I don't normally comment too much on the FalseReport. It's just generally not worth my time to quibble with inanities. And my disagreeing with those folks would kind of be a little too expected. So, I generally focus on those who are supposed to be "balanced." But, I've been tempted by this little piece of so-called analysis on SD-03 by Yolo County Supe Matt Rexroad (hey, Yolo, WTF? Do you let just anybody become supervisor?):
In a one on one race with Migden and Leno -- I like Leno's chances. He is every bit as liberal only he is much nicer. That is not saying much. Leno had done a great job of gathering up all of the anti-Migden forces until others started having the same idea.
"Another clinging on to glory days" Alioto jumped into the race. He divides the anti-Migden forces once. Now Joe Nation has opened an account. He is a former Assemblyman from Marin County that might make a play for the Marin County part of the district. He would divide the anti-Migden forces again..and almost certainly hand her re-election.
The problem with this? Well, apparently Mr. Rexroad didn't bother to talk to anybody who knows the district, knows the personalities involved, or do any research whatsoever on this before he wrote this. If he had, he would have seen a few statements like this from people who actually know the San Francisco-based district. From Luke Thomas, a local photographer/journalist:
Conventional wisdom, however, suggests Nation, who lives in San Rafael, will likely draw votes away from incumbent Senator Carole Migden who is already facing stiff challenges from Assemblymember Mark Leno and San Francisco Police Commissioner Joe Alioto-Veronese. (FogCityJournal 11.28.07)
Or this analysis from one of the top pollsters in the City, probably the state, David Latterman of Fall Line Analytics :
David Latterman, president of Fall Line Analytics, a San Francisco-based polling company, said Nation's potential entrance into the race "hurts Carole" Migden. That's because while both Migden and Leno are well known in San Francisco, a Nation candidacy could take Marin votes away from Migden, which Leno has never represented, he said. (SacBee CapAlert 11.16.07)
Now, I'm not saying that Mr. Rexroad couldn't be right, it's just that he's not even close to being right. He frames this as a race between Senator Migden vs. Not-Senator-Migden. And that's just not the way this works. Assemblyman Leno and Fmr. Assemblyman Nation both have their own name IDs. Mr. Nation isn't so popular up as he once was in the North Bay considering his primary challenge to Lynn Woolsey. (By the by, Rep. Woolsey doesn't look like she's set to let that incident go so quickly either.)
Oh, and apparently Mr. Rexroad also missed the latest self-injection of cash into Sen. Migden's campaign. The funny thing is here that Mr. Rexroad actually seems to well, dislike Sen. Migden. Now, that's probably a badge of honor for a progressive like the good Senator, but the article is an odd way of stating that distrust. Maybe next time Mr. Rexroad spills pixels, he'll think of making sure that he has a solid grip on the facts.
I wrote this for today's Beyond Chron, San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily.
It's often hard to assess which candidate "won" a debate, but a few basic conclusions can be drawn from the November 17th State Senate forum, hosted by the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club: (1) State Assemblyman Mark Leno and Senator Carole Migden agree on most issues ideologically, (2) the third candidate, Joe Alioto Veronese, is more politically moderate, and (3) there is harsh acrimony between Leno and Migden - which has made the race far more divisive than it needs to be. Progressives have no one to blame but themselves if the race gets so nasty that Leno and Migden kill each other, though it is very unlikely that Veronese would eke out a victory under such circumstances. But Leno and Migden have a distinct difference in style, temperament and priorities - and that is where progressive voters deserve a clear choice in the June primary. As Veronese said at the debate, "we're all here today because we have a contested race."
If you've read this blog long, you'll know I support Mark Leno in SD-03. But you'll also know that I support the concept of primaries in the abstract. Primaries are a part of our system that is integral to a people-powered movement. It puts the voters, not the political machine, in charge of who gets the nomination. While it isn't perfect, it's as Churchill would say, the worst system except for all the others.
And that's why I'm disappointed by what I saw at the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club in San Francisco last night. Over...
(Wow, 3 electeds in one day. Cool! (bumped) - promoted by Lucas O'Connor)
Soon the decision of whether California will continue to poison our kids and the rest of the nation will be made by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Thus far, state agencies have been directed from the top to oppose AB 706. The question for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is, how loudly must our babies cry before toxic, cancer-causing, endocrine-disrupting chemicals are removed from our furniture?
I'm sitting at lunch yesterday when I see a certain Mark Leno staffer call me. I ignore it because I'm in the middle of a meeting for SF Young Dems. Another call. I ignore it again. He calls a third time, and I finally pick it up.
