Progressive values control the state and national agenda

November 12, 2006

The post-election pundits claim the national election results were a clear call for "bipartisanship" and governing from the "center". In looking at this concept more closely, one has to ask whether such conclusions are based on any measure of fact or are simply the fantasies of more delusional characters who think the Democrats have been in the play at all during the past six years in Washington.

Implicit in that analysis is that both parties were not only engaged in the process, but were motivated by their polar opposites. The fact is that since the Republicans took over both the Executive as well as the Legislative branches of government, the Democrats haven't even been able to participate in the process of governing. No Democratic bills have gone to hearing; there were no oversight hearings in which Democrats have been represented proportionately on these panels. In other words, the right-wing extremists have tried to rule as a one-party country, a process finally ending with the clear and unequivocal rejection of such anti-democratic efforts that lie exclusively at the hands of this White House and the out-going Republican-controlled Congress.

Here in California, the similar claim is that the people of California also want bipartisanship and more centrist leadership. Yet, how does one reach that conclusion when Schwarzenegger virtually ran his re-election campaign as a Democrat? Running around the state with democrats, signing the global warming measure, the increase in the miminum wage measure and easing the cost of some prescription drug costs for seniors----all measures he opposed until this year.

So what really gives here--and how should progressives be responding and defining ourselves in the weeks and months ahead?

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (0)

The Work We Have To Do

November 09, 2006

Cross-posted on Governor Phil

Tuesday's election results were not what we wanted. And electing Arnold Schwarzenegger over Phil Angelides will not move this state forward as a leader for the nation. This we know. What is less clear, and what we must sort through now, is why we got the results we did.

There will be a lot of theories as to what caused Phil's loss. Certainly there were a variety of factors, not the least of which is going up against a celebrity incumbent Governor who can summon an admiring gaggle of print and tv journalists with the snap of his fingers. But we also must confront the brutal facts of our own weaknesses, and the weaknesses of this campaign, if we want to learn anything from this experience and prepare for the fights ahead on the road to 2010.

At the top of the list for California progressives is figuring out the language and the narrative around taxes. We tried to push this on Governor Phil, but Phil's own website still invoked conservative frames of "tax relief" when discussing his economic plans. As this race showed, relentless anti-tax attacks are about the only thing left for Schwarzenegger-style Republicans to beat us on. It is very easy for them to steal all of our other progressive issues and win over Democrats (minimum wage, environment, education.) We can expect the next moderate Republican candidate, who I predict will be newly elected Insurance Commissioner Poizner, to follow this formula in the future.

MORE »

Posted by Jenifer Fernandez Ancona - Comments (0)

The short version of our election analysis

November 08, 2006

No question November 7th was a tidal wave in national politics and for progressives, a good day indeed. Actually, it was a good day for America. We have hopefully seen the fall of arrogant,corrupt, right-wing extremist leadership in this country and the future can only be seen, at least at this moment, as bright.

California's election night was a mixed bag. As the rest of the country is trending blue, we found ourselves with an election that was so controlled by millions of dollars---from Schwarzenegger to several of the key propositions, that we can't help but believe we MUST take the money out of the process to get California back to the work and the will of the people.

In a nutshell, then:

THE GOOD NEWS:
Speak Out California helped educate our state's voters-especially about the down-ticket races that got far less media attention the the Governor's race or the ballot initiatives. It's important that the hotly contested races on which Speak Out California focused---Lt. Governor, Secretary of State and Controller resulted in victories for John Garamendi, Debra Bowen and John Chiang.

THE BAD:
Money still talks way too much in California elections---look at the numbers---big business invested heavily in Schwarzenneger and thwarting progressive policies that would lead to better health care, energy independence and clean elections. Superior funding resulted in victories of profit over the public good.

THE UGLY:
We need to better coordinate our efforts to insure we keep California Blue and Progressive. Too many of our voters were fooled by the power of money over principle. Too many of the key constitutional races were far closer than they should have been. California must lead the nation---and as Bill Clinton said, "Embrace the Future"
We must do better.......

