Jerry Brown's baffling campaign and the do-nothing governor's race

[WI_DEM]

The California gubernatorial race has been a real snoozer so far, with little if anything to engage voters. Well, except for Brown bad-mouthing Bill Clinton because of that Whitman ad, that is. After a bit of a kerfuffle, Clinton is still endorsing Brown. But that's a long ways from actively campaigning for him, which is probably what he was going to do until Brown went off the rails and attacked a potential ally.

Meg Whitman will spend upwards of $150 million of her own money in a bid to win while Jerry Brown is, well, what is Jerry Brown doing? (Besides attacking the wrong targets.) No one seems to know. Even presumed supporters like columnist Steve Lopez at the L.A. Times are baffled by Brown's seeming inability to focus on issues and say something concrete instead of issuing more warm fuzzy statements with as much substance as cotton candy. One has to wonder, does Brown have 'the fire in the belly' for being governor? Or is he becoming a bit... aged... Because this campaign, unlike his previous ones, has been plodding, uninspired, and filled with gaffes.

Lopez was not impressed by a recent Brown press conference, billed as having a "significant announcement" which turned out to be for a new TV ad. The ad says the state must live within its means, return power to the local level, and that there will be no new taxes without voter approval. Future ads will claim a cure for cancer and the end of poverty. (Oh wait, that's not coming after all, my bad.)

http://caivn.org/article/2010/09/16/jerry-browns-baffling-campaign-and-do-nothing-governors-race

[Kdillard]

1. Yeah I am hoping he gets it together otherwise a golden opportunity

would have been lost.

[WI_DEM]

2. I like Brown, but don't understand why the dems decided to unite behind him

when Arnold is so unpopular--why didn't they seek out a fresher face?

[Kdillard]

3. Yeah if he can't turn it around in the next few weeks we really need

to kick ourselves. He just started running ads but he needs to get people excited about him and what he wants to do for California.

[musiclawyer]

4. No fresh faces because

Both SF and LA mayors have umm well known personal pecadillos from their private that have pretty much wounded their chances of significant higher office. If they were GOP, no prob. But us democrats seem to have low tolerance for politicians with personal shananigan problems. It's hard enough as it is for a squeeky clean Dem because the opposition makes shit up anyway.

[WI_DEM]

5. I see.

[Brother Buzz]

8. The fresh face could/should have been Garamendi

He was positioned well to make a good run, but pulled out when whispers of Brown running nixed the plans. As it is, I like him where he is now, in US Congress, representing my district.

[Retrograde]

16. But the SF mayor IS running for Lt. Governor!

I don't know what's up with the state Democratic party: they don't seem to be grooming new faces for high office. Feinstein and Boxer are both getting on in years, and there's no one of stature waiting in the wings. My congresswoman was unchallenged in the primary. I'd say they need a good wake-up kick, but I don't want to live with the consequences.

I heard a Brown radio ad last week; I hear so many Whitman ones that they fade into the background. Brown needs to get moving: if he thinks waiting around and appealing to the voters' intelligence are going to do it he should ask Gov. Angelides how well that worked for him in the last election.

(Yeah, I'm voting for Brown as soon as I get my mail-in ballot. I'd rather see Newsom in the seat even though he and his opponent, Maldonado, seemed to be in a who-can-be-the-smarmiest contest last week.)

[JI7]

14. the Fresher face would be Double Digits behind Whitman

since they wouldn't have Brown's name which is helping Brown stay where he is with all the money Whitman is using to attack him.

[Peregrine Took]

6. I used to like him but the more I saw of him - I thought he was an odd duck.

One time he was speaking at a rally and he kept telling his cheering supporters to "Shut UP!" Weird!

[AtomicKitten]

7. Why Jerry Brown cannot be underestimated --

----> http://caivn.org/article/2010/09/20/why-jerry-brown-cant-be-underestimated

[Kdillard]

10. I hope this article is correct because he doesn't have long to turn it around.

[AtomicKitten]

11. The first debate is scheduled 10/2 in Fresno.

I agree the anticipation is a nail-biter, but Whitman hasn't been able to buy a double-digit lead. When Jerry kicks it in gear, I am reasonably confident he will do well.

[bigdarryl]

9. like they say the dems will shot themselves in the foot sometimesBrown is odd looking and

a little strange at times and even though I hate to say this it matters to voters.They should have ran someone younger and a fresh face like a CA Senator or even Gavin He had to drop out because the establishment wouldn't support him.With the budget problems in CA under the rethugs this race should have been a easier one to capture.

[JI7]

13. i NEwsom was the candidate he would be double digits behind

the thing that is helping Brown with all the shit that Whitman is using against him with her money is his name and reputation among the voters.

and there is nothing wrong with the way Brown looks. he has won statewide office multiple times.

[JI7]

12. Bill Clinton IS scheduled to campaign with Jerry Brown

there are some problems with this article. yes, the race has been tough as Whitman has unlimited funds and Brown is VERY limited in his spending.

but Clinton is going to campaign with Brown. and Brown has been trying to do what he can.

[Kdillard]

15. I am very glad to hear that Bill Clinton will campaign in support of Jerry.

Hopefully between that and the debate it will make a difference.

[JI7]

17. most people will not watch the debates

only thing we can hope for is that the whore media doesn't use it to prop whitman or attack Brown in their coverage afterwards.

i am so fucking tired of this shit race. i would rather lose to some wingnut like Tom Campbell in a normal race than have Whitman trying to buy it as if it's some ebay auction.

[Kdillard]

19. Thanks for the info. I am hoping the voters get tired of Whitman trying to buy the race too.

Brown needs all the good coverage he can get so hopefully he does well in the debate so the newspapaers don't have anything to attack.

[David__77]

18. I think he will win.

He has plenty of money for ads in the coming weeks.

[golfguru]

20. Jerry Brown has always been whimsical

from way back when. However he is a decent & compassionate human being.