"California's most prominent public employee unions
signaled a shift in their campaign resources Thursday, leading Republicans to chortle that the unions are bailing out on the state Democratic Party's ticket topper, gubernatorial candidate
Phil Angelides," writes Andy Furillo in the Bee.
"One of the unions that endorsed Angelides, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association,
released $1.3 million of the $5 million in airtime it had reserved for the final two weeks of the campaign leading up to the Nov. 7 election."
"A spokesman for eight others said Thursday they formed an independent committee to back Democratic lieutenant governor candidate
John Garamendi."
"'We have not given up on Angelides,' [CCPOA VP
Chuck] Alexander said. '
We believe our money could be better spent and more effectively in other venues.'"
"Eight other prominent California public employee unions, meanwhile, are creating an independent expenditure committee that will begin airing TV ads next week on behalf of Garamendi, the Democratic insurance commissioner, in the lieutenant governor's race against Republican state Sen.
Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks."
"The unions have committed to spending $750,000 to $1 million in the race, according to
Steve Smith, the political consultant for the labor group. The ad buy comes at a time when Garamendi has seen his lead over McClintock dwindle to two percentage points in the most recent Field Poll."
"'
We don't want [McClintock] to be a viable candidate for governor,' Smith said."
"It's no secret that state Sen.
Tom McClintock and California Insurance Commissioner
John Garamendi believe their rightful title should be governor," reports Paul Pringle in the Times.
"But they would be content to have it cluttered with 'lieutenant' for at least the next four years."
"'It puts Tom in training if he's going to be governor in 2010,' said
Shawn Steel, former Republican Party state chairman."
"'There's no doubt John wants to be the governor,' said Democratic strategist
Darry Sragow."
The Bee's Kevin Yamamura looks at the
change in strategy of the governor through his first term in office. "'Sacramento really hasn't changed,' said
Jaime Regalado, executive director of the Edmund G. 'Pat' Brown Institute. 'So has it changed him? I think it's caused a more realistic approach in the governor's office in dealing with the powers that be.'"
"Rather than use harsh rhetoric, the Republican governor now praises compromise and thanks the Democrat-controlled Legislature for sending him productive bills in an election year. Rather than threaten lawmakers with initiatives backed by a multimillion-dollar media blitz, as he did unsuccessfully in the 2005 special election, Schwarzenegger says he sees more value in solving problems in Sacramento."
"The governor has tested so many different political methods that it's difficult to say how Schwarzenegger will lead the next four years if re-elected Nov. 7. But Californians clearly prefer the current version, giving him double-digit leads in polls that show him poised to win re-election to a full four-year term."
The Chron's Chuck Nevius says
the key to the governor's recovery has been two simple words -- "I'm sorry."
"Schwarzenegger said his proposed pension overhaul for state workers earlier this year was 'absolutely wrong.' It was 'wrong,' he said, 'not to give enough time and effort to working with the Legislature.' He even admitted that his in-your-face tactics when he became governor nearly three years ago were an error.
'
Starting out that State of the State speech in that aggressive tone was obviously the wrong way to go,' he said.
Political consultants on both sides of the aisle have been somewhat amazed.
'That's something that is almost anathema to come out of most politicians' mouths,' says Democratic consultant Chris Lehane, who worked on the Bill Clinton and Al Gore presidential campaigns. 'But I think some candidates are working off an old playbook -- never admit a mistake.'"
And,
snuggling up to the Speaker helps, says the U-T's Bill Ainsworth. "Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez is a key figure in a major gubernatorial campaign. But it might be hard to tell which one.
Núñez, co-chairman of Democrat Phil Angelides' struggling campaign, has been spending far more time at public events heaping praise on Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger than with the candidate he has endorsed."
Dan Walters writes that California is poised to buck the national trend toward Democrats this year. "Republican Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger holds double-digit leads over Democratic challenger
Phil Angelides in all major polls and the only question may be how large his re-election margin will be on Nov. 7. The most startling aspect of this year's political campaign, however, is that Republican candidates are doing unexpectedly well in the down-ballot statewide contests and have a fair chance of picking up two or three offices."
