Trump must not know that John Cox, in his lexicon, was a many-time loser in Illinois politics. Who's going to tell him?
1
Is it my imagination, or has California had unusually bad governor's for the last several decades? And before anyone brings it up I realize New York's last 3 governor's were Cuomo, Patterson and Spitzer who are nothing to brag about.
2
Cox will lose and waste a lot of cash.
3
Tucker Carlson on Fox says that Californians are desperate to get out of California. They will join the Army, the Navy, the French Foreign Legion, the circus, anything to get out. Is Tucker correct?
4
Really.. Newsom is an empty suited puppet only slightly more unqualified than than Antonio Villaraigosa to be considered for any public office. Perhaps if the disaster that is the Brown governorship is exposed and the illegal Latino vote is ruled out we might just survive this socialism. Cox is an unknown but Brown/Newsom/Villaraigosa are a triple threat to humane survival of California as a viable state. Check the new Water regulations... No new conservation and retention projects but new taxes, water restrictions and bloated pensions.
5
Feel free to move to a red state utopia like Kansas.
7
why does he talk like former Pres. Obama?! creepy.
4
John Cox is a Republican businessman?
That's all I need to know.
7
Enact a ranked-choice/instant runoff voting system and no party will have to fear its vote being split.
www.fairvote.org
1
I am so sorry to see our beloved "Gov Moonbeam" - aka Jerry Brown depart stage left. He has been such a ballast for the state in crazy times. Newsom will have some BIG shoes to fill. I hope he takes some of Gov Brown's humility and common sense pills - that I'm sure Gov Brown in all his wisdom - will leave behind.
Heaven help us if we end up with a Trump knock off like Cox. His misogynist comments at the governor's debate were just beyond the pall.
9
Thank you Thank you California!!! Your fellow Democratic states are grateful for your votes that help ensure we will throw the republican bums and corrupter swine out of Congress and maybe even the Senate!!!
7
The important result of Cox's nomination is that there will finally be some pubic discussion of California's sanctuary state policies, which seem designed to make this state a Central American country. Loathsome as they are, the Republicans are clear eyed on this one issue. Neither California nor the US can or should absorb the millions who want to come here, but progressives do not consider the long term consequences of today's feel good policies.
9
“This state chases business people away, people like me”—Robert DeRose, friend of John Cox
According to this paper, Mr DeRose was investigated by the state of NY in 2007 for deceptive business practices when working for Student Loan Xpress, which paid college financial aid officers to direct student borrowers to them. This was a big scandal in higher education. In other words, Mr DeRose is a crook. So the farther away CA chases business people like him, the better! How about Russia? But alas, for all his complaining, Mr DeRose does not appear to be going anywhere. In any case, the pertinent question is why John Cox is friends with this guy and what it tells us about him.
6
Gavin is most known for being the former husband of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the beautiful and conservative political commentator on Fox News. Even though his politics suck, he has good taste in women.
6
Let it be noted that The Times does not consider the term "Democrats" to include progressives.
Republicans gathered more votes than Democrats in six out of seven California congressional races for seats that the Dems are hoping to swing in November. How is that cause for relief, unless you are a Republican?
4
Dems vote more in the final contest than in primaries. Irritating but a fact of life: democrats are more likely to be working two jobs or have other life complications that make voting more difficulties.
1
One hates to rub it in, but - Ha Ha Dems!
2
California is a great place to live and would be even greater, in my opinion if we "managed" two groups of people. The extremely wealthy people who pay less than fairly on their taxes when they are able to buy politicians al all levels, i.e local, state and federal to keep personal and business taxes low.
The other group are government officials, and I include great educational institutions like Univ. Of California, some of who in powerful positions pay themselves really well, overloaded with managers, reward underlings with bonuses, pay raises and overtime and retire with great pensions that are not available to those in private industry.
The rest of us, in my opinion, fund these two groups of people.
You really cannot blame them because we don't vote in enough numbers in the primary and national elections to control enough of our own futures.
As an example the CA sales tax is approaching 10%, a massive regressive tax in a so-called "liberal" State. It slides by us because most people probably even notice.
If we want to see better futures we have to get involved politically. It came home to me when I volunteered my time to Alameda County yesterday. The turnout was pitiful.
2
JOAN RIVERS used to joke, the people who live of the West Coast and East Coast near the water have brains, the people who live in between have lost their minds. That was a very long time ago, and I can't remember her joke exactly, and I didn't understand what it even meant when I was very young. I just remember thinking why is that a joke and why is that funny.
Now I understand. It isn't funny, its incredibly sad.
1
I generally vote Democratic in national elections and Republican in state elections. In a normal year I would have seriously considered Mr Cox. But these are not normal times and I must, alas, resort to straight party-line votes.
2
I'm baffled by your reasoning.
2
And yet there’s a Republican on the ballot for governor and they chose Feinstein yet again to be the nominee.
The Red States have elected politicians, especially Trump, who use the tax code, regulations and executive orders to harm us Californians every way they can while we subsidize them. That is worse than taxation without representation.
The tax code now punishes Californians. Citing the very burden they have imposed on us, Red State politicians now exhort us to stop funding our state government.
The Red State politicians have tried very hard to outlaw our laws on car-emissions and undermine our efforts to develop renewable energy. Renewable energy, however, is one of the great industries of the future that will save life as we know it and create millions of good jobs for at companies that will prosper by providing an indispensable service. At least let us try. Stop using our funds to punish this commerce and subsidize coal (how wrong-headed can one be?)
The Red State politicians are also terrorizing immigrants and discouraging foreigners generally from coming here to work, study, invest, teach and visit. They have reinforced their military-style controls along the southern border, suffocating commerce in San Diego.
Their leader, Trump, claims unlimited power and is corrupt. He has started senseless trade wars while increasing international tensions on just about every topic.
That hurts us even further. We are an open society that trades with the rest of the world. We cannot continue to be misgoverned by the Red States.
3
National commentary regarding the California primary was so far off base as to be ludicrous. This state's primary system is hardly a 'jungle primary' as suggested by the national media and there was never a chance Democrats were going to get 'shutout' of any House districts presently controlled by Democrats. Anyone living in California who follows politics closely could have explained to the national talking heads why this is the case. The GOP is on the verge of extinction in California because of Trump, Mcconnel, and the House Speaker. Further, most of the Democrats in what admittedly was a large candidate field were entirely unknown and had little chance of winning more than a few votes.
2
If California can't generate more than a tiny blue ripple that does not bode well for democrats in the rest of the country. Can't blame them, what with the economy doing well, most Californians may not admit it but they don't want to look more and more like Mexico over the next decade. Some of the highest taxes in the nation, highest energy costs, highest housing costs, greatest homeless population. Some pragmatic folk might not think those statistics are good.
3
The results of the California election were skewed by the egos of the multiplicity of candidates. Perhaps they could have been better had they were more organized and less of them.
That’s the point of many written analyses.
As a neutral observer, I was getting worried for the democrats, what with all the great economic news, and Trump taking all the credit for it, I could see a scenario where the republicans held on to the house and senate come Nov. But I have to admit the results Tuesday were astonishing, good news across the board for democrats . It seems there amazing distaste for republican policies. Decency , character and trustworthy stewardship of the nation still matters. Who knew.
15
The Dems might have trouble explaining why California has the highest taxes.
1
It's complicated. Check PolitiFact.com (http://www.politifact.com/california/statements/2017/jul/11/travis-allen...
Times reporters assert that Cox coming in second is a "major tactical victory for Republicans." What? It's a major victory for Gavin Newsom! He sunk major funding in his campaign to push Villaragosa down and lift Cox up. It will be much, much easier and cheaper for him to win against Cox than it will against Villaragosa. I'm not sure how you can see this as a win for Trump--this result prevented a major battle between two Democrats racing from Northern and Southern California urban areas. Now it's all the urban areas versus the red plains of the Central Valley--that's an entirely different race.
6
CD-1 will be interesting with Audrey Denney-D to challenge the incumbent Trump clone Doug LaMalfa.
1
I hope Governor Jerry Brown will consider to be a presidential candidate in 2020. To me, he is the only real hope for America's future. He is not a politician he is a guiding light for Americans. We need him to build a bright future for all of us. Too many phony politicians in the world.
