I cannot believe that just 8 years ago this guy was the Democrats VP nominee.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mike Aguirre wins SDDC Endorsement
In what turned out to be a rather long and contentious meeting tonight, the San Diego Democratic Club endorsed incumbent Mike Aguirre for City Attorney. The meeting went on for over two hours, and during the discussion period became heated as some members of the club accused each other of making personal attacks upon each other. In the end, there were enough votes for Aguirre to secure the club's endorsement.
Now with the SDDC endorsement, Mike Aguirre will seek the Democratic Central Committee endorsement scheduled for July 8th. An endorsement he has failed twice before to secure.
Now with the SDDC endorsement, Mike Aguirre will seek the Democratic Central Committee endorsement scheduled for July 8th. An endorsement he has failed twice before to secure.
Philly Boy Has Bad Money Sense
With the June election behind us lets look towards the November Election. Since the media is not talking about it, then I guess someone should at least remind people about the why Phil "Philly Boy" Thalheimer can't win in November.
We don't have to go back very far, just remember the infamous San Diego Union-Tribune story, besides the other ones listed below. Much of these are from his own words and why residents of District 1 should NOT vote for him:
1) Early on he invested all his money on margin, sold short and lost it all, plus another $30,000
- He said, "I didn't realize you could lose more than you had"
2) His first job as an orderly was tough for him, because he had a hard time relating to youth and
after two years his boss told him he was not empathetic and should find another job
3) He worked for the controversial San Diego Data Processing Center
4) He left his job with the City of San Diego over people skills
- He said, “I never liked working for other people,”
- Also quoted as saying,, “As much time as I spent in local government, I never felt like I fit.”
- Now Philly Boy wants to come back to city government
5) He lucked out with being able to run the Flight Training International, even despite himself.
- Even with in his own words he called his business plan, "flawed"
6) In his previous candidate statement he says, "Phil Thalheimer will use business skills to clean
up the financial mess," he said, "refused to accept one dime of developer money," and "I have not and will not take one penny of developer/lobbyist campaign contributions."
- Is his business sense something we can afford?
- Now that he found wealth as developer he is okay with their money.
- Looking through his reports, I now see plenty of developer & lobbyist money.
7) Flip flops on the Regents bridge
8) He spent over $1,000,000 of his own personal money on his last losing city council campaign.
- It seems he really didn't learn from his other past investment losses.
Sadly, the Voice of San Diego reported Philly Boy's company, Flight Training International is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration. People will be watching the results of the investigations.
We don't have to go back very far, just remember the infamous San Diego Union-Tribune story, besides the other ones listed below. Much of these are from his own words and why residents of District 1 should NOT vote for him:
1) Early on he invested all his money on margin, sold short and lost it all, plus another $30,000
- He said, "I didn't realize you could lose more than you had"
2) His first job as an orderly was tough for him, because he had a hard time relating to youth and
after two years his boss told him he was not empathetic and should find another job
3) He worked for the controversial San Diego Data Processing Center
4) He left his job with the City of San Diego over people skills
- He said, “I never liked working for other people,”
- Also quoted as saying,, “As much time as I spent in local government, I never felt like I fit.”
- Now Philly Boy wants to come back to city government
5) He lucked out with being able to run the Flight Training International, even despite himself.
- Even with in his own words he called his business plan, "flawed"
6) In his previous candidate statement he says, "Phil Thalheimer will use business skills to clean
up the financial mess," he said, "refused to accept one dime of developer money," and "I have not and will not take one penny of developer/lobbyist campaign contributions."
- Is his business sense something we can afford?
- Now that he found wealth as developer he is okay with their money.
- Looking through his reports, I now see plenty of developer & lobbyist money.
7) Flip flops on the Regents bridge
8) He spent over $1,000,000 of his own personal money on his last losing city council campaign.
- It seems he really didn't learn from his other past investment losses.
Sadly, the Voice of San Diego reported Philly Boy's company, Flight Training International is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration. People will be watching the results of the investigations.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Ben Hueso Happened
Disclosure: I work for the Courage Campaign which has worked on the Blackwater issue, but these opinions are my own.
Earlier this week, I asked What the Hell happened in San Diego in the June 3 election. I explored a particularly underwhelming electoral performance and noted that there was a massive failure of leadership from the city's elected Democrats (active and retired). Councilmember Donna Frye supported GOP mayoral challenger Steve Francis and Council President Scott Peters ran against the Democratic incumbent City Attorney Mike Aguirre. Incidentally, both Francis and Peters failed to make it to the November runoff.
Then yesterday it happened again. Councilmember Ben Hueso, who in May was rallying to Block Blackwater in his council district, announced his endorsement of Republican city attorney candidate Jan Goldsmith. This is particularly notable because Goldsmith's opponent is incumbent Mike Aguirre. Aguirre has been a champion for the city in the fight to force Blackwater's permits into public hearing at a time when a number of other city leaders have...attended a rally and then thrown up their hands.
