherman "recruited to the race by April Boling"
District 9: Marti Emerald drew no Republican challengers

Read the editors sound reasoning here for Mayor and here for city council.

Lets look back to see how well the Union Tribune's Editorial ~~Republican~~ Board did in their 2008 endorsements for these same cycle (except of course it would not have included the additional of District 9):

San Diego City Council (only a 33% win ratio)

Lost - Philip Thalheimer, District 1 (Democratic Opponent)
Won - Todd Gloria, District 3 (Democratic Opponent)
Lost - April Boling, District 7 (Democratic Opponent)

Again, these endorsements matched the San Diego County Republican Party where there was a Republican in the city race.

Friday, May 4, 2012

HERNANDEZ GAINS FILNER’S SUPPORT FOR 77TH DISTRICT

SAN DIEGO – May 4, 2012 - State Assembly Candidate Ruben (RJ) Hernandez is gaining momentum with backing from well known Democratic Congressman and San Diego Mayoral Candidate Bob Filner.

Filner was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1992 after teaching at San Diego State University and serving City Council. Hernandez admires Filner’s dedication to the nation’s armed services as the Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“It is an honor that one of the people I look up to the most stands with us as we fight to turn district 77 turns blue,” says Hernandez. “I look forward to working with Congressman Filner when he is elected Mayor to create jobs, improve fire safety and make San Diego a world-class city again.”

Increasingly Hispanic and moderate, District 77 is at the core of key population shifts, voting for Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama in 2008. The businessman is showing he can compete with rivals for North County, as a representative with plans for creating and retaining new high-paying jobs and education reform that reduces pink slips and expands students’ skills.

Hernandez is pleased to have Congressman Filner headline a Cinco De Mayo event this Saturday, May 5th from 5-7 PM in Sabre Springs. For more information, call Lori Kern-Greenberg (619) 838-6766.

Find out more about District 77 and RJ Hernandez at http://www.rjhernandez.org.

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Single-Payer Healthcare Champion Endorses Saldaña for Congress

“So long as Republicans continue hold fast to policies that are destroying America's middle class, we need to send a powerful Progressive voice like Lori’s to Washington."

SANTA MONICA – Former State Senator Sheila Kuehl, a champion for single-payer healthcare coverage in California, has endorsed Lori Saldaña’s run for Congress.

Kuehl and Saldaña were colleagues in the Legislature during California’s vigorous healthcare debate in 2006-2007, a debate pre-dating federal battle by several years. Both lawmakers saw the need to revise the healthcare system allow access to the largest number of uninsured Californians through a public option.

“Lori was an early and vocal supporter of my "Medicare For All” single-payer healthcare legislation, Kuehl said.

Medicare For All is considered a model for any efforts to provide a public option at the federal level. Saldaña is also endorsed Mark Leno who has continued Kuehl's efforts on single -payer in California.

“I've endorsed Lori Saldana because in the state legislature she amassed an impressive record of important accomplishments, including legislation on energy efficiency, consumer protection and sensible gun control measures,” Kuehl said.

“So long as Republicans continue hold fast to policies that are destroying America's middle class, we need to send a powerful Progressive voice like Lori’s to Washington.”

Kuehl’s support adds to Saldaña’s growing list of endorsements by leading elected officials that includes Congresswoman and Former Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, State Treasurer John Chiang, State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, State Senator Mark Leno. Saldaña other endorsements include former City Councilmember Donna Fry, the American Federation of Teachers and the Point Loma, Black Mountain, and La Jolla Democratic clubs.

Saldaña said she was honored by Kuehl’s endorsement.

“Sheila Kuehl is one of California’s most important Progressive leaders,” she said. “Her support means a great deal to me.”

Kuehl, who was the first openly-gay person elected to the Legislature, noted that Saldaña had been active in Sacramento and in her district as an advocate for the rights of LGBT Californians.
“Lori was one of the Legislature’s most reliable allies for equality,” she said.

Saldaña is running in the newly-drawn 52nd Congressional District that includes La Jolla, Poway, Clairemont, Pacific Beach, Point Loma and Coronado.

