Is Anyone In Charge?

Is Arnold a liberal, conservative or just a confused celebrity? The answer does not matter. The real question is who is in charge fo the Govenrors office and is there a vision for the future of California?

The answer can be seen in the recent "negotiations" to cancel the Special Election. The Capitol Weekly's daily Roundup today says it all:

Meanwhile, Beth Fouhy takes a look at just how close lawmakers and Gov. Schwarzenegger got to a deal last week. "Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, a Democrat well-versed in the art of the deal, was brought in by Schwarzenegger to participate. The move was seen by many in the Capitol as a slap at Pat Clarey, the governor's chief of staff. Until then, she and budget chief Tom Campbell had been his lead negotiators."

In a little bit of 1995 all over again, it was CTA and Pete Wilson who derailed the deal, critics say. "Democrats say Schwarzenegger was constrained by his own staff and advisers, who never wanted a deal. They complain that a battalion of Republican heavyweights - including former Gov. Pete Wilson - were enlisted to steer Schwarzenegger away from any agreement.

Neither the CTA or Pete Wilson are currently the Governor of California--they are outside interest groups.

CTA represeernts the worst in unions: claiming to represernt a group, students, parents and teachers, yet deamnd control over public policy from curriculum to same sex marriage and the election of legislators that that have the first deed on.

Wilson still can't get over not being Governor. He is the Shadow Government of California. The leaders of his Administration now have similar or better positions in the Schwarzenegger Administration. The Wilson political advisors are the same one's (except for Maria) that Arnold is using. They screwed up Prop. 187, now they are ruining a complete Special Election.

They don't mean to do that, but they want to prove they can govern--and they can't.

To make policy work, you need a go to person that when they speak you know it will happen. Special interests need to know that someone truly speaks for the govern in policy and politics. That person, or even group, does not exist. The Governors office has taken political action that has hurt the political operatives outside of government who work on behalf of the Governor. Communication is little and non existant.

The Governors people, except in rare instances, ever participate in the CRP. So, the CRP led by Duf Sundheim is given no direction by the head of the GOP in California, Arnold.

No only is the lack of leadership harming the policy of California, it is also harming the politics of the GOP>

For eighteen months the California Republican Party has been adrift. The attitude of Duf is to wait till the Governor tells him what to do. Since the corner office is saying nothing, Duf has done nothing. Allow me to define NOTHING: Duf opposed the CRP, in Board meetings, to set a budget for the CRP for the Special Election!

With no one in charge, everyone is in charge. Until the Governor empowers a person or group to set thr pace, not even the Democrats will know who to trust.

When you have to go to a former Democrat Speaker of the Assembly to speak for a Republican Governor in serious negotiations, you know the GOP and California is in trouble.

Arnold's Supreme Pick?

Gov. Schwarzenegger has submitted to the state bar the names of three judges for consideration for the Cal. Supreme Court: Appeals Court Justices Carol Corrigan of San Francisco and Vance Raye of Sacramento and U.S. District Judge Morrison England of Sacramento. My sources say that England, a favorite of Democrats in the US Senate and the least qualified of the three, is the Governor's likely choice.

All three are moderates and dismal choices to replace the brillant libertarian/conservative Janice Rogers Brown, who should end up on the United States Supreme Court before President Bush leaves Washington ,D.C.

Unfortunately, here in CA our already squishy California Supreme Court will now move left unless conservatives can prevail upon the Governor to nominate a suitable replacement for Janice Brown. Don't hold your breath ...

Poizner, Pt 1

I recently found this in http://www.canadafreepress.com/2005/bates082405.htm

"Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich said something quite strange. Strange even for a Democrat.

It happened when he explained why he was spending up to $10 million taxpayer dollars on stem-cell research without state legislative approval. This was necessary, he claimed, because the General Assembly wouldn’t take action on the issue.

Of course, a possible reason the legislature did not was because the governor failed to propose stem-cell funding in his budget. Nor did he broach the subject in his state of the state address, when the governor outlines his initiatives. He found time in that speech, though, to mention he would officially declare September "Illinois Wine Month." So we know he can prioritize.

But Rod decided he was morally obligated to do something about stem-cell research because the assembly simply wouldn’t. So he’s spending unauthorized funds.