So, he invites me up to the debate in Rohnert Park between Sen. Migden and Asm. Leno in the Leno campaign bus. Aka, Asm. Leno's car. So, I run back home and grab my computer (gotta have that, you know). I then run back onto MUNI to meet the staffer and the Assemblyman at a parking garage on Mission. All fun stuff, there.
On the way up, I take my conference call with the Speaker and half-listen. Now, I'm a pretty good multi-tasker, so I really had few problems actually getting both conversations. But one thing that I did miss was the line about this budget not being a Republican budget -- referring to a line in a George Skelton story. But when you get down to it, this budget seems pretty darn close to a Republican budget. It's hard to imagine a less progressive budget coming out of a Dem Legislature.
But, we continue driving, and I learn some cool things about the Assemblyman. Did you know that Mark Leno used to work for Art Garfunkel? Yup, the lesser-know half of Simon and Garfunkel. It's true. Mark Leno helped Art Garfunkel to break out of S&G and skyrocket to superstardom. Oh, um, right...just flip it... Oh, and for more 2/3 goodness, check out Assemblyman Leno's op-ed in the Chronicle.
I'm blogging live here from Sonoma County, Rohnert Park to be exact. Sen Carole Migden was, as always, very excited about making her presentation. She spoke for quite awhile about her various accomplishments. The speech was a bit rambling and disjointed, but was well received over-all. Asm. Leno spoke in a practiced, well-rehearsed tone. He spoke of his efforts on foster care. Again, it was well-received by this very well behaved crowd of all ages.
I figured that Mark Leno (D-SF) would be in the lead, but I never though that the disparity would be this great. Carole Midgen (D-SF) has raised a decent amount of money, but a bunch of it is for the general election, which really does her no good. When you take away the general election funds and her debts, she is left with only $13k. Do the same thing for Leno and he has $234k.
Leno is reporting raising almost $444,000, while Migden brought in $304,00. Only 4.4% of Leno's funds are for the general election, but $163,750 of Midgen's totals cannot be used in the primary. She has debts of $180,186. Do all the math and that leaves her with only $13,014. It is a shockingly low number. I will fully admit that these numbers are from the Leno folks. If they are wrong please let me know.
Naturally the Leno campaign is bragging. Here is their press release:
Leno spokesperson Charles Sheehan says "Migden's campaign finances are in complete disarray, a fact that even her chief campaign consultant, Richie Ross, has openly admitted." Moreover, says Sheehan, while she "has refused to disavow using these illegal surplus campaign funds to pad her depleted accounts, we are confident that a current FPPC investigation into her numerous violations will block her from using that money."
Carole Midgen already has paid the most fines of any sitting Senator to the FPPC (the state version of the FEC). It looks like she will be significantly adding to that $100k fines total. The FPPC is looking into what could end up being several hundred thousand dollars in fines and bar her from over a million in contributions she has that she has allegedly transferred illegally from other campaign accounts. Her consultant Ritchie Ross has already confirmed that the complaints are "absolutely legitimate".
Or at least it seems to be hovering in strange places in Carole Migden's campaign. Today, an FPPC Complaint was filed against Senator Migden, based on four alleged violations (description over the flip and at Indybay. You should read a more detailed description of all the charges, but the one that troubled me the most is an issue of shabby accounting. Senator Migden has failed to account for over $380,000 of expenditures in her various campaigns. Yikes, that's more floating petty cash than JoeMentum used to pay his "volunteers" in Connecticut.
And of course, there's the other story floating around which is not accounted for in this filing. I am, of course, talking about the billboards. Now that Matier and Ross have ditched the City for a few weeks, it appears that the matter will be left to Tim Redmond of the Bay Guardian. Of course, I'm pretty sure I'd take Tim over M&R pretty much any day. So, follow me over the flip for more from Tim over at the SFBG-Blog:
I wrote this for today's Beyond Chron, San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily.
Back in March, I reported that Michael Colbruno – State Senator Carole Migden’s former chief of staff – is now V.P. of Government Affairs for Clear Channel Outdoor, the massive billboard company. Whenever Colbruno wants to help his old boss, he makes sure that San Francisco gets plastered with campaign billboards for election season. Today, the local Municipal Transportation Authority (M.T.A.) will vote on whether to give Clear Channel an exclusive contract to advertise on all 1,100 Muni bus shelters throughout the City, just in time for Carole Migden’s tough re-election fight.