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (0)

Moral clarity

November 06, 2006

This is a mailer from the John Doolittle campaign, a Republican running in the 4th Congressional District...

Click on it to see it and the other pages full size.

It's tempting to not respond, to say this kind of thing, like the dirty robocalls the Republicans are using all across the country, are such sleazy insults both to the candidates and to the voters that these tactics deserve no response. A lot of stories on negative tactics have been written in the past few weeks that have made it sound like these levels are being sunk to by both sides in equal proportion, but that simply isn't true: the right is using slimeball desparation tactics far, far more frequently than the left. To accuse a 26 year Air Force pilot who has flown missions in Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Libya, various places during the Cold War and Iraq after the first Gulf War, and whose kid is headed over to Iraq for his fourth tour of duty in a month, of Nazi sympathies is so profoundly disgusting that it's hard to think of what response might do it justice.

Maybe so, but people who disagree with this kind of tactic have gone too long in not answering things like this...

MORE »

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (0)

Get Out The Vote!

November 05, 2006

Election Day is just hours away now, but that is still plenty of time to get out and talk to more voters, reminding them to go to the polls or turn in their absentee ballots on Nov. 7.

Throughout the state, the Democratic Party and the California Labor Federation are organizing volunteers to support progressive candidates and get the word out about the good, the bad and the ugly on statewide propositions.

>> Click here to find a labor office near you!

>> Click here for a list of Democratic Party field offices!

Remember, it is now too late to mail absentee ballots. If you still have one in your possession, you'll have to drop it off sometime before Tuesday to your county registrar, or to any polling place on Tuesday.

>> Click here to look up your county elections office, and to find your polling place!

Voting is your chance to have a say in who represents you and what laws govern you. Don't let this opportunity to participate in your democracy pass you by!

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (1)

Awesome GOTV in CD4

November 04, 2006

First on the way up Friday night we met these guys...

They weren't exactly with us on many issues, but we had a nice chat anyway. It's always suprising how much common ground opposing sides can find if everyone's willing to just talk, not argue. We stayed with The Amazing Julia Rosen from BetterCA.org...

The man himself, Lt. Col. (ret) Charlie Brown. It's astonishing that a candidate this good could possibly lose against a pile of corruption like Doolittle, but that's how bad things have gotten (and also indication of just how far a little race baiting will still get you in some parts of our state, unfortunately)...

The big crowd was definitely into him and Ohio superstar gate-crasher Paul Hackett...

There's more good stuff in the CA elections flickr pool.

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (0)

Voter Guide in Spanish

November 03, 2006

It's up...

http://speakoutca.org/now/2006eleccion.php

Enjoy!

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (0)

Whose government is it, anyway?

November 02, 2006

Dear Progressive California Voter:

Chances are you stopped paying attention to the barrage of increasingly shrill ads on TV a long time ago, and are making up your mind based on far more reliable information. You've studied the sample ballot and checked out Speak Out California's Voter Guide, and the various candidate and initiative websites. You've discussed issues with your friends and mulled things over.

Now it's time to get out there and vote. And encourage your like-minded friends to get to the polls. Better yet, get in touch with campaigns you are supporting, and spend a couple hours between now and Tuesday night helping with turnout.

This is an election for the history books. War and Peace. Global warming. The future of our state's schools, roads, and infrastructure. Races that will decide the direction of our state, and whether we move forward or continue to be exploited by the powerful special interests that dominate in Sacramento and Washington.

The Bush-Rove machine claims they have every California voter's private preferences and shopping habits sliced and diced, and are targeting their voters like you wouldn't believe. Don't let them drown us out.

Wake up next Wednesday morning knowing you had a hand in saving our planet and reclaming the precious vestiges of our democracy. As Ben Franklin said, the Founders gave us a democracy--if we can keep it.

