| Here's a thread for the opening session at the CDP convention. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is taking the stage right now, leaving me wondering what this would be like if she was speaking as a candidate for Governor. Ah well.
The juicy tidbit I've heard is that Phil Angelides is strongly considering jumping into the CA-03 race against Dan Lungren. This makes a pretty good deal of sense. Angelides has the policy chops, the ability to raise money (he has a huge list of supporters to tap from 2006), and a focus on green jobs and clean energy from the Apollo Alliance. I'd like to see this.
Solis' money quote: "This is the most progressive Administration I've seen in a long time."
More later.
...The Garamendi-bots are out, bringing him to the floor. I think they just had a bunch of leftover signs from when he was running for Lt. Governor.
...Most awkward quote ever: "George W. Bush, you are bad history!" Garamendi followed up with the old "We now have a President who can speak a complete sentence" standby...
...This is a drastically long speech by the Lt. Gov. I think the crowd's basically with him, but it's a little awkward that he got the Governor candidate-length speech when he isn't running for Governor.
Robert: Treasurer Bill Lockyer is laying out the problems with the state budget - Federal tax collections are off by 6%, by 16% here in California. He reluctantly backs the May 19 initiatives, but made a solid case for repealing the 2/3 rule.
Dave: So Gavin Newsom is being introduced now. Lots of "visibility" in the crowd.
Robert: Looks like Gavin is planning to run as a change candidate - especially on his Healthy SF universal program and his protection of teachers' jobs. "The old ways of business just don't cut it in this tough new world."
Dave: As Gavin talks about his alleged delivery of health care to everyone in San Francisco, can someone please ask him about cutting the city health care budget by 25% across the board to cover his city's budget deficit? I will, in a couple hours.
Robert: As David notes, Gavin is clearly planning on running on his record as San Francisco mayor - able to provide "sound fiscal policies" while providing health care and giving teachers a raise. All this depends on the details not getting out to the broader CA public.
Dave: Money quote - "We're not intent to relive history." Yes, just to rewrite it. You can read Gavin's speech here.
Dave: Barbara Boxer is up right now. I'm reading over the speech, and it's a bunch of red meat. |