6
Brown is an interesting guy but make no mistake he is a politician and one so highly skilled that many people see him only through rose-colored glass.
3
He's a bit old. I think he plans to retire.
4
As a lifelong liberal I simply would never vote for a Republican as their philosophy is contrary to my beliefs, and the current iteration of the party seems neo-fascist to me. Yes I'm disappointed that liberal politics has devolved into a confused amalgam of disparate self-interest groups screaming loudly about their wedge issues while utterly failing to address the common exigencies of life that most all of us must deal with on a daily basis.
8
Oh please. Everyone is created equal and should be treated equally and that is all that each of the groups you are referring to is asking for.
So did we California Democrats learn something? Like not to be such greedheads? We appear to have dodged the bullet this time but more elections loom. In the future let's be satisfied with very likely wins rather than guaranteed wins. Dump that dopey top-two primary idea. While idea was that anyway -- a Republican mole's?
1
The important numbers were the voter turn-out numbers! Which were good, but still need more Americans to participate.
Democrats, Independents and some patriotic Republicans are fired up and ready to vote FOR our Nation on November 6th, 2018!
Let's get the vote out! PLEASE vote our nation, our democracy and our freedoms depend on ....YOUR VOTE!
5
This guy (Newsom) is going to be the president of US one day...just saying!
1
Well, there's a first for everything. Looks like I will be voting for a Republican for Governor in November.
10
Sure you're a lifelong Democrat. LOL
8
Good for you!
2
Let us know how that works out for you.
1
I've seen Gavin Newsome on Bill Maher's show and was highly impressed with him. If I was a California voter he would be the man I would vote for.
5
A bullet dodged in California but you have to wonder why the Democratic Party insists upon putting itself in the line of fire.
1
I don't care if I have to vote Republican (I consistently vote Democrat), but there is no way I am giving my vote to Gavin Newsom. There are enough problems in San Francisco with all the human feces (on the streets!), used drug needles, and car break-ins that only increased with his tenure as Mayor. I don't think Californians deserve Newsom's self-serving, pandering-progessive, ineffectual leadership.
5
As a native San Franciscan, I have to disagree. All of the problems that you list do exist, but to put all the blame on Newsom is unfair and not true. Newsom’s successor, Ed Lee, who passed away in December, did not make the homeless problem his number one priority, at least in the beginning of his term. He instead focused on bringing the tech industry to the city.
While he was far from perfect as mayor, he ignited the national movement for marriage equality, among other things.
7
Tam: I lived in SF during Mr. Pompadour's tenure. He was a disaster.
2
In the national curiosity to figure out who John Cox is anyway, the media, including the Times, will fill a lot of white space on Cox's campaign. Be sure to report that he ran for the House and the Senate from Illinois, and in 2008, he ran for president as a Reaganite. (who?)
He moved to California in 2011 and is now a Trump Republican running for governor.
He sure looks like a man who desperately wants to get elected to something.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Cox
4
Having taken a look at the numbers the Democrats by some miracle do seem to have avoided snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. In all the seriously contestable Republican seats they have the second spot since even in the ones that are close with votes still being counted the margins of their candidates seem unbridgeable.
Republicans are trumpeting Cox on the ballot for governor as the key to avoiding a collapse of turnout. This doesn't seem very plausible given everyone in CA knows he has very little chance of election with 25% registered Republicans; and in the other top of ticket race for Senator it's two Democrats.
4
Democrats are more free thinkers and less disciplined than republicans. When energized they many times support a much greater range of candidates including those on the far left that are less likely to be elected in a general election. That can be very dangerous for their party in the California top 2 primary system. Democratic votes may be scatter shot over many candidates while the more disciplined republican votes are concentrated in a few candidates so that there is a chance the top 2 are republicans for the general election. We won't know if this has happened until all mail in ballots are received and counted. More importantly for the general election democratic voters need to maintain enthusiasm and vote for the democratic candidate even if it's not the candidate they supported and voted for in the primary. Staying home over sour grapes because your candidate is not on the ballot will only hand the election to the republicans. Democrats don't be your worst enemy and learn to compromise and work together. There is too much at stake not to in this election cycle.
2
"Importantly, Democrats seemed poised to avoid the disaster they feared in House races: Being shut out of the November balloting under the state’s so-called “top-two’’ primary system"... excuse me, but I think that is exactly what is happening in California U.S. House District 8 and U.S. House District 50: Republicans got a spot for November and Democrats divided their votes enough to be in danger of not getting the other spot.
@ Alex
Er...8 and 50 are unwinnable for the Democrats and were never on the list of flippables.
6
Ammar Campa-Najjar is absolutely winnable against the despicable and criminal Duncan Hunter in 50 and we are going to do everything we can between now and November to sure it happens!
1
I live in Congressional District 8 in California. There has always been a republican in that seat but this time we’d had a new face Marge Doyle that looked exciting and who presented herself as a centrist someone who wanted to reach across the aisle (a good way to run in this area which is extremely conservative). I voted for Marge though my leanings are much further left. I figured Marge might have a shot but with our cockamamie top two primary we now have two republicans on the ballot in November. I will write in Marge.
There wasn’t much of a fuss made in my district as the chances for a dem to win is slim though we are heavily Latino and on the other hand heavily white working class. Voter turn out is a joke in our country plus in California trying to decipher a ballot isn’t that easy.
We should make voting day a holiday and give classes to help people who need it. I know other countries have much more success and engagement in their elections. Maybe the gal I spoke to in the grocery store who said she didn’t have time to vote in the morning and would get off at 8 pm too late to vote might have voted if she didn’t have to work.
There just wasn’t much enthusiasm at least not in my grocery store in District 8.
4
@ Sally: I have wondered if in a top two election where one party has both slots, if a write-in candidate with a good campaign could win. You should contact Marge's campaign and suggest this.
Thanks! I will.
Nothing like an election carefully orchestrated by the DNC. Script revisions are not permitted out there in California and boy do they have their eyes on your backyard.
6
If California were a nation it would have the 5th largest economy in the world. Ahead of the United Kingdom. But behind America, China, Japan and Germany.
With 40 million people about 12% of Americans are Californians. There are more Californians than there are Canadians or Poles. California ranks roughly 34/35 among nations.
Hillary beat Donald by over 4 million votes in California. But those votes did not count nor matter in any other state.
6
Welcome to the land that segregated itself by linking relative voting power to arbitrary patches of land.
4
California is the 6th largest economy, not in the US, in the entire world.
Explain to me again how they are doing something wrong Republicans who want to cut taxes?
3
“This state chases businesspeople away, people like me,” Mr. DeRose said.
Hardly. At $62,000 per household median income, if California was a separate nation, it's citizens would enjoy the HIGHEST per capita income of any nation on earth. Sounds like business is roaring along, producing profits and wages everyone else would LOVE to enjoy.
4
How about addressing the poverty rate in CA along w/number of welfare recipients?
2
Cox looks, sounds and acts like a Governor.
He will bring out a lot of Republican voters.
10
@True Observer
Cox has no chance of becoming governor (without the proverbial dead girl and live boy) and everyone in CA knows it.
13
Cox acts and sounds like Trump and that is disastrous.
9
In California, they're the third party. about 25% of registered voters.
1
I congratulate Gavin and am glad to see Julia Peacock advance to try to beat back Calvert in the 42nd District. The voter turnout is sad, especially since California makes it so easy to vote by mail. With Trump in the WH, you'd think more folks would take the 2 minutes to mail in their ballots. Sheesh.
4
For SEIU affiliated county employees at the registrar's office to compare my absentee ballot signature against an application exemplar submitted in some remote moment? As a charter member of the Election Integrity Project, I would never recommend that simple solution to a voting Republican who is really interested in winning.
Stay in line Americans and the ballot will have no signature to compare.
As a Californian, I have no problem with the new system awarding the top two vote-getters regardless of party. I do, however, have an issue being restricted to casting only one vote. It's time we adopted some form of ranked choice voting.
The race for Governor had over 30 candidates. Casting only one vote for one candidate doesn't accurately reflect the will of the voter and distorts the final result by dividing support between a party's candidates.
Ranked/multiple choice voting extends support to every candidate deemed worthy of office. It allows voters the freedom to more accurately and completely describe their political preference.
