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STREET SWEEPER
Tuesday November 5, 2002

VOTE!
Today's the day. Pink slip the Governor? Heck, Underdog can't do any worse.
SAN DIEGO SCHOOLYARD FIGHT
The editors of the Wall Street Journal throw in an opinion about the fight going on for control of the San Diego School Board – it’s the teachers union against the world. Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
9th CIRCUIT FOLLIES
The Supreme Court slapped around the goofy 9th Circuit with a triple whammy. LA Times
FREE THE VALLEY
Pat Morrison says tomorrow won’t be a day of celebration. LA Times

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STREET SWEEPER
Monday November 4, 2002

FIRE HIM
Underdog spent the weekend stumping with the likes of John McCain and urging the crowds to pink slip the Governor. LA Times
DEREGULATION – NOT
Jeffrey Jones of the Hoover Institution makes the observation that whatever California did to encourage an energy crisis, it wasn’t deregulation. OC Register
HERE’S THE ONE-TWO
Steven Greenhut takes necessary swipes at a few candidates and propositions. OC Register
HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
Doing the campaign limbo – low moments in the gubernatorial campaign. SF Chronicle
IS THE ELECTION TUESDAY?
The turnout at the polls is expected to hit a record level of non-interest. Sacramento Bee

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STREET SWEEPER
Sunday November 3, 2002

STILL A CHOICE
Daniel Weintraub points out that no matter what, there is still a real choice between Underdog and the Governor. Sacramento Bee
MUD NO GUTS
Dan Schnur shakes his head at the governor’s race. SD Union Tribune
WHAT’S GOING ON?
Mark Baldassare takes a critical look at the ingredients of the voter’s view for governor. SD Union Tribune
PROP 51: CORRUPT
The Sacramento Bee has harsh words for Irvine’s Mayor Larry Agran’s favorite proposition. Sacramento Bee
DEM SWEEP
The Progressive party is looking forward to absolute control. LA Times
LURCH LEFT
A gleeful piece from Harold Meyerson relishing the glories of California’s new leadership as the home of statist tolerance. LA Times
MENDOZA
A quick review of the life and times of a new Latino conservative star. LA Times
EDUCATION FIRST
At least in the pages of the OC Register sees a real issue for voters: school boards and abandoning failing schools.
CALDEMFEM
Our state’s contribution to Progressive thinking is glowingly exemplified by one of our finest, Nancy Pelosi. SF Chronicle
FORCE DEBATE?
Should the gubernatorial candidates be forced by law to debate? SF Chronicle
3RD CIRCUIT JUDGES
A look at the judges up for retention. Sacramento Bee

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STREET SWEEPER
Saturday November 2, 2002

FINALLY AN ISSUE
The LA Times unveils the ugliest issue that hasn’t been squarely addressed in the campaign. After Election Day whoever sits in the governor’s chair will have to scramble to find at least $10 billion in budget cuts. And – of course – we know the Governor doesn’t like cuts, so get ready for a lot of new taxes if he gets the gig. LA Times
GOVERNOR’S DARKEST HOUR
We’re reminded of the crisis that will forever mark the Governor’s career. The Times sums up James L. Sweeney in his new book The California Electricity Crisis with, “…decisions by political leaders, including Davis, transformed a difficult challenge into a full-blown crisis.” LA Times Oh, don’t forget the editorial in the Wall Street Journal by Nobel Prize winner Vernon Smith that took the Governor’s temper over the edge. Opinion Journal
McCLINTOCK, OLBERG
The LA Daily News endorses two conservatives. LA Daily News
A DAVIS APOINTEE GOES DOWN
The Governor’s got another slight PR problem – this time with his director of Office of Criminal Justice Planning who might have criminally planned a little too well. Sacramento Bee
NAT: FREE THE VALLEY
What a surprise! Nat Holden supports secession. He’s let constituents know that they’ll have more power in LA Politics with the Valley out of the way. LA Times
NO ONE FOR GOVERNOR
The LA Daily News has a non-endorsement for the State’s top spot. LA Daily News
JAIL THE RICH, FREE THE POOR
Sheila Kuehl thinks that businesses in Santa Monica can afford to pay a living wage. Nonsense, we have a better idea. Why stop there? We must condemn all businesses in the city limits and take control and let the city run all commerce. Progressive socialism only works with strong central government control – so, be brave go the next step. Measure JJ is for sissies - next year we need a Measure JJJ that seizes all businesses. Now that’s progress. LA Times

