I have heard a lot from people I have talked to about the June primary that it really doesn’t matter who wins and goes on to challenge Schwarzenegger in the fall.

I have tried to smile and be polite to these people. Up until now. It’s time to take sides. Seriously.

Nevermind what we’ve already gleaned about Steve Westly from his ads and just from a good solid google search. Please stop telling me “he’s fine,” or “I can’t tell the difference between him and Angelides.”

I will tell you the difference right now.

When Phil Angelides says something, he actually believes it. I heard that Steve recently told a group at the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce that he’s pretty much a Republican but is running as a Democrat because that’s the only way to get elected in California. This guy will tell a group of lefty activists that he’s as left as the day is long. He’ll tell anyone anything to get elected.

Phil Angelides will not. If he were even invited to the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce, he would spend his time explaining why his values tell him that in the wealthiest state in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, 1 in 3 people should not be living in poverty.

That is what makes Phil stand out as the true progressive. That is what makes him worthy of our support now, in the primary, when he needs it the most. I am so tired of people wimping out on this fight. Can you imagine what it would be like to have a truly progressive Governor of California? Someone who actually thinks for himself and knows how to govern? The people of this state are so ready to be bold, out on the front of the policy debates on economics and taxes and health care and education. We just haven’t had a Governor who was willing to lead for DECADES.

Now is our opportunity. It’s Phil Angelides. And it’s time to get serious.