10
Good Job, Good people of California and other states where primary elections were held.
Women took many of the democrats' top spots for the runoffs. Now it is up to us - WE THE PEOPLE - to get democrats and independents to the polls and/or help them mail in their ballots in other states where primary races are going to be held and again in November.
WE THE PEOPLE are going to take OUR country back from the Robber Barons.
Mitch McConnell is using every trick in his dirty-play book to try to prevent democratic incumbents from campaigning by only giving one week for the August break. Mr. Treason himself. Democrats can't leave because if they do he'll ram through his agenda. WE must get out there and campaign for democratic incumbents we want to continue at their jobs.
Time for Mitch McConnell to go, along with all the other traitors to democracy in OUR United States of America.
16
With impressive voter turn-out in their favour, issue oriented mobilisation, and sustained campaign to expose the White House chaos and the Republican failure as the responsible ruling party, the Democrats are really posing a good challenge to the Republicans in the primaries, adding to their nervousness before the actual battle begins in November.
8
This was a good night for the Democratic Party, unfortunately with several great Democrats running for each of the seats, so very deserving people did not win. That list includes Dave Jones and John Chiang, two very dedicated and talented public servants. I hope they will continue to work in the public sector.
While some see having Cox make it on to the November ballot as an opportunity for the Republicans. Proposition 69 which requires the new gas tax to be spent only on transportation, takes some of the wind out of his sail. He is campaigning heavily to remove the gas tax, but drivers are already seeing road improvements and they are not about to say no to those gas tax funded projects. Additionally, the Republican party is so far out of line with the California dream that as his defeat becomes evident, his supporters will just stay home.
Kudos to Sacramento County and the other counties that piloted a new voting process that gave us weeks not hours to vote.
7
It wasn't the "top two" system that made voting "confusing" here. We were only allowed to vote for ONE candidate per race. It was just the vast number of people on the ballot.
Gavin Newsom's name was actually below the fold as a result of the luck of the draw placement of candidates' names, but the fact that he won in a landslide means we California voters didn't find it all THAT confusing.
6
Gavin Newsom all the way
13
I’m not from California, I do thank you for getting out the vote. Please help our country to return to a Democracy, not a fiefdom for Lord Trump.
24
I have no skin in this game, but the picture alone reminds me of why I and many others hate politics - flags, great country, hurrah hurrah us, boo hiss them, yadda yadda yadda instead of focusing on policy. This type of useless rubbish is on both sides. What a waste of time, energy, financing, talent.
6
Yep, it's annoying all the hoopla! But it's the way it was created. Want change? Please vote. Do your homework, and vote.
2
I voted for Newsom in the primaries but may vote for Cox in November.....Newsom is far left and what that means to most Californians is that our taxes will go up up up for all his utopian ideas....in the end it is our personal pocketbooks that vote.
5
Not for all of us. Many of us are also concerned for our civil liberties and our very lives. Alignment with President Trump doesn’t support that - so that’s a hard pass.
7
Then your "personal pockebook' should thank Brown and the Dems for pulling CA out of deep deficits and recession into a very prosperous economy.
7
I hope you will change your mind, and vote for Newsom. Fact is, to live in a society where you have a good transportation system, in which sustainable energy is being developed and healthcare is available costs money. Please think about the needs of not only yourself but of your entire community before voting for the GOP, they are not on our side.
5
Hey bitter red-staters! Here is the truth: California is the most beautiful, populous and RICHEST state in the union...by far! Our economy is the fifth largest IN THE WORLD, bigger than all but four NATIONS. We pay far more into the federal government than we get back - and thus support many of your low-tax red states and help keep them afloat. Red states are, in general, charity cases. We don't even mind - living in those states has to be hell, and we generous Californians don't mind helping those less well off.
As for you? Visit California if you must, but DO NOT move here. We don't want you. We don't like negativity in California, and you reek of it. Have a nice day. I'm going to the beach.
49
Independent voter, thank you for your comment! So true! It's Independent voters like yourself and my husband who will the trajectory of our Nation!
2
You seem more concerned about catching some waves than addressing the MASSIVE numbers of California residents on welfare. 1/3rd of all welfare recipients in the country last time I checked. Prosperity for all? Cool..