Posted by Rosemary Shahan - Comments (0)

McClintock and Strickland--Too Extreme For California-Failing to Protect Consumers

November 01, 2006

The deeper we dig into the records of both Lt. Governor Candidate Tom McClintock and Controller Candidate Tony Strickland, the more we see their consistent approach of turning their backs on consumers to protect their big corporate sponsors.The records of these two are so shockingly devoid of any concern for the health and well-being of the community that we want to make sure you have all the information necessary to see just how dangerous these two stealth- radical- fringe candidates really are.

BUT BEFORE GOING INTO DETAIL ON THEIR CONSUMER POSITIONS, YOU MAY NEED GO NO FURTHER THAN TO KNOW THAT TOM McCLINTOCK HAS AN UNBROKEN RECORD OF OPPOSING STEM CELL RESEARCH.

As Lt. Governor, he would be empowered to appoint up to 5 members of the Committee that will oversee Prop 71-the bond measure passed overwhelmingly by the people of California to actively pursue stem-cell research here in California. This would give McClintock, as Lt. Gov. the opportunity to sabotage this important work!
For more on this story, check out the excellent article at the California Progress Reportwww.californiaprogressreport.com

Our own post today on McClintock and his clone,Strickland, comes from the Consumer Federation of California, one of our leading consumer watchdog groups in the state, and Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety---the go-to group for all car-related consumer issues.

Candidates in Neck-and Neck Lt. Gov. and Controller Races
Have extreme anti-consumer records on safety, consumer issues

Consumer groups warn that candidates McClintock and Strickland, who have received last-minute millions in their tightening races for Lt. Governor and Controller, have records of opposing consumer protections including popular mainstream auto safety and other pro-consumer measures enacted in California, often with overwhelming support.

"McClintock and Strickland are both out of step on issues that Californians overwhelmingly support," said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. "On issues ranging from protecting the
public from defective products to stopping phone companies from ripping off
consumers, they consistently voted for big business and against consumers."

On auto safety issues, McClintock voted against measures enacted in California to:

Require that kids be restrained in child safety seats
Establish graduated licensing for teenagers
Prohibit leaving children unattended in vehicles
Require that air bags that inflated in a crash be replaced with air bags that
meet federal safety standards
Tighten the lemon law regarding vehicles with life-threatening safety defects
Restrict hands-on cell phone use while driving
Establish the Car Buyer's Bill of Rights

Both candidates also voted for legislation that would have increased access to "alcopops" among underage teenagers, that was vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. Several of the most important auto safety/consumer protection bills McClintock opposed had passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support and were signed into law by Republican governors. Strickland, who has been in office a relatively short period of time, has a similar voting record, with a few exceptions. "Their records on auto safety issues are very troubling, because vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury among California's children and adolescents, and they opposed laws that have been effective in reducing that toll," said Rosemary Shahan, President of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety.

For specifics on McClintock's extremist record on auto safety issues, click "more"

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (0)

McClintock and Strickland--Too Extreme for California--Threatening Our Working Families

October 30, 2006

Here is the third in a series of discussions and reasons why Lt. Governor candidate Tom McClintock and Controller Candidate, Tony Strickland are too extreme for our state and need to be defeated in the coming election by voting for John Garamendi for Lt. Governor and John Chiang for State Controller. Not only are Garamendi and Chiang eminently more qualified for these positions, but they share our values for a California that honors hard work and is fair to working people, as contrasted with the extremist Bush administration mentality espoused by McClintock and Strickland that believes Corporate America can do no wrong and should not be accountable to taxpayers or their own employees.

Our friends at the California Labor Federation have supplied us with the following information about the voting records of these two right-wing extremists who believe corporate profits should trump people and any sense of responsibility of good corporate citizenship.

Their comments follow here :

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (0)

Malcom Gladwell on Prop 90

Malcom "Tipping Point" Gladwell wrote a review for the New Yorker of Jared Diamond's Collapse at the end of 2004 that address Prop 37, the Oregon law that's nearly identical to Prop 90. There's an extended quote on the flip, but the whole thing is worth a read...

