• Prop 2, the factory farm measure, was the subject of a favorable op-ed by Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times. Prop 2 would likely end the use of cages for hens in egg production. In very quick terms, it would require that the animal (e.g. chickens, pigs, and baby cows) could stand up and turn around in its cage.

• The lobbyists are gearing up to fight AB 583, Asm. Hancock’s (D-Berkeley) bill to make the 2014(?) Secretary of State race a publicly-funded clean campaign. AB 583 was originally intended to fund the 2010 governor’s race and some legislative races, but it was amended down.  Either way, lobbyists just aren’t thrilled about the increase of their fee from $25 to $700.

• A good story about Jackie Speier’s first few months in Congress.

• The SF Chronicle reads far, far too much into the VP selections of both candidates. Once again, I strongly disagree with former Lieberman for President strategist Garry South. The VP pick is a public executive decision and gives an indicator of who the candidate is, but a good pick can’t save a campaign. And a bad pick won’t kill it either. I refer you to Lloyd Bentsen v. Dan Quayle.

What’s on your mind?