Comments on: Cal Gov Race: The Candidates Speak To FrumForum

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:35:59 +0000

Trying to blame Republicans for the problems of the State of CA doesn’t make much sense. Blaming the Democrats who have a huge control of the state senate and assembly, and the voters who keep blindly passing ballot initiatives does though. CA has the highest tax rate and unemployment rate in the country, and is usually rated the most business unfriendly. The excessive regulation probably also plays somewhat of a role in the outrageous housing costs. As long as the religious right maintains its dictatorial role over the Republican Party, I’m going to remain an independent. It’s too embarrassing to be a Republican right now. The Party needs to split in two.

By: cb55

cb55 — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:22:44 +0000

The republicans in CA bargain everytime. The democratic legislature gets what they want everytime.

I know because the republicans hold out on tax increases- they are held responsible by media types, liberals, and sometimes moderates for the budget mess. But in the end, the Republicans cave in on a bad deal everytime.

I wish Californians, and commentators that flock to this site would start accepting the fact, that the budget will alway be a mess because of reckless spending. Every budget from now on is going to involve borrowing or taxing, and it is going to involve blaming republicans because they do not bend right away.

Can we all just start realizing- it does not matter how many seats republicans have in our state government anymore. They will keep being forced to cave, yet be made out to be the bad guy everytime. And because of the way the state is ran- which republicans in the legislature have really no control over- we are always going to have a budget crisis in CA.

Also, Elise Cooper's favorable opinion on some of these candidates sound like having another Arnold Swarzennegger. I am a Republican, and will always vote Republican, but when there is really little difference between the parties- I do not see why I should care whether my party wins or not. It does not make a big difference.

By: Realist

Realist — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:54:08 +0000

WTF???

"Michael Steele has an interesting message for moderates, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. During a news conference at the Wisconsin GOP convention on Friday, Steele said moderates are welcome to join the Republican Party -- but not to change it.

"All you moderates out there, y'all come. I mean, that's the message," Steele said. "The message of this party is this is a big table for everyone to have a seat. I have a place setting with your name on the front."

But, he added: "Understand that when you come into someone's house, you're not looking to change it. You come in because that's the place you want to be.""

WTF??? He he kidding with this nonsense? I originally supported Steele because I understood that his (and NM's) stated mission was to recruit Republican candidates that can win general elections. Where is the incentive for such candidates to run for office after hearing this piece of drivel. Good grief.

By: Bulldoglover100

Bulldoglover100 — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:07:18 +0000

Thanks for the indepth information. We need to be doing just this for each state that has an uncoming election.A place where people can be told to go check the creds without all the hoopla and a place that gives the good side and the bad. By listing the weak points it takes the ammo away from the other side.

By: ditka

ditka — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:40:58 +0000

The last time Tom Campbell ran statewide he got crushed, what makes you think this time will be different?

By: RLHotchkiss

RLHotchkiss — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:10:42 +0000

n California a budget takes a super majority so the Republicans have a veto over any budget. Especially the tax policy of California is essentially been guided by the minority party and prop 13.

For the average Californian, the increase in student fees in universities, the massive cuts in classes offered and other cuts in services are much more apparent than the tax increases. These cuts have been because of the Republican minority. And if the proposition for continued sales tax does not increase more drastic cuts will come. It will not be hard at all to lay the blame at the feet of the Republican party.

I didn't move to Nevada, I moved to California. I think you will be surprised by the number of people who aren't interested in turning the state into another Nevada. And we can never compete with Nevada on costs because Real Estate prices are so much higher in California.

By: barker13

barker13 — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:36:20 +0000

Re: RLHotchkiss; 8:35 PM --

"For years now the Republicans have run the budget and the Democrats everything else."

HUH...?!?!

How's THAT work...???

Haven't the Democrats controlled both Houses of the California Legislature for the past 12 years...???

BILL

By: RLHotchkiss

RLHotchkiss — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:35:46 +0000

The fundamental problem in California politics is that legislative Republicans simply refuse to bargain. Democrats simply have no one to reach out to make compromises with.

The huge failure of the current governor is that he could not bring any significant number of Republican legislatures with him.

For years now the Republicans have run the budget and the Democrats everything else. And even if their was a compromise made it could immediately be undone by a proposition.

None of the current candidates on the Republican side have addressed these issues. Unless a Republican governor can claim to negotiate for his or her party and have enough popular support to prevent deals being undone by the initiative process, there is simply no reason for moderates to give their votes to a Republican.

By: barker13

barker13 — Sun, 03 May 2009 13:21:13 +0000

Dear Elise,

Re: Poizner:

"...test results of the Charter school students are not significantly different from those in public schools."

You're talking specifically California? If so, is there anything about the way California regulates charter schools that accounts for these outcomes?

Re: Whitman:

No questions. (*SHRUG*)

Anyway... thanks in advance, Elise, for any additional insights.

BILL

By: barker13

barker13 — Sun, 03 May 2009 13:04:19 +0000

Dear Elise,

Re: Campbell:

"...proven ability to work with Californias Democratic legislature."

Work with to what goals...??? Could you be a bit more specific?

"...de-emphasize partisanship and instead emphasize collaboration..."

Collaboration on what, specifically...??? What policies? What actions? What legislation?

"As a Congressman, he worked closely with others on the joint economic committee."

To what result...???

BILL