Tag Archives: Carole Migden

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SD-03: Leno/Migden Debate WEDNESDAY

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(It’s happening in a couple of hours, 7PM to be exact. – promoted by Brian Leubitz)

The SF Young Democrats are putting on a pretty neat forum tonight for the two Democratic candidates for Senate District 3.  Each has filled out candidate questionnaires: Here is Assemblyman Mark Leno’s form (PDF) and you can get Senator Carole Migden’s form here (PDF).

I probably should apologize to both of the candidates for the photos. To Sen. Migden, I don’t think I have a photo with you, but I will be sure to post it in these virtual pages once I do.  To Asm. Leno, well, I guess if anybody can pull off the socially conscious fashion statement, you certainly can.  By the by, I’m almost positive Sen. Migden was at that “pink triangle” ceremony as well. I’ll go back to see if I can find any photos of myself with her.

The debate is at 7PM Wed. night in the Milton Marks auditorium of the state building at 455 Golden Gate in the heart of SF.  For more info see SFYD. 

UPDATE: Okay, I found some pictures with Mark and Carole, and they are pretty darn cool/funny. Check out Carole’s world class baton-twirling skills.  I was taking pictures, so I’m not in most of them, but the other Brian was.  Check the flip…

Here’s Brian with both Carole and Mark in 2005:

Carole showing off her mad baton twirling skills:

Brian with Carole and Mark in 2006

The 2005 group shot…I’m on the far left of the shot.

Bay Area

SD-03: Hereditary Titles Not Just for Europe Anymore

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First off, I am going to say straight away that I oppose term limits in general. I think it should be up to the voters when to kick somebody out of office.  But in order for that system to work, the voters must be given a choice. But that’s not what Senator Perata wants:

“I am disappointed by Mark Leno’s challenge of a fellow Democrat with Carole’s experience, accomplishments and skill,” said Perata, who warned that all 25 Senate Democrats “will vigorously defend Sen. Migden. To get her, Mark must come over us.”(SF Chron 3/17/07)

So, apparently, this is how Sen. Perata wants it:
1) Official wins seat when open.
2) Said official is never challenged.
3) Said official is never termed out.
4) Said official only leaves office upon retirement, death, or conviction.

Sorry, that’s not called democracy, certainly not in any meaningful way. So, Perata thinks that we never, NEVER, should challenge a sitting Democrat. Seriously, how else can you read that quote? I mean, I guess you could argue that Perata could say that it’s okay to challenge a senator who is…ummm…not skilled and/or experienced. But can you imagine the occasion that he would find a Democratic senator who lacks experience, accomplishment, and skill? I can’t, nor should he find such an occasion because he is the Party’s leader in the Senate.  Sorry, Senator, but incumbency is not sufficient.  I can’t imagine the world where this position helps the cause of extending term limits.

In other news, the “Kiddie Porn King” attack post put up by Michael Colbruno, former Migden CoS, unsurprisingly, it’s a load of shit. In Thursday’s Capitol Weekly, Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, of all people, came to Mark Leno’s defense. I won’t go into it further, because I’ve already wasted too many pixels on this filth.  If you are interested, feel free to read the whole debunking of this garbage (Left in SF archive).

Over the flip, I repeat my reasons why primaries are important…

Top 5 Reasons Primaries are Important
1) Primaries get the grassroots growing and are great training grounds for new leaders.
2) Primaries are, in many CA districts, the only real election at all.  Voters should get the chance to vote where it means something.
3) Primaries get people to register in a party (yay, more registered Democrats).
4) We get a real debate in places where that is frequently missing. Electeds should be held accountable to their constituents to explain their views.
5) Primaries force electeds to be more responsive to their constituents and to better represent the interests of those constituents.

Bay Area, San Francisco

Do I really have to do this again? More on the value of the primary process

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Sheesh, I feel like I end up ranting over, and over, about the benefits of running primary campaigns.  But, over at Left in SF the talk of potential nastiness has emerged.  And well, nastiness itself has emerged.  This from a Migden ally (and former Migden staffer):

The Senate is a serious legislative body and the thought of Mark Leno standing in those chambers defending child pornographers must be making our California 49er founding families role in their graves. I know one group who will be happy: NAMBLA (in fact, they praised him in one of their newsletters, which you can find online with a simple Google search).

There’s more to the smear, but I felt that was representative enough.  And at the same time you hear people saying that the only way to end the bloodbath is by having Leno leave the race. Really? Leno gets smeared…and it’s his fault he got smeared. Nice logic.

Of course, the other argument, is that there shouldn’t be a primary, because it distracts from…uh…elections. So, I’ve decided to put together a list of my top 5 reasons why primaries are cool.  I have a feeling that I will be re-printing this often.