If Jan Goldsmith as City Attorney would go to bat over Blackwater or any other number of issues that might be uncomfortable for the Mayor or inconvenient for the City Council, I would be absolutely flabbergasted. The campaign, like every other challenge to Aguirre this year, has been centered around a promise to sit down and shut up. The last thing this city needs is another elected official who doesn't have the necessary combination of power and motivation to force important issues.
As the UT newsblog notes, Hueso and Aguirre have never exactly been close. And Aguirre has taken a lot of flack throughout his term as City Attorney for his rabid pursuit of Mayor Jerry Sanders for all manner of scandal- real or imagined. But as Councilmember Hueso well knows because he's at the meetings, the City Council hasn't exactly put on a clinic when it comes to keeping mayoral power checked by the legislative branch. Fighting the good fight has consistently taken a back seat over the past two and a half years to misguided "pragmatism" that largely allowed Mayor Sanders to get anything he wanted.
So what we're left with is Ben Hueso surveying this scene- Mayor Sanders re-elected to a second term with what CW will term a convincing mandate (it's not, the turnout was too low to carry a mandate) and a City Council that will likely go from a narrow Democratic advantage to an even split, further neutering a body that had given itself over to the inevitability of the Strong Mayor government- and deciding that the best thing for the city is that the single dissonant voice of any weight in the city government should be replaced by, as the UT put it,
If the Democratic Party in San Diego is ever going to be able to capitalize on the tremendous infrastructure building being done at the precinct and street-corner level, leading Democrats need to stop undercutting both their party and basic points of fundamental governance at every opportunity.
What happened in San Diego? Ben Hueso and destructive politics like this happened.
Cross posted at Calitics
Earlier this week, I asked What the Hell happened in San Diego in the June 3 election. I explored a particularly underwhelming electoral performance and noted that there was a massive failure of leadership from the city's elected Democrats (active and retired). Councilmember Donna Frye supported GOP mayoral challenger Steve Francis and Council President Scott Peters ran against the Democratic incumbent City Attorney Mike Aguirre. Incidentally, both Francis and Peters failed to make it to the November runoff.
Then yesterday it happened again. Councilmember Ben Hueso, who in May was rallying to Block Blackwater in his council district, announced his endorsement of Republican city attorney candidate Jan Goldsmith. This is particularly notable because Goldsmith's opponent is incumbent Mike Aguirre. Aguirre has been a champion for the city in the fight to force Blackwater's permits into public hearing at a time when a number of other city leaders have...attended a rally and then thrown up their hands.
If Jan Goldsmith as City Attorney would go to bat over Blackwater or any other number of issues that might be uncomfortable for the Mayor or inconvenient for the City Council, I would be absolutely flabbergasted. The campaign, like every other challenge to Aguirre this year, has been centered around a promise to sit down and shut up. The last thing this city needs is another elected official who doesn't have the necessary combination of power and motivation to force important issues.
As the UT newsblog notes, Hueso and Aguirre have never exactly been close. And Aguirre has taken a lot of flack throughout his term as City Attorney for his rabid pursuit of Mayor Jerry Sanders for all manner of scandal- real or imagined. But as Councilmember Hueso well knows because he's at the meetings, the City Council hasn't exactly put on a clinic when it comes to keeping mayoral power checked by the legislative branch. Fighting the good fight has consistently taken a back seat over the past two and a half years to misguided "pragmatism" that largely allowed Mayor Sanders to get anything he wanted.
So what we're left with is Ben Hueso surveying this scene- Mayor Sanders re-elected to a second term with what CW will term a convincing mandate (it's not, the turnout was too low to carry a mandate) and a City Council that will likely go from a narrow Democratic advantage to an even split, further neutering a body that had given itself over to the inevitability of the Strong Mayor government- and deciding that the best thing for the city is that the single dissonant voice of any weight in the city government should be replaced by, as the UT put it,
Hueso said the city attorney's political persuasion is less important to him than getting "the best legal advice."
If the Democratic Party in San Diego is ever going to be able to capitalize on the tremendous infrastructure building being done at the precinct and street-corner level, leading Democrats need to stop undercutting both their party and basic points of fundamental governance at every opportunity.
What happened in San Diego? Ben Hueso and destructive politics like this happened.
Cross posted at Calitics
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Response to the VoSD piece on the SDCDP
From Caltics:
David Washburn's slap at the San Diego County Democratic Party in the Voice of San Diego does readers a disservice, to say the least. I'll cite just a few examples where more serious analysis would have helped.
Consider this year's mayoral race, in which a Republican challenger spent $4.5 million to promote himself as a kind of progressive independent. He couldn't even force a runoff against the incumbent.
As the "Voice" has reported in the past, incumbent mayors in the City of San Diego are virtually never unseated. So who is really "openly wondering why established Dems didn't jump in" - other than a writer trying to justify a story?
The glib comparison to a special election for Congress in Mississippi doesn't shed much light on the political reality in San Diego.
The passing reference to Republican "financial support from the downtown business establishment" understates the huge fundraising disadvantage that our community-minded candidates often face. The fact is that Democrats remain competitive and are building momentum in those races, despite being outspent by 2-to-1 or 10-to-1 or more.
