The Governor's Race as Seen From the California Democratic Party Convention
I saw definite generational contrasts this weekend in the two Democratic candidates for governor attending the California Democratic Party convention in Sacramento. I was there as a delegate from the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee.
The only officially declared Democratic gubernatorial candidate is San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Even though Attorney General Jerry Brown's intent is well known, he spent the convention making sure not to actually say it. "I'm not engaged in the campaign process yet," Brown said in his speech during the Saturday morning session. The buttons he passed out also didn't reference an office. They simply said, "Brown 2010."
For those of you too young to remember, Brown, who's 71-years-old, was California's governor for eight years in the late 1970s to early 1980s. During his convention speech, he pointed out that he's been the most environmental governor ever. This was clearly to respond to his 41-year-old opponent. Newsom, who addressed the convention prior to Brown, emphasized his environmental record in San Francisco.
Parties Contrast Candidates' Styles
As is common at these conventions, candidates host free parties. One of my colleagues from Sonoma County — a big Brown supporter — commented that Brown's party was for old people, because it was held at 5:30 p.m. Brown provided free beer, wine, chips & salsa at what he called a "Recession Reception" at the old Governor's mansion, where his dad, the late Governor Edmund G. Brown, once lived. Brown junior was know for living frugally when he was Governor. Seems he wants to continue that image.
Newsom, in contrast, hosted a block party with the California Young Democrats. The party started at 9 p.m. and had live music by the popular Wyclef Jean.
I also noticed that whenever I saw Newsom walking around the convention, he had an entourage of young staff. Brown chose to walk around by himself.
Uncommitted
I don't know who I will support for Governor yet. There'll likely be more Democratic candidates. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to run. I was disappointed he didn't attend the convention. Senator Diane Feinstein is also considered a potential gubernatorial candidate. However, it would surprise me if she would give up her Senate seat now that we have a Democratic President.
If anyone wants to try to sway me on who I should support for Governor, I'm open to hearing from you.
The only officially declared Democratic gubernatorial candidate is San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Even though Attorney General Jerry Brown's intent is well known, he spent the convention making sure not to actually say it. "I'm not engaged in the campaign process yet," Brown said in his speech during the Saturday morning session. The buttons he passed out also didn't reference an office. They simply said, "Brown 2010."
For those of you too young to remember, Brown, who's 71-years-old, was California's governor for eight years in the late 1970s to early 1980s. During his convention speech, he pointed out that he's been the most environmental governor ever. This was clearly to respond to his 41-year-old opponent. Newsom, who addressed the convention prior to Brown, emphasized his environmental record in San Francisco.
Parties Contrast Candidates' Styles
As is common at these conventions, candidates host free parties. One of my colleagues from Sonoma County — a big Brown supporter — commented that Brown's party was for old people, because it was held at 5:30 p.m. Brown provided free beer, wine, chips & salsa at what he called a "Recession Reception" at the old Governor's mansion, where his dad, the late Governor Edmund G. Brown, once lived. Brown junior was know for living frugally when he was Governor. Seems he wants to continue that image.
Newsom, in contrast, hosted a block party with the California Young Democrats. The party started at 9 p.m. and had live music by the popular Wyclef Jean.
I also noticed that whenever I saw Newsom walking around the convention, he had an entourage of young staff. Brown chose to walk around by himself.
Uncommitted
I don't know who I will support for Governor yet. There'll likely be more Democratic candidates. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to run. I was disappointed he didn't attend the convention. Senator Diane Feinstein is also considered a potential gubernatorial candidate. However, it would surprise me if she would give up her Senate seat now that we have a Democratic President.
If anyone wants to try to sway me on who I should support for Governor, I'm open to hearing from you.
Posted by Gina Cuclis at 4/27/2009 10:25 AM 
Categories: Political Communications
Tags: Gavin Newsom Governor Democratic Party Jerry Brown
Categories: Political Communications
Tags: Gavin Newsom Governor Democratic Party Jerry Brown
It’s a sad state of affairs when the Democrats can’t come together on a good fiscally sound solution. There are so many things to do and so many people in need that it’s time for the thoughtful people to effectively govern. In the event that the budget initiatives fail, which it looks like they will, who is planning for the next alternatives? What are the next alternatives?
What was being said about this at the convention?
Was there any talk of rescinding the $2.5 billion corporate tax cut just enacted by California?
How about the shift of the income tax burden to the middle and away from the top of the income levels? (02/26/09 http://californiabudgetbites.org/2009/02/)
And what about going where the money is (http://californiabudgetbites.org/2009/04/24/this-ought-to-be-a-no-brainer%e2%80%a6/)
I thought that good solutions were something the Democrats traditionally paid attention to. Did our future candidate offer anything both new and specific?
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Thank you for your questions. California is in this budget mess, because we do not have majority rule in the legislature. It takes 2/3rds to pass a budget, and raise taxes, which gives the power to the Republicans. What was said repeatedly at the CDP convention was the need to change the 2/3rds budget rule. The Democrats will be putting an initiative on the ballot in 2010 to do that. In the mean time, we're facing propositions 1A - 1F in a special election May 19 that nobody likes.
The rank and file Democratic activists are split on the propositions. It takes 60% of the convention delegates for the party to endorse a proposition. Only Props 1B, 1C & 1F got enough support for a CDP endorsement. But Prop 1B can only take effect if Prop 1A also passes. The endorsement of the one without the other is meaningless in my opinion.
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Gina- I have done my homework and read your blog! Now that I have officially bridged the gap to blogville, I feel like I have just pulled up to Newsom's block party in Jerry's blue Plymouth. Can Tweeting be far behind? Anyway, as one of the aging crawlers slowly swarming the Old Gov Mansion, I was pleasantly reminded of Jerry Brown's history of innovation and why I liked him in the first place. Moonbeam the Enviro before it was cool to be worried about human systems implosion. I could see the convention tension with the whipper-snapper Newsom, and was reminded of the adage that youth and beauty will be overwhelmed by age and treachery. But that force of youthful enthusiasm has yet to be tested, and he is banking on the stir from the Obama campaign. Newsom will also be less reluctant on healthcare. He did it in SF, says he, so why not in CA? Jerry has yet to be convinced on the funding for Single Payer, despite my quoting Kucinich advising "You're paying for it now, you're just not getting it." Indeed, not getting it may be Jerry's downfall and Newsom's advantage. But if Jerry can find his way to Single Payer, he might just have an armada of us seniors at his back.
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