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Stephanie Cutter: Get the facts on Mitt Romney, Big Oil, and the Koch Brothers

From OFA:

Why I am Running for Third District County Supervisor by Dave Roberts

I am a candidate for San Diego County Supervisor because I am concerned that San Diego County is headed in the wrong direction and we need to change course in order to protect the hard working taxpayers of the County.

It's time for a positive, bipartisan problem solver to be elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. I don't care who gets the credit - I just want the problems solved. That's what it will take to improve our region.

It is also time to stop the "business as usual" and political deal making and get to work.

Specifically, if elected the Third District County Supervisor, I will make certain our county government does the following:

·         Works to protect and enhance the quality of life of all county residents
·         Fosters an economic environment that spurs job growth
·         Demands fiscal responsibility, spending less than we have
·         Insists upon full disclosure, transparency, public accountability
·         Stops the six-figure county pensions with a cap; and,
·         Delivers the best, most efficient services to the public

These are promises I will make and the commitments I will keep.

Being a county supervisor isn't about catchy one-liners and 'sound bites' you often hear. It is about working to provide the best service possible to the public just as county government is supposed to do.

It is about saving taxpayer dollars, balancing the county budget and setting aside a reserve for a rainy day.

This means cutting red tape and streamlining services.

It means getting the pension system under control and capping pensions because six-figure retirements are not affordable.

I support a ban on gifts to supervisors from individuals or organizations that receive county funding. This should have happened years ago and when I am elected it will happen.

We need an ethics hotline so the public and employees can turn in the bad apples who take advantage of the system and skirt the law.

My priorities are simple and straight-forward: preserve our environment; greatly improve county fire protection; fully fund our Sheriff and District Attorney; expand our parks; and, improve our libraries.

I will fight for policies that invest in infrastructure and create jobs.

I am running for this office because I am concerned about the direction of county government and the effects those policies coming out of downtown might have on the citizens of the Third District. I would be honored to have your vote.

Like you, I want to see government at all levels operate with more accountability. I want our elected officials to work together. I am tired of the political posturing and bickering that keeps government from getting things done.

I have worked most of my career cutting waste and improving efficiency. As a successful businessman I helped to build a Fortune 500 company. I understand what it takes to create jobs in high-tech, biotech and the renewable-energy sectors. As Deputy Mayor of the City of Solana Beach, I've worked to balance the budget every year, saving taxpayers money without eliminating vital services.

For more information, please visit my campaign website at www.DaveRobertsforSupervisor.com.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Statement from Speaker John Pérez: We Need Scott Peters in D.C.

San Diego, CA -- In a statement regarding the race for the 52nd Congressional District, California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) had this to say:

“As Speaker of the Assembly, I know how important coalitions are to getting things done. Scott Peters knows how to build consensus to create real progress. That's why he would be successful in Congress—Scott Peters doesn't throw bombs, he finds solutions. We need more of that in Washington.”

Pérez served with Lori Saldaña in the California State Assembly in 2009 and 2010; he presided over her as Speaker in 2010. Pérez appointed Scott Peters as an alternate to the California Coastal Commission in 2011.

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Scott Peters for Congress Campaign Hits the Airwaves This Weekend!

San Diego, CA – In the next two days, the Scott Peters for Congress campaign will begin telling the voters directly about Scott’s record of fighting for the middle class, solving problems, creating jobs and getting things done via broadcast television. The Peters campaign began an aggressive direct-mail campaign last week, and this weekend it will become the first in the race for the 52nd Congressional District to air television commercials. The campaign has had an aggressive grassroots voter contact effort underway for the past several months.

The professionally produced 30-second ad highlights Scott’s background, growing up the son of a minister and civil rights advocate, tells of Scott’s record to protect and create thousands of good jobs for San Diegans.

“The middle class is taking it on the chin, and Washington is not helping,” says Peters in the spot. “It’s time to rebuild our middle class.”

Click here to view the ad which will air on several local television stations within the next two days.