San Diego isn't the only area where the kind of low turnout seen on June 3 strongly favored our opponents. But our City Council candidate placed first in District 1, where Republicans still lead in party registration. In District 7 our candidate virtually tied to force a runoff for a seat that has always been dismissed as out of reach for Democrats.
This November, when turnout will be more than double what we saw in the Primary, Democrats will enjoy a very different playing field. We're also looking forward to demonstrating the actual infrastructure we're building, from data management and professional staffing to a robust training program for our growing army of volunteers. Unfortunately, this story is long on quotes from armchair analysts and short on facts that might show a more balanced view.
Take the instance where Washburn writes: "Another piece of conventional wisdom holds that the local GOP does a better job targeting absentee voters." Had he checked, he would have found that the early voting rate among Democrats countywide in June was actually slightly higher than for Republicans.
Campaigns are indeed primarily candidate-driven. But by any measure, the County Democratic Party is vastly further developed than it was even four years ago. We have undertaken a long-term program that will bear fruit over multiple electoral cycles, helping Democratic candidates at every level.
This year's separate Presidential Primary was one of many factors skewing the June results. But in February, the majority of the vote here went to Democrats, even in some of the county's most conservative districts.
While some aspects of our plan may take longer than others to materialize, it would be a mistake to ignore the signs of a real "new era in San Diego politics" that a more thoughtful study of the underlying trends would suggest.
By November, Democrats may actually have a countywide plurality thanks to our unprecedented voter registration program and our inspirational Presidential candidate. When we translate those numbers into local victories, I hope the Voice will take the time to set the record straight.
Jess Durfee,
Chair
San Diego County Democratic Party
David Washburn's slap at the San Diego County Democratic Party in the Voice of San Diego does readers a disservice, to say the least. I'll cite just a few examples where more serious analysis would have helped.
Consider this year's mayoral race, in which a Republican challenger spent $4.5 million to promote himself as a kind of progressive independent. He couldn't even force a runoff against the incumbent.
As the "Voice" has reported in the past, incumbent mayors in the City of San Diego are virtually never unseated. So who is really "openly wondering why established Dems didn't jump in" - other than a writer trying to justify a story?
The glib comparison to a special election for Congress in Mississippi doesn't shed much light on the political reality in San Diego.
The passing reference to Republican "financial support from the downtown business establishment" understates the huge fundraising disadvantage that our community-minded candidates often face. The fact is that Democrats remain competitive and are building momentum in those races, despite being outspent by 2-to-1 or 10-to-1 or more.
San Diego isn't the only area where the kind of low turnout seen on June 3 strongly favored our opponents. But our City Council candidate placed first in District 1, where Republicans still lead in party registration. In District 7 our candidate virtually tied to force a runoff for a seat that has always been dismissed as out of reach for Democrats.
This November, when turnout will be more than double what we saw in the Primary, Democrats will enjoy a very different playing field. We're also looking forward to demonstrating the actual infrastructure we're building, from data management and professional staffing to a robust training program for our growing army of volunteers. Unfortunately, this story is long on quotes from armchair analysts and short on facts that might show a more balanced view.
Take the instance where Washburn writes: "Another piece of conventional wisdom holds that the local GOP does a better job targeting absentee voters." Had he checked, he would have found that the early voting rate among Democrats countywide in June was actually slightly higher than for Republicans.
Campaigns are indeed primarily candidate-driven. But by any measure, the County Democratic Party is vastly further developed than it was even four years ago. We have undertaken a long-term program that will bear fruit over multiple electoral cycles, helping Democratic candidates at every level.
This year's separate Presidential Primary was one of many factors skewing the June results. But in February, the majority of the vote here went to Democrats, even in some of the county's most conservative districts.
While some aspects of our plan may take longer than others to materialize, it would be a mistake to ignore the signs of a real "new era in San Diego politics" that a more thoughtful study of the underlying trends would suggest.
By November, Democrats may actually have a countywide plurality thanks to our unprecedented voter registration program and our inspirational Presidential candidate. When we translate those numbers into local victories, I hope the Voice will take the time to set the record straight.
Jess Durfee,
Chair
San Diego County Democratic Party
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Voice of San Diego piece on the SDCDP
Yesterday the VoSD ran a piece by David Washburn called “Where are the Democrats?”
Points, IMHO:
• The SDCDP is working on capitalizing on the growth of Democrats, but they have coming from just about nothing three years ago whereas the Republicans have been in motion in San Diego for decades.
• Blaming the party for bad candidates is a straw man argument. Until the SDCDP is in a position to groom and foster candidates, these candidates will be self-selected. John Kern’s comments nail this issue .
• Crediting local Republican leaders for their victories is another straw man argument. The local Republicans have benefited in spite of their party organization. With the Lincoln Club and other IE’s, the candidates just need the label and little else from the party. Duane Dichiara’s comment about the Republicans just getting lucky is solid.
• Chairman Durfee’s comments were right on about the criticism being ill-informed and unfair.
• Mr. Berg’s comments about District 3 was also right on but this goes beyond the SDCDP to the general body public who will support whomever they want regardless of the “official” position because the candidates are on the same page.
