Voters' top issues play little role in ads in governor's race

Sacramento Bee ^ | 5/31/10 | Jack Chang

[SmithL]

In poll after poll, California voters from both major parties have made it clear they see the recession, the state's budget mess and taxes as their top priorities this election year.

On the airwaves, however, the Republican candidates for governor are talking about anything but that trio of issues.

Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner instead are bashing each other over their past support of prominent Democrats and the wisdom of a federal amnesty for illegal immigrants, not a policy the governor controls.

Given the tenor of the televised debate, it's no surprise voters such as Republican Herbert Johnson say they know little about the candidates and are uninspired by the race.

"The two of them are hitting at each other more than anything else," said Johnson, a retired mechanical engineer from Lincoln. "I don't see that it gets us anywhere. And I don't see anyone has a solution to the budget."

While political campaigns often degenerate into squabbles over wedge issues, the negativity of this year's race has been amplified by the sheer amount of money being spent, more than $100 million so far, said Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies, a Los Angeles-based nonpartisan think tank.

The focus on tangential issues also ignores what's regarded as the worst economic and budget crises the state has faced in decades,

[trapped_in_LA]

Nero, fiddle, Rome. Enough said.

[jocon307]

And yet the Senatorial candidates seem to keep talking about California’s problems.

It’s like they have the races mixed up.

[Enterprise]

Aw ain’t that sweet? Another McClatchy hack expressing concern for Republicans.

[Enterprise]

And another thing CHANG! It's a REPUBLICAN primary, and the candidates are supposed to discuss their DIFFERENCES! If they agreed on everything, then you would probably have penned another hack opinion piece informing us that there is no difference.

Moonbeam however, has no difficulties at this time since it is running UNOPPOSED! If the steenkin' RATS had any honor, they would have put up an opposing candidate so that we could hear MOONBEAM'S stance on illegal immigration and the out of control tax and spend legislature. Of course, I already know what his opinions on these things are, but it should would be nice to hear them during a PRIMARY!