But Clear Channel isn’t waiting for the Muni contract to help her campaign. Last week, the company set up huge billboards throughout the district, proclaiming that Migden is “leading California’s campaign against the War.” Migden has always opposed the War in Iraq, but to say that she has led California’s campaign demeans members of Congress like Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters and Lynn Woolsey who represent California and have led the charge since Day One. Carole Migden may have authored a resolution in the State Senate last January to oppose George Bush’s escalation. But ironically, it was her opponent, Mark Leno, who sponsored the very first resolution in the nation against the Iraq War – in October 2002.
(You Bay Area folks might be interested in this. : ) - promoted by atdleft)
Today at 6:00 PM, Assemblymember Mark Leno will be hosting his first Communities of Interest Policy Talks on Global Warming solutions -- using streaming video and chat technologies for an Online Town Hall. The goal is to brainstorm about ways we can reverse global warming... starting right here in Marin, Sonoma and San Francisco. Together, we can harness our combined creativity to drive new solutions.
(Updated...with pictures before and after the flip - promoted by Brian Leubitz)
UPDATE: I've now posted the image of the flyer. Personally, I'm of the mind that it gives the media far too much credit. Incidentally, the SF Chron story that was attached quotes only one person as to how divisive the election will be quotes only Don "I must have another 4 years" Perata and political ally, but generally cool dude, Aaron Peskin. ANd in the SacBee story that was attached, Peskin seems to be mourning the loss of the political machine:
"Since the Jerry Brown-John Burton machine has retired, there are no kingmakers left in San Francisco," Peskin said. "There's nobody to knock anybody's heads together to say who should and who shouldn't run."
Uh sure, them was some great days for democracy. Look, I have enormous respect for BOS President Peskin. But he's just wrong on the fundamentals here. (oh...and I have a cool picture from SFPride with both leno and peskin over the flip)...
The SFYD endorsement apparently means quite a bit. Enough to send out some friendly reminders from political allies on why incumbency ROX!! Woohoo!
Apparently, two electeds in the City haven't been reading Calitics enough. You see the thing is "incumbent" alone isn't enough anymore. Nobody owns a seat, you get what you earn, nothing more, nothing less. Our community is plenty strong. We can handle a little politics.
So, over the flip, I repeat my top 5 reasons, and I invite everybody to read my piece in Capitol Weekly.
First off, I am going to say straight away that I oppose term limits in general. I think it should be up to the voters when to kick somebody out of office. But in order for that system to work, the voters must be given a choice. But that's not what Senator Perata wants:
"I am disappointed by Mark Leno's challenge of a fellow Democrat with Carole's experience, accomplishments and skill,'' said Perata, who warned that all 25 Senate Democrats "will vigorously defend Sen. Migden. To get her, Mark must come over us.''(SF Chron 3/17/07)
So, apparently, this is how Sen. Perata wants it:
1) Official wins seat when open.
2) Said official is never challenged.
3) Said official is never termed out.
4) Said official only leaves office upon retirement, death, or conviction.
Sorry, that's not called democracy, certainly not in any meaningful way. So, Perata thinks that we never, NEVER, should challenge a sitting Democrat. Seriously, how else can you read that quote? I mean, I guess you could argue that Perata could say that it's okay to challenge a senator who is...ummm...not skilled and/or experienced. But can you imagine the occasion that he would find a Democratic senator who lacks experience, accomplishment, and skill? I can't, nor should he find such an occasion because he is the Party's leader in the Senate. Sorry, Senator, but incumbency is not sufficient. I can't imagine the world where this position helps the cause of extending term limits.
In other news, the "Kiddie Porn King" attack post put up by Michael Colbruno, former Migden CoS, unsurprisingly, it's a load of shit. In Thursday's Capitol Weekly, Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, of all people, came to Mark Leno's defense. I won't go into it further, because I've already wasted too many pixels on this filth. If you are interested, feel free to read the whole debunking of this garbage (Left in SF archive).
Over the flip, I repeat my reasons why primaries are important...
Today, Mark Leno will announce his candidacy for SD-03. (Calitics event listing here or you can check out MarkLeno.com) So, at noon at the Yerba Buena Gardens Esplanade, San Francisco's political scene will change. It has to. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
So, come watch change unfold before your own eyes. It'll be fun.
On the SF Bay Guardian's Blog Tim Redmond asks, "Who will be with Leno at the kickoff?" An interesting question I suppose, but the even more interesting question is why?
At some level, it gets pointless for me to keep yelling, "The primary process is there for a reason!!!" I mean, I'm sure you will see me say that several times. But, as Tim pointed out last week:
On the positive side, it's a clear sign that the days of machine politics in San Francisco are over, dead, done for. Can you imagine Willie Brown letting an actual contested election happen on his watch?