• As an observer of the SDCDP, Prof. Erie’s comments ring hollow. It has come a long way since 2006 but it has a lot of catching up to do.
• Lorena Gonzalez’s observation about being alone speaks to the infrastructure which is being assembled but wasn’t available when she ran.
Growth periods are not easy, but I agree that the SD Republicans are living on borrowed time.
Points, IMHO:
• The SDCDP is working on capitalizing on the growth of Democrats, but they have coming from just about nothing three years ago whereas the Republicans have been in motion in San Diego for decades.
• Blaming the party for bad candidates is a straw man argument. Until the SDCDP is in a position to groom and foster candidates, these candidates will be self-selected. John Kern’s comments nail this issue .
• Crediting local Republican leaders for their victories is another straw man argument. The local Republicans have benefited in spite of their party organization. With the Lincoln Club and other IE’s, the candidates just need the label and little else from the party. Duane Dichiara’s comment about the Republicans just getting lucky is solid.
• Chairman Durfee’s comments were right on about the criticism being ill-informed and unfair.
• Mr. Berg’s comments about District 3 was also right on but this goes beyond the SDCDP to the general body public who will support whomever they want regardless of the “official” position because the candidates are on the same page.
• As an observer of the SDCDP, Prof. Erie’s comments ring hollow. It has come a long way since 2006 but it has a lot of catching up to do.
• Lorena Gonzalez’s observation about being alone speaks to the infrastructure which is being assembled but wasn’t available when she ran.
Growth periods are not easy, but I agree that the SD Republicans are living on borrowed time.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
SDCDP Chair Jess Durfee Elected to DNC
Congratulations to Jess Durfee, the chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party, who was elected this morning to the Democratic National Committee. The election was part of the California Democratic Party's Executive Board meeting that took place in San Francisco this weekend. Jess, who has been the chair of the SDCDP since 2004, becomes one of 19 California members to the Democratic National Committee beginning in 2009. He also becomes the first DNC member to be elected from San Diego County.
UPDATE:
Over at the California Progress Report, Bill Cavala has a piece about Jess Durfee's election to the DNC this morning. [Link]
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Did you miss Progressive San Diego's "Election Reflection?"
If so, check out the video and pictures of Progressive San Diego's post election event below.Photos of the Event: Click Here
Hosted by: Eric Isaacson and Rachel Jensen at the offices of Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP
Moderated by: Eric Wolff - Reporter, SD CityBeat
Panelists: Andrew Donohue - Executive Editor, Voice of San Diego
Donna Frye - San Diego City Councilmember
Lorena Gonzalez - Secretary-Treasurer & CEO, SD-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Lani Lutar - President & CEO, San Diego Taxpayers Association
Stay Tuned for Upcoming Events, Election Information and Issues at www.ProgressiveSD.org
Monday, June 9, 2008
"Election Reflection" Panel Discussion
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
6:00-8:00pm (5:00pm Reception)
The Balboa Room Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP,
655 West Broadway, Suite 1900 San Diego, CA 92101
Expert Analysis of June 3rd Election
You are invited to join local San Diego leaders, activists and journalists as Progressive San Diego hosts a forum to discuss the successes, missteps, and future implications of the June 2008 primary election.
Moderator: Eric Wolff -- Reporter, San Diego CityBeat
Panelists:
- Andrew Donohue -- Executive Editor, Voice of San Diego
- Donna Frye -- San Diego City Councilmember
- Lorena Gonzalez -- Secretary-Treasurer & CEO, SD-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Lani Lutar -- President & CEO, San Diego County Taxpayers Association
Individual Tickets: $20
Host Committee:
Eric Isaacson, Rachel Jensen & Eve Schuh
RSVP to Tommie Watson at Tommie.Watson@ProgressiveSD.org
www.ProgressiveSD.org
Joint Reform?
No, it's not about marijuana.
DeMaio is using Frye to advance his own agenda and Frye is willing to be used because she sees him as a fellow outsider and she needs friends.
Frye is an activist, not a politician, and activists don’t like nuance. You’re with them or against them. Don't ever question their devotion. Because of the time they’ve put in and the amount of heart behind their issues only they know what’s best.
And the rookie mistake that activists make when they become elected officials is how easy they believe their own PR. How could it be otherwise? Your staff has proved they will support you no matter what. Your supporters look like they’d follow you off a cliff. How can you do wrong?
As such, she will always be an outsider fighting the system, even though she is a part of the same system. Her supporters identify with her “outsider shaking up the system” image and believe her when she says that no one else would dare fight corruption at City Hall except her. And outsiders don’t compromise. In fact, they see solutions where no one else does because they aren’t tainted by the status quo mindset.
The problem is that, as a legislator, she needs to govern and not just say no. It is always easier to be righteous than responsible which is why she hasn’t bothered to support and work to get reforms and progressive legislation through the city council. It’s easier to hold a press conference stating that the powers that be can’t be trusted instead of trying to do something about them.