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STREET SWEEPER
Friday November 1, 2002

SUPPOSE THEY HAD AN ELECTION AND NOBODY CAME?
Underdog and the Governor are pushing for that last bit of voter enthusiasm… LA Times Sacramento Bee
A GOVERNOR FOR PLUMBERS AND PRISON GUARDS
Gee, whatever could cause these guys to put millions behind the Governor? Buying legislation, perhaps? No… LA Times
ONLY 17% DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
A big portion of the voting public doesn’t know what to on election day. SF Chronicle
ORGANIZED CASH
Union money is flowing into the San Diego elections. SD Union Tribune
FISHY SCIENCE
Interesting how Green politics corrodes science. OC Register
EDITORIAL PROCESS
The Chronicle describes how it goes about endorsing candidates and measures. SF Chronicle

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STREET SWEEPER
Thursday October 31, 2002

TAXMAN COMETH
Underdog warns that if the Governor wins, there will be a big tax bill to cover all the “payments due.” Sacramento Bee
AH, THAT IS THE QUESTION
Underdog’s advisors are split on whether to keep up the attack on the Governor’s sore lack of ethics. LA Times
CASINO POLITICS
The Governor has allowed California to become overwhelmed with legalized gambling. LA Times

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STREET SWEEPER
Wednesday October 30, 2002

LIES, I TELL YOU!
Right on cue, the Governor says that Nathanson’s simply made up his story about pay-for-play way back when. He doesn’t want to debate a convicted felon. We suppose it must have slipped the Governor's mind exactly how Nathanson got to be a convicted pay-for-play felon in the first place. LA Times Sacramento Bee Washington Post
GOVERNOR MONEYBAGS
Just how did he get so much money? And from who? OC Register
BEACH BLANKET PAY-FOR-PLAY
OC’s Crystal Cove? Fund raising? Coincidence, mere coincidence. OC Register
EDUCATION POLITICS
Underdog and the Governor are both claiming to put education as a key priority. It’s a real issue. Of course, like the good Progressive political action committee they are, the teacher’s union is backing the Governor, albeit with great reluctance. LA Times
ON THE TRAIL
They’re making the big push and Underdog and the Governor both visited the Bay Area yesterday. SF Chronicle
LEARNING GAINS
The Union Tribune wants San Diego to keep its success in educational reform and stop the teacher’s union from scuttling change. SD Union Tribune
MENDOZA WARCHEST
The national GOP likes what it sees in Gary Mendoza and has sent a big check at the last minute. LA Times
FREE THE VALLEY: TRASH TALK
The LA Mayor wants the citizens of South Central to be afraid, very afraid of a giant mountain of refuse that’s coming their way if the Valley secedes. LA Times

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STREET SWEEPER
Tuesday October 29, 2002

NOBEL PRIZE? SO WHAT!
The Governor went nuclear over an op-ed written by Nobel Prize winning economist Vernon Smith. The truth must be painful – and such bad behavior in front of impressionable college students. Tsk. Opinion Journal Oh, here’s the original – Opinion Journal
PAY-FOR-PLAY: THE EARLY YEARS
The Nathanson letters were unsealed yesterday. Of course, one side will say it is more evidence of a corrupt Governor and the other side will say Nathanson is just a liar. Funny to read of Ruth Galanter stepping into the muck. And we thought this was interesting about Nathanson’s silence - “…his attorneys sought to keep them secret, saying he feared physical harm by supporters of the governor…” Sacramento Bee
SMOKE
The OC Register has an opinion about those pesky Nathanson letters and the Governor’s largesse to donor needs. OC Register
CREEPING AROUND LA
The Big Creep was Southern California to lend a show of machine politics support to the Governor. Sacramento Bee
WRONG WAY GOVERNOR
The most recent Times poll cites general dissatisfaction and most feel the state’s going the wrong way. Still, Gray’s their man. LA Times
FARM TEAM GOVERNORS
The third party candidates went after each other in a radio forum. Ah, the fringe. Sacramento Bee
UNION-MADE GOVERNOR
Another election year and thousands of union members will vote their union rather than their conscience. Sacramento Bee
THE GOOD FIGHT
Even though Democratic/Progressive machine fund-raising has outstripped challengers, the Conservatives fight on. LA Times
SOGGY GRASS ROOTS
Allan Pilger believes there’s too much cronyism in local city councils. Now, come on, isn’t that what it takes to get to the state legislature? OC Register