Top 5 Reasons Primaries are Important
1) Primaries get the grassroots growing and are great training grounds for new leaders.
2) Primaries are, in many CA districts, the only real election at all.  Voters should get the chance to vote where it means something. 
3) Primaries get people to register in a party (yay, more registered Democrats).
4) We get a real debate in places where that is frequently missing. Electeds should be held accountable to their constituents to explain their views.
5) Primaries force electeds to be more responsive to their constituents and to better represent the interests of those constituents.

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SD-03: Picking sides between Leno and Migden already?

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On the SF Bay Guardian’s Blog Tim Redmond asks, “Who will be with Leno at the kickoff?” An interesting question I suppose, but the even more interesting question is why?

At some level, it gets pointless for me to keep yelling, “The primary process is there for a reason!!!”  I mean, I’m sure you will see me say that several times.  But, as Tim pointed out last week:

On the positive side, it’s a clear sign that the days of machine politics in San Francisco are over, dead, done for. Can you imagine Willie Brown letting an actual contested election happen on his watch?

It’s nearly impossible to argue with that statement, and just as difficult for me to be anything but delighted over that.  In the day of open source politics, the political machine is the polar opposite.  A good political machine, by definition, resists people-power in favor of power of a single person, or a small group.  So, with one quick movement, Leno strikes a blow for good government and a vital grassroots.

But, as for who will be there? That really comes down to is personal relationships, which are, and aren’t, a valid reason.  The Gav and Leno have always been mutually supportive, and the same can be said of Migden and Chis Daly. And whatever differences and complaints I have with the Mayor, it cannot be argued that Leno shares those deficiencies.  He is tireless, a legislator of the highest order, and surely enjoys being a legislator.

What our elected leaders should really be asking themselves is (and it’s the same advice I offer to those for any primary challenge): Who will better represent SD-03? Who will be a more effective legislator on the issues that matter? Who will fight for the interests of the district? And of course, who is right on the issues? Look at their records, independent of the constraints of incumbency. Look at the baggage each candidate carries, both positively and negatively.  If need be, take some time. Think about it for a while. There’s no rush.  We still have fifteen months.

And, oh yeah, I’ll be there on Friday at noon (more info). I welcome you to join me in standing up for democracy and against machine politics.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Blog Roundup, Health Care

Blog Roundup for February 26, 2007

OK, Blog Roundup for today is on the flip. No teasers — sorry to those who enjoy them (both of you).

Consider this an open thread, yada yada.

National News

  • Duncan Hunter (R-CA-52) is running for President, apparently on a platform endorsing Screw the Buddhists and kill the Muslims and creationism.
    http://www.theliberaloc.com/2007/02/24/pot-or-kettle-rep-hunter/
    http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/02/24/will-malkin-et-al-denounce-duncan-hunter-too/
  • It’s funny (in a doesn’t-make-you-laugh kind of way) because it’s true:  California is one big ATM for national Dems
    http://couragecampaign.org/entries/atm-watch-the-courage-campaign-2008-presidential-candidate-track/
  • janinsanfran (and Code Pink) were at Sen. HRC’s San Francisco fundraiser on Friday.  Lotsa pictures of the donor class.
    http://happening-here.blogspot.com/2007/02/hillary-breezes-through-in-gusty.html

State Politicians

  • At California Progress Report, Cathy Calfo argues that California Republicans’ ongoing support for the continued occupation of Iraq may eventually harm them politically.  Ah, the Green Lantern theory of geopolitics — if wishes were ponies…
    http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/02/wake-up_call_fo.html
  • American River Canyon at DailyKos went to both of 15% Doolittle’s “listening” sessions over the weekend:  Grass Valley and Auburn.  Doolittle is a wingnut robot.  Seriously.
    http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/2/24/152346/501
    http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/2/25/2141/53754
  • Joe Scott on Schwarzenegger on Politico.com
    http://www.joescott3.com/index.php/js/permalink/arnold_goes_national/
  • Howie Klein has a short piece on the search for a Dem challenger to Gary “Gordon Gecko” Miller (R-CA-42).
    http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2007/02/gary-miller-may-have-real-problems-even.html
    https://calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1948

Health Care

Environment

Everything Else

  • SF Bay immigrant communities are sponsoring a week of events in response to the recent ICE raids and detentions.
    http://edjustice.blogspot.com/2007/02/sf-bay-immigrant-communities-fight-back.html
  • There’s a strike brewing in the running CSU faculty labor dispute.
    http://speakoutca.org/archives/2007/02/cal_state_unive.php
  • The CA Majority Report reports on Y.A.RD.I. (Yet Another Redistricting Initiative).  Whooptie-dooo!  Yeee-aw, nevermind.
    http://camajorityreport.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&ptid=9&aid=1509
  • So, it appears that the Los Angeles business community is hoping for some “judicial activism”, as they prepare to sue to stop the new living wage ordinance.  The important lesson for those on the side of working people:  it’s not about consistency or principle — it’s about money and power.  When the money party talks about “principle”, it’s a weapon, not a value.
    http://workingcalifornians.com/blog/julia_rosen/2007/02/22/living_wage_lawsuit_coming

