Author: Judy Lloyd

Gilbert R. "Gib" Marguth, Jr. was born in Oregon in
1934.  He passed away a few days ago
after a 9-year battle with leukemia and lymphoma at age 77.

Assemblyman Marguth represented the 15^th Assembly
District with distinction in the 1980’s. 
He was a straight, common sense talker with a rye sense of humor and a
smile that lit up any room he was in.  He
served as Mayor of Livermore and also on the Zone 7 Water Board locally and
left the Assembly due to appointment as the State’s Deputy Superintendent of
Public Instruction.

I had the chance to work with Assemblyman Marguth this past
year when he attended several of our events with former Assembly Leader Martin
Garrick in the Brentwood and Walnut Creek area. I didn’t know "Gib" well but I
wish I had known him better.  He was a
gracious gentleman who enjoyed people and believed that public service was tied
to representative government.  He was the
embodiment of a true public servant.

A "dead cat bounce" is a Wall Street term that refers to a
small but brief recovery in the price of declining stock.  Look at the graphs of this week’s "bounce"
and you might find yourself more productive buying a cat than trying to create
a job in California.

On Thursday, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell
met with business leaders and friends in Silicon Valley to discuss the economy,
the debt ceiling, and what it would take to get California’s – and the nation’s
economy – back on track.

Southerners have an amazing way to turn a phrase and say it
in plain talk.

The Senate Leader talked about how some Silicon Valley folks
he has met with indicated they don’t mind paying a little bit more in taxes if
we can just "fix things".  He didn’t seem
to think that more taxes were necessary, stating, "the reason revenue is down
is the economy is down.  Let’s fix that
and then have a discussion."

I was touched by Joel Fox’s tribute here at Fox and
Hounds.  Largely the word that comes to my
mind when I think of Matt Fong is – respect.

Matt earned the respect of taxpayers and policy makers who
cared about responsible governing.  He embodied
the ‘good’ in government serving with distinction whether he was elected or
appointed.  Public service and generosity
defined Matt Fong.  He knew that he served
"at will" – that his job was to protect taxpayer dollars and give his very best
advice to guard state finances.  Respect
for taxpayers catapulted him to notable national posts requiring financial
expertise and savvy.  One thing was for
sure: Taxpayers could trust Matt Fong.

I met Matt through several of my Asian American mentors and
friends including former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and former
Presidential appointees Joe Yew, Walter Liang, Clayton Fong, Elsa Cheung, and the
late John Tsu.  These individuals I
respect called him "friend."

Republicans meet this weekend at their State Convention in Sacramento to discuss their nominations process in the aftermath of Proposition 14. Some may think it’s an inside baseball debate. The truth is that what happens this weekend will have a tremendous impact on the Republican Party, its candidates and their ability to win future elections.

California’s highest ranking Congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy has become active in this debate. He is co-sponsoring a measure with State Senate Leader Bob Dutton and Assembly Leader Connie Conway. The plan focuses on the principle that Republican voters should decide who their nominees are – not party insiders.

McCarthy addressed California Republican Party delegates via teleconference this week contrasting the differences between the process for party endorsements that he and a vast majority of Members of Congress, State Senators and Assembly Members support and the one proposed by the current party chairman.

Yesterday, Virginia Judge Henry Hudson found the individual health care mandate – a key part of national health care reform proposed by President Obama – unconstitutional. Putting the kibosh on this mandate, namely the provision that says Americans without health coverage must purchase their own insurance starting in 2014, may be the first in a line of rulings on the constitutionality of the Obama-care law and its impact on states.

A proud Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia’s Attorney General, claimed victory saying the ruling was the right thing for Virginians who now won’t be forced to buy health insurance. He said Congress had gone too far and that it was unfair to require individuals to purchase a product from a private entity – in this case – an insurance company.

Judge Hudson agreed, ruling that the health care mandate exceeds the federal government’s authority under the “Commerce Clause” and that it was beyond Congressional power under the Constitution.

The San Francisco Business Times is currently conducting its “Business Pulse” Survey.

The question: “Should Nancy Pelosi step down as leader of the House Democrats?

Readers of the publication are largely business owners and entrepreneurs. The results as of 9:30 PM on Tuesday are posted below where an astonishing 65% of readers of the San Francisco publication believe Pelosi should step down. A mere 32% say she should stay. Keep in mind this is the San Francisco Business Times – not a national online poll.

Anyone who knows Washington, D.C. knows how popular North Carolina Congressman Heath Shuler is. After all, this man was the Quarterback of the Washington Redskins. It’s not a far stretch. Washington loves him.

Check Congressman Heath Shuler out here.

If Democrats don’t have the good sense to choose him as the “face” of the party against likely Speaker John Boehner, then God help them (they’ll need it) in 2012.

Glory goes to the San
Francisco Giants whose manager, organization, spirit and clutch players made
this World Series so spectacular.  The
celebration continues tonight at San Francisco’s Civic Plaza and at countless
bars in the Bay Area.  Will Democrats
rule tomorrow as the City by the Bay Celebrates?

Most historical observers agree
that when the Giants made the World Series, they saw the unreachable star with
nostalgia reminiscent of the last time the New York Giants won the Series.  That was during President Eisenhower’s
tenure.  Only people old enough remember know
that it more than 50 years ago.  I happen
to be one of them.  While I grew up a New
York Yankees’ fan (I was born there when President Eisenhower was President), I’ve
been reminded of this countless times this week by baseball fans and relatives
back east who held out hope that one day the Giants would win again, keeping
the old dynasty alive.  It kind of
reminds me of those of us who knew Reagan. 
It’s the same "believing" feeling.

Summer in California is usually quiet with no real interest in politics.  This year is different – and it’s not just the summer heat that’s making people delirious.  They want change – and it’s not in the form of Barak Obama.

I was part of an incredible team that helped Sam Blakeslee prevail in not just one election, but two in two months.  When I started, few were aware of the Special Primary Election on June 22nd where Blakeslee nearly won the race outright in an 8 point Democrat district.  Sam had help from Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, and Governor Schwarzenegger. 

In fact, nearly every notable Republican offered some form of assistance.  They backed him wholeheartedly not just because he’s a Republican.  Sam represents a new California – he’s an innovator and researcher with a deep understanding of budgets and how to rally people towards a common cause.  His impressive record of bi-partisan legislative accomplishments gave voters confidence.

On Saturday night, a crowd of 400 or so GOP stalwarts gathered in Atherton at "The Rising Tide" to see Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, Damon Dunn and Abram Wilson.  This event, an annual ritual for many years, brings together GOP stalwarts and elite for a fun night of barbecue, dancing, and fun.  For years, the event has been short on real politics and long on fun, largely due to a lack of serious, viable candidates for key positions.

This year was different.  Republicans have two women business icons in Silicon Valley running as heads of their ticket.  Adding flair and common sense were are two amazingly competent African Americans running for Secretary of State and Assembly in the 15th District.  For once, this event wasn’t about a bunch of white guy career politicians – instead it focused on achievers who are different, who have solved problems, and who can win.

I know it sounds weird to most progressive Democrats.  It’s not like Republicans have shined in California elections with women and minorities.  But – here’s the thing.  It’s a new California and Republicans somehow seem ready to embrace this change: