Post by goldengirlz on May 21, 2018 13:57:31 GMT -5
I just got my ballot.
Who looks interesting? What are your top-of-mind issues?
After years of living in a red state and basically hoping the Democrat was a true Democrat (and not a Republican in disguise), I admit I’m spoiled for choice here and having trouble sorting through all the Trump-bashing liberals trying to out-liberal each other.
Post by suburbanzookeeper on May 21, 2018 15:14:37 GMT -5
I pre-filled my sample ballot out a week ago but I've been making tweaks here and there but still haven't decided on a governor. Pro-choice is my personal hill to die on so for me it feels like I have cleared half the battle field with just that.
Post by shortcake2675 on May 21, 2018 16:09:13 GMT -5
I just got a call from someone asking for money for Feinstein's campaign. I assured her I would vote in Nevada, but I didn't have any money to give right now. She was unhappy with me for wasting her time I think.
I pre-filled my sample ballot out a week ago but I've been making tweaks here and there but still haven't decided on a governor. Pro-choice is my personal hill to die on so for me it feels like I have cleared half the battle field with just that.
I will research this myself, I promise, but are there are any anti-choice Democrats with a viable shot?
I pre-filled my sample ballot out a week ago but I've been making tweaks here and there but still haven't decided on a governor. Pro-choice is my personal hill to die on so for me it feels like I have cleared half the battle field with just that.
I will research this myself, I promise, but are there are any anti-choice Democrats with a viable shot?
I'm super pro-choice (if that wasn't clear earlier, sorry!) so that knocks off most Republicans for me. I watched clips from this debate earlier this year: www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-governors-race-democrats-naral-debate-20180130-story.html I'm having a harder time narrowing it down in the pool of Democrats and non-crazy Libertarians. DH & I were supposed to research this together this week.
Ugh. I still haven't decided on governor. Everyone I have spoken to is so uninspired by the governor race.
I refuse to support constitutional amendments that impact the budget. There's a bunch and I'm no on all. I don't like tying legislatures' hands, and Prop 13 demonstrates the risks. We just don't know what the long term unintended consequences will be.
My hill to die on is gun control and gun accountability (both in the hands of civilians and police). I'm looking to see if any group has done a gun control guide but haven't found anything yet.
In terms of the Gov’s race I don’t think you are going to find much daylight on issues like guns and choice between the Ds. But you may want to spend some time thinking about charter schools as there is a difference there.
I don’t know who I’m voting for but I’m keeping electibility and historical significance of the candidate on the front burner.
If you haven’t done so, I highly suggest watching the gov debate from a few weeks ago.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on May 21, 2018 19:11:31 GMT -5
I'm in a red county and we're trying to unseat our toolbag of a Rep (effing LaMalfa) and there are two women dems running. I told R that I don't care which one at this point (although I have a favorite) I just need SOMEONE to take that pile of steaming shit out and dump him in the good ol' boy pasture.
My preference for Governor is Chiang, although he's kind of running a little more quietly than I'd like. I appreciate his stance on a number of issues, particularly the housing crisis, as well as his general take on our fiscal situation. My hill to die on is health care, and I like his take on the single-payer issue. My only issue with him is that he's got a lot of "only I can..." wording in his issue statements and I tend to feel a little squicky about candidates making promises/statements like that.
I'm surprised Newsome isn't more of a shoe-in. Unless you guys think he is anyway?
Re: Feinstein - she has a TON of seniority. I'd encourage people to think about that.
I don't even live in CA anymore, but the ballot initiatives still make my blood pressure spike. I also miss fighting over who was more liberal and engaging in a protest vote against establishment Dems. Stupid current purple state.
Post by scribellesam on May 21, 2018 19:54:56 GMT -5
I am also liking Chiang for governor. I’m also very invested in my district’s Congressman race. My rep is abominable waste of space Duncan Hunter, and I really like one of the D challengers: Ammar Campa-Najjar. Not sure how much a chance he has in my redneck district, but I’d love for him to get through the primary at least.
My hill to die on is gun control and gun accountability (both in the hands of civilians and police). I'm looking to see if any group has done a gun control guide but haven't found anything yet.
Same! Let me know if you find anything. I looked this afternoon and didn't find any rating scale. Most of the Dems are for gun control, but I want to know who is the most for it. Like the opposite of an nra rating...
As a state government employee, I'm also leaning towards Chiang. He was very capable and confident as the state controller. I definitely agree that he is running quietly, which makes me nervous.
Newsom is horribly unpopular with the gun lobby so he’s tops in my book. I’ve been a fan of his since his SF mayoral days.
He is probably my least favorite Democratic politician ever (and yes, that’s only because Bernie Sanders is not a democrat. But still). Seriously he’s such a vapid slime ball and all talk, no policy substance whatsoever. It drives me nuts that his name recognition is so solid that he could win when he is still coasting by on one stunt he pulled years ago and acting like he’s the second coming for LGBT rights. I will be so beyond annoyed if he wins. Also I’m counting down the days until he gets #metoo’d because it has got to be coming.
(No offense - this isn’t an indictment of your comment or opinion, which I know is shared by many.)
Post by ellipses84 on May 21, 2018 21:21:38 GMT -5
DH got his sample ballot a over week ago but I haven’t gotten mine...we registered at the same time so I need to check on it. I also need to do my research since we recently moved back to the state but I’d love to hear your opinions.
As a state government employee, I'm also leaning towards Chiang. He was very capable and confident as the state controller. I definitely agree that he is running quietly, which makes me nervous.
