A Reliable
Voice in the
Community
Volume 6
Issue 47
February 3 - 9, 2010
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A Reliable
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State races heat up
On the state front, the governor’s race is really starting to materialize. Former eBay CEO and Republican candidate Meg Whitman has put over $37 million of her own money into the race. She has pulled ahead of her challenger and looks like the Republican nominee. Ms. Whitman has now started focusing on Jerry Brown, the presumptive Democratic nominee. The recent polls show her just 5 percent behind him. Former Gov. Brown has run the quietest campaign in recent history. He has no real Democratic opposition and has been content to watch the Republicans slug it out. Now that Ms. Whitman is the Republican frontrunner, look for Mr. Brown to gear up his campaign and focus on his opponent. This should be an interesting contest. Former congressman and business school dean Tom Campbell benefited greatly from the switch from the governor to the U.S. Senate race. The latest polls show that he is easily beating his two Republican challengers. While he still trails Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer, he poses the strongest opponent. Mr. Campbell is a more moderate Republican than his two opponents. He will be able to attract moderate and undecided voters. Sen. Boxer had the luxury of running against right-wing Republican candidates who’ve never gotten beyond their base. This will make a tighter race between a right-of-center and left-of-center candidate. Sen. Boxer’s long service record and diligent campaign work will do her well in this contested race. The California attorney general race is getting more crowded by the day. In addition to San Francisco DA Kamala Harris and three Southern California challengers, Assemblyman Alberto Torrico from Newark has entered the fray. Also, San Mateo Congresswoman Jackie Spier has shown a great interest in the seat and may enter the race soon. Look for a major shake up in that race. California is feeling the shockwaves of the Massachusetts Senate election. A virtual unknown Republican state senator was able to win former Sen. Ted Kennedy’s seat. He beat the Democratic nominee handily by campaigning by President Obama and the senate Democrats. The shockwave that has been sent through the party is that people want the Democrats to produce. Many people voted for Mr. Obama and the Democrats in 2008 because they promised change. A year and a half later, they are getting a lot of the same thing that President Bush produced: continual war now entering its ninth year, a collapsed economy, high unemployment and no health care reform. As a result, the Democrats are watching their majority shrink with every special election. Furthermore, the trend across the country is clear that independents rather than the traditional parties are the determining voters. In 11 states, registered independent voters now outnumber Democrats and Republicans combined. In nearly 30 states, independents are the largest registered voting bloc. Although Democrats make up the largest percentage of California voters, independents aren’t far behind. As a result, they are the ones who determine statewide races. Look at the governor and U.S. Senate races over the last several years. It is a function that cannot be ignored as the two traditional parties polarize further and further from the center. So, your challenge now is to vote and participate in the electoral process. Make your opinions heard and known. Clinton Killian is an Oakland attorney, resident and former planning commissioner. He can be reached at (510) 625-8823 or clintonkillian@yahoo.com
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The Oakland City Council approved the appointment of Michael Lighty to the Port Commission. The mayor cast the deciding vote that broke the 4-4 tie. Mr. Lighty’s appointment was celebrated by many diverse groups in Oakland. It will be refreshing to watch him bring the same level of energy to the Port Commission that he brought to the Planning Commission. So get ready for lots of outreach, plenty of que
