The ghost of Jerry Brown's gubernatorial candidacy is looming large, Steve Harmon reports. And some Republican donors are lining up to donate.
"For a "lazy" candidate -- as a leading Republican called Jerry Brown -- the expected Democratic nominee for governor was a pretty active fundraiser in the final days of 2009. And he appears to be dipping into the Republican donor base while he's at it.
"Brown dropped another $560,000 into his
campaign treasure chest in the last two days of 2009, pushing his total
tally past $12 million for the year, according to campaign finance
statements -- with most of that untouched in his deliberate walk
up to
the primary season. "Among Brown's recent donors were a pair of
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's VIP contributors: Los Angeles billionaire
developer Rick Caruso and William Robinson, the reclusive
billionaire
founder of DHL, the global courier company." While Karen Bass may be trying to soften the rhetoric
against Washington, a majority of her caucus is backing a measure that sounds a lot like the governor's
recent criticisms. Capitol Weekly reports, "A
non-binding resolution authored by
Assemblyman Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) , and co-authored by 33 other
Assembly Democrats, passed out of an Assembly committee
Monday, and
makes many of the same points the governor has made
over the last week. "The original resolution stated "the
(Obama) administration and Congress have largely turned a
blind eye to
the financial meltdown of its biggest revenue contributor,
California."
That language was removed by the committee Monday." As expcted, Kevin DeLeon announced his bid for state Senate Thursday. "Assemblyman Kevin DeLeon announced Thursday he would
seek the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Gil Cedillo,
D-Los Angeles. "It has been and continues to be an honor to serve
the communities of our region as a member of the Assembly,” De León said, “Today, I am announcing my strong desire to continue
that work by running for the California State Senate.
Now more than ever we need legislators who are dedicated
to protecting vital public services, education, and
public safety. These are extraordinarily difficult
times and I will work tirelessly for the constituents
of the 22nd Senate District.” "Cedillo is expected to announce his candidacy for
DeLeon's
Assembly seat some time later this month, avoiding
a challenge to Assembly Speaker-elect John Perez, D-Los Angeles."
"The
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee did soften the
tone of the
resolution somewhat during through some amendments
Monday. But the jist
of the resolution is clear -- Washington is part of California's budget
problem.
As Tom Campbell made his switch to U.S. Senate official, Joe Garofoli contemplates the Campbell effect.
"His entry into the race may force Fiorina to stop ignoring DeVore, analysts said, and pitch herself as the best candidate to challenge three-term Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who has no Democratic opposition.
"Is there enough oxygen in the room for two Silicon Valley Republicans?" asked Tony Quinn of the nonpartisan California Target Book and a former GOP strategist. "I look for Fiorina to come out as the Tea Party-type of candidate - the outsider who is running against the career politicians."
Oxygen? We thought political candidates breathed argon
and ego-tonium... Anthony York and John Myers wrap up the week's twists and turns in this week's
podcast.
And from our fiscal conservatism files, sure many of you may be "enjoying" your furlough Friday, but the Legislature is hanging around. Both houses have check-in sessions today, so members can receive their daily per diem through the three-day MLK holiday.
And finally, Antonio VIllaraigosa's public and private life can, at times, resemble a soap opera. Perahps that explains his qualifications for his latest moonlighting gig.
"ABC said this afternoon that Villaraigosa and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti each plan to stop by the show at its new production studio in Atwater Village.
"First up -- he's the mayor, after all -- will be Villaraigosa, who will shoot an episode Tuesday to celebrate the show's relocation to Los Angeles after 40 years of shooting in New York.
He'll play himself crossing paths with Erica Kane, played by the legendary Susan Lucci, at a local hot spot called Confusion in the fictional city of Pine Valley. Kane will chitchat with Villaraigosa about meeting the year before at a charity event in Los Angeles.
"But first, the show's writers must come up with a reason why the mayor of Los Angeles is hanging out in Pine Valley, Pa.
Something in a short skirt should do just fine...