What Would You Ask Gavin Newsom?

"Reform" - tactics; specifics; and character of the Reformer (0.00 / 0)

Questions:

(Background) Some of us think that the only way you can gain traction against Jerry Brown is to loudly and proudly proclaim and full throated REFORM effort for the structural governance of California.

  1.  What do you think of that campaign approach?

  2.  If you were to campaign on that platform, what would it sound and look like, specifically?

  3.  If you were to campaign on that platform, in all seriousness, how can progressives work hard for you in faith that you will govern how you campaign?  
  (I.e., The reference is to lingering "character" concerns out there, even among hard headed progressives who otherwise typically don't put much stock in "tabloid"-style election coverage.)

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by: SamSinister @ Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 18:42:37 PM CDT

I think these are all really good points. (0.00 / 0)

I'll include them in my list of questions that I bring in on Wednesday.

I'm proud to work for Kamala Harris for AG.

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by: Brian Leubitz @ Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 18:51:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Question (0.00 / 0)

How will you streamline the regulatory process so businesses can comply with the regulations our state has with the least pain possible.  

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by: mmunson @ Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 19:10:06 PM CDT

Compare and constrast your... (0.00 / 0)

...limited experience vs. that of Jerry Brown and explain why the voters should support you instead of him.

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by: A.Citizen @ Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 19:11:34 PM CDT

oh I got a million of 'em (0.00 / 0)

You've been known as hostile to the legislative branch of city government during your tenure, and you've also been known as someone who breaks his word when deals are cut. How will this help change Sacramento, which has been poisoned by such behavior under Governor Schwarzenegger?

During your tenure as mayor, you have repeatedly stolen mass transit funds and moved them into your own office to pay for PR people, and used them to fund other departments. Governor Schwarzenegger illegally looted state transit funds for several years. Both of you repeatedly tout your green credentials. Why should anyone believe you'll be any different than the current Republican in office, and will you be willing to sign your name to commitments to real budget reform that restores transit funding?

oh I could go on, but who cares, right? he's a good looking guy and he jumped on the bandwagon and photoshopped a Constitutional Convention sign only after he was told it was OK to do so....

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www.gregdewar.com

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by: gregdewar.com @ Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 19:50:50 PM CDT

Question (0.00 / 0)

Will you adopt (or have you already adopted) the Clean Campaign Pledge requested by the county Democratic parties of both San Francisco and Los Angeles?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

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by: DavidT @ Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 19:53:22 PM CDT

Transit funding (0.00 / 0)

I'd ask how Mr. Newsome proposes fixing the state transit funding problem, after that pesky lawsuit.

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by: plattypus1 @ Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 22:58:17 PM CDT

10 questions for Mayor Newsom (0.00 / 0)

1.  Do you support eliminating the 2/3rds requirement for raising taxes?  

2.  Your proposal to turn around California's failing economy is to invest in "transportation, infrastructure, housing, education, biotechnology, the green economy and other 21st century technologies."  Given California's ongoing budget crisis, how do you propose to pay for these investments?

3.  As Mayor of San Francisco, you supported restructuring the city pension plan to limit the plan to 20-year employees only.  Do you support a similar limitation for state workers?

4. Do you support Proposition 98's funding formula for education?

5.  What education reforms do you support, if any, to enhance California's application for federal Race to the Top funds?

6.  On water, you have said that there must be "greater focus on environmental impacts."  What "greater focus" do you propose, and what would say to an unemployed farmer in the Central Valley who disagrees that any "greater focus" is needed?

7.  According to recent polls, even San Francisco voters favor Jerry Brown over you.  Why is that?

8.  Few would describe your relationship with San Francisco's Board of Supervisors as cordial.  As someone with no previous Sacramento experience, why should voters trust that you'll be able to work with legislative leaders (including Republicans) to accomplish your agenda?

9.  Do you support expanding San Francisco's Healthy Families Initiative to cover the entire state?  

10.  Quoting Tony Robbins, you have said that "I've always believed we're nothing but a mirror of our consistent thoughts."  What does that mean?

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by: bjr26 @ Tue Oct 20, 2009 at 12:31:50 PM CDT

Question about Majority Rule on both budget and taxes (0.00 / 0)

The huge positive response to Alan Grayson's head-on attacks of Republican lies about healthcare demonstrates that there is a hunger for politicians who will fight for the average person.  The first way to fight for the average person in California is to change the 2/3 rule about raising taxes.  Your new campaign ad talks about changing the 2/3 rule without specifying whether it is just the budget or both budget and taxes.  George Lakoff has proposed making the fight over the 2/3 rule in California a fight over majority vs. minority rule.  Are you willing to do that by clearly coming out in favor of and fighting for majority rule on both budgets and taxes?

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by: ammasdarling @ Tue Oct 20, 2009 at 22:14:55 PM CDT

Constitutional Convention Question for Gavin Newsom (0.00 / 0)

Before holding a constitutional convention at this time we need to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of achieving the objectives we project. What studies of been take that reflect that despite California's vast contrasts in interests we can make positive changes?  

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by: lkhfire @ Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 15:05:32 PM CDT