The anti-Prop C campaign she spearheaded was convenient for DeMaio. Frye needs friends and he offered to help. The benefit is psychological for Frye and real for DeMaio. Frye can paint herself as the outsider willing to cross party lines and tutor this young radical into working with her on an agenda that she’s had six years to push.
Unless she never had one to begin with, which would explain these town halls.
For DeMaio, he can push his radical agenda by using Frye to whitewash the worst aspects of it (how bad can it be if Frye supports it?) and leverage her name to establish a base for mayor in 2012. Frye was burned by the Prop C and Francis losses and needs redemption. I guess she feels the enemy of my enemy is my friend. DeMaio is no Sanders supporter so let’s build a new Gang of Five and go to war with the mayor rather than actually doing something to improve the lives of the people.
Frye supporters have told me that she’s only using DeMaio to get elected President of the Council and then she’ll let him go, but he’s smarter than that.
It’s too early to tell if this “reform agenda” has any substance other than jawboning but it doesn’t look too promising from the get go. I just hope Donna wakes up soon.
DeMaio is using Frye to advance his own agenda and Frye is willing to be used because she sees him as a fellow outsider and she needs friends.
Frye is an activist, not a politician, and activists don’t like nuance. You’re with them or against them. Don't ever question their devotion. Because of the time they’ve put in and the amount of heart behind their issues only they know what’s best.
And the rookie mistake that activists make when they become elected officials is how easy they believe their own PR. How could it be otherwise? Your staff has proved they will support you no matter what. Your supporters look like they’d follow you off a cliff. How can you do wrong?
As such, she will always be an outsider fighting the system, even though she is a part of the same system. Her supporters identify with her “outsider shaking up the system” image and believe her when she says that no one else would dare fight corruption at City Hall except her. And outsiders don’t compromise. In fact, they see solutions where no one else does because they aren’t tainted by the status quo mindset.
The problem is that, as a legislator, she needs to govern and not just say no. It is always easier to be righteous than responsible which is why she hasn’t bothered to support and work to get reforms and progressive legislation through the city council. It’s easier to hold a press conference stating that the powers that be can’t be trusted instead of trying to do something about them.
The anti-Prop C campaign she spearheaded was convenient for DeMaio. Frye needs friends and he offered to help. The benefit is psychological for Frye and real for DeMaio. Frye can paint herself as the outsider willing to cross party lines and tutor this young radical into working with her on an agenda that she’s had six years to push.
Unless she never had one to begin with, which would explain these town halls.
For DeMaio, he can push his radical agenda by using Frye to whitewash the worst aspects of it (how bad can it be if Frye supports it?) and leverage her name to establish a base for mayor in 2012. Frye was burned by the Prop C and Francis losses and needs redemption. I guess she feels the enemy of my enemy is my friend. DeMaio is no Sanders supporter so let’s build a new Gang of Five and go to war with the mayor rather than actually doing something to improve the lives of the people.
Frye supporters have told me that she’s only using DeMaio to get elected President of the Council and then she’ll let him go, but he’s smarter than that.
It’s too early to tell if this “reform agenda” has any substance other than jawboning but it doesn’t look too promising from the get go. I just hope Donna wakes up soon.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Hon. Susan Davis Endorses Sen. Obama
From yesterday’s Capitol Alert:
"Democrats and all those who have chosen to participate in the Democratic primary have witnessed a sweeping, compelling and breathtakingly close contest among two exceptional leaders. As the representative of the 53rd Congressional District which saw slightly more than a 1 percent vote difference out of more than 100,000 votes cast (48.4% for Obama - 47.3% for Clinton), I experienced the difficulty of that choice. Both Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama demonstrate the statesmanship, dedication and dynamism required to address the domestic and international challenges we face today.
"Given the closeness of the race, it was important that every voter be motivated to participate in this historic election. I am now happy to join the delegates from around the country in supporting Senator Obama to be our nominee and plan to work hard towards his election as President of the United States.
"I am confident that Senator Obama will be a legacy leader and move this country forward. With his ability to inspire, we will once again ask the difficult questions and uncover new ways of solving vexing and grave issues with strategic focus.
"I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on her campaign which can only be seen as one of the most singular displays of diligence in the pursuit of working on behalf of all people in our country. As a woman who has fought for the recognition of the role of women in leadership on every front, I am immensely proud of her and the impact she has had in defining the political, social, and economic landscape of our country.
"This contest has made us stronger. Millions of Americans are now inspired to engage in the debate on the future of our country."
"Democrats and all those who have chosen to participate in the Democratic primary have witnessed a sweeping, compelling and breathtakingly close contest among two exceptional leaders. As the representative of the 53rd Congressional District which saw slightly more than a 1 percent vote difference out of more than 100,000 votes cast (48.4% for Obama - 47.3% for Clinton), I experienced the difficulty of that choice. Both Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama demonstrate the statesmanship, dedication and dynamism required to address the domestic and international challenges we face today.
"Given the closeness of the race, it was important that every voter be motivated to participate in this historic election. I am now happy to join the delegates from around the country in supporting Senator Obama to be our nominee and plan to work hard towards his election as President of the United States.