MORE »

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (0)

McClintock and Strickland--Too Extreme for California-The Environment

October 29, 2006

In keeping with our effort to get out the real records of these two extremists, Lt. Governor candidate, Tom McClintock and Controller candidate, Tony Strickland, we've asked major spokesmen and representatives of key environmental groups in California --the SIerra Club and the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) to explain just how out-of-touch these two candidates are when it comes to protecting our precious environment.

Regardless of how much money is spent trying to gloss over and ignore their Bush-like views of our precious communities and resources, the facts are still the facts and no amount of "powder and paint can make them look like what they ain't" as an old saying goes...... Their long histories of disrespecting our values is so striking, it is important that we make sure people who don't know about their records are given that information before they make their critical election decisions. There is just too much at stake for our beloved state to vote in ignorance.
Here's what our environmental watchdog groups have to say:

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (2)

McClintock and Strickland--Too Extreme for California--Womens' issues

October 26, 2006

With the sudden infusion of millions of dollars primarily by a small but flush group of Tribes, the prospects of these two members of the radical fringe of the Republican Party actually having a chance at winning election in November has mobilized a whole group of progressive organizations to fight back----even though we don't have the kind of financial resources to level the money field. Instead, we've got the truth and once the word is out to California's voters, they'll be horrified at the careers and records of these two candidates.

Over the next several days, we'll be posting the records of Lt. Governor candidate Tom McClintock and his much less-intelligent, but equally dangerous clone, State Controller candidate Tony Strickland. Today we've got the women's community's perspective on these two and their voting records on issues of importance to women and girls.

It's beyond bleak and horrifying to think that these two ideological inflexible anti-pay equity, anti-choice, anti medical leave- and anti-just about everything that is important to progressives could be so close to gaining a foothold in controlling many of the important activities that direct our state and its future.

Take a look at what Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, California NOW's PAC and NARAL Pro-Choice California have to say about the records of these two neanderthals. Then click to the sites listed below which provide the actual legislative report cards for past year voting records of these two.

We hope you will also pass this information along because we progressives don't have the millions of dollars necessary to combat the misinformation and distortions about these two that will attempt to portray them as protectors of the public. As you will see, they are anything but---Simply put, they're too extreme for California.

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (3)

Judge research thread

October 25, 2006

We've gotten a ton of questions about judges. This thread is a place to post information you might have on any of them!

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (14)

National field update

October 24, 2006

[crossposted at dailykos and mydd.]

There have been a lot of main stream media stories over the past few weeks about how great the RNC get out the vote operation is doing, including one on Sunday in the SF Chron about the Schwarzenegger operation. These stories usually include an obligatory paragraph about how disorganized the Democratic side is by comparison.

You'll be shocked to know that your sources in the corporate media may not be telling you the entire truth here - although in this case it really isn't their fault. The Voter Activation Network (VAN) is a web based voter contact database and tracking system that a number of state Democratic parties and other organizations are using to keep track of their field and direct mail operations. (Full disclosure: I'm the project director of California VoterConnect, and as of a few months ago we are a customer of theirs.)

The folks running this system have a unique perspective on how we're doing. On the flip is a letter from one of the principals of this organization (published here with his express permission) with some perhaps surprising and potentially great news...

MORE »

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (0)

Our worst nightmare-California goes red!

October 21, 2006

We just received this urgent message from groups in the thick of the political battle this year. We are passing it along to you to remind you just what is at stake and urge you to make sure all your like-minded friends and colleagues don't let it happen. Please excuse some of the grammar and formatting here; at this point in the campaign urgency is the first and only thing.

This scenario might sound somewhat dramatic but it is certainly a real possibility when progressive candidates and ideas are being outspent by such significant margins. T.V. and mail are powerful tools, but we believe the internet is as well. So with a lot less money, but a lot more of what is right on our side, here's an update on what the latest and serious events could produce in this election year:

California could very well go red. The casino-owning tribes have just announced a multi-million independent expenditure against Democrats John Garamendi and John Chiang. The mud-slinging ads will begin as soon as this week.

