In case you missed it, in bad news for hair products
everywhere, Gavin Newsom dropped out of the governor's race Friday afternoon.
Capitol Weekly reports, "San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom dropped out of the
race for governor Friday, following a weak showing
in public opinion polls and uncertainties about fund-raising.
"It is with great regret I announce today that I am
withdrawing from
the race for governor of California," Newsom said in a release Friday.
"With a young family and
responsibilities at city hall, I have found it impossible
to commit the
time required to complete this effort the way it needs
to — and should
be — done,"
"This is not an easy decision. But it is one made with
the best
intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents
of the city and
county of San Francisco, and California Democrats."
"Newsom's departure leaves state Attorney General Jerry Brown
- who has not yet officially declared his candidacy
-- alone as the major contender in the 2010 Democratic primary."
Is anyone else thinking what we're thinking? Gary Coleman comeback window?
No, no, it just means that Gavin Newsom's chances at becoming governor are now roughly the
same as the chances of a water deal passing the Legislature
this week. Give or take. Sen. Darrell Steinberg told Capitol Weekly he is hoping to have a vote both on a water policy
bill and a water bond proposal in his house this week.
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has indicated similar intentions.
Kevin Yamamura contemplates the lieutenant governor appointment possibilities.
"If Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi wins a special congressional election Tuesday in the
Democrat-leaning 10th Congressional
District, Schwarzenegger has the power to appoint Garamendi's
replacement. The Republican governor has not tipped
his
hand. He has the option of choosing a caretaker who
will serve out
Garamendi's last year. Or he could use the appointment to reward
a
Republican legislator for working on his behalf in
recent years.
"Everything
the governor does should send a message," said Steve Merksamer, chief
of staff to former Republican Gov. George Deukmejian. "The message that
should be sent here is, 'If you stood with me in the past, I'm standing
here for you today.' He should choose someone who reflects his policies
and priorities and has a demonstrable record of doing
that."
And who might that be?
"Political
consultants have thrown out several names as possibilities.
Chief among
them has been state Sen. Abel Maldo
nado, a moderate Republican from
Santa Maria who provided a crucial budget vote in February
and who
often advocates on the governor's behalf.
"Another possibility is
Assemblyman Mike Villines of Clovis, who was replaced as Assembly
Republican leader this spring after striking a tax-hike budget
compromise with Schwarzenegger and Democrats. For the
same reason, some
have mentioned ousted Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto
as a possible pick."
Joe Garofoli endulges Republican fantasies of there being no vacancy at all, and knocking off Garamendi in a stunner tomorrow.
"Garamendi's GOP opponent in the 10th District race, David Harmer, is
not only running hard but getting resources from national
and state
party officials. Even if Harmer loses, party officials
say the turnout
results may be a barometer of voter feelings toward
the Obama
administration and the Democratic Party's control of Congress.
"We still think we can pull this out" Tuesday, said Tom Del Beccaro,
vice chair of the California Republican Party and a
Walnut Creek
resident.
"But if Harmer does anything within five points, that's a major
statement," Del Beccaro said. "This is (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi's
backyard. And it will say there is a clear feeling
that Garamendi would
be everything that people don't want."
Ah, the old "it's a good loss" line...
"If the Florez and Parra families didn't hate each other so much, next
year's legislative elections in the San Joaquin Valley would
be boring.
But now the chief instigators in the feud, state Sen.
Dean Florez and
former Assembly Member
Nicole Parra, are dragging their parents into
the ruckus.
"Florez's mother will be challenged by Parra's father
for the Democratic nomination in 30th Assembly District, which was
Parra's old seat. The dream matchup between Dean Florez and Nicole
Parra never materialized in an actual election so they
are throwing
their mommy and daddy into the political fire.
"The mature thing
would be to tell the Florez and Parra families to grow
up, and settle
their dispute so we all don't have to watch the train wreck. I've been
in that camp until recently. But that's not going to happen so we might
as well accept the Jerry Springer Show quality of the
Florez/Parra
relationship."
You bring the bouncers, I'll bring the throwing chairs...
Alana Samuels looks at how pot growing has revitalized the economy of one
California town.
"Education has long been preached as a way to keep kids
away from drugs.
It's the walk to school that has Hayfork Supt. Tom Barnett worried.
"This hardscrabble Northern California town has become
a hotbed for
medical marijuana farming. Kids stroll much of the
year past pungent
plants flourishing in gardens and alleys. The red-and-black clad
Timberjacks football team moved its halftime huddle
on a recent Friday
night to avoid the odor of marijuana smoke wafting
over the gridiron
from nearby houses. Some students talk openly of farming pot after
graduation, about the only opportunity in this depressed
timber town.
"It's not a subculture here," said Barnett, who heads the Mountain
Valley Unified School District. "Marijuana is drying in their houses.
It's falling out of their pockets."
And finally, it's one thing to
bring an alligator to school for show and tell . It's quite another when the aforementioned alligator makes
a jail break. AP reports, "Officials believe they have found an alligator that
escaped from a
wildlife officer who brought the animal to his daughter's school for
show and tell.
"Stan Kirkland, a spokesman for
the Florida wildlife commission, says officials think
the 5-foot
alligator is in a Panhandle pond. Authorities weren't able to capture
the gator Friday.
"Searchers scoured a wooded area surrounding the school
Friday afternoon after the alligator jumped out of
the man's vehicle with its mouth taped shut.
Kirkland says alligators have "amazing" jumping ability and that allowed it to escape."
How about that, boys and girls?