2
Cox is 50 years too late. He'll pick up some of the inland Northern California counties and some in the Central Valley and few others. The Trump Tax Plan and turned even Republicans in California against the party as they've lost their state and local tax deductions.
12
If Gavin Newsom wins the governor's seat of California, expect more of an exodus from the residents to less expensive states like Arizona and Texas. They will see their taxes increased considerably and their services reduced. This state has become a sanctuary for illegals who are welcomed with open arms. They add to the Democratic base who rely on their votes.
The residents of California will not go along with paying for those who receive free services while they foot the bill and receive little In return. The state will consist of rich liberal progressives and poor immigrants who will be getting a free ride. How long will the rich be willing to pay for those who are living off the government? I would expect they would soon be tired of this injustice. Most people would even the wealthy.
6
Trying to understand this. A person from NY, a state whose population is leveling off, and whose GDP growth is well below national average and slowing, is predicting a growing exodus from CA, which is experiencing population and economic growth that exceeds national averages?
What is it about CA that garners so many so called experts who are constantly predicting - even welcoming - its demise?
15
"The residents of California will not go along with paying for those who receive free services while they foot the bill..."
Are you talking about corporate welfare? Twice as much $ is spent on corporate welfare ($110 billion; compared to the $60 billion on social welfare). It's incredible to me that folks like you will be outraged about crumbs a poor person receives, but when a wealthy plutocrat doesn't pay his share you look the other way.
You know what else we are tired of? Subsidizing red states. California gets back .70 cents for every dollar we put into the federal budget, while by and large red states get more, because we blue states have to make up for the shortfall in red states' budgets because they aren't willing to pay their share. They tout lower taxes to get votes, but reality hits and they need to be subsidized because those low taxes don't pay for what is necessary.
And please stop using the term "illegals". It's a rightwing propaganda term intended to dehumanize people.
7
I'm one of those who escaped SF to Texas, 8 years ago. Now my new home town is bulging at the seams with Californians! STAY HOME, WE'RE FULL!!
1
While I suspect that Gavin Newsome will be a fine governor, this middle-aged white female is disappointed that California will elect yet another white male. Hang in there, Mr. Chiang; your day will come.
4
How, in such a blue state, did Mr. Villaraigosa do so poorly? Are there that many Republicans hiding in the bushes? Is he that dislikable? All so many democrats actually closeted anti-hispanic?
Seems to me if the top 2 vote getters in Cali weren't both Democrats, then the DNC needs a cold shower and a slap in the face before they blow the midterms.
2
Low turnout- young and Hispanic.
2
The field of Democrats running for the slot was 30.
Yes, he's that dislikable. He barely showed up during second term as LA mayor and he hasn't done much to prove he's not a misogynist.
1
Ms. Gelberg made a choice, she voted for the party and that is the message that Democrats have to send now. We are the party of inclusion, vision, and we are the party to lead. We just can't run against Trump, we need to stand for something. If we run simply saying Trump is wrong and evil we will lose. We need to show the people that we have the ideas to stop the policies of this administration. We believe that global warming is real, we believe in educating all children, we believe that ALL people are created equal, we believe in the rule of law, we believe in making Dreamers citizens. There is so much more that we as Democrats need to communicate to all of our counties citizens. We need to take a page out of Robert Kennedy's playbook and show the American People that we, the Democratic party are compassionate, resourceful and can lead us ALL to a bright future.
12
That Cox came in ahead of Villaraigose makes one wonder if the "blue wave" will actually be a "blue ripple".
5
Many of you mention taxes are high in California, I would dispute that on an historical level. I lived there from the forties until eleven years ago and like else where in the country taxes went down over that period along with the quality of life. The real culprit was prop 13 which necessarily benefited homeowners but quite unnecessarily benefited owners of commercial property, anyone who thinks landlords are keeping rents down due to the “gift” of prop 13 is truly delusional. The other tax cheat is Apple along with most of the Silicon Valley companies that indulge in stock options and offshoring cash, everyone talks about California being the 6th biggest economy blah, blah but does anyone talk about the inequality, homelessness and loss of quality of life that “ economy” created. There are numerous articles and a wonderful book by Rana Foorhar on this subject” Makers and Takers”. Apple was singled out because of its size, but the fact is under Tim Cook the company has paid little in taxes, returning cash to shareholders and executives rather than R and D, this trend along with cutbacks in Government funded R and D, where man6 of the ideas creating these companies came from, including the internet itself, does not bode well for the future of the golden state. More on topic Gavin was a terrific Mayor but without tons of new taxes nothing can be done for the citizens of California. BTW: It is kind of funny that his ex, Kimberley is hanging with Trump Jr. and works for Fox.