"I am confident that Senator Obama will be a legacy leader and move this country forward. With his ability to inspire, we will once again ask the difficult questions and uncover new ways of solving vexing and grave issues with strategic focus.
"I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on her campaign which can only be seen as one of the most singular displays of diligence in the pursuit of working on behalf of all people in our country. As a woman who has fought for the recognition of the role of women in leadership on every front, I am immensely proud of her and the impact she has had in defining the political, social, and economic landscape of our country.
"This contest has made us stronger. Millions of Americans are now inspired to engage in the debate on the future of our country."
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Quick thoughts about that Election last night
With an accuracy rate of 33%, I’m having hats as post-hangover food. Before the working day begins, some musings:
AD 78
Block wins. IE’s from Sacramento hiring local consultants couldn’t get Sherard in. That’s what happens when you play both sides. Speaking of both sides, Arabo’s political future is in doubt but Arile lives to run another day
Mayor
I didn’t think Jerry was going to take it outright but a low turnout benefits incumbents.
City Attorney
It should have been Scott. Mike was in New Jersey last night. The Republicans locked up the absentees again. The local Democratic Party endorsement for this race should be interesting.
City Council 1
Go Sherri! Phil looked shocked last night in Golden Hall when the results came in. With a presidential election and Obama at the top of the ticket, we could hold onto this seat.
City Council 3
Speaking of interesting endorsement meetings, the San Diego Democratic Club will be the one watch. Todd looks good but Stephen proved he can run a ground game. Especially when Hartley doesn’t put up a fight that doesn’t involve mail.
City Council 5
DeMaio is one classy cat in declaring victory before the ballots have been counted. Vanity, thy name is Carl.
City Council 7
This should not have happened. Marti should have swept April into the dustbin of also-rans. I pray she shakes up her campaign because those that served her this time didn’t do a worthy job. She can do better and there are people willing to help Marti in. Just look outside the bubble because now is the time.
Finally
Labor splits the difference and the local Democratic Party has some stand-taking to do. The fall looks promising across the board. I’m off to get lots of coffee.
AD 78
Block wins. IE’s from Sacramento hiring local consultants couldn’t get Sherard in. That’s what happens when you play both sides. Speaking of both sides, Arabo’s political future is in doubt but Arile lives to run another day
Mayor
I didn’t think Jerry was going to take it outright but a low turnout benefits incumbents.
City Attorney
It should have been Scott. Mike was in New Jersey last night. The Republicans locked up the absentees again. The local Democratic Party endorsement for this race should be interesting.
City Council 1
Go Sherri! Phil looked shocked last night in Golden Hall when the results came in. With a presidential election and Obama at the top of the ticket, we could hold onto this seat.
City Council 3
Speaking of interesting endorsement meetings, the San Diego Democratic Club will be the one watch. Todd looks good but Stephen proved he can run a ground game. Especially when Hartley doesn’t put up a fight that doesn’t involve mail.
City Council 5
DeMaio is one classy cat in declaring victory before the ballots have been counted. Vanity, thy name is Carl.
City Council 7
This should not have happened. Marti should have swept April into the dustbin of also-rans. I pray she shakes up her campaign because those that served her this time didn’t do a worthy job. She can do better and there are people willing to help Marti in. Just look outside the bubble because now is the time.
Finally
Labor splits the difference and the local Democratic Party has some stand-taking to do. The fall looks promising across the board. I’m off to get lots of coffee.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Pre-Election Predictions
Having selected a set of edible hats, I’m ready to go:
SD Mayor
Bidewell comes in third thanks to the Sanders campaign and the non-logical method in which San Diegans decide whom to vote for.
SD City Attorney
I’m feeling fuzzy for Peters. He sqeaks past Goldsmith in a heart stopper to take on Mike.
SD City Council 1
Lightner comes in higher than expected to challenge Phil
SD City Council 3
Although a Gloria-Whitburn match up would be a blast to watch, I think Todd will come in stronger than expected. It won’t be enough to take out Hartley but enough to show him the writing on the wall.
SD City Council 7
Marti either blows April away or loses in a narrow absentee battle.
AD 78
Auday now has ads on cable TV. I say he, Sherard, and Block will duke it out in an alcohol-inducing three-way fight and the winner wins by less than 500 votes.
See y’all in the Gaslamp!
SD Mayor
Bidewell comes in third thanks to the Sanders campaign and the non-logical method in which San Diegans decide whom to vote for.
SD City Attorney
I’m feeling fuzzy for Peters. He sqeaks past Goldsmith in a heart stopper to take on Mike.
SD City Council 1
Lightner comes in higher than expected to challenge Phil
SD City Council 3
Although a Gloria-Whitburn match up would be a blast to watch, I think Todd will come in stronger than expected. It won’t be enough to take out Hartley but enough to show him the writing on the wall.
SD City Council 7
Marti either blows April away or loses in a narrow absentee battle.
AD 78
Auday now has ads on cable TV. I say he, Sherard, and Block will duke it out in an alcohol-inducing three-way fight and the winner wins by less than 500 votes.
See y’all in the Gaslamp!