In boasting of his deed, he said, "While we are forced to live in a democracy with several branches of government, sometimes in a democracy the process is frustratingly slow."

Imagine since th legislature refuses to approve the governors idea or that it was slow to approve it, he decided to spend the money anyway because he believe democracy "is too slow".

That reminded me of a post I saw recently in the RosevilleConservative blog by Aaron Park.

It seems that EdVoice, an organization that Steve Poizner is proud to have founded, has come out in favor of a bill that would allow the Mayor of Los Angeles to appoint seven members of the Los Angeles Unified School District board and have elected officials appoint the other two. Wiped out would be the rights of the taxpayers and the parents of the district to elect the school board members.


It appears that Poizner and his philosophy of government is the same as that as the Democrat Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich. According to the Roseville Conservative Poizner was so far to the Left on economic issues that the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association sent out letters a couple of weeks prior to the 2004 elections asking voters NOT to vote for Steve Poizner.

Poizner and Blagojevich also believed that Democracy was wronged in Florida in 2000. Poizner donated $10,000 to help over turn the vote of the people of Florida--Democracy is what you can buy to these folks.

Maybe that is why Poizner needed a clear field in 2004 to run for Assembly, he could not afford to be asked questions in a GOP primary.

Now he is running for Insurance Commissioner and still needs a clear field. Last year he supported according to the FlashReport and California Political News and Views the Open Primary, this year he opposes it. Last year he supported lowering the votes needed to pass a parcel tax, this year he wants to keep the 2/3 (though he did spend $200,000 to lower it, now he is only giving his "word" he opposes it). Has he changed his mind about President Bush, doe he now support him? What won't Poizner say, do or pay to get elected to office?

He is like the driver of an automobile. He buys a luxury car, drives it to where he wants...then when he gets there, parks it and leaves it behind. Kind of like his attitude toward Democracy?

Poizner and Blagojevich have the same attitute about Democracy. It is like a "john" buying and using a prostitute, then when they get what they want, they toss her away. Is that what we can expect from Poizner? They are both pimping Democracy. We see it from Blagojevich spending $60 million he was not authorized to spend. Are they twins separated at birth?

48th Congressional Race

I am disappointed at the quality of the candidates for the 48th district. Congressional seat nowadays is kind of like a 10 to 20 year appointment and I was looking forward to better person to emerge for the seat.

The “movement” needs at least one bomb thrower from Orange County like Dannemeyer or Dornan. I have a bad feeling we will be stuck with a country club Republican (in the old days, we called them “Rockefeller Republican”). At least movement conservatives would have had a seat at the table with Dick Ackerman without having to be rich.

It looks like the top three candidates are John Campbell, Marilyn C. Brewer, and Jim Gilchrist.

Jim Gilchrist, I believe, is the conservative in the race. If I was living in the district, would I vote for him first time around? Maybe.

Gilchrist major draw back is his campaign team and he is not a polished candidate. I have heard reports of him saying dumb things like, “I support the unions” in context of Prop. 75.

Taken out of context, he could be labeled a union goon, but what he meant was he supports the Proposition 75 because it protects union membership from their dues being used without their permission for political purposes, hence, he “supports the union membership” by giving them added protection. His much publicized “tax the rich” reference was also taken out of context. But at this point, unless Jim raises money and hires a better team, he is going no where.

It is a big shame since Gilchrist is one of the most sought after endorsements to Rep candidates across the country. For the sake of his movement, he better finish third place or higher or he jeopardizes the movement he started by being marginalized.

Only difference between Marilyn Brewer vs. John Campbell is Marilyn is honest about the abortion issue. John Campbell might give a good lip service on abortion but can anyone honestly say he is ideologically grounded on the issue or willing to risk himself politically for it? If the answer is yes, why are New Majority or the Generation Next crowd supporting him? Hmm???

I believe, like Spitzer, if he lived in a different area dominated by Dems, he would be a “conservative” pro-choice Democrat that votes the right way on all business issues.

Brewer or Campbell will tow the Republican line on all the economic issues in congress (I am not saying this is good thing). Brewer's record in the Assembly makes my point. It will make me sick if Campbell turns this race into “I am a conservative and Brewer is a moderate.”

