Posted on 11/08/2009 9:01:05 AM PST by SmithL
What a week it's been in California politics, with insiders and oddsmakers having a field day.
But beware. Things may not be as they seem.
First up, you'd better keep Dianne Feinstein's name on the list of possible candidates for governor. I've known Dianne for years, and the role of chief executive is a much better fit for her than being one of 100 senators.
I can also tell you from the meetings I have had with her that she is very serious about California's budget troubles, water troubles and other troubles. She is also serious when she says that she just might run if the other candidates come up short on plans to fix the mess we're in.
In short, it is no accident that she is constantly putting her toe in the water.
Second, for all the hype, don't be so sure former eBay CEO Meg Whitman will make it through the Republican primary. Her failure to vote, her past support for Democrats such as Barbara Boxer, and her inability to answer questions about her time at eBay are not going away.
Plus, Whitman should never have said she intended to spend $150 million on the race. How is that for fiscal responsibility?
On the other hand, former Rep. Tom Campbell and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner are both quality candidates. They're going to be responsible for forcing Whitman to go to Hawaii. And as she sinks, Poizner in particular is going to rise.
Steve has an attractive personal story, from his days as a schoolteacher to his success as a high-tech multimillionaire. And, of course, he has the money.
Campbell is the brightest of the group. He's brighter than Jerry Brown. But Campbell's problem is that you can't win an election in California traveling by Greyhound.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Feinstein is the same bitch who cast the votes against a budget balance amendment some years ago and is a rabid abortion supporter.
Who wrote this crap ? Cambell is smarter that Jerry Brown ?
Most people own dogs smarter than Jerry Brown.
Feinstein would be nearly unbeatable though, that much is true. But why give up a “senate seat for life” for a two term governor’s job where getting the legislature to pass something is worse than herding cats ?
she ought to be in prison for giving huge non-bid government contract awards to her husband’s company.....
Brown is one of California’s more astute political observers. We ignore what he says at our peril.
Willie Brown is why we voted in term limits.
Willie Brown always pushes his own agenda so you have to read between the lines:
Dianne Feinstein plays politics in a way that Willie can understand, she amply rewards her friends. He considers himself a friend, so he is urging her to keep her name in the mix and making sure that party bigwigs refrain from throwing too much support to other candidates.
He fears Whitman and underscores the tactics he thinks will be most effective in undermining her candidacy.
Willie thinks they can wipe the floor with Poizner so he’s pushing him as the best of the bunch.
He is all but laughing and pointing at Tom Campbell so he obviously thinks Campbell would run a more effective campaign than Poizner and is trying to stop his train before it leaves the station.
As for Fiorina in the Senate race, he calls her an interesting person and implies that she won’t back her campaign with her own money. Again, he’s trying to cast doubt on her and stem the flow of money in her direction; he fears that she can run an effective campaign.
Dianne Feinstien and her husband need to be held accountable; not rewarded. They are disloyal to America.
Also of interest his his damn-with-faint-praise of Jerry Brown, until recently viewed as unassailable in his quest for the nomination. Feinstein could pose an effective challenge to that, and Brown’s wiretapping scandal had a lot more loft than anyone would have thought. Among Willie’s messages is: Jerry’s vulnerable.
I’d be rooting for them to wipe the floor with Poizner.
Feinstein and husband will be to busy to accept the nomination for Gov. as they will be explaining why they have been doing illegal business with the Chinese all these years.
The commute gets tiring.
I read his column frequently..he’s a democrat but one of the few honest one’s around...His writings also have a sense of humor from time to time...I was surprised when he said nice things about Palin...You really don’t have to agree with someone to find them interesting. He’s not a jackass like most democrats..
Yeah. What you said.
Willie’s been on my list of People I’d Like To Have A Beer With for many years for the reasons you cite.
You and Willie can have a beer, but I prefer Tequila.
We will have a grand time.
He is a good man.
But CA people think she “takes care” of them. They must know something we don’t.
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