With the trifecta of oil, insurance and now, casino-owning tribes, along with 60,000 Far Right phone bankers culled from faux non-profits and evangelical churches, just about every constitutional office is in play in Democratic California. A recent estimate by the CA Repub Party shows, with the influx of gaming money, and Arnold's coattails, that the Republicans have a significant chance of winning (in addition to the Governor's seat):
Lt Gov
Secty of State
Controller
Ins Com'r
Treasurer...and
Attorney General...they are suing Jerry Brown now...

We say we want clean money and universal health care in CA....not with this crowd.

Moreover, no matter who the Dem nominee is in 2008, it is imperative that the unholy alliance in CA between oil, insurance, casino-owning tribes and the Far Right be exposed and more, eliminated, or no Democrat will stand a chance in California in 2008.

Pls educate your friends and neighbors and encourage them to vote Democratic for the entire slate. Also, if they/you have not yet gotten involved in this election, now is the time to start, esp with those who will now be facing multi-million dollar negative ad buys from the casino-owning tribes....long-time supporters to Tom "Mr. Family Values" McClintock."

Click more for more information about where we're at...

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (2)

"We had no idea."

October 18, 2006

If there was any question about the importance of defeating this awful measure, take a look at what long-time activist Robert Redford thinks of Prop 90. This mail was sent to NRDC members but it's as good a summary as is out there of where people are at on this and what the issues around this terrible proposition are...

Dear NRDC Member,

"We had no idea."

You're going to hear that a lot if Proposition 90 passes next month. Millions of people are going to wake up the morning after Election Day and wish they'd read the fine print.

Please don't be one of them.

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (0)

Senator Sheila Kuehl on electing Deb Bowen

October 13, 2006

We asked progressive icon and Speak Out California supporter State Senator Sheila Kuehl to share with us her thoughts on the races for statewide office this election year. The following is her typically thoughtful and articulate analysis of the priorities we progressives must express as we cast our ballots on the future of our state. With no other women on the statewide ticket, this is an opportunity to identify a new and rising star, but most importantly, to assure we protect the integrity of our democratic system, our vote. Here's what Senator Kuehl had to say:

The most important election in the state this year is not the race for the Governor's seat. It is the race for Secretary of State. State Senator Deborah Bowen, the only woman running in California for any statewide seat, is the Democratic nominee. The Republican is Bruce McPherson, who was appointed by Arnold Schwarzenegger after the resignation of Kevin Shelley. As the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections have (hopefully) taught us, everything could be at stake, not only 2006 but, more importantly 2008, depending on the outcome of this race.

Deb is running a few points ahead and will win if she can raise the necessary monies. For more information about her campaign, Go now to her website at www.debrabowen.com or contact her at: Debra Bowen for Secretary of State, 578 Washington Blvd. #409, Marina del Rey 90292.

I have served in the Legislature with Deb, in both the Assembly and the Senate, for all the 12 years I have been there and there is no one smarter, more honest, more committed to public service and more attuned to the ways in which elections can be stolen, compromised or thwarted. She must be elected.

On the flip... some history on why this race is so critical in California:

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (1)

Schwarzenegger veto bad news for environment, families, taxpayers

October 10, 2006

In a move that raises serious doubts about whether Governor Schwarzenegger intends the new laws he trumpets to have any teeth, the Governor vetoed legislation sponsored by California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer that would have kept the playing field level when our state's top cop tackles corporations that violate California's laws. Schwarzenegger's veto is also a slap at taxpayers, who foot the bill for curbing illicit activities, and should be able to recoup those expenditures when the lawbreakers are caught and the People of California win in court.

