All posts by Brian Leubitz

Uncategorized

Phil Angelides in Russ Feingold’s Progressive Patriot PAC online vote

(Go vote for Phil! – promoted by SFBrianCL)

Phil Angelides is up for an online vote on who should receive a PAC donation of $5,000.  Go vote at the Progressive Patriots Fund:

Senator Russ Feingold’s Progressive Patriots Fund wants your help identifying a candidate for Governor to support in this year’s elections. The candidate chosen by the grassroots as a Progressive Patriot will receive a $5000 contribution from the Progressive Patriots Fund. These candidates were selected by you through the candidate suggestion form, and we hope to do more of these events in the future.

Uncategorized

Prop 73 Officially Back in business

So, the special election proposition that did the best from last year will be back.  Yup, Prop 73 is back with a vengeance. 

The parental notification measure is almost identical to last November’s Proposition 73, which was rejected by voters, 53 percent “no” to 47 percent “yes.” Despite the loss, it did better than any of the seven other measures on the special election ballot.

The measure requires that the parent or guardian of an unmarried and unemancipated woman younger than 18 receive 48 hours notice before an abortion can be performed, but allows a judge to waive the notification if it is in the best interest of the woman.

The only differences between the new initiative and Prop. 73 were made to resolve complaints of opponents, said Albin Rhomberg, a spokesman for Life on the Ballot, which sponsored both initiatives.

The new measure eliminates Prop. 73’s description of abortion as the killing of “a child conceived, but not yet born” and requires that newly required statistical information on the number of notification waivers requested, refused or granted be reported on a county-by-county basis, rather than judge-by-judge, as the original measure called for.

While backers of the initiative hope the changes will bring more support to the parental notification plan, the timing of the new measure also will help, they believe.

“The results of the special election showed a very skewed turnout of the electorate,” with a poor turnout in the state’s more conservative areas, Rhomberg said. “The general election should provide a more representative turnout.” (SF Chronicle 6/21/06)

Will there be increased turnout given the gubenatorial election help or hurt this measure?  I’m leaning towards a minimal effect, but it could be enough to tip the scales.  Prop 73 was a bad idea last November, and it still is. It’s a dangerous and unnecessary program.  But one thing is for sure, the battle over this proposition will be a pricey one.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, California

Arnold to meet with the Log Cabin Republicans

2 Comments

The Governator is attempting to curry favor with the state’s LGBT population by attending the Log Cabin Republicans national fundraiser in Hollywood:

In what may be his first appearance in front of a LGBT audience since he took office in 2003, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to headline a fund-raiser for a national gay Republican group in Hollywood next week.

Many LGBT Californians have not been happy with the governor after he vetoed an historic same-sex marriage bill in September, the first to be approved by both legislative chambers without a court order. But the Log Cabin Republicans are defending Schwarzenegger’s scheduled appearance at their June 29 event.  “There is a better than 50-50 chance this man will be the governor of California for the next four years, and for the gay community to label somebody based on one veto is shortsighted,” Log Cabin President Patrick Guerrero told the Associated Press.
***
“We thought allowing him to address these issues in a friendly setting — as well as giving him a chance to get another look at who gay and lesbian families are — was important both for him and for us,” Guerrero said.
(PlanetOut 6/20/06)

The Log Cabin Republicans long ago stopped speaking for the LGBT community.  And while I can’t understand why LGBT Americans would want to vote for all but a handful of Republicans, they did play a useful role in the 90s.  Bob Dole’s returning their donation to his campaign exposed the fallacy of the GOP “big tent.”  And their support of McCain’s candidacy in the 2000 primary was understandable.  Personally, I wouldn’t vote for the guy, but McCain, at that point, was a good alternative.  The New Republic published an article in 2002 describing LCR’s collapse (TNR’s words, not mine). 