For more information about Scott Peters for Congress, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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MoveOn.org Political Action Endorses Lori Saldaña for Congress

Citing Saldaña’s record of standing up for the 99%, MoveOn members commit to aggressive effort online and on the ground to propel her to victory

In a year when Americans are looking to elect leaders who will work to rebuild the middle class, MoveOn’s members in California’s 52nd congressional district voted overwhelmingly to endorse Lori Saldaña for her years of community organizing and her proven track record in the California State Assembly. When asked why they were picking Saldaña, MoveOn’s members consistently cited her integrity, her grassroots support, and her credentials as the only true progressive in the race.

MoveOn has more than 23,000 members in the 52nd congressional district, and of those who participated in the endorsement vote, an overwhelming 71% voted to endorse Saldaña.

MoveOn member Mary Lou L. in San Diego supports Saldaña because she's "a strong advocate for equality, immigrants rights, and women." Kimberley B. says, "Lori is grassroots all the way, with door to door campaigning and support from all the Democratic clubs in San Diego County. She was a state legislator for 6 years and has always been about standing up for the people, no matter what's at stake."

On the other hand, many MoveOn members wrote of their concerns about Saldaña’s primary opponent, Scott Peters. Kayla W., from San Diego, ruled out Peters because he "has openly stated that he supports cutting vital social programs such as Social Security and Medicare."

Saldaña said of the endorsement, “I am grateful to have the support of MoveOn's tens of thousands of members throughout San Diego who have expressed their faith in my progressive, grassroots campaign. This campaign is about more than an election in November. It's about people working together to take back government for the middle class and supporting those who aspire to join the middle class. MoveOn's endorsement will be a tremendous help in getting me to Washington and I look forward to working with MoveOn's members in the months ahead.”

As part of their support for the Saldaña campaign, MoveOn’s thousands of members in the district will help provide the grassroots support—including volunteer boots on the ground – that she will need to win.

MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by more than 7 million Americans from every state and every congressional district. Since its founding in 1998, MoveOn has raisedmore than $29 million in small-donor contributions and MoveOn members have volunteered tens of millions of hours for progressive candidates. MoveOn members believe in the power of grassroots action to make our country a more progressive place and elect candidates who will fight to put the American Dream back within reach for all Americans.

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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

National Organization for Women Endorses Lori Saldaña for Congress

NOW President calls Saldaña ‘fiercely principled’

WASHINGTON D.C. - The nation’s largest women’s advocacy organization, The National Organization for Women (NOW) has announced their endorsement of Lori Saldaña‘s run for Congress.

NOW President Terry O’Neill pointed to Saldaña’s unwavering record on women’s issues.

“In the California Legislature, Lori Saldana has been a champion for policies that advanced the issues NOW cares about, including economic justice, reproductive rights, and addressing the epidemic of violence against women,” O' Neill said.

“She is also fiercely principled in her stands,” she said. “We endorsed Lori because we know she will stand for women in Congress."

Saldaña is the Democratic frontrunner to unseat extremist Republican Brian Bilbray in California’s 52nd Congressional District.

NOW adds to the growing list of women’s organizations supporting Saldaña for Congress, including Emily’s List, Run Women Run, and the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club. The national NOW endorsement was made with the support of the local and state chapters.

Saldaña said she was thrilled by NOW’s endorsement.

"I am honored to have NOW's support, especially at such a crucial time for women,” Saldaña said “I look forward to working to elect more women for national office who will push back against the extremist anti-woman agenda in Washington.”

Throughout her tenure in the Legislature, Saldaña was recognized as a champion of women’s issues by organizations NARAL Pro-Choice California (100%), Planned Parenthood (100%) and California NOW (100%).

Saldaña was part of an historic leadership team in the California Assembly that included Karen Bass as the first African-American Speaker in the nation’s history, Saldaña as the Speaker pro Tem, and Assemblymember Noreen Evans as the Assembly Budget Chair.

Saldaña also served as the Chair of the bipartisan Legislative Women’s Caucus where she worked on issues related to the trauma faced by women female service members serving in combat situations.