Outlook for the California State Legislature in 2008

Which is (8.00 / 2)

what the "drive for 2/3" series I'm doing is all about.  So far I've profiled AD-80 and SD-19, with AD-78 on the way.  The problem with this, of course, is not knowing the outcome of the February term limits initiative yet, which complicates knowing who among incumbents will actually be on the ballot.

In addition, SD-14, with its "Dump Denham" recall efforts, must be added to the mix, even if he's not currently up for re-election.

Overall, it'll be tough, but it's certainly doable, especially in a high-turnout Presidential year where more Democratic-leaning folks will presumably be at the polls. The CDP honestly hasn't targeted for 2/3 in this fashion.  Hopefully more in the grassroots will inform them of this need.

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by: David Dayen @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 17:49:24 PM UTC

If they are willing (1.00 / 3)

("they" being Democrats) to use absolutely any means to justify what is perceived to be a good end (absolute power), then that demonstrates why they don't deserve absolute power. No good end justifies any means

Recalling someone for refusing to vote for an unbalanced budget. Most pathetic thing I have ever heard. Hiram Johnson was probably spinning in his grave during the Davis recall, and I assure you he is spinning like a tornado over the attempts on Denham

The Silent Consensus

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by: thelibertariandemocrat (VF2005) @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 03:33:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Wow (0.00 / 0)

You haven't heard very many things huh? Is that a life choice or do you need q-tips?

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by: Lucas O'Connor @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:05:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If they do (0.00 / 0)

it's because they don't understand why property rights ensure all our other rights. For example, we have no free press if no one can own a printing press

The Silent Consensus

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by: thelibertariandemocrat (VF2005) @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:14:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh wait, wrong thread (0.00 / 0)

I have heard many things, and have you heard of an exaggeration?

The Silent Consensus

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by: thelibertariandemocrat (VF2005) @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:15:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have (0.00 / 0)

but rarely, if ever, have I heard of it in a successful argument.

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by: Lucas O'Connor @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:16:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Then (0.00 / 0)

recalling someone for refusing to vote for an unbalanced budget is pathetic and an abuse of power

The Silent Consensus

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by: thelibertariandemocrat (VF2005) @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:23:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Power corrupts (0.00 / 0)

and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Reminds me of the Republican congress, which is why it had to go

As for the budget and other stuff that require a 2/3: 2/3 threshold is NOT the problem. Granted, we should reduce it to a simple majority (except for tax increases), but that aside, the biggest problem is districts that are too tilted to one party or another. They result in the election of strongly partisan representatives.

What does that have to do with it? They don't compromise with the other party and get things done, because it makes them vulnerable in the primaries.

The solution is more competitive districts, which will lead to having the legislators represent ALL their constituents, and therefore more willingness to compromise. The two parties need to come together, not have one constantly steamrolling over the other. Steamrolling over the 'right' may lead to leftward progress, but that won't help when we need to move forward

The Silent Consensus

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by: thelibertariandemocrat (VF2005) @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 03:41:27 AM UTC

Oh Jeebus (0.00 / 0)

So, being able to pass a budget (which still needs a Republican Governor's signature) now qualifies as "absolute power"?

What a bunch of bullshit.

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by: ortcutt @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:53:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

That was borderline (0.00 / 0)

straw man. You're assuming that's the only power it comes with.

First off, if the governor vetoes it, the legislature can override it with the same 2/3 vote needed to pass it, no?

Second, having mentioned it, the 2/3 will give the Democrats the power to override any veto. That absolutely is absolute power

The Silent Consensus

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by: thelibertariandemocrat (VF2005) @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:13:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You keep using that word (8.00 / 2)

I do not think it means what you think it means.

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by: Lucas O'Connor @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:15:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Simple (0.00 / 0)

straw man is a misrepresentation of your opponent's position. That has been done in multiple ways on here:

1. Present a misrepresentation, refute it, and pretend the actual position was refuted
2. Take it out of context
3. Oversimplify into an analogy, which can easily be refuted

The Silent Consensus

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by: thelibertariandemocrat (VF2005) @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:21:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, I also can look it up (0.00 / 0)

But you struggle in the application.  It is not a straw man when someone calls you on a bullshit argument.

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by: Lucas O'Connor @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 15:48:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

And I could say (0.00 / 0)

straw man to that because that's not my application of it. I am not saying it because he "called me on a bullshit argument" I'm saying it because the reason behind it is a misrepresentation, read what I said in my response

The Silent Consensus

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by: thelibertariandemocrat (VF2005) @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 17:11:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who are the candidates? (0.00 / 0)

  The key factor determining whether we can pick up or defend seats is who is running for those seats. If we have weak or unexciting candidates we could lose seats we should win (as we did 5 years ago with the two seats down south, 78 and 80). If we have especially good candidates we might pick up something we don't expect because the Repubs often nominate candidates who are too far out on the right wing for their districts.
  Other than in my immediate area I don't know how candidate recruitment is going. What do people think about the quality of the candidates, and do you forsee key primary races in the June legislative primaries?

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by: Zack from the SFV @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:00:17 AM UTC

Here's a few of them (8.00 / 1)

(in alphabetical order by race)

AD-15:

Joan Buchanan
Steve Filson
Fred Klaske

AD-78:

Auday Arabo
Marty Block
Arlie Ricasa

AD-80:

Rick Gonzalez
Manuel Perez
Greg Pettis

There are at least two quality candidates for each of these races, so that's something to be encouraged by.

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by: ortcutt @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:05:18 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Parra's Seat AD 30 (0.00 / 0)

Is far from a guarantee.

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by: modem @ Fri Nov 02, 2007 at 00:49:50 AM UTC