- What exactly is Gavin Newsom’s bear screaming?
If you look at the frontrunner Newsom’s campaign logo, which appears prominently in his TV ads, the California bear is not just standing there. He’s looking up with his mouth open, appearing to yell something. The campaign has not provided a transcript so my best guess is: “How the hell are you going to pay for single-payer, Gavin, without crushing me with new taxes?”
- Why did no one tell me previously that John Chiang was managing the California economy during the recession?
Chiang takes credit for managing the California economy and helping turn it around in his TV ad. And all this time, I had believed Gov. Brown when he said the California economy can’t really be managed. Chiang is making news here – why don’t we hear more about all that economic management?
- Or maybe the answer to #2 stems from #3. Is John Chiang trapped in some sort of chamber?
The Chiang ad is a weird game-show like chamber, very dark and “Who Wants to Be a Milllionaire?” style, that seems kind of scary. John, call me and let me know if you need me to come and let you out.
- Why is Antonio Villaraigosa still riding that bus?
Villaraigosa’s ad introduces him as a kid who used to ride three buses. But then he talks about the many improvements in L.A. during his tenure in mayor, including in transit. So what bus is he on? Because in modern L.A., mayor, you ride three slow Metro trains to get places, rather than three buses.
- Where are Amanda Renteria’s ads?
Her candidacy was for real, I was told repeatedly (especially by Gavin Newsom supporters) after I suggested she was entering the race mainly to mess with Villaraigosa’s support. And yet, I still don’t see her ads. Do you think she might be trapped in John Chiang’s torture chamber?
BONUS QUESTION: Why don’t I see an Arnold endorsement in any of these ads?
Because there isn’t any such endorsement. And it’s not clear that the candidates would want Schwarzenegger’s backing. Only two candidates could get such backing conceivably – John Cox, who doesn’t need more moderate support, and Villaraigosa, whose push for Democratic votes would be complicated by it.