They both are moderates.

Garry South Has a Point

Readers of the newly revamped Capitol Weekly may have noticed their new, semi-anonymous feature, "Experts Abound," in which Sacramento political types are surveyed on a political question of the week. The first issue asked the panel, which Democrat will give Arnold the toughest run for his money next year? The panel came back:

Westly - 38%
Villaraigosa - 30%
Angelides - 15%
Other - 17%

Conventional wisdom in the Capitol is that Angelides looks good to Dem primary votes, but has little general election crossover appeal. This would imply that Phillip wins the primary and loses the general.

On the reception circuit last night, however, Democrat/big-business consultant Garry South was arguing, quite well as he usually does, that Angelides has never faced a primary opponent with a competent political team and funding. Westly presumably will have both of those.

If, as Garry argues, Westly can take Phil in June, does this change any notions that, despite the struggles with his special election agenda, Arnold is still an odds-on favorite to be re-elected next November?

GOP Polling on Immigration

It seems that the State GOP/Assm Rep. Caucus are polling this week on immigration. Why they need to pay Frank Luntz $100,000 (nothing against Frank) to tell them that immigration is a white hot issue, I don't know.

Wyland in or out?

Is Wyland running for Congress?

My sources tell me that his campaign team is reserving slate spots for the State Senate and the Congressional seat for Wyland. I guess they are trying to keep options open.

Wyland will walk right into the State Senate seat. The big question is, does Wyland give up the easy State Senate race for a tough Congressional campaign.

Fletcher for the 75th AD

Good sources tell me that Assemblyman George Plescia is definitely planning a run for the soon to be open Cunningham Congressional seat. Additionally, former Cunningham staffer Nathan Fletcher is rumored to be gearing up to run for the 75th Assembly District seat currently held by Plescia.

Democrats out on front on immigration

New Mexico Democrat Governor Bill Richardson and Arizona Democrat Governor Janet Napolitano have both declared a state of emergency because of increasing violence on the U.S.-Mexico border of their states. The move frees up state funding to increase security along the border and gives each governor the power to call in the National Guard.

This is a strong move from two Democratic governors. Richardson, a Hispanic, has long been seen as a potential presidential contender in 2008. I think there is movement about some democrats to take advantage of the endless debate within the Republican Party on this issue and try to un-brand it as a Republican issue. Secondly, why haven’t any Republican governors taken the same action? Both California and Texas have Republican governors who could put a lot of pressure on the President.

Can Hertzberg "Make a Deal?"

Former speaker and current Energizer Bunny Bob Hertzberg is still trying to make a deal between Ah-nuld and the Legislative Dems. Any bets on whether the hug-meister can pull it off?

Van Tran for Senate?

The word is out. The rumor has been kept as faithfully as certain elected officials’ wedding vows. Van Tran is likely to run for SD34.

After the 2004 debacle where not a single seat changed Party hands, conventional wisdom is that the only thing that could result in a change of breakdown in Sacramento is either the abduction of Dean Gardner (or whatever his name is) by aliens, or the passage of Prop 77.

However, I think one more thing could change that – Van Tran for Senate.

When I first heard Van was taking a serious look at this, I scoffed. But I did so foolishly, as I just didn’t know the numbers.

A little less than two years ago, I would’ve been right – running for this seat would’ve been a fool’s errand. There was a 10-point registration gap (44-34), and the numbers had been holding steady since they were drawn. But the mapmakers underestimated one thing, or rather one person, Van Tran.

When Van decided to run for Assembly, he got to work bringing Vietnamese-Americans into the political process, and the results have been staggering. Whereas about the time of the recall, the 34th Senate District had a 10-point gap, today Democrats hold only a 4-point advantage 41-37.

Additionally to Van’s advantage is that while his 68th AD holds only 65% of his home of Garden Grove, the 34th SD has 86% of it.

Further, evidence from recent elections shows Republicans can prosper. Bush beat Kerry this last year 52-47, and if anybody doesn’t think Van can outpoll the President in a district made up of 19% Asian voters is fooling themselves.