Cheering blatantly anti-gay policies and appointees has become LCR’s modus operandi. When the press reported a White House deal to allow the Salvation Army to discriminate against gays and still compete for anti-poverty funds, LCR put out a press release parroting the administration’s dubious defense. After the Bush administration signaled its opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the executive director of LCR–which spent eight years helping draft the legislation–backed away from their long-held position, saying that since “only 15 percent of Americans” claim they would discriminate against a gay man or lesbian in their employ, ENDA is no longer crucial. And when Bush nominated John Ashcroft, one of the Senate’s most consistently anti-gay members, to be attorney general, LCR supported the appointment.
***
“[Log Cabin is] not effective in lobbying for a whole variety of issues–on ENDA, on AIDS, … on adoption, on the Boy Scouts,” sighs Schmid, who bolted LCR for the HRC. “They just talk. And issue press releases.” In other words, the Log Cabin Republicans are becoming irrelevant. And they deserve to be. (The New Republic 4/18/02)

So, Schwarzenegger is going to speak to a group that has no resources, few members, and exists only so that the GOP can point to some element of a “big tent” before they tell the Right how evil the gays are.  How can LGBT voters vote for the GOP? Are these the same people who enjoy being told that they are terrible human beings are?  Or as Mary Cheney says, she can’t afford to be a single issue voter in these times of terror.  Au contraire, Mary, we don’t have to be single issue voters.  The administration has managed to make the place a far more dangerous place.  And is it even a “single issue”?  It’s your ability to live your life in equality.  It’s your dignity.  Seems to me that’s something worth voting for.

Also, the SF Pride Committee has given Schwarzenegger their Pink Brick Award for “having done significant harm to the interests of LGBT people.”  This is due in large part to his veto of the gay marriage bill.  Schwarzenegger today said that he supports domestic partnerships, which is better than nothing…but not good enough.  Near equality is not enough.  Separate but equal is inherently unequal.  Schwarzenegger can have his party with some self-loathing gays, but the LGBT community, like other California progressives, see through his “moderate” persona.

Uncategorized

CA-50 Postmortem Poll

Chris Bowers of MyDD.com who now runs BlogPAC, is working on a survey in conjunction with the Courage Campaign on why Busby lost the CA-50 race.  It promises to be a useful tool for future elections.  However, they are trying to raise $20,000 to fund the survey.  So, if you feel it’s worthwhile, you might want to consider throwing them a few bucks on their donation page. Also, you might be interested in Chris’ first post  announcing this survey.

Finally, for a laugh, check out Wonkette’s post about Bilbray’s kids.  At least Jenna Bush didn’t post pictures of herself violating the law by consuming alchohol before she turned 21.  Briana Bilbray…not so clever.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, California

Arnold’s Chit-chat Live Blogging

1 Comment

Arnold is doing a live video chat with a Sacramento reporter answering questions submitted by Californians.

10:41: A sex offender question.  A very nice Arnold quote: “We send them an email telling them the sex offenders are coming.”

10:42: Gay marriage: The will of the people bit.  Prop 22 bullshit. “I support domestic partnership.” So, gay people are almost as good as heterosexuals.

10:45: Where do you really stand?
Arnold respond that he’s in the middle.  He never really moved to the right, he just tried to fix stuff.  Uh, sure you did.  He realizes that flashy doesn’t always work.

10:49: Gas Price Relief

Arnold suggested Energy commission to discover why we have price spikes.  Was there any price gouging? We’ll get to the bottom of the whole issue of supply and demand.  Arnold suggests lowering demand.  There is an explosion of demand in other countries. California should look more and more into alternative fuels, less reliant on oil. We can reduce. We are building hydrogen fuel stations along highway.  Do more carpooling, more conservation.  Oooh, OC people are going to go crazy.

10:55: Now we’re launching into a few biography questions…how do you move around the state…what’s your favorite moment…zzzzzz…

10:56: Immigration

Arnold:We have big debates. We must do something, it has been disastrous.  The federal government has failed in securing the borders.  Terror…Terror…Terror! Luckily the president is sending national guard troops.  We must allow our companies to hire foreigners to serve as indentured servants.

Ooh yeah, boy that’s lucky!

10:58: What’s your favorite color?

Arnold: Red! Not about politics, but because I like fire.  I’m on fire.

I had to control my laughing just to type that one.  Arnold is officially on fire people! We don’t need no water let the mother f***er burn, burn, baby burn!

I’m not sure if they’re going to archive it, but the website might have some more info soon.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Budget

Why do those kids always want health care? Schwarzenegger v the GOP

Don Perata says that he will drop the Dem plan to increase health care eligibility, but that’s not enough for the GOP.  Dick Ackerman’s going for the kiddy-jugular:

Democrats are dropping a proposal to extend state health insurance programs to all California children, including undocumented immigrants, a key stumbling block in negotiations over a state budget, Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said Monday.