14
At some point, corporate Democrats are going to have to deal with progressives. At some point, Democrats are going to have to stop being afraid to lose one Trump voter, and speak up on daily travesties. Their current silence is damning.
Ignore the man who ran his beauty pageants behind the iron curtain, and concentrate on hope. On universal health care, on free college, on Bernie's platform.
People need a reason to vote.
11
I don't know anything about Mr. Cox. But if I were a Californian I would vote for Gavin Newsom just because Trump endorsed Cox. Trump's endorsements in the past have all been for 19th Century racist politicians. Anyone who truly wants to make America great again will vote against every Trump endorsed candidate.
28
What a disaster -- do people really hate Villaraigosa that much? Now, Republican voters will be coming out of their Fox-holes to make trouble for the state in the general. To vote for a guy who says the fifth largest economy in the world needs fixing because of the Democrats.
4
As Woody Guthrie sang as do the Democrats with a sigh of relief,
"This land is your land, this land is my land
From the California to the New York island"
So, let the Blue Wave roll from "sea to shining sea."
4
So much for values when bible belt and Evangelicals support a man who is as close to being the devil himself, all because he lies and says the things they want to hear. Yes, even the devil can quote the bible, something you folks should know too, or did you ignored it because you believe in false promises. Nothing in this man's entire body of work in life even remotely comes close to being righteous or of character and values. To this day, he continues to lie and promote falsehoods and false witnesses. But, you knew that, you knew of the numerous scams he engaged in to cheat people, cheat vendors, cheat workers, and of course, his bogus University and Foundation that was nothing but a rip off scam to take people's money, even ripping off the widow of a war hero. He could care less about our war dead or our veterans as he demonstrates every day with his defense of our enemies. All this fake patriotism is nothing but a trick he uses to portray himself as a "champion" of their cause. Nothing but another scam.
8
What is so terribly radical about single payer, affordable housing issues, childcare, gun safety, green energy infrastructure, marriage rights for all, and taking care of the homeless? People in the comments here have such a huge problem with how "wild and crazy" California is without ever having stepped foot in this state can deal with their own issues in their state. You don't want any of the things I mentioned? Fine, just stop criticizing those that do. Newsom is far from radical. He's simply fighting for the needs of everyday Californians, as it should be.
21
There is an entire country on your border that runs on those points - and we are doing just fine.
15
Actually, California sounds like Paris and the Burgundy region in France which I visited last year. The taxes are high but its a nice place to live. People earn a living wage, they have access to affordable health care and a pension. The streets were clean and safe. The government is not controlled by the wealthy that would cut government services. The country just seems more organized and people get along better than in the US.
I think the best example to me was while driving on the French highways and using their subways, buses and trains. In the US the roads are bad, bridges are crumbling and the mass transit systems are out of date and inefficient. In the US truckers drive aggressively and people speed in a cat and mouse game with police. The French subways, trains and buses were newer, clean and run on time. French highways are well maintained with next to none potholes or rusting bridges. On French highways all truckers stay in the right lane, go no faster than 60 mph and are considerate of smaller vehicles. As a rule you see few speeders on French highways.
3
The devil is in the details - single payer is great if it is limited to locals paying into it via taxes but a disaster if only locals pay into it and everyone else can use it, which is the current Newsome's proposal. Say I am from Nevada and I do not pay CA taxes but I cross into CA and use CA health benefits. Same with Newsome's affordable housing - where this affordable housing will come from and the main question is how many people can CA's ecosystem support? Say if another 10 million people want to move in tomorrow to take advantage of the affordable housing, can CA's ecosystem survive? Socialism is great with closed borders and a disaster with open borders. CA needs to decide on its borders first to protect the payees into socialistic programs.