Initially, Senate Republican leader had been leaning towards recruiting a Hispanic Republican to run for this seat – someone such as Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante. Ackerman’s rationale for this was simple, demographically, Hispanics make up a whopping 60% of the district, while Asians make up only 18%. However, when you factor in the percentages each group makes up of the registered-voter population, Hispanics drop dramatically to only 30% of the electorate, while Asians actually climb a point to 19%. And this doesn’t even factor propensity, which as Mark Leyes found out the hard way, Asians in this area do tend to turn out for Van.

On the Demo side, the likely suspect to take the nomination appears to be Assemblyman Tom Umberg, though some rumors also place County Supe Lou Correa in the mix. If it is Umberg, as the good money says it’ll be, I wonder what the line on this race would be. Having seen numerically how Van has transformed the area, I sure wouldn’t bet against him.

Email Van, and tell him to make a go at this – we’d love to see a shakeup in Sacramento.

Must Be Nice to Work on a Fully Funded Campaign

Like, for example, the Yes on 78/No on 79 effort. Their first TV ads are on the air now.

Lead consultant Frank Schubert knows how to win these health care measures...and with the firepower he has behind him with PhRMA stepping up, I think the Yes on 78, No on 79 campaign effort is looking pretty good.

California's Next Supreme Court Justice???

The rumor is that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may be close to naming moderate (at best) federal district judge Morrison England to the California Supreme Court. England - definitely NOT a conservative - was essentially a Barbara Boxer pick for the federal bench in 2002, when the President's Calif. guy Gerald Parsky was allowing Sen. Boxer to exercise an absolute veto over California judicial nominations. The blow-with-the-wind England sailed through the Senate without opposition in 2002. (The President's more recent picks have been much better).

If this is true - it is a sad choice to fill the seat vacated by the brilliant conservative/libertarian judge Janice Rogers Brown, who was recently appointed by the President to the United States Court of Appeal in Washington, DC..

One of England's recent rulings was to block a move by the Bush Administration to open up some back-country timber tracts for logging - a move that would have helped prevent large fires in the Sierra. England sided with the Sierra Club in blocking the logging operation.

TWO MORE JOIN CALIFORNIACAMPAIGNS

The stable of bloggers here at CaliforniaCampaigns grows evermore.

I'd like to welcome California Observer and Senator McCarthy to the team.

These two I am especially proud to have aboard, as their unique insights into the political landscape will be invaluable.

GREG HILL DROPS OUT OF RACE FOR AD53

At first considered a strong contender to take the seat back and essentially a sure-fire winner in the Primary, 2004 nominee Greg Hill has dropped out of the race for AD53.

As this article from the Daily Breeze speculates, Hill may have opted to drop out due to immense Party pressure to clear the way for Mary Jo Ford, an unknown quantity in Republican circles until recently, when she approached Party leaders about her willingness to drop half a mil into the race…And as the GOP Caucus works these days, money speaks more loudly than pesky things like qualifications or experience.

So, with GOP consultant Steve Presson at the helm and Assemblyman Van Tran COS Paul Hegyi taking care of things in-district, we’ll see if this “alternative medicine” doc can do what the reality show star (and oh ya, Redondo Beach Mayor) Hill could not – put AD53 in the GOP column.

Of note: while the Dems have cleared the field for former Gordon Campaign Manager Ted Lieu, GOP leaders have yet been unable to dissuade Paul Nowotka from running.

I would love to hear from any of the participants in this race: Presson, Hegyi, Nowotka consultant Jim Nygren, (former) Hill manager Mike Richman, or (f0rmer) Hill consultant Tim Clark on this matter - please email your insights. We would love to be made the wiser.

Prop. 77 Court Decision Huge Win for Arnold

The Supreme Court decision to put Prop. 77 (redistrcting reform) back on the ballot is a huge win for the Governor's team...and they needed one.

I have talked to too many of the "big corporate donors" that Schwarzenegger needs to fund his effort, and the only measure they really care about is this one. With it off the ballot, I was hearing a lot of "what's the points" from them. With 77 back in the game, and the ballot now certain, Arnold's fundraising for the effort should pick up.

WELCOMING NEW BLOGGERS TO THE CALIFORNIACAMPAIGNS STABLE

I’d like to welcome Charlie Regan and The General to CaliforniaCampaigns.

