Go Phil Go! Phil Angelides for Governor

Phil was the first Democrat to announce for this race. He essentially started his campaign in October 2003 immediately after the recall of Gray Davis. He knew then that Californians would not take well to Schwarzenegger’s rightward tilt. This was confirmed in the 2005 Special Election – the election which Brian’s Big Voter Guide was right on every race! Coincidence? You decide.

While some Democrats – cough cough – tried to kiss up to the new celebrity governor, Phil got right to work fighting for progressive values and speaking up for the Democratic majority throughout the state.

His Democratic credentials are impeccable. He’s used the office of Treasurer to push through a progressive agenda. Ironically, both he and his primary opponent, Steve Westly, have used relatively ambiguous offices to push through dramatic reform.

Phil has been endorsed by the majority of California’s progressive leaders including both United States Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. He’s been endorsed by the California Teachers Association, Nurses Association and the majority of firefighters and police unions. He was also endorse by a super-majority at the California Democratic Convention and is therefore the official Democratic candidate.

He’s got a positive, progressive agenda to improve California and move us through the 21st century. His major emphasis is on education, and recognizes that properly funding education should be our top priority.

But what about Steve Westly? I like Steve Westly. I was an early endorser of Steve four years ago when he ran for Controller. I would be happy to work on his campaign for re-election. I just don’t think he’d make a good governor. Much like Gray Davis, I think Steve Westly is more concerned about keeping both sides happy, and less concerned about governing.

In coming years, as early as 2007, California will again face crippling budget deficits. Steve Westly was part of the team that in 2003 that said the only way to fix the budget is to borrow our way out of it. The other half of that team was Arnold Schwarzenegger. Steve has not come up with any concrete plans to address the budget crisis besides suggesting “creative” models including reviewing the lottery and collecting from more tax cheats.

I think that we may have already hit up the tax cheat angle. For example, in this primary, three major candidates are talking about their work to go after California’s tax cheats – Westly running for governor, John Chiang running for Controller and Judy Chu running fro Board of Equalization. The three worked on getting through some important legislation and enforcement, but I think because of their success that well might be running dry.

I also am afraid that Steve is trying to buy this office. He’s spent $20 million of his own money to “level the playing field” with Phil Angelides. The difference is Phil has collected from thousands of donors over 3 years to build up his war chest. He had to sell them on his vision, strategy, and ability. Steve raised the bulk of his money from one donor – himself – and I imagine that didn’t take much convincing.

Westly supporters are bound to say that Steve is more electable, moderate and palatable. At the same time, they’ll decry Phil as a career politician. Let’s address the second point first. Phil has served exactly 4 years more in office than Steve Westly. He served 2 terms as Treasurer. Not really a career politician. Granted, prior to his public life, when he was running a business in the Sacramento area, he spent his free time as Chair of the California Democratic Party. He was chair in 1992, the same year the California elected Boxer, Feinstein, and sent its electoral votes to Washington for Bill Clinton. Not a bad record in my book. Oh, and guess what? Steve Westly wanted to be party chair back in 1988. He would have been, too, had he not be defeated by Jerry Brown.

As to the electable argument, Phil is electable. So much so that he was elected twice in statewide elections. He’s been tested, as is demonstrated by his fundraising and endorsement success. Steve Westly’s only been elected once, in 2002. That year, Democrats swept every statewide office and yet Steve Westly barely squeaked in a victory. He almost lost the general election to Tom McClintock – the most rightwing member of the California GOP.

Therefore, my recommendation is for Phil Angelides for Governor.

To download the full version of Brian's Big Voter Guide 2006, click here! The voter guide is a PDF document with all of my recommendations and explanations. (This file hosting program, Savefile, is a bit clunky. Anyone know of a better one?)