Friday, May 30, 2008
My Vote for Steve Francis
I finally mailed my absentee ballot yesterday after debating who I was going to vote for mayor. Now being the good Dem that Gracchus is, I normally vote for the endorsed Democrat in the race. This time, however, I couldn't fill in the bubble for Floyd Morrow.
I have meet Floyd Morrow on several occasions, I have talked with him and I like the guy. I think he is sincere in why he is running for mayor, I just don't believe he is a credible candidate. So that left me with the "less-of-two-evils" candidate to choose from.
Now, I'm not one to buy into the "new and improved" Steve Francis despite receiving flashy mail pieces touting union endorsements and showing Steve with his new best friend Donna Frye. As Public Enemy says "Don't Believe the Hype." But what is the alternative to Steve Francis?
It is Jerry Sanders who has shown himself to be about as competent in the job as was Dick Murphy. Sanders is emblematic of a current type of Republican pol who believes that being both petulant and disingenuous are governing virtues. Mayor Sanders has refused to work with others on the council to try to solve some of the myriad of problems in the city. Instead he has demonstrated that he has no leadership skills and that his primary duty as mayor is in keeping the status quo when it has come to the special interest downtown.
Now, I know what supporters of Sanders are going to say: Hey, he came into office with the city in crisis, while at the same time embarking on a new form of governing with strong mayor. And how can you trust Steve Francis? He'll say anything to get elected.
Well that might be true about Steve Francis, but I'm willing to give him a shot at running the city after what I have seen Sanders do for the last three years. I know if Steve Francis is elected mayor, I might not agree with some of the policies he will put forward. But I believe that he will be more willing to work with the council in trying to solve some of the city's problems and for that reason I gave him my vote yesterday.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thoughts on the 78th
As of this writing, here’s where I see this race: between Arabo and Sherard for the Democratic nomination.
Arabo
Say what you will about him. The fact is that he can put together a campaign. His people have been walking for over six months now and his signs are everywhere. Compared to the others, he has a solid shot.
Sherard
Were it not for Sherard. There is a Republican business IE that has about 30 walkers getting $16/hour canvassing and reinforcing her already high name ID. Sherard’s campaign hasn't done much because they’re broke. Oddly and through no effort of her own, she too has a solid shot.
Block
What will it take for Sacramento to wake up and stop going the Vince Hall-lite route? He has the institutional advantages. But he never walks. He campaign has only recently sprung into high gear and it screams too little too late. With IE’s and Arabo targeting similar universes, Marty loses out due to Arabo’s sign reinforcement of his name.
Ricasa
My heart goes out to her only because she has the best community profile of these candidates. She can still squeak through but only if her people are running a massive behind-the scenes operation. Not being privy to it, and only seeing a few of her sighs up, I’m counting her out of this one
How this turns out is anyone’s guess. The Republicans think Sherard is the weakest candidate and it makes sense they’d do what they could to help her. Were it not for Arabo, they might get away with it. Block could go balls out this upcoming weekend and kick up the percentage but I don’t think it will be enough And Ricasa is still viable for something else.
Shots anyone?
Arabo
Say what you will about him. The fact is that he can put together a campaign. His people have been walking for over six months now and his signs are everywhere. Compared to the others, he has a solid shot.
Sherard
Were it not for Sherard. There is a Republican business IE that has about 30 walkers getting $16/hour canvassing and reinforcing her already high name ID. Sherard’s campaign hasn't done much because they’re broke. Oddly and through no effort of her own, she too has a solid shot.
Block
What will it take for Sacramento to wake up and stop going the Vince Hall-lite route? He has the institutional advantages. But he never walks. He campaign has only recently sprung into high gear and it screams too little too late. With IE’s and Arabo targeting similar universes, Marty loses out due to Arabo’s sign reinforcement of his name.
Ricasa
My heart goes out to her only because she has the best community profile of these candidates. She can still squeak through but only if her people are running a massive behind-the scenes operation. Not being privy to it, and only seeing a few of her sighs up, I’m counting her out of this one
How this turns out is anyone’s guess. The Republicans think Sherard is the weakest candidate and it makes sense they’d do what they could to help her. Were it not for Arabo, they might get away with it. Block could go balls out this upcoming weekend and kick up the percentage but I don’t think it will be enough And Ricasa is still viable for something else.
Shots anyone?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
PSA: Campaigns
Because we are a week away from the Primary and campaigns are preparing their who’s or what will get blamed or take credit for their victory or defeat, let’s review some basics to see through the spin:
Labor does not run candidate campaigns
They can run IE campaign on behalf of candidates and issues but they are not the “campaigns.” Those belong to the candidate, their consultants, and staff. Regardless of what the other side would have you believe, Labor does not dictate to candidates how to run their campaigns.
The Democratic Party does not run candidate campaigns
Here, the other side gives the Dems too much credit. The purpose of the local party is to assist, though volunteers and the media, their endorsed candidates and causes. They do not operate candidate campaigns nor to they, like Labor, order campaigns to bow to their wishes.