It's nearly impossible to argue with that statement, and just as difficult for me to be anything but delighted over that. In the day of open source politics, the political machine is the polar opposite. A good political machine, by definition, resists people-power in favor of power of a single person, or a small group. So, with one quick movement, Leno strikes a blow for good government and a vital grassroots.
But, as for who will be there? That really comes down to is personal relationships, which are, and aren't, a valid reason. The Gav and Leno have always been mutually supportive, and the same can be said of Migden and Chis Daly. And whatever differences and complaints I have with the Mayor, it cannot be argued that Leno shares those deficiencies. He is tireless, a legislator of the highest order, and surely enjoys being a legislator.
What our elected leaders should really be asking themselves is (and it's the same advice I offer to those for any primary challenge): Who will better represent SD-03? Who will be a more effective legislator on the issues that matter? Who will fight for the interests of the district? And of course, who is right on the issues? Look at their records, independent of the constraints of incumbency. Look at the baggage each candidate carries, both positively and negatively. If need be, take some time. Think about it for a while. There's no rush. We still have fifteen months.
And, oh yeah, I'll be there on Friday at noon (more info). I welcome you to join me in standing up for democracy and against machine politics.
(Back up to the front - promoted by Brian Leubitz)
As I discussed last week, Mark Leno will be challenging Carole Migden for SD-03. You can attend the kickoff for Leno's campaign this Friday at noon in SF, more information here. I know officials aren't used to primaries, that somehow it is disloyal to run a primary. And all that hooey. As I said in my op-ed in Capitol Weekly, there is nothing to fear but a little democracy.
But in Saturday's SF Examiner, Senator Migden seems to think democracy is a quaint, but not too relevant, notion.
Migden, speaking through her spokeswoman, Tracy Fairchild, said she was "proud of my effectiveness in the job my district elected me to do - and terribly sorry that the gentleman doesn't have his own job."
Well, Sen. Migden, it is called an election. And incumbency guarantees nothing. Does Sen. Migden have a job past Dec 1, 2008? Well, let's see, her current term expires then, and I don't see anything about her winning an election already. In the day of term limits and safe districts, nothing is certain.
Let's posit this in another direction. Say Migden and Leno were of different parties. Would she be saying anything about being sorry the gentleman has no job? I think not. I think Ms. Migden would be gearing up her grassroots campaign organization and working on winning an election. But, since this is a safe seat, I guess that won't happen. In fact, Sen. Migden has never had a hard fought election. She ran unopposed, or against token opposition, for all of her state offices. Of course, this is not true of Asm. Leno, who won a fiercely contested election against Harry Britt (who was endorsed by Migden).
So, let's cut it out on this feeling of entitlement, that the party label is a shield in safe districts. Just because SD-03 is a safe Dem district, does that mean that we don't get competitive elections? And if we want a choice or a serious discussion on the issues, how do we get that if not via the primary process?
So, Sen Migden should be pleased to finally be challenged. If she wins, she emerges battle tested and a stronger challenger for another office. She increases her name ID in the district and makes herself more powerful in the Senate. Of course, if Mr. Leno wins, SD-03 will also get a strong, well-respected voice in the Senate. And if you care to ask which side am I on? I will always say that I'm for democracy.
It's official. Word spread yesterday, but I haven't had a chance to post it on the front page yet. Assemblyman Mark Leno is working to provide more effective representation for San Francisco and Marin. I will write about this more, but right now, I just want to highlight the kickoff event on March 2 at noon in the Yerba Buena Gardens Esplanade. I posted full details in the event listings earlier today. See the event page for full information.
In a very insightful look at the (expected) 2008 primary campaign with Assemblymember Mark Leno challenging incumbent Senator Carole Migden, Randy Shaw writes:
Migden's inability to mount a serious challenge to Leno's slate of delegates for the California Democratic Party convention reflects her disconnection from the city's activist base. For a sitting Senator to field a slate, then abandon the slate, then deny she ever tried to run a slate, is not a good sign for her chances against Leno in the June 2008 primary.
There was a surreal feel to Leno owning the very same room where Migden once ran Democratic Party Central Committee meetings with an iron fist. But as Shaw notes, the upcoming primary race will be about far more than the traditional San Francisco fight over who is the most left.
I'm blogging live here from Sonoma County, Rohnert Park to be exact. Sen Carole Migden was, as always, very excited about making her presentation. She spoke for quite awhile about her various accomplishments. The speech was a bit rambling and disjointed, but was well received over-all. Asm. Leno spoke in a practiced, well-rehearsed tone. He spoke of his efforts on foster care. Again, it was well-received by this very well behaved crowd of all ages.
UPDATE: I've now posted the image of the flyer. Personally, I'm of the mind that it gives the media far too much credit. Incidentally, the