East Coast Parallels
This weekend, I flew home to Connecticut for my high school best friend's wedding. Perhaps I run in particularly Democratic circles, but everyone I spoke to was eager to hear about my work on the California governor's race.
Pro-Jerry sentiment was rampant among friends, family, even acquaintances. (Remember, Connecticut was among the states Jerry picked up during the 1992 presidential primaries.)
The bride's father, a probate judge active in his local Democratic party, has never set foot in California and yet told me he was so proud to hear about the good work I'm doing for the state. "We're all rooting for you out here," his wife added. Even the security checkpoint woman at Bradley Airport saw the Jerry sticker on my laptop and crowed, "Jerry Brown! Now that's an oldie but goodie," before wishing me best of luck on the campaign.
Perhaps the Constitution State folk are so fixated on the California race because of events happening close to home.
Current, popular Attorney General Dick Blumenthal is running a tight race for Chris Dodd's open senate seat against Linda McMahon, the multi-millionaire former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment who has no prior political experience.
Sound familiar?
Shortly after her primary win, McMahon pledged to spend as much as it takes to win, stating that "money is no object." Forecasters predict she will pump close to $30 million into her campaign - peanuts compared to eMeg's figures, but one of the most expensive races this election season nonetheless.
Residents in my home state seem as disenchanted about buying elected office as our peers here on the left coast. If my conversations over the weekend are any indication, voters from both sides of the country will come out on November 2 in an effort to elect the most qualified, not the most affluent, candidates.
Blog Categories:
Carly,
Having recently relocated from Connecticut back home to California, the parallels are indeed apparent. Like Attorney General Brown, Blumenthal is equally respected in Connecticut for his own achievements as that state's top law enforcement official. It is amusing to me — and, I'm certain, many — but not unexpected, that such "new" political "personalities" as Whitman and McMahon emerge as candidates in the era of celebrity/business-magnate political forces forged since the Reagan era. In my opinion, McMahon's campaign is laughable; Whitman's is less so (if you pit WWE vs. eBay, I guess), but neither one is a viable candidate. I support Jerry for his past record, his continued service, and his commitment to reversing the unfortunate circumstances that have befallen California and the country since Brown was last governor. Bottom line: Money can buy votes. Celebrity can influence voters. But I like to think, given the performance of their celebrity/business mogul predecessors (with a few exceptions), the public will do the right thing. In the case of Brown v. Whitman, the choice is obvious. For me, it's above partisan politics. It's about the most qualified candidate. That candidate is Jerry Brown. Welcome back, governor — and thank you for having the tenacity to run yet again for what you believe in.
It looks like the evil empire is within reach of total control, and they are making the big push to get it. Apparently they have put a muzzle and leash on Obama, and now they are mopping up, using their unlimited money to buy elections all over the country. They want to remove people like Barbara Boxer and block the door to Jerry with Megabucks and her big, fat bank account. Let us all pray that they fail, big time.
Post new comment