Consultants run candidate campaigns
Ever notice how the local press goes to the consultant first, then the campaign manager? These hired guns are called in to give the campaign the oversight, direction, and keep said campaigns on course. They can tell campaigns what to do and can clue them into resources that these campaigns would otherwise not have.
Candidates run campaigns
The final nail of accountability goes to the name at the top of the letterhead. It is seen as a reflection of their abilities in being able to hire (and fire) the right people and to get elected. Some campaigns operate more independently of their consultant than others, but it is up to the candidate and their manager, chosen to be the right hand, to decide what is the best course of action. At the end of the day, it is the candidate who accepts responsibility for what has happened no matter who was at fault.
Unless there was some boneheaded move by a staffer, consultant or volunteer that gets press time, these are the tiers of responsibility.
So when consultants start blaming the “party” or “labor”, just remember that neither of these two can run the shop for the campaign. That’s why there is a campaign manager and consultant in the first place.
Labor does not run candidate campaigns
They can run IE campaign on behalf of candidates and issues but they are not the “campaigns.” Those belong to the candidate, their consultants, and staff. Regardless of what the other side would have you believe, Labor does not dictate to candidates how to run their campaigns.
The Democratic Party does not run candidate campaigns
Here, the other side gives the Dems too much credit. The purpose of the local party is to assist, though volunteers and the media, their endorsed candidates and causes. They do not operate candidate campaigns nor to they, like Labor, order campaigns to bow to their wishes.
Consultants run candidate campaigns
Ever notice how the local press goes to the consultant first, then the campaign manager? These hired guns are called in to give the campaign the oversight, direction, and keep said campaigns on course. They can tell campaigns what to do and can clue them into resources that these campaigns would otherwise not have.
Candidates run campaigns
The final nail of accountability goes to the name at the top of the letterhead. It is seen as a reflection of their abilities in being able to hire (and fire) the right people and to get elected. Some campaigns operate more independently of their consultant than others, but it is up to the candidate and their manager, chosen to be the right hand, to decide what is the best course of action. At the end of the day, it is the candidate who accepts responsibility for what has happened no matter who was at fault.
Unless there was some boneheaded move by a staffer, consultant or volunteer that gets press time, these are the tiers of responsibility.
So when consultants start blaming the “party” or “labor”, just remember that neither of these two can run the shop for the campaign. That’s why there is a campaign manager and consultant in the first place.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day Is an Excellent Opportunity to Focus on the Needs of Our Veterans in California
Via California Progress Report:
Memorial Day Is an Excellent Opportunity to Focus on the Needs of Our Veterans in California
By Mary Salas
Chair
Assembly Veterans Affairs CommitteeThis Memorial Day while you are enjoying a backyard BBQ take a moment to ponder this little known fact: on any given night in California over 50,000 veterans are homeless, while other veterans may be suffering from mental health issues or experiencing difficulty transitioning back to work. Among the many needs and challenges we face as a state, appropriate care for our veterans must be a priority.
California is home to more than 2.2 million veterans. While it is correct to note that the care of our veterans is primarily the responsibility of the federal government,
the ability of the federal government to honor this obligation has been called into question. Time and again we have seen inefficient delivery of veteran services and benefits and a failure to anticipate and plan for an increase in health care problems associated with veterans, particularly those returning from Iraq.Many veterans are in need of mental health and suicide prevention counseling and treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, the signature injuries from the Iraq War. There is also an estimated backlog of over 600,000 claims for federal benefit applications with the US Department of Veterans Affairs for disability compensation and pension payments. These can take months, if not years, to process.
Because less than 11 percent of eligible veterans in this state actually receive these payments (which ranks us 38th nationally in terms of participation), millions of dollars are not being paid to our resident veterans and therefore not being returned to our economy. If California could increase this rate to the national average of
slightly over 12%, more than $330 million could be returned to our veterans and our economy.Unfortunately, our state and local governments are no position to help either, given the budget challenges we are currently facing. Nonetheless, more must be done to better use the resources we have.
The state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office indicates that approximately 144,000 military veterans in California who could be receiving comprehensive medical benefits from the US Veterans Administration (VA) health care system are enrolled instead in the state-funded Medi-Cal Program. The state could eventually save as much as $250 million annually from a voluntary shift of veterans from Medi-Cal into VA health care by implementing a data matching system which would identify veterans that are eligible to transfer to the VA.
California’s Department of Veterans Affairs administers a farm and home loan program that is restricted to serving only pre-1977 veterans and to lending for only single family mortgages. Meanwhile, thousands of veterans in need of transitional and multifamily housing receive little, if any, support. This program must be modernized to meet the needs of today’s veterans.
Regardless of how one feels about the Iraq war, we will all be forced to deal with its aftermath. Our state and local governments will be challenged to care for the veterans of past service as well as the soldiers returning from the Iraq war. These soldiers have sacrificed their welfare for ours. Let’s renew our commitment to these brave men and women as we commemorate Memorial Day.
Assembly Member Mary Salas was appointed Chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2007. Her father and six uncles all served in the armed forces. She represents the 79th California State Assembly District which includes the cities of Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, Coronado, and portions of San Diego.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)