"Democratic politicians and the unions and other interest groups that supply their campaign money are clearly worried that Angelides' very poor standing -- he's even struggling to attract a solid majority of Democratic voters -- will depress voter turnout and help the GOP win marginal statewide races."
"
Bruce McPherson, the appointed Republican secretary of state, and
Steve Poizner, the Silicon Valley billionaire running for insurance commissioner, are well-positioned to rack up Republican wins, and the latest polls have Republican state Sen.
Tom McClintock running neck-and-neck with Democratic Insurance Commissioner
John Garamendi for lieutenant governor."
Steve Geissinger looks at
what else is on the ballot. "Besides high-profile public works bonds, voters will decide whether to hike tobacco, oil and parcel taxes by billions."
"They'll also weigh emotional issues on sex predators, abortion, campaign finance and an Oakland-sparked land rights clash."
"All told, there are 13 propositions on the ballot, many of which are the focus of complex, confusing multimillion-dollar battles being waged in a crossfire of negative TV ads."
"Polls show voters all over the board on the measures and not overly interested about dealing with any, amid apparent erosion of enthusiasm in general for propositions in once initiative-crazy California."
"'
Overall, Californians seemingly rock-solid faith in the citizens' initiative may be waning,' said
Mark Baldassare, director of the San Francisco-based Public Policy Institute of California. '
Residents' preference that the initiative process have more influence than the Legislature and governor over public policy has dropped.'"
"The odd alliance opposing the Clean Money Initiative, Proposition 89,
illustrates what proponents say is the problem in state politics: Big-money interests are so vested in the system that even the most extreme opposites -- like the state teachers' union and the state's biggest business advocate -- will join forces to keep the status quo intact," reports Steven Harmon in the Merc News.
"Proposition 89 would place limits on contributions to state legislative candidates, independent expenditure committees and political parties. It would also restrict donations to ballot initiatives, though political action committees could still give unlimited amounts."
"'We know the public is completely fed up with corruption in the political system,' said
Chuck Idelson, spokesman for the California Nurses Association, the main sponsor of the measure. 'We need to make sure this is the way for voters to express their discontent and effect meaningful change so their voice will have resonance.'"
"But the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the California Chamber of Commerce -- who form that odd alliance -- say the ballot measure will unfairly silence the voices of corporations and unions while giving carte blanche access to the airwaves to wealthy individuals."
"The Los Angeles Board of Education
unanimously selected retired Navy Vice Adm.
David L. Brewer III to be the next superintendent Thursday amid a battle for control of the school system between the board and Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa."
"Brewer, 60, who left the Navy in March, is a non-educator who, school board members say, impressed them with his intelligence, accomplishments and leadership skills. He recently headed the Military Sealift Command, where he oversaw the supply chain for equipment, fuel and ammunition for U.S. forces worldwide. He was in charge of more than 8,000 military and civilian personnel and about 120 ships."
In that job, however, the ships weren't all sinking.
"'I am deeply disappointed that the school board would move ahead with selecting a superintendent without the participation of the council of mayors, parents and the Los Angeles community,' Villaraigosa told The Times. '
I'm hopeful that I will have the opportunity to meet with Mr. Brewer and discuss his qualifications and philosophy about education reform. I'm looking forward to working with him, parents and teachers to improve our schools.'"
"California State Senator
Kevin Murray will join the William Morris Agency (WMA), the world’s largest and most diversified talent agency, as a Senior Vice President, it was announced today by WMA’s Chief Executive Officer,
Jim Wiatt."
"Murray, who will join WMA January 1, 2007, will work primarily in the company’s corporate consulting division, William Morris Consulting (WMC). The Senator, who has served 12 years in the California Legislature, is leaving his post in November because of terms limits."