But Republicans said they still wouldn’t vote for the $131 billion spending plan because it also includes $23 million that GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger put in to shore up existing county health programs covering children who are in the United States illegally.
***
“We did not want the budget to become hung up on that particular point,” said Perata, D-Oakland. “This is about children. They should not be a chess piece in this game.”

The Democrats’ change of heart leaves the governor aligned with them but on the opposite side of the issue from members of his own party.
***
Senate Republican leader Dick Ackerman of Irvine called Perata’s announcement Monday “a step in the right direction, but we also need to deal with the $23 million that the governor put in.” (SacBee 6/20/06)

Before it was all a bit hypothetical, because Schwarzenegger had the “it’s too expensive” line.  Now, the $23 million is his own doing.  He thought it was affordable in his budget rewrite, it is still affordable now.  How important does the governor find the children of this state? The $23 million goes to county health programs which fund increases for all children, not merely immigrants.

Apparently, it’s not that important for Ackerman and the GOP.  We’ll see how important it is for the Governator.  I already submitted a question about it in the Governor’s “Ask Governor Schwarzenegger” webcast.  The webcast begins at 10:30, so get your questions in quickly!

Los Angeles Area

LA School Takeover: Villaraigosa lobbies Sacramento

The SacBee notes that Antonio Villaraigosa is lobbying legislators in support of his schools plan:

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa visited the state capital Monday to try to persuade holdout Democrats and other powerful lobbyists that his bold plan to take control of the Los Angeles Unified School District will work. The plan is in danger of collapsing in the Legislature, where Democrats are deeply divided over its reach and potential impact on teachers.
***
“This is a bill that will fundamentally reform our schools,” Villaraigosa said at a press conference. “We will not allow any individual to deter this. This has to be a collective effort. … Let’s be clear about this: The opposition to this bill was about the general principal. There are those who believe that we shouldn’t have accountability.” Villaraigosa has anchored his mayoralty to his proposed takeover of the 730,000-student system – the second-largest in the nation – which includes schools in Los Angeles and more than two dozen smaller, suburban cities. The plan is modeled on similar takeovers in New York City and Chicago. (SacBee 6/19/06)

You know, there are worse things than city takeover of the school systems, like say the state having to bail out the district.  I’m not pointin’ fingers, but I see Oakland skulking in the back of the room over there.  But, I’m not sure if we should be rushing to alter the fundamentals of school governance before we have a real idea of what a replacement system would be.  Are we going to just toss out the elected officials of the school board and replace them with city officials?

But, these concepts are not fully cooked in my mind yet.  I plan to do a little research on these issues and come back at the issues.  In the meantime, if anybody else has strong opinions about Villaraigosa’s plan, let’s hear ’em.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

SF Chronicle Revelation: The Internet is for more than Porn!

(Forgive my not-too-subtle Avenue Q reference. – promoted by SFBrianCL)

The SF Chronicle has it on good authority that the Internet is, in fact, relevant. 

“Now we can press a button and instantly send a message to 50,000, 100,000 people,” said Bob Mulholland, senior adviser to Phil Angelides, the Democratic state treasurer who is challenging Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in November.

Mulholland said the use of technology is particularly important in this race, which he expects will draw national attention from both parties. Mulholland hopes Angelides can capitalize on the deep dissatisfaction with President Bush, for whom Schwarzenegger campaigned.

“I think this race will create a big buzz on the Internet,” Mulholland said.

While one of the goals of a candidate’s Web site is to attract volunteers and to cement support among the electorate, soliciting contributions online also is a crucial component. Special interest groups, such as those focused on taxes, the environment and immigration, have Web sites and e-mail lists that they hope will influence the outcome of an election. Blogs — short for Web logs, which are journals and newsletters — also are spreading political information.
***
“We’re looking forward to using technology to connect voters not only to the campaign but to each other,” said Julie Soderlund, a spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger’s re-election bid. Soderlund said the Internet is being used to recruit and organize volunteers, solicit donations and provide a one-stop venue to view — and hear — the governor’s campaign platform. The site includes a blog and slideshows. There are plans to include podcasts and special ring tones for cell phones that Schwarzenegger supporters can download.(SF Chronicle 6/19/06)

Oooh! I wanna get me one of those Schwarzenegger ring tones! That’ll be killer, man, I mean we’ll go back to our gated community and rock “I will crush those girly man teachers” on our cellys.  Dude, That will be sweet!