They have decades of combined experience atop the campaign campaign food chain, and are as intimate as anyone with the decision makers in California politics.

Our stable of contributors is growing. We have more outstanding bloggers to come, so stay tuned...

But in the meantime, enjoy the insight, wit, wisdom, and experience these guys have to offer.

New Slate on the Scene

To those watching carefully, this morning’s Capitol Morning Report held a very interesting piece of news: social conservatives have launched a new slate card “The Family, Faith, and Freedom Association.”

Being led according to CMR by Doug Swardstrom (political liaison to uber-contributor Howard Ahmanson), Mark Bucher (close friend and confidant of Scott Baugh), and Larry Smith (leader of Orange County's Family Action PAC), this could be a major player in upcoming primary battles.

Many attempts are made annually to launch new slate cards, with most failing miserably. But with a power-trio like these three behind this latest project, I don’t think I’m wandering too far out on a limb to assume that this one will most definitely succeed.

I am curious what the game plan is for this group. I’d appreciate hearing from anybody with some insight into this???

GILLIARD DISCREDITS CALBORDERPOLICE FOR FINANCIAL GAIN

It should come as a shock to absolutely nobody that John Campbell was named as a Co-Chair of the CalBorderPolice Initiative – HIS OWN POLITICAL CONSULTANT RUNS THE INITIATIVE!

Dave Gilliard is no dummy, and surely is aware of Campbell’s potential liability on the issue of illegal immigration, and so as a way to inoculate against this stumbling block, Gilliard did what anybody would do – he named his own client as one of those in charge of one of his firm’s other projects.

Now, what I'm curious about - and what I would love to hear from Campbell, Gilliard, Andrews, or anybody involved - is whether Gilliard's standard practice of "charging" several thousands of dollars for the "honor" of being named to one of these types of positions, held true here.

It’s a completely transparent move, but surely one that will help ensure Campbell is the next Congressman from the 48th.

However, through a different looking glass, it is sad that Gilliard would discredit this initiative by appointing someone who’s been poor on the issue to a place of such prominence – so early in the process.

Also, no big shock that Congressman Ed Royce - another Gilliard client - is the State Chair of the Initiative.

Bilbray looking to make a comeback‎

Folks close to former Congressman Brian Bilbray are saying he is seriously considering making a bid to replace outgoing Randy “Duke” Cunningham. Bilbray is a moderate who held California’s 49th Congressional district seat from 1995-2001. He was defeated by Susan Davis who now represents the district.

Bilbray would be carpet bagging but apparently he thinks he can convince the solid conservative North County San Diego voters to send him to congress once more.

Minuteman for Congress

BREAKING NEWS in the Special Election front – Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist has announced that he will in fact seek to succeed Chris Cox in Congress. The blogs have been all over the story already, as it has been reported here, here, and here.

As shocking as it may be, Gilchrist is not hiring me, Pete St. John, to manage his race. However, I would like to add an inside scoop, that national conservative hero Alan Keyes confidant Mary Parker-Lewis will be consulting for Mr. Gilchrist. This is significant, as it shows Mr. Gilchrist is serious and is not planning on running the race himself, or having it run by family friends, as often times long-shot candidates do. He’ll clearly have a nationwide donor base, and likely will be very active in visiting different parts of the country to raise funds.

Conventional wisdom would have it that this would be to Ms. Brewer’s benefit, as conservative support would seem to draw from Senator Campbell. But after reviewing the polling memos produced by each campaign (seen here and here), I believe that not only is the conventional wisdom mistaken, but that Mr. Gilchrist in fact is well positioned to be a major factor in this race.

Ms. Brewer’s support seems to come from women and liberal Republicans, while Campbell’s comes from more conservative voters. However, as Steve Kinney’s memo alludes to, 56% of voters surveyed are less inclined to vote for Campbell when they hear of his vote for providing in-state tuition benefits to illegal aliens. This staggering number indicates to me a sizable voting bloc of voters concerned with illegal immigration. And if Ms. Brewer’s hopes of victory were built around building a coalition of liberal Republicans, women, and anti-illegal immigration voters, a good chunk of that is immediately knocked off with Gilchrist’s candidacy.