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STREET SWEEPER
Monday October 28, 2002

ELECTION? OH, YEAH.
Dissatisfaction with the governor’s race is a drag on the election. LA Times And, both the Governor and Underdog are calling to the party faithful. LA Times
ENDORSE? IF WE HAVE TO…
Dan Walters observes that the governor’s race lacks a little something. Opinion Journal
GUBERNATORIAL APOLOGETICS
In their ads the Governor and Underdog are both downright sorry. Sacramento Bee
WHILE WE SLEPT, TAXES AHEAD
The voters may not know there’s a big problem, but economics professors Werner Z. Hirsch and Daniel J.B. Mitchell describe a budget in crisis and tax overhaul desperately needed. LA Times
ARNOLD’S PROP 49: TEST RUN
Working the Rob Reiner playbook: first get behind an education proposition then get the party to pay attention to you. LA Times
PRORGRESSIVE POLITICS
The mayoral race in Berkeley is a contest to show who’s got the real ideologue’s credentials. SF Chronicle

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STREET SWEEPER
Sunday October 27, 2002

YES FOR UNDERDOG
The SD Union Tribune endorses Simon – albeit a somewhat tepid endorsement, but an endorsement nonetheless. SD Union Tribune
HUMAN VS. ROBOTICUS
In a Contra Costa Times commentary Daniel Wientraub sees Underdog as having real humanity – a trait others in the race lack. Contra Costa Times
FISCAL PITBULL
Debra Saunders makes the case for McClintock for Controller. We like the idea of driving the governor insane… whichever candidate it turns out to be. SF Chronicle
PAY-FOR-PLAY ATTORNEY GENERAL
Gee, Lockyear is just a clone of Governor Gimme, even in the editorial pages of the Sacramento Bee. Maybe the Bee should reconsider their endorsement. Sacramento Bee
LOCKYEAR: WHAT REPORT?
Daniel Weintraub observes that AG Lockyear is in a strange dance with the NRA over ballistic fingerprinting and his refusal to pursue his official duties. Sacramento Bee
RUNNING IN PLACE
It took the Governor just $65 million to keep his poll numbers from budging from the get go. SF Chronicle
NO ON 51
Ah, the Sacramento Bee doesn’t like the pork barrel Prop 51 either. Sacramento Bee
AN ELECTION? HERE?
The LA Times observes that there are a lot of people who just don’t care. LA Times
FREE THE VALLEY
David DeVoss succinctly lays out why secession is a good idea. LA Times
FREE THE VALLEY
The city of LA sponsors a senior fair in Encino so that the Mayor can campaign against secession. LA Times
LEAVE BIN LADEN AND SADDAM ALONE!
Thousands of our fellow citizens filled the street to say that anyone who hates America is okay with them. SF Chronicle SF Chronicle
THE NEIGHBORHOOD RACES
The Times does a quick overview of OC’s races and issues. LA Times

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STREET SWEEPER Archive page

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GUEST COLUMN: MALLON
Posted 11/04/02
California Governor's Race:
Final Hours for a Failed Governor
By Patrick Mallon

A less honorable man than Bill Simon might be asking himself "how can I win when I’m being so completely outspent?" "How can I possibly prevail when the LA Times and San Francisco Chronicle take turns smearing me on a daily basis?"

All that money, $30 million spent on attack ads in the last six months, and Governor Davis hasn’t moved an inch in the polls. Running in place, running out of time.

The answer is straightforward Bill. You are running against the most corrupt governor this state has ever witnessed. It’s sickening. And more people in the Democratic party, those who have traditionally backed Davis, people he once deemed staunch allies, can’t stand another day of it.
whole column

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CR COLUMN: NOV. 5 BALLOT

Posted 10/30/02
Get Your Pencils Out Orange County
By Hugh Hewitt

Orange County voters have many easy choices before them. John Adams and Glenda Sanders, for example, will make fine judges of the superior court. Chris Cox and John Campbell are tremendous representatives in Congress and the State Assembly, respectively. And the County initiative on campaign finance is a joke and should be voted down.

