A National Referendum Idea on Constitution Day
Today is the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution.
Many headlines have been generated recently about proposals to change the Constitution. A lot of heat has been generated over the idea of changing the 14th amendment to alter birthright citizenship and even the futile notion to take voting power away from the people by changing the 17th amendment’s right to directly elect U.S. Senators.
What caught my eye was a proposal reported in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal’s opinion page that would create a "Repeal Amendment" in the constitution in which two-thirds of the states could vote to overturn an act of congress.
Meg’s Money
By tossing in another $15-million to her gubernatorial campaign, Meg Whitman made headlines all over the country spending the most money by an individual candidate on one election. She topped New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg by $10-million and counting. Whitman is up to $119-million; Bloomberg spent nearly $109-million in his 2009 re-election race.
Jerry Brown’s campaign, not to mention the media, continue to make an issue of Whitman’s money. There is no question these are eye-popping amounts.
The hard dollar total is a record of one kind, but with political math there is always more than one way to count a dollar. Whitman spent more than Michael Bloomberg in total dollars, that’s a fact. But, she’s got a ways to go to cover what Bloomberg spent per registered voter. There are about 4 million registered voters in New York City. Bloomberg spent over $27.00 per voter when he laid out his $109 million. With Whitman’s $119 million she has spent about $8.50 per voter give or take, only a third of what Bloomberg spent per voter.
Mid-Week Review While Awaiting the Budget
The budget is 77 days late. No one seems to care except those state vendors who are borrowing to stay afloat, state workers, those who keep tabs on records (we’re nearing one) or have a bet in the Sacramento Bee budget prediction game.
While waiting for the budget, other news is being made on California’s political front that deserve some comment.
Jerry Brown’s new ads continue his campaign strategy of calling Meg Whitman a liar. And, Whitman’s campaign attorney called the California Teachers Association a liar because of an anti-Whitman ad and told television stations to take it down. Where’s George Washington when you need him? Come to think of it, the legendary story that declared that George Washington could not tell a lie … was a lie.
Bill Clinton Tangled in Another CA Governor’s Race
Bill Clinton finds himself in the middle of a California gubernatorial election again and I was there the last time it occurred.
In the 2002 Republican gubernatorial primary, I was an advisor to former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. Riordan squared off with eventual Republican nominee, businessman Bill Simon, and former California Secretary of State, Bill Jones.
A day or so following Riordan’s defeat, I was in the car with the former mayor when his secretary patched through a call from the former president.
Able Abel and the Role of Acting Governor
Acting governor Abel Maldonado stands tall in the San Bruno gas line fire tragedy. Filling in for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who is on an Asian tour generating business for the Golden State, Maldonado has taken over the controls of the California ship and proved a hands-on leader directing resources to the sight of the crisis. Importantly, he is available to explain to the people suffering from the crisis and the public at large what the government knows and what it is doing.
Over the years, many observers of California government have suggested that the state constitution be changed to keep power with the elected governor, even when he or she is out of state. The argument goes that with modern communication systems, a governor traveling far away would still be informed and aware of any situation and the traveling governor can still direct the bureaucracy to respond in a crisis.
However, it is clear from the current crisis that some one on the ground has a better understanding of on-going problems and possible solutions to confront them. Maldonado has proven that.
Prediction: A Brown Win Means Special Election May 17
Conversation is getting louder that there will be a special election next year if Jerry Brown wins the governorship as reported by KQED’s Jon Myers. Brown’s meeting with the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board in which he mentioned the possibility of a special election increased the speculation.
I think it’s a sure thing and have for some time. I’ll even predict the date: May 17, 2011.
Brown said he plans to work on the next budget immediately after getting elected. If he can’t get past the hurdles his predecessor couldn’t jump in the polls-apart legislature, he will take his solution to the voters. Since Brown’s mantra is that he will not support taxes unless the people approve, his solution will probably include tax increases on the ballot.
Bravo to the US Chamber’s California Campaign
In 2005, I wrote in a document titled, Creating a Business Friendly California, meant to energize the business community: "To achieve a business friendly California, the business community must speak directly to the voters. We must educate voters on issues of the economy, business, regulations, and taxes. It’s not enough to educate the elected policy makers. Voters are the policy makers, themselves, when they vote on initiatives. We have to show them that a business friendly California is good for everybody."
Finally, such an effort is coming about thanks to the United States Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber issued a report the end of last month on California’s economic troubles and offered suggestions on how to turn around our economy. You can find the full report here.
The Chamber plans to back up this report with a media campaign to get the word out along the lines of my proposal from years ago.
Voters Beware – Prop 27 has Big Teeth
You remember the fairy tale … the little girl visits her grandmother but notices something strange about her … "What big teeth you have, grandmother."
A Big Bad Wolf has dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother so as to catch her by surprise and devour her.
The backers of Proposition 27 play the Big Bad Wolf in a modern day version of the tale. The politicians behind Prop 27 want to devour the poor voters who think it’s a good idea to remove legislators from the obvious self-interest of drawing their own legislative districts.
Jerry Brown’s Republican-Like Message
Jerry Brown released his first official campaign television ad and it contains a decidedly Republican theme. Following a revisit of his governorship by an announcer, Brown comes on the screen to tell voters three points of his platform: We must live within our means; power must move to the local level; and no new taxes without voter approval.
Of course, there are many Republicans who want no new taxes — period! But, generally, for years Republicans have emphasized the points expressed by Brown.
However, Brown adopting these themes raises some questions in the current political environment.
Jobs is Issue Number One
While last night’s senate debate between Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina covered a number of issues, it also affirmed what we have been saying all along – that jobs is issue number one.
California stuck with over 12% unemployment for what seems an eternity must unlock the formula to create more jobs. Both candidates hit the job issue hard during the debate.
Boxer excoriated Fiorina for sending 30,000 jobs overseas when she headed Hewlett-Packard. Fiorina responded that she made tough executive decisions and cut some jobs to save others.