So, why did Abel Maldonado easily win his primary for Lt. Governor while fellow legislator Mike Villines failed in his bid to secure the nomination for Insurance Commissioner?
Both men were pilloried for their votes to raise taxes in 2009. In addition, Maldonado demanded that the top-two primary be put on the ballot for his budget vote, which was adamantly opposed by party activists.
There are a number of theories. One argument points out that Maldonado had five opponents while Villines only had one so opponents of Villines knew whom to support.
Another theory: Villines was reaching for a new office; Maldonado is the sitting Lt. Governor. Yet, I bet most people did not know Maldonado held the office. Maldonado was labeled in the ballot booklet as Senator/Businessman/Farmer. Villines took the label Businessman/State Assemblyman. Assembly members are not held in high regard according to the polls. His opponent was labeled an enforcement attorney.
Perhaps, it was Villines position as the Minority Leader who actually negotiated the budget deal, which included taxes.
Many theories and all may contain some truth. For Maldonado’s part he believes it was his consistency on issues that brought him success. "My message never changed: reforming government so it works and creating jobs."
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Jerry Brown proposed multi-town hall meetings with Meg Whitman. He set up a website asking people to sign a petition to encourage Whitman to participate.
Whitman’s response is appropriate: Tell the people first what you have in mind for governing California then we’ll talk about it.
I’m sure we’ll see a number of debates, but my guess is voters who recently participated in the process after viewing endless ads and listening to numerous phone calls, wouldn’t mind the summer off. The many voters who did not participate probably would not pay attention until the fall, if they do then.
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In introducing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the news conference celebrating Proposition 14’s victory yesterday, Gary Toebben, president of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, (and frequent contributor to Fox and Hounds Daily,) said the Prop 14 victory cements the governor’s legacy as one of change and reform.
That victory will first have to sustain a test of possible legal challenge. The governor said he would dedicate himself to implementing the measure. As I reported yesterday, he declared his focus was on changing the state’s dysfunctional political system, which was why he said he would not endorse anyone in the governor’s race.
The governor said reform must focus on "service to the people, not service to the parties." He said the Prop 14 vote was "national news." Today, he is off to Washington, D.C. with one stop a viewing of a documentary on Gerrymandering with a follow-up discussion.
The governor, known nationally as an environmental advocate, appears to equally want to carry the label of government reformer beyond California, and beyond his term of office, as well.