Jerry Brown is really a riddle wrapped in an enigma. First, he tries to play coy as to whether he is planning a run:
"The whole system is bogged down all over Sacramento," Brown said. "We need a very strong leader who can pull everyone together. I'm not a candidate. Yes I am leading in the polls, but I'm not yet convinced....The people of California are not anxious to hear from their candidates yet, and the deadline for filing papers isn't until March - so tune in." (SF Chronicle 9/16/09)
Wow, isn't that cute. I'm ahead and going to crush all of you, but I may not run. So keep guessing, suckas. But from a tactical standpoint, you can't blame the guy. He has nothing to gain by officially announcing. He's already way ahead of any non-self-funding candidate, and likely already has a slew of (wink-wink) commitments for more money once he switches the Jerry Brown2010 campaign account to the Gov race. He's in no need of additional name ID, so why not keep them "guessing?"
But, once again, we're back in 1978. As Steve Poizner sought to grab the right flank by talking crazy on taxes, it seems that Jerry Brown is still repeating the mantras that he began reciting on June 7, 1978:
Brown followed by calling the logjam in Sacramento "a management problem" and saying legislators needed to carefully choose priorities in deciding how to stimulate the economy.
Brown said he would not raise taxes if he became governor, noting that the public is opposed. "We're not in the revenue raising business," he said.
A management problem? That's like saying the Titanic took on a little water. Sacramento has more than a mere management problem. Is management going to make the Republicans cease their petty power plays? Going to make the legislative system more functional? Going to get the few Republican votes that we need every year?
That's all just a management problem?
Look, I think Jerry Brown is as qualified, if not more qualified than the field for this gig. Perhaps he can find Republican votes where our current (Republican) governor could not. He does know the building better than pretty much anybody. Given his experience, he'd be in a better position than any other candidate to bring about a consensus.
But how is it that we get out of this mess without even considering revenue. At some point, the lines between Tom Campbell, who supported a gas tax increase last year, and Jerry Brown begin to blur. And, unfortunately for us, they aren't meeting in the middle. I know I'm picking on Jerry Brown, but it really isn't just him. We are losing the battle on talking about this budget, over and over and over again. |
