It’s 2009. Do you know where your 2010 candidates are?
 
With little more than 500 days left until the June 8, 2010 gubernatorial primary election, the race to succeed Schwarzenegger has begun in earnest. While other contributors here have handicapped the potential field, it’s helpful to consider who California voters have elected to the state’s top post when making predictions.
 
With two notable, but similar, exceptions, California voters over the past 75 years have only elected governors who have held other statewide posts.
 
So what do Governors Earl Warren, Edmond G. “Pat” Brown, Edmond G. “Jerry” Brown, Jr., George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis have in common? They were elevated to the governorship from a previously held statewide post -- US Senator, Attorney General, Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor.
 
At first blush, it seems voters prefer candidates with previous experience in a statewide office. This doesn’t hold true for Governors Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the notable exceptions mentioned earlier. Instead it illustrates one critical factor all these past governors shared before being elected: name ID.

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Image courtesy Daylife/Getty.

Despite promises to the contrary, the Yes on 8 Campaign last week filed suit to have California's 18,000 same-sex marriages voided.  

To his credit, Attorney General Jerry Brown stepped in the next day to express his hope that the California Supreme Court will overturn Prop 8 in its entirety, expunging discrimination from our state constitution once again.

It's easy to get lost in the legal and political tussles of Prop 8, but as we all know, 18,000 actually married couples could see the state rip up their marriage contracts, invalidating an institution that promotes trust and stability within dedicated relationships. Marriage also provides incentive -- legally and culturally -- for these loving and stable homes to take in children for whom nothing is more needed.

To highlight the tragedy that will emerge if the California Supreme Court allows Prop 8 to stand, the Courage Campaign has compiled photos of couples and their family and friends holding signs that read "Please don't divorce..." us, my parents, my friends, whatever fits. Be prepared to be moved. To submit your own photos, e-mail "pleasedontdivorce@couragecampaign.org", and they will add your entry to the growing portrait gallery.

Image courtesy Courage Campaign.

Legislative Democrats have found a way to partially bypass the increasingly out-of-touch Republican Caucus. Something close to two-thirds of Californians approve...

"In order to address the state's immediate cash crisis, help protect jobs tied to threatened transportation projects, and tackle a major piece of the looming state budget deficit, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg have announced the Assembly and Senate will advance a package of $18 billion in real cuts, new revenues and other solutions that can be approved by majority vote. Speaker Bass says the majority vote, partial solution is needed because of the state's historic fiscal crisis and the refusal of legislative Republicans to support solutions that require a two-thirds vote. Here's more in this Assembly Access video."

Here's the latest Assembly Access video from our friends in Speaker Karen Bass' office fighting the good fight:

"California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles),  told reporters that Assembly Democrats are putting up a package of real cuts and new revenues that will address the short term cash concerns of the state.  The package includes $ 6.9 billion in current year cuts and revenues and $11.3 billion in cuts and revenues  and $800 million of other solutions in the 2009-2010 budget year.  That's $3B more in cuts and revenues than Democrats proposed in November.  California faces a historic crisis because of the national recession that requires immediate action.  The Speaker added that the Republican plan heard today on the Assembly Budget Committee does not address the short term cash concerns. Here’s more in this Assembly Access video."

Now that she'll be chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee, it looks like Senator Dianne Feinstein will formally take herself out of the running for the 2010 nomination. The conventional wisdom says that's good news for Attorney General Jerry Brown. But is it?

Brown has everything going for him: high name ID, a strong base among older voters and rank-and-file Democrats, and an uninspiring but near-flawless record as Attorney General. But I don't detect much enthusiasm for him, and he's not known for being a prolific fundraiser or having much of a campaign organization.

That leaves him vulnerable. Dianne Feinstein knew it; even though they are close personal friends, his all-but-announced gubernatorial run didn't sway her from keeping her name in the mix.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom -- another close personal friend of Brown -- knows it too. In fact, he may run as the Brown of yesteryear: young, smart, and bold. Feinstein not being in the running may actually help Newsom more than Brown in that regard, as he can now run squarely as THE alternative to him instead of fighting a three -front war with Brown, Feinstein, and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi.

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Image courtesy CNN.

Are you interested in learning about becoming a Delegate to the California State Democratic Party?

Tonight at 8pm, Crystal Strait, Political Director of the CDP, will host an online training. (RSVP to ExecutiveDirector@youngdems.org for the the log-in information).

This training will help give you an understanding of the Party structure and other aspects of being a delegate. Crystal Strait, Political Director of the California Democratic Party will join us online to help answer your questions.

To learn more about becoming a delegate go here.

Former Senate President pro Tem John Burton's late entry into the race for California Democratic Party Chair has forced LA County Democratic Chairman Eric Bauman to drop his bid and run for Vice-Chair instead.

In an email to supporters last night, Bauman wrote: "Senator Burton’s candidacy has profoundly changed the dimensions of the race for Chair. Many of my key institutional, organizational and labor supporters have told me they feel obliged to be with Senator Burton because of his years of commitment to them and their issues. Those same leaders have encouraged me to run for Vice-Chair instead. I have spent weeks carefully analyzing my chances for victory, my reasons for running and my commitment to this Party. I have sought the advice of friends, grassroots activists from across the state, Party leaders, elected officials and labor leaders and I have looked into my heart. I have concluded that I have a greater chance of successfully promoting the causes I believe in and supporting the issues I care about as Vice-Chair than I do if I stay in the race for Chair."

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