McClintock Ping List.
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Posted on 09/23/2006 9:11:35 AM PDT by calcowgirl
LOS ANGELES - State Sen. Tom McClintock and Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi have much in common.
Both have long careers in public office, McClintock's starting in 1982 and Garamendi's in 1975. They hold high-profile positions, McClintock as a state senator known for railing against wasteful spending and Garamendi as a consumer-oriented state insurance commissioner. Both also have run for governor in the past and may aspire to do so again.
But in their quest to replace Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, who is termed out of office, they could hardly draw a sharper contrast. Garamendi is a longtime Democratic Party loyalist who once served in the administration of former President Bill Clinton, while McClintock is revered among diehard Republicans for his conservative social views and reputation as a fiscal watchdog.
McClintock, of Thousand Oaks, easily beat challenger Tony Farmer, a Fresno real estate agent, in the Republican primary. He received more than 90 percent of the vote.
His platform focuses on reducing taxes and regulations, curtailing illegal immigration and protecting property rights. He acknowledged the office does not have much constitutional power, but it can provide a bully pulpit.
"I can't promise to enact any of those reforms, but I can promise to get them on the table and make them part of the public policy debate," McClintock said.
Garamendi, of Walnut Grove, had a tough fight in the Democratic primary, eventually defeating state Sens. Jackie Speier and Liz Figueroa. Both faced term limits.
Garamendi has been working since then to catch up in fund-raising. Facing minimal primary opposition, McClintock saved more of his money and had just more than $1.5 million in the bank compared to Garamendi's $408,000, according to the most recent campaign finance reports. Garamendi said he expected the next report to show the two candidates even.
Citing his long record of holding public office, Garamendi said he plans to focus on education, expanding alternative and renewable energy programs, and developing an affordable, universal health care system. He pledged to be a "powerful advocate" for working families.
"I grew up in the working world. I understand the value of hard work, deep roots and the importance of family," he said.
Garamendi stands to benefit from the Democrats' statewide voter registration edge and extensive media coverage of his plan to require auto insurers to base their rates on drivers' records rather than their addresses. It's a winning issue among urban voters, who could see their rates reduced under the plan, but has caused concern in rural communities.
He also says he has a record of working with Republicans, pointing to changes in the state's workers' compensation system that he helped implement with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
McClintock said he was not concerned about the voter registration advantage for Democrats, saying he had been successful in the past in drawing non-Republican voters.
"There is a large number of Democratic and independent voters who share my belief that government waste is out of control, that illegal immigration is inundating our ability to provide public services, that our property rights are under unprecedented attack and that we have too long neglected our public works," McClintock said.
An unknown factor in the race is Schwarzenegger, who is seeking re-election against Democrat Phil Angelides.
Schwarzenegger has been working with Democrats after last year's failed special election and has drawn the ire of some conservatives for his views on immigration and some of his spending plans.
McClintock and Schwarzenegger have not campaigned together regularly this year, and it's unclear whether they will make joint appearances as the Nov. 7 election nears.
McClintock was the only high-profile Republican who refused to drop out of the 2003 recall election once Schwarzenegger became the front-runner to replace former Gov. Gray Davis. Garamendi dropped out of the recall after being pressured by Democrats, although he twice ran for governor earlier in his career.
The lieutenant governor's race marks a critical juncture in both candidates' careers.
"From McClintock's point of view, this is a moment to prove he is more than just a 'conscience' candidate and can sell himself to a wider electorate," said Bruce Cain, director of the Institute for Governmental Affairs at the University of California, Berkeley. "For Garamendi, the time is running out. Underneath him are the ... new generation of Democratic leaders."
McClintock Ping List.
Please freepmail me if you want on or off this list
BTTT
Tom got BUSHwacked in the recall election, otherwise he'd be the Guv. right now.
Go TOM go!
:O)
P
A FORMER Californian (native).
Come on Back! We could use your vote! :-)
What does Busty know about insurance?
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Go Tom! Go Prop 90!
We moved to Georgia in '98, never been back. Honestly, I do miss the desert, mountains and the beaches. (mostly the desert) OK, and the variety of food, too. LOL
While my wife is kinda ok with Ga.,it was her choice and she has a great job, I have never felt like it's home. But, then, I hadn't felt at home in Ca. for quite a few years, either. :)
OTOH, I LOVE Texas! and so does my wife. I just checked out a house and property in the sticks south of Houston last week.
Now, to get her to make a new resume....hahaha
:O)
P
What about the important issues? I want to know if Bustamente reached his weight loss goal.
Lately, the politics at ALL levels of our multi-level government(s) has gotten so poisonous and sickeningly disgusting that locally it has even torn long-term friendships assunder.
This is largely due to people, including myself, losing some or all of their senses of humor!!!
It always gets tense around here before the major election each two years.
In Texas, the Freepers could even get Kinky.
Well, there is hope yet! I see that the three exclamation points are back.
When I see a coupla "snorts" here and there, I'll know that all is not lost!
LOL.
Never, ever lose your sense of humor!!!
Good luck with that! LOL.
With flatlands there are no "viewsheds" and only slow moving "watersheds" and HURRYCAINS!!!
If you are native Californian, the humidity must be killing you.
Long ago I drew a line from Rapid City, SD to San Antonio and swore I'd never live East of that line. I used to travel the South a whole lot on business, and lordeee me, do I hate the humidity (I love the South and I love the people, but man those summers...)
Thanks for the ping. Go McClintock!
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