However, once those voters for whom immigration is a determinant issue are aware of Campbell’s softness on the issue, they clearly aren’t the type of voters who would be inclined to support Ms. Brewer. These are solidly Gilchrist voters.

Now, the thing I’ll be watching with respect to this race will be how Gilchrist positions himself. Will he carefully stay true to his issues, while maintaining a sense of sanity (ala, Tom McClintock in the Recall), or will he go a little crazy and be seen as a right-wing cook (ala, Parker-Lewis’ boss, Alan Keyes in his last Senate bid)?

In my opinion, best case scenario for Gilchrist is a narrow victory, with say 35% of the vote. Worst case, he becomes unglued, and campaigns on the issue of immigration with reckless abandon for perception of himself. Most likely scenario - he proceeds respectfully, while remaining unflinching to his convictions, making him far and away the most visible and sought after endorser in the state for clout on immigration issues.

That remains to be seen, but for right now – the race just got a whole lot more interesting!

San Diego the land of perpetual campaigns‎

San Diego is again proving to be the land of perpetual campaigns. We all love to ask our San Diego friends what the deal is down there so I did a little digging. We all know that recently two Democratic city councilmen resigned in light of their recent felony convictions related to what is commenly called strippergate. What most people are still trying to figure out is who in the heck is running to take their place.

The two convicted councilmen’s districts are almost polar opposites of each other. Michael Zucchet represented District 2 which included such well known areas as Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma and downtown. Zucchet’s district is more moderate than Democrat so a Republican stands a good chance of winning this seat. Inzunza’s seat on the other hand consists of extremely loyal Hispanic democratic voters. His family has controlled much of the Democratic political machine in the district for a long time so we are sure to see them run another dog in this race. The good news for Republicans is that voter turnout is extremely low. In the last few elections it has been around 25% or 5 to 6 thousand voters. This could be the ideal time to show off what Ron Nehring’s precinct operation can really do. Can anyone say knock and drag!

Now for the lineups…..

District 2
Kevin Faulconer – Moderate Republican, unsuccessfully challenged Zucchet in 2002, did not return calls seeking comment but several political consultants said he has called them seeking advice about a potential run. Faulconer chairs the city's Mission Bay Park Committee and has sat on advisory panels for the wetlands, charter reform and parks and recreation. He has recently been endorsed by the Lincoln Club and is expected to easily win the support of the Republican Party. Kevin might be an environmentalist but somehow he is also an avid pro-growth and pro-business supporter. Prior to his campaign announcement Kevin served as the Chairman of the San Diego Lincoln Club’s PAC.

Kathy Blavatt – Liberal Democrat, a graphic designer and progressive activist, said she is considering a run. "I've had a couple hundred calls in the last few days asking me to run," she said last week. A strong Frye supporter, Blavatt sits on the city's Peninsula Community Planning Board, and is a co-founder of the San Diego Coastal Alliance. She has also been a vocal critic of redevelopment that uses eminent domain as well as the city's agreement with the Corky McMillin Cos. to develop the Naval Training Center properties. She resides in Ocean Beach.

Carolyn Chase - Liberal Democrat, a planning commissioner and Pacific Beach resident, said she is probably going to run. City Hall insiders say she has been running since before Zucchet's trial even started, but she maintains that the decision is still under consideration. Chase is a volunteer for the Frye campaign, a transit advocate and the political chair for the local Sierra Club chapter.

Cynthia Conger - Moderate chair of the Peninsula Community Planning Board, said she is considering running, but may not want to put up with the "big politics" that are required for the race. A realtor in Ocean Beach, Conger is a critic of redevelopment at NTC.

