OK, so this isn't really an ErinnF rant (or was it ErrinF?). It doesn't matter. What does matter is that we have a sexist pig for a Governor- your Governor, kos- and if the trends keep going, he will be there for another four years.
But there is something we can do about it. We can get out there and help Phil Angelides. He is the Democratic Nominee for the office of Governor of the State of California. And I am going to do what I can to make sure that he wins. Let's talk about THAT!
First of all, the only reason he is Governor is a fluke. The recall election was not a straight head to head election. It was a crazy thing, a free for all, and I think that is the only thing that allowed him to get in there. But once there, it is going to be hard to get him out. Just look
here:
Dominating the news in recent weeks with splashy bill-signing ceremonies and celebrity news events, Schwarzenegger has jumped to a 17 percentage-point advantage over the state treasurer, according to a survey from the Public Policy Institute of California -- an increase of 4 points since August.
The Field Poll found that Schwarzenegger has improved 2 percentage points since July and now leads 44 to 34 percent among likely voters.
Not the best news. Angelides hasn't defined himself yet, though. And I don't think that Schwarzenegger has defined him yet, either. Up until now, the public probably thinks of him as a non-entity. Who knows. Maybe that will change after the one and only scheduled debate next week.
I have seen this community pull together to do some really amazing things for candidates like Paul Hackett, John Tester, Jim Webb, Ciro Rodriguez, among others. Not all of them won, but we poured ourselves into them.
Kos has put Angelides in with that same group:
A year ago, Phil Angelides demanded his name be taken off the DLC's "member directory" when told he was on the list. His opponent, DLC fanboy Steve Westly, spent $35 million of his money on his dishonest, losing campaign. That race was so dirty that not only has it seriously wounded Phil Angelides in the general, but it depressed Democratic turnout to the point that it might have cost us the CA-50 race. But ultimately, the right candidate emerged from the muck.
What was the last thing that
kos said about Angelides? In a mid day open thread:
CA-Gov: This is sort of good news -- if Rasmussen is to be believed, Angelides has stopped the bleeding. It gives Arnold a 48-42 lead, about the same as July 20th 47-41 lead.
We can do better. He is YOUR candidate, too. I don't really mean to rag on kos. I am using him to make a statement. This is California. We have to be able to elect a Democrat. If not here, where? This is our year.
One of the things that really upset me about the polls was this:
Both polls also found only modest support for Angelides among voters in his own party; the governor had surprising strength among key groups and areas of the state considered Democratic strongholds.
So this is where you all come in. Get out there. Get the message out there. It isn't enough for us to simply oppose Schwarzenegger. We have to support Angelides.
I hope you can find a way. For those that live in the SF Bay Area, here is one way that I am helping to organize:
West County Democrats Mobilize for Angelides & Statewide Democratic Ticket!
On Saturday September 30, 2006, the West County Democrats will kick off a month long campaign to mobilize Democratic voters in the West Contra Costa County area. Elected officials and representatives from the California Democratic Party will gather to initiate phone banking, precinct walking, and other measures to help Gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides and other Democrats win statewide office in November.
Co-chaired by Richmond Mayor Irma Anderson and Richmond Councilman Tony Thurmond, West County Democrats is a coalition of Democratic Clubs from the cities of Richmond, El Cerrito, and Hercules. Representatives from the West County Latina/Latino Democratic Club and the Democratic Central Committee of Contra Costa County are also part of the coalition. Organizers hope to translate the 70% plus base of Democratic voters in the Richmond ar ea into a strong turnout for statewide Democratic candidates and initiatives. Nightly phone banking and weekly mobilizations will be used to energize local Democratic voters.
The September 30th mobilization will take place at 10:00AM at the offices of United Heritage Industries located at 5216 Wall Avenue in Richmond, CA. Refreshments will be provided and members of the public are invited to attend and participate in phone banking and precinct walking activities.
And kos, if you read this, you can take this as a formal invitation to come speak at this event on Saturday or any one of them in the future. I haven't checked out the location yet, we just got it last night. But I understand that there is a fenced in parking area were we can have rallies and such. Maybe you could come do a book signing if you want (or hide from one if you are having too many).
So much is riding on this. Angelides has the right ideas. He has YOUR ideas. It shouldn't matter that he can't campaign. We need to get his back. He is going to stand up for us, and what we believe.
But there are a lot of other candidates on the ballot, too that can be helped if we get out the vote for Angelides. Debra Bowen, Jerry McNerney, Charlie Brown, Francine Busby. The list goes on. If you live in California you should read all of kid oakland's diary. But I am only focusing on Phil, here:
Phil Angelides is a veteran California Democrat with a progressive core. As California State Treasurer, Angelides initiated two programs that have impacted California families across the state. First, Angelides launched Scholar Share, a savings program that has seen 40,000 California families sock away $170 million for their children's education taxed at the rate of the beneficiary, not the parent. Second, Angelides spearheaded the Extra Credit Teacher Home Purchase Program whereby over 1000 California teachers have purchased their first homes and put down roots in communites that might otherwise seen a revolving door of teachers move in and out. Home ownership, education, innovative programs run with sound fiscal oversight...programs that lend a helping hand to Californians willing to help themselves: these are the mark of Phil Angelides leadership and exactly the focus that California's citizens can expect from Phil as governor.