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California is Still a Blue State
With Democrats taking back the House (and possibly the Senate) and talk of a “renewed” national Democratic Party, it was embarrassing for California – one of the most reliably blue states – to re-elect Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger by a 17-point margin. Expect the media, especially the Chronicle, to follow up in the next few days with puff pieces about how Arnold was able to buck the national trend. Republicans will no doubt renew their efforts to amend the constitution so that the Austrian-born actor can somebody become President, and the media honeymoon with a Governor who last year threatened to “kick nurses’ butts” will unfortunately persist.
But Schwarzenegger’s victory was already a foregone conclusion that progressive activists had already conceded. With all the talk that an Arnold victory would give other statewide Republican candidates coattails and shift the political dynamics of California, last night’s election results don’t prove that this happened. And while the state propositions were a mixed bag, progressives have a lot to celebrate with the defeat of Propositions 85 and 9, the passage of Prop 1C, and Secretary of State Debra Bowen.
California’s Democratic Party is a moribund institution with the same old elected officials who are used to winning every time. This year, every statewide officer chose to play a transparent game of “musical chairs” as they jockeyed for higher office. The Insurance Commissioner (John Garamendi) ran for Lieutenant Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor (Cruz Bustamante) ran for Insurance Commissioner. The former Governor (Jerry Brown) ran for Attorney General, and the Attorney General (Bill Lockyer) ran for Treasurer. And, of course, the Treasurer (Phil Angelides) ran for Governor after winning a brutal primary with the Controller (Steve Westly) that has relegated both to private-citizen status.
Most won their respective races – largely due to name-recognition and the high number of Californians who vote the straight Democratic Party ticket. While the Angelides campaign certainly hurt the chances of down-ballot Democrats, voters were not about to elect a right-wing conservative like Tom McClintock to statewide office. Only Cruz Bustamante – who has his own share of troubles – lost his race.
More
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3883#more
California’s Democratic Party is a moribund institution with the same old elected officials who are used to winning every time. This year, every statewide officer chose to play a transparent game of “musical chairs” as they jockeyed for higher office. The Insurance Commissioner (John Garamendi) ran for Lieutenant Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor (Cruz Bustamante) ran for Insurance Commissioner. The former Governor (Jerry Brown) ran for Attorney General, and the Attorney General (Bill Lockyer) ran for Treasurer. And, of course, the Treasurer (Phil Angelides) ran for Governor after winning a brutal primary with the Controller (Steve Westly) that has relegated both to private-citizen status.
Most won their respective races – largely due to name-recognition and the high number of Californians who vote the straight Democratic Party ticket. While the Angelides campaign certainly hurt the chances of down-ballot Democrats, voters were not about to elect a right-wing conservative like Tom McClintock to statewide office. Only Cruz Bustamante – who has his own share of troubles – lost his race.
More
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3883#more
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The November 7th Elections proved to be a true litmus test for California candidates. The California Democratic Party has failed to analyze the baby boomers trend of being much more conservative in both principals, values and postures on certain issues, namely, losing the title of liberals, compromising ethical beliefs on abortion, patriotism, public charisma and choosing candidates with a public zest for new leadership. The other problem, and possible the worst is the complacency of the Democratic voter. A large percentage are registered, but all is in vain, if they don't get out of their comfy chair and get out and vote or at least opt for absentee voting. The State's Democratic Party is in shambles. In Kings County, the party is basically dead, doa. As a conservative Democrat, I choose to change our platform and image in the near future, as I too will think to run for assembly in the next two years.
as for people being so conservative, why then did all hard conservatives go down in flames statewide in CA yesterday? McClintock, see ya. Poochigan, huh, what? And Arnold won only after running as fast to the left as he could. the anti-choice posse ran the same damned notification prop two elections in a row, losing both times
dropping the term liberal? don't count on it. it stands for some of the best things America has ever done
you greatly misread election results. if anything, voters, like Arnold, are running toward so-called liberal values such as government honesty and accountability that republicans seem to have forgotten. are those not boomer values?
dropping the term liberal? don't count on it. it stands for some of the best things America has ever done
you greatly misread election results. if anything, voters, like Arnold, are running toward so-called liberal values such as government honesty and accountability that republicans seem to have forgotten. are those not boomer values?
Thank god California is Still a Blue State
For more information:
http://www.thegmanifesto.com
I think the election showed that Californias are not left or right wing mindless vote the partyline no matter what voters. Both parties are going to have to step up and address the issues and earn their votes.
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