Locals Only

Calitics

Bay Area, San Francisco

Leno, Migden, and why bother on elections

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(Back up to the front – promoted by Brian Leubitz)

As I discussed last week, Mark Leno will be challenging Carole Migden for SD-03.  You can attend the kickoff for Leno’s campaign this Friday at noon in SF, more information here. I know officials aren’t used to primaries, that somehow it is disloyal to run a primary.  And all that hooey.  As I said in my op-ed in Capitol Weekly, there is nothing to fear but a little democracy. 

But in Saturday’s SF Examiner, Senator Migden seems to think democracy is a quaint, but not too relevant, notion.

Migden, speaking through her spokeswoman, Tracy Fairchild, said she was “proud of my effectiveness in the job my district elected me to do – and terribly sorry that the gentleman doesn’t have his own job.”

Well, Sen. Migden, it is called an election.  And incumbency guarantees nothing.  Does Sen. Migden have a job past Dec 1, 2008? Well, let’s see, her current term expires then, and I don’t see anything about her winning an election already.  In the day of term limits and safe districts, nothing is certain. 

Let’s posit this in another direction.  Say Migden and Leno were of different parties.  Would she be saying anything about being sorry the gentleman has no job?  I think not.  I think Ms. Migden would be gearing up her grassroots campaign organization and working on winning an election.  But, since this is a safe seat, I guess that won’t happen.  In fact, Sen. Migden has never had a hard fought election.  She ran unopposed, or against token opposition, for all of her state offices.  Of course, this is not true of Asm. Leno, who won a fiercely contested election against Harry Britt (who was endorsed by Migden).

So, let’s cut it out on this feeling of entitlement, that the party label is a shield in safe districts.  Just because SD-03 is a safe Dem district, does that mean that we don’t get competitive elections?  And if we want a choice or a serious discussion on the issues, how do we get that if not via the primary process?

So, Sen Migden should be pleased to finally be challenged. If she wins, she emerges battle tested and a stronger challenger for another office. She increases her name ID in the district and makes herself more powerful in the Senate. Of course, if Mr. Leno wins, SD-03 will also get a strong, well-respected voice in the Senate.  And if you care to ask which side am I on? I will always say that I’m for democracy.

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Mark Leno to Challenge Carole Migden

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It’s official.  Word spread yesterday, but I haven’t had a chance to post it on the front page yet.  Assemblyman Mark Leno is working to provide more effective representation for San Francisco and Marin. I will write about this more, but right now, I just want to highlight the kickoff event on March 2 at noon in the Yerba Buena Gardens Esplanade. I posted full details in the event listings earlier today. See the event page for full information.

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CA State Senate Passes Anti-Escalation Resolution

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On a party-line vote of 22-14, the California State Senate passed a resolution authored by Carole Migden opposing the escalation of troops into Iraq.  A lot of progressives pushed for this resolution to go forward, and the Democrats held firm, ensuring that it will move to the State Assembly (it needed 21 votes for passage).

Along the way, we made a bold statement to the nation.  Not just that the Democrats are on the side of the American people on Iraq, but that California’s wingnuts are just as wingnutty as anyone else’s:

Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Temecula, who said his district includes many stationed at Camp Pendleton, argued that California would be doing a disservice to the families of soldiers and Marines coming home in flag-draped coffins while emboldening Al Qaeda and other terrorists organizations to attack on American soil.

Sen. Kuehl parried that twisted logic.

Sen. Sheila Kuehl responded by saying: “Balderdash. If anything is supporting and emboldening our enemies, it is this war. … It’s been outstanding the work we have done to embolden al-Qaeda.” She said “this war was a mistake, and the rest of the world knows it.”

The text of the resolution is available here.

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Migden/Leno Fight to Accelerate?

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As most of you know by know, there is a lot of talk about moving the California Presidential Primary to February 5. What is forgotten in the news is that state and local primaries are typically held in conjunction. For example, when the 2000 presidential primary was held in March, primaries for state and local offices were held the same day (the 2002 state primary was also held in March).
 

In San Francisco, the local political implications are huge. If the primary is moved up to Feb., the filing deadline will likely come and go in 2007. That means Mark Leno will have to decide much sooner whether or not to challenge Carole Migden for the State Senate, with the election for Mayor taking place smack in the middle of the campaign. This should be fun for everyone!