The stakes for our state are enormous. If you visit Attorney General Lockyer's website, you'll see case after case where he won billions of dollars in refunds for California consumers, forced polluters to cease spewing toxins into our air or dumping them into our water, stopped tobacco companies from handing out free cigarettes to kids, curbed securities frauds perpetrated on stockholders and employees, cleaned up phony charities that ripped off donors, reined in lumber companies from decimating protected forests, and enforced hard-fought civil rights laws.

MORE »

Posted by Rosemary Shahan - Comments (1)

The 2006 General Election

October 01, 2006

The November 7th 2006 election is proving to be an epic battle for defining the future of our state. There are several outstanding progressive candidates and reforms on the ballot - as well as some truly scary conservative ones. See our 2006 General Election Voter Guide for the details...

READ MORE »

MORE »

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (2)

Voter guide up, Arnold at 44 and vulnerable

September 29, 2006

We're happy to announce that our voter guide for this year, including statewide candidates and the propositions, is now up...

Speak Out California's 2006 General Election Progressive Voter Guide

Please do start linking to this and sending it around. We'll have more details on the props and the printable versions up soon. There have been some interesting developments in the election this week...

MORE »

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (1)

Why we link Bush and Schwarzenegger

September 21, 2006

As Phil Angelides and the Democratic Party remind Californians that our Governor is almost single-handedly responsible for helping Bush take Ohio and thus the Presidency in 2004, I shouldn't have been surprised to see the right-wing spin machine attempting to trivialize what that means for California. In fact, one of the paid right-wing spin-masters went so far as to ask that very question, "How is that relevant to us here in California?". I guess when people vote for a guy because they like his movies, it just may be time to explain the obvious when the Bush campaign machine (now running Schwarzenegger's reelection campaign) tries to deflect the very important fact that we are in the predicament we're in because Schwarzenegger played macho-man to help re-elect the most corrupt, incompetent and dangerous administration in the history of this country. By going to Ohio and nuzzling with Bush right before the election, we now see a national politics emanating from the White House which continues to disrupt, demean and disrespect our civil liberties, stature in the world community and our critically important environmental and consumer protection laws.

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (0)

We need clean money to clean up politics and our arteries

August 16, 2006

With the mad dash to end the legislative session in three weeks, the legislature is making no bones about the fact that the money players had better step up with campaign cash before then. No doubt about it---with a record number of political fundraising events scheduled this month, the message is clear: It's time to pay up if you want any consideration for bills blasting through the legislative process and onto the Governor's desk for signature or veto.

Of course, the number one culprit in all this is our Governor. He has taken political pay-to-play to a new and embarassing level. With hundreds of millions of dollars already spent by him or on his behalf by big corporate special interest and equal amounts yet to be sucked in by his well-honed and shameless vacuum-cleaner approach to policy-making, this Governor has given new meaning to the word "reform" which he has misapplied to virtually all of his self-dealing, ethics-devoid behavior while playing the role of Governor for the past three years.

But at this time of year, to see the legislature following so blatantly in Schwarzenegger's footsteps is truly the rallying call for passage of Proposition 89- the Clean Money Initiative. As I write this entry, there are more than 20 fundraisers scheduled today---equal parts Republican and Democrat. The folks in Sacramento count about 75 of these "fundraisers" scheduled during August. These stand-up, finger-food and mediocre wine fests permeate the numerous eating establishments around the Capitol, (usually within walking distance of each other so lobbyists can run between several of them scheduled at the same time). In the second and final year of a legislative session, this type of open and unabashed pandering has become unconscionable, even by political standards. Is it any wonder the public doesn't trust, like or care about Sacramento's politicians? Whether campaign contributions do or do not actually influence the course of legislation, they create such a bleak perception about just what is and isn't important ( special-interests yes, public interests, no) that the battle for public confidence is lost, regardless.

MORE »

Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (1)

Governor Phil

August 10, 2006

A sprawling group of California weblog authors (including a lot of folks from the top sites in our sidebar, as well as Jen and myself since, you know, we're not busy enough) have just launched a new site about Phil Angelides' bid for governor:

http://governorphil.com/

Enjoy!

Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (0)