The key race for Orange County is actually the contest for Mayor and City Council in Irvine.
whole column

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CAMPUS SWEEP
Ian Eisner is a student and regular columnist at UCLA’s Daily Bruin. Here is his practical observation about the Governor’s race.

Davis is a Failure, Tainted by Money
By Ian Eisner
With Election Day fast approaching, gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon is just days away from achieving the impossible: getting Gov. Gray Davis re-elected.

This is bad news for Californians because while Bill Simon may not be a perfect fit for the state's highest office, Gray Davis has already proven his inability to govern. In the last four years, Davis has been nothing short of an ethical and political failure.
more at Daily Bruin

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NOV. 5: SAN DIEGO RECOMMENDATIONS

Roger Hedgecock's Roster
The nationally recognized radio host Roger Hedgecock's list of candidates, propositions and measures. list

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RATIONAL THINKING:
IN THE BAY AREA

Adam Sparks has written several Conservative opinion pieces for the San Francisco Chronicle. He also has the added distinction of having run a spirited Congressional campaign against Nancy Pelosi. Here are some of his recent editorials about California politics.

Mild-mannered Clark Kent is Running for Governor
9/23/02
"Like the comic-book Man of Steel, maybe Simon will yet save Metropolis to the cheers of adoring crowds, precisely because he won't lie, cheat or steal -- or shake down." More at the SF Chronicle

We'll Wake You When It's Over
9/15/02
"Why do so many in the Bay Area now think that a new U.N.resolution would now make Saddam cower?" More at the SF Chronicle

GOP Merits Moderate Moniker
9/8/02
"But a look at the facts about the Democrats and their false claim to the mantle of moderation reveals them to be more extreme and radical, and far more out of touch, with the average Californian." More at the SF Chronicle

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IN THE EMAIL CACHE: BEN STEIN

In the 2000 election we fondly remember Ben Stein's reponse to a talk radio host's question about Al and Tipper Gore. Without even a breath he said something along the lines of, "I don't like them. They're socialists. I don't like socialists."

This weekend he sent an email to us about the upcoming California election. His choices are quite simple:

"The only pick I have is Bill Simon and all Republicans for all offices..... Best, Ben"

See, conservatism can sometimes be quite simple.

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CR COLUMN: THE UNGOVERNOR
Welcome to Gray's state
By Hugh Hewitt

On a Saturday, the traffic on Route 101 from San Jose south to Monterey and Carmel is at a standstill. It is no better along scenic Highway 1. Commuting anywhere in the Bay Area during the week is an expected nightmare, but now even the off-season weekends have become obstacle courses, with no relief and only more cars in sight. Housing costs in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley long since passed out of the realm of affordability, and Willie Brown's city is once again besieged by the homeless.
whole column

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COMMENTARY IN PEN AND INK

Michael Ramirez has our vote for the best conservative political cartoonist in the business. On the editorial pages of the LA Times his pictures are rare evidence of rational thinking. Ramirez

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CR COLUMN: IRVINE ELECTIONS
Save These Names
Five to remember come Irvine election time.
By Hugh Hewitt

Well, well, well. The LarryLine just got shorter. By this time next year it will probably be running from one end of South Coast Plaza to the other. The Orange County Transportation Authority will no doubt press on with its toy train, otherwise known as the CenterLine, but only Todd Spitzer will still be cheering for it. Todd's going to Sacramento, of course, so he won't have to deal with the deficits, the construction delays, the endless excuses about why no one is riding the damn thing. But Todd's legacy - forever linked with Larry Agran - will be his boosterism for the little train that shouldn't.
whole column

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REPORTS WE LIKE
The Liberal Future?
World Magazine's Lynn Vincent reports from San Diego that California is a vision of the progressive future in store for the whole country.
whole story

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COLUMNS WE LIKE
California Housing Farce
At the Jewish World Review, Thomas Sowell gives us a lesson in how radical environmentalism trumps practical human need - in two parts. Part I Part II

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COMING SOON TO THIS SPACE
The Bluedog Democrat
weblog of a very lonely California breed

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Get Your Own Piece of the Governor!

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