Last night, I saw the old master, Willie Brown in his element. He was smooth, confident and in command and had the audience eating out of his hand. Tonight was Gavin Newsom and the contrast could not have been sharper if it was night and day. Newsom sat down as though he was in a bad mood and ready to argue with the host, and that’s what he did. Whereas Brown handled tough questions with a charming evasiveness, Newsom sat there red-face and behaved like a child try to stumble his way out of the corners he found himself in. It was almost like the difference between Bill Clinton and George W Bush.  I don’t even want to bother going over what he said because he was so pissy all night long. When you look at the two, it looks like we have a boy trying to do a man’s job.

(I actually moved to CA to help get him re-elected as Mayor and if nothing else he is always a hoot – promoted by blogswarm)

This evening was my first at the Commonwealth Club of California and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown was the guest of honor. I wasn’t here for his tenure in City Hall so I can’t say what kind of a mayor he was. However, he sure is a schmoozer, and a wise political hand. Anyway, he shared his take on local, state and national politics.

1. This is the best field of Democrats in a long time.

2. He predicted that barring a major mistake, Democrats will win the White House, maintain a solid hold on the House and keep the Senate. He even went so far to say that Hillary can be elected (he personally supports Bill Richardson).

3. No matter what happens with this election, Barack Obama has a fantastic future ahead of him, though his inexperience is beginning to show.

4. Giuliani is dead in the water.

5. Democrats should stand out of the way and allow Bush to hang himself with Iraq.

6. Arnold’s dark side is showing itself again with his proposed state budget and explained why he did not support Phil Angelides in 2006.

7. Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris will be handily re-elected, but does not rule out a run by Art Agnos.

8. Regarding the 49ers, he said in so many words that Newsom fucked it up badly, but that Santa Clara will eventually decline to fund their share of the costs.

9. Aaron Peskin is the most effective Supervisor.

Overall, it was an informative night. Tomorrow, I will be at the Fairmont to see the Newsom interview.

(Cross-posted on Daily Kos)

The Golden Gate Retaurant Association is organizing a one-day strike of San Francisco establishments, and they may be right.

We all support health care and living wages for American workers, but we as progressives still have to ask ourselves how where we draw the line in terms of regulations on local businesses. For example, you own a small restaurant in San Francisco and employ about a dozen employees. Unlike the stereotypical corporate chain establishment or the bistros owned by the likes of Gavin Newsom, you’re not getting rich, but you are making a living for yourself and your family, paying taxes and providing jobs albeit low-wage jobs) for your employees. Now, imagine getting hit by a triple-whammy of an increased minimum wage mandatory sick leave and health coverage, all at one time? What do restaurants do? Do they raise prices; thereby further squeezing what’s left of the middle class in San Francisco and possibly lose a loyal customer base? Cut service Lay people off? 

Before you start calling me a DINO, I would admonish all of you to realize that even we progressives much realize that regulations have consequences. And a consequence in San Francisco could be the loss of many “mom and pop” establishments who not only provide great service but also tend to be a lot more family friendly for the few of us who have kids (we have to pick and choose for restaurants that would not like to kick us out the moment they see our son). Ultimately, the answer is a national health system that allows business to flourish without having to decide whether they can afford to cover their employees. In the meantime, let’s not choke them to death.

( – promoted by Brian Leubitz)

Barack Obama is coming back to the Bay Area, and this time it’s on behalf of himself as he seeks votes in the City of Oakland. According to an email just sent to me:

Senator Barack Obama will be in Oakland next Saturday, March 17 for his very first presidential campaign rally in the Bay Area. It’s a rally we hope will build on the tremendous grassroots strength we’ve seen during the course of this young campaign. Senator Obama was met by thousands of supporters from Los Angeles to New Hampshire and we’re expecting similar results in Oakland. That is why we need your help as a volunteer to organize this historic event.

When: Saturday March 17 — Gates open at 3:00 PM

Where: Oakland City Hall Plaza, One Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, California

How: The event is free and open to the public.  Please RSVP below to obtain your ticket.

Please join us at one of two organizational meetings for the Oakland Rally.

Oakland Obama Organizational Meeting
Sunday, March 11 – 12:30 PM

Oakland Marriott Hotel
Calvin Simmons Room
1001 Broadway
Oakland, CA
Cross street: 10th and 11th Street
Note: 11th/12th Street Bart Station is closest

http://my.barackobam…

San Francisco Obama Organizational Meeting
Sunday, March 11 – 4:00 PM

Delancey Street Foundation
Town Hall
600 Embarcadero Street
San Francisco, CA
Cross street: Brannon

http://my.barackobam…

In announcing his candidacy, Senator Obama said this campaign can’t only be about him. He said, “It must be about us – it must be about what we can do together.” That is why we’re asking you to take this campaign into your own hands and help make the upcoming Oakland rally a memorable one.

Hope to see you there!

Obama for America

This is what moving the California Primary to Feb. 5 is all about!

(Cross-posted on daily kos)

It looks like 2007 may be an intereting election year in San Francisco after all. The Fog City Journal is reporting that former Supervisor Matt Gonzales is considering a rematch with a weakened Gavin Newsom and is shopping around for a campaign manager.

Although former Board President Matt Gonzalez has not officially declared his candidacy for mayor, he has been working behind the scenes to secure a campaign manager.

Fog City has confirmed today political campaign strategist, Nicole Derse, has been in discussions with Gonzalez over her availbility to be his campaign manager.

Reached by phone, Derse told Fog City she has discussed the position of campaign manager with Gonzalez but stressed: any offer is contingent on Gonzalez’ decision to run, and her availability.

This may partially explain why Newsom demoted his press secretary and brought John Kerry’s guy into 200 City Hall. I was not around for the last tussle between the two, but from all accounts it was a knock-down-drag-out fight. Personally, I do not know enough about him to form an opinion. I’m wary of Greens, but considering the drift of the current administration, I’m willing to listen to him. I would be most receptive to a candidate who can get a handle on some of the tougher issues that Newsom has not coped well with, namely a police department with serious morale problems. However, this should be interesting.