Lorena Gonzalez – Liberal Democrat. Lorena, an attorney, is active in local environmental groups and is Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante's alternate to the state Lands Commission after serving as director in his Southern California office. Gonzalez and her brother successfully sued to have the wording of last November's strong-mayor ballot initiative made more impartial. She is a volunteer for surf shop owner Donna Frye's mayoral campaign and resides in Crown Point.
Bruce Henderson – Nutcase! former Pacific Beach councilman, said he is considering running but that it will be difficult for him to win because he believes the Spanos and Moores families, owners of the San Diego Chargers and Padres, respectively, will spend parts of their fortunes to defeat the avid critic of subsidies to both teams. Henderson's criticism of the Charger ticket guarantee and the public financing of Petco Park extended into courtroom battles, but his name identification in a crowded field may prove helpful just as it did for the new City Attorney Mike Agurie.
Don Mullen – Democrat. Zucchet's policy chief, now that the boss is going to jail he is also mulling a run. Mullen ran a surf shop in Pacific Beach before joining the District 2 staff, and was formerly the executive chair of the College Area Economic Development Corp.
Wayne Raffesberger like Faulconer, ran for the District 2 seat in 2002. Although he failed to reach the runoff, Raffesberger was later appointed to the city's powerful downtown redevelopment arm, the Center City Development Corp. The land-use attorney has resided in Point Loma for two decades and has in the past chaired the area's town council and served on the Peninsula Community Planning Board. Raffesberger was also one of 26 members of the NTC Base Reuse Committee.

District 8

Luis Acle,- Republican. Is the newly elected president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, has been preoccupied the past few weeks with the installation of a new superintendent, but he recently public stated he will run. Rumor has it he still needs to pay off about 40K in outstanding campaign debt. If Republicans smart they will help him pay it off and fund his campaign.
Richard Barrera – Union Democrat, the San Diego-Imperial Counties regional director for the United Domestic Workers of America, said he will run only if he can convince himself that he can help District 8 residents on the same level he feels he does now. When Inzunza's seat became available in 2000, he led a voter information effort that resulted in the district's highest ever turnout for a council-only election.
Richard Babcock - Republican, a pollster whose Datamar surveys were featured prominently in the recent mayoral primary, is one of the few Republicans running. The Golden Hill resident has been involved locally in the Southeastern Development Corp. and Casa Familiar. He said his decision hinges on his family's interests in enduring the scrutiny of a campaign. Babcock is the chair of the San Diego chapter of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. Babcock has garnered the support of some real shady Hispanic Republican radio station owners in San Diego to bank roll his campaign. From what I have learned some of these guys have more FBI attention on them than terrorist cells.
Dan Coffey - Democrat, a private attorney, said he will pull candidacy papers but that he will hold off until the field of opponents shapes up. Coffey, recently resigned from the Park and Recreation Board in protest of the treatment of volunteers, such as the pension trustees, by City Attorney Mike Aguirre. Coffey and his wife, Pepper, were both ardent opponents of the Brown Field airport proposals, and Coffey claims that defeating the proposal saved the city $500 million. Frankly, this is the only thing he has going for him. A white guy is just not going to take this district without something special. Pepper Coffey was also rumored to be running, but she denied any intentions Monday.
Raoul Lowery Contreras - Carpetbagger, an author and syndicated columnist. Don’t think he will run, said he wouldn’t if said Acle or Babcock runs. Contreras currently lives in Del Mar Heights, but said he will move back to Logan Heights, where he has resided before, to qualify for holding office. Contreras currently operates a tour group, but has continued to pen a column that has at times been carried nationally. His commentaries run in the North County Times every two weeks and regularly at Calnews.com. Contreras also sat on the Proposition C steering committee, the panel charged with garnering support for Petco Park.
There ya go!

Nobody's Bitch

So, here goes nothing.

"I'm mad as hell," the late Howard Jarvis used to campaign the state saying. "And I'm not going to take it anymore!"

In that spirit, I am certain that I'm not alone in being sick and tired of reading blogs that are really little more than online press releases for one consulting firm, another or another (with their corresponding blogs here, here, and here).

It's time for some insight into campaigns, by those who've run them, without the inherent conflict-of-interest of spining for your own clients. So, I'll start it off by pledging to refrain from "spinning" any facts, stories, or allegations that may arise in any race where I've taken a paycheck.

With that out of the way, let's get this thing underway. Others will be joining soon, but in the meantime do me a favor and bookmark this page and check back often for indepth coverage of California campaigns from those who know them best and who remain nobody's bitch!


Update: Upon further reflection, I don't mind the blogs by Rexroad or Gilliard as much, as they at least have the cojones to own up to their own conflicts of interest of posting about their own clients.