He’s my fav for governor. I really think he could do great things and he’s the only one whose health care proposal doesn’t make me want to chuck them out of a window. He’s not the only good candidate running but I genuinely think he would make the best governor.
I'm surprised Newsome isn't more of a shoe-in. Unless you guys think he is anyway?
Re: Feinstein - she has a TON of seniority. I'd encourage people to think about that.
I don't even live in CA anymore, but the ballot initiatives still make my blood pressure spike. I also miss fighting over who was more liberal and engaging in a protest vote against establishment Dems. Stupid current purple state.
He probably is. Villaraigosa might make it close though. At least that’s the impression I get from the media. He’s leading among Hispanic voters, which could be a key factor.
I’m not sure what to make of him though because of how heavily he’s being backed by charter school funding. Our school district is a fucking mess but I don’t think charter schools are the answer.
Honestly, any of the Ds would probably do a good job. I feel like we are spoiled with solid candidates. I’m not into the character attacks. A point in Newsom’s favor is that he actually cares about lower ed issues whereas our current Gov seems to give it merely a passing thought.
Please don’t just focus on the sexy issues when contemplating the Gov. spot. The likelihood that pro gun/anti choice legislation would make it through the legislature to the future gov’s desk is slim to none. Don’t forget there are a ton of little issues that this Gov will need to make decisions on.... esp. budget related issues where the Gov flexes some real muscle.
I like Chiang, but he's way behind in the polls. I'll probably vote for him anyway - I just can't get behind Newsom or Villaraigosa. I mean, I'll vote for either of them over a Republican, but...ugh.
For senator, I don't know. I wish Feinstein had decided to retire.
The only race I'm excited about is our county sheriff, where a decent-seeming democratic challenger has a good chance at unseating the terrible incumbent.
Please don’t just focus on the sexy issues when contemplating the Gov. spot. The likelihood that pro gun/anti choice legislation would make it through the legislature to the future gov’s desk is slim to none. Don’t forget there are a ton of little issues that this Gov will need to make decisions on.... esp. budget related issues where the Gov flexes some real muscle.
This is a good point. I don't know how everyone feels about WaterFix (aka the delta tunnels), but I will point out that every candidate is on record as opposing it, except Newsom who kinda sorta endorsed it. That is an issue that the next governor will have a lot of sway on.
Please don’t just focus on the sexy issues when contemplating the Gov. spot. The likelihood that pro gun/anti choice legislation would make it through the legislature to the future gov’s desk is slim to none. Don’t forget there are a ton of little issues that this Gov will need to make decisions on.... esp. budget related issues where the Gov flexes some real muscle.
This is a good point. I don't know how everyone feels about WaterFix (aka the delta tunnels), but I will point out that every candidate is on record as opposing it, except Newsom who kinda sorta endorsed it. That is an issue that the next governor will have a lot of sway on.
Please don’t just focus on the sexy issues when contemplating the Gov. spot. The likelihood that pro gun/anti choice legislation would make it through the legislature to the future gov’s desk is slim to none.
I don't ignore the other issues, but I also don't think holding police accountable for their violence is just a sexy issue. I think it is crucial for our governor to set the tone on this issue. There are also gun control measures working their way though our state legislature.
Gun violence has been my make it or break it issue for years. The NRA has legions of voters who make it their single issue cause - what they vote by, what they call for.
Of course there are many other important things out there. I'd be happy to hear more of your (or other posters) thoughts on specific candidates and issues to guide my research :-)
This is a good point. I don't know how everyone feels about WaterFix (aka the delta tunnels), but I will point out that every candidate is on record as opposing it, except Newsom who kinda sorta endorsed it. That is an issue that the next governor will have a lot of sway on.
Also high speed rail.
All the Democrats are for high speed rail, at least in part.
Newsom is horribly unpopular with the gun lobby so he’s tops in my book. I’ve been a fan of his since his SF mayoral days.
He is probably my least favorite Democratic politician ever (and yes, that’s only because Bernie Sanders is not a democrat. But still). Seriously he’s such a vapid slime ball and all talk, no policy substance whatsoever. It drives me nuts that his name recognition is so solid that he could win when he is still coasting by on one stunt he pulled years ago and acting like he’s the second coming for LGBT rights. I will be so beyond annoyed if he wins. Also I’m counting down the days until he gets #metoo’d because it has got to be coming.
(No offense - this isn’t an indictment of your comment or opinion, which I know is shared by many.)
I share these feelings. He is very AW-y to me, to the point where I doubt his good intentions and think he's instead just working on a run for president one day.
Also, although he is passionate about gun reform (admirable), what bothers me about him on that topic is that he is also apparently very uninformed on guns and gun laws in the state. He's made many inaccurate statements when it comes to guns, which makes me feel his passion will be ineffective when it comes to reform. I feel this way about politicians on MANY issues, not just guns; if one is going to take up something as their personal cause, I expect them to get to know the current laws and processes front and back, and also take time to hear the perspectives of both sides so that when it comes to argue for, write and pass legislation, they can help write effective laws and there is no doubt or hesitation from voters on either side. One of the problems with California's gun laws - especially the ones passed more recently - is that they were seemingly written by people who don't know anything about guns - not the number of bullets in a typical pistol's magazine, the questions asked on background check paperwork, etc. If people like Gavin would dig a little deeper and give it more than lip service, we might actually get somewhere when it comes to complicated topics like gun rights, health care, immigration and so many more issues.