Ok, now that I’m back from Newport Beach, I will give them credit for talking to people on both sides, more than the San Diego U-T did last April on their report on blogging.  Dan Wood’s blog A Progressive Alamedan was featured on the front page of the Chronicle.

All in all, the article doesn’t have any real revelations, but it’s an interesting little read.

Uncategorized

CA-11: Is there a role for the DCCC?

2 Comments

As you may have read in various posts here on Calitics (for example, here and here), Jerry McNerney was not the choice of DCCC and its leader (?) Rahm Emmanuel.  But, in recent days, McNerney has picked up the support of Russ Feingold’s Progressive Patriots PAC and he’s in the DFA’s run off for its grassroots all-star online vote.  But according to Roll Call (Subscription required)

InRoll Call(6/15, Drucker): “Jerry McNerney s (D) victory in California s 11th district primary last week means the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will mostly stay out of the race going forward, though Rep. Richard Pombo [CA-11] still faces the well-funded opposition of the environmental community. McNerney hasn t written off help from the DCCC in the general election even though he handily dispatched Steve Filson, the committee s endorsed candidate, in the June 6 primary. McNerney, a wind turbine manufacturer, is trying to schedule a meeting with DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) for next week when he s in Washington, D.C. But a Democratic strategist close to the DCCC doesn t expect those meetings to lead to the committee getting heavily involved in the campaign. That s not surprising considering the DCCC, believing that the liberal McNerney is unelectable in the GOP district by virtue of his shellacking by Pombo in 2004, took the unusual step of endorsing in a primary even naming Filson to its ‘Red to Blue’ fundraising program. … DCCC leaders originally tried to recruit moderate Democratic state Sen. Michael Machado into the race but were rebuffed, leading them to Filson, an airline pilot and military veteran.” (Roll Call 6/15/06) (Subscription required)

Nope, the DCCC wouldn’t want to support a solid progressive candidate that would dare to actually stand up for what he believes in, and is comfortable talking abou the situation in Iraq.  That’s because Jerry McNerney hasn’t shown the kind of electability that Steve Filson did.  Oh right, Filson has never won any elections.  But that being said, Defenders of Wildlife did a poll showing Pombo trailing both candidates; McNerney’s lead was 46%-42%.  And while that is within the survey’s MoE of 4.9%, isn’t this race a worthwhile investment?

I think this is a winnable election. Given that a large chunk of money that the DCCC raises is from Northern California, perhaps it would be a good idea to invest some of that back in the region.

Los Angeles Area

CA-41: Jerry Lewis in an ever-expanding controversy

Jerry Lewis’ big patron has broken up! The lobbying firm of Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White will be breaking up along party lines:

The lobbying firm whose ties to Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, are under investigation announced Friday it is splitting into two groups.

The three Republican named partners – including Lewis’ friend and former California congressman Bill Lowery – will continue to lead the existing firm, while the two Democratic partners will form a separate partnership.

A statement from Copeland, Lower [sic], Jacquez, Denton & White attributed the decision to “the current media focus on the firm.” (S.D. U-T 6/16/06)

Well, that sound you are hearing must be Jerry Lewis’ heart breaking.  The incestuous relationship between Lewis and former Rep. Bill Lowery has caused some to subtly hint that this could be far worse and far-reaching than the Duke Cunningham case.  Of course, Lewis and Cunningham can’t really be separated.  They are truly two parts of the same illegal scheme.  The Duke-stir just wasn’t soooo clever.  He just took cash and stuff directly.  Lewis has his good friend Lowery pick it up and distribute it out to his entourage.  As Howie Klein describes it:

So how has Lewis been getting his slimy mitts on the dough? It’s not that complicated. His closest crony, a former fellow-corrupt Southern California congressman, Bill Lowery– like Lewis, an extremely hypocritical right wing maniac– is Lewis’ bagman. You want to buy an earmark, you pay Lowery. Then Lowery kicks back to Lewis and his family members. Very simple. Lowery’s Inside-the-Beltway lobbying firm, with a well-known, and well-deserved, reputation for being able deliver whatever its clients need from the Appropriations Committee, is called Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White. (Down with Tyranny 6/18/06)

This district is a highly conservative one, so I’m not expecting any miracles.  What I am expecting is an arrest and conviction of man who is plundering our government for his own personal uses.  For more on Lewis’ situation, keep an eye on Down with Tyranny.