I love Bill Maher and he's always going on about how great Newsom is but something about Newsom spells T. R. O. U. B. L. E for the Democratic party in California. I could be wrong but there's something Elliot Spitzer-y about him: he's already been to "rehab" once for drinking problems and as good looking as he is he seems like a womanizer. Not tie up his mistress type like Gritens but just... Womanizer, drag the party down because he can't control his privates. I don't know but lets hope he beats the Republican anyway.
5
Democrats love to brag about a 6.1 billion surplus but fail to mention a 1 trillion unfunded pension liability. Gavin Newsom is running on a free healthcare for all. Good luck with that. I actually hope it passes so the whole country can watch what happens under one-party socialism.
9
You mean socialism like those supposedly pro-worker political parties that preach jobs for coal miners and institute tariffs to protect workers? Those kind of socialists?
30
Cato/Henny Penny: That unfunded liability is a problem that can be made any size you want, depending on the long term interest rate you assume on the state's pension investments. Two points:
1 - you obviously want it big, the better to scare folks, and
2 - a Lot of progress has already been made in pension reform, under the expert guidance of Governor Brown. More to come - that's what we do.
7
Do you remember what happened under the Conservative Republican? California was nearly bankrupted with Arnold giving tax cuts! IF we want to live in a nation with good healthcare for all, which is a human right, we must pay the price. If you don't like liberal California, look at the poor Red States and tell me which system is better?!
6
Gavin Newsom is a great choice to succeed Brown in California.
When Brown took office in 2011, California had a $27 billion budget deficit. He is leaving us with a $6.1 billion surplus
In one of his latest speeches arguing for saving these funds for a rainy day fund, he said, “It was just a few years ago that 30,000 teachers lost their jobs — they were laid off — and that will happen again if this rainy day fund is not fully available for the downturn.”
Brown wants to put $3.5 billion of the surplus into the state’s rainy-day fund, bringing it to $13.5 billion — 10% of the proposed general-fund budget — and another $2.3 billion into a second reserve fund. Brown would allocate an additional $3 billion to K-12 school districts, fully funding a new formula that directs more money to schools serving poor children and English language learners two years ahead of schedule.
The budget also proposes a $570 million increase for community colleges and 3% funding increases each for the University of California and California State University as long as they hold the line on tuition. It would allocate more than $100 million to launch the first fully online community college in the state.
This is what real political leadership looks like.
This is what progressive leadership looks like.
This is what Cox, Trump and the Republicans abhor.
45
I love that this article is quoting Tim Cain, on of the most well known game developers in the US, for something entirely unrelated to gaming.
3
This election is the easiest ever.
Vote Democrat. Every race. One button to push and done.
No white supremacists, felons, people calling to return to segregation as a state Republican congressman did yesterday on the Democratic side.
Just good candidates, good ideas, and the critical task of stopping the grotesque in American kleptocratic farce that is destroying the nation in DC.
67
Careful about the felons there, John. Otherwise, your comment is pretty spot on.
In any case, yes, considering the alternative, voting D is a slam dunk.
No, Cox is not a "major tactical victory" for Republicans. Obviously the two top Dems were going to split enough votes to allow a sacrificial GOP candidiate to land the second spot. Will not make a bit of difference in fall turnout.
10
Let's not get too confident about that blue wave seizing the House. California Dems have long shown a propensity to shoot themselves in the foot and a 17% voter turnout in a state that produces Trump toadies like Devin Nunes does not bode well for November.
11
Glad to see that big-money charter school supporters, some from outside the state, did not prevail in the governor’s race. The slow decline in popularity of and belief in charter schools is now becoming more obvious. Good for California.
6
So Californians gave themselves a chance to be a truly great state with Newsom, now they have to make it happen!
1
The open borders welfare state will no doubt continue.
9
Welfare has switched under Trump and the current Republican Congress from those in need to those with greed as their driving ambition.
9
Welfare State? Open borders? Obviously California is doing a lot of things right. Anything that big is going to have some problems, but generally speaking, economically speaking, California is the most successful state in the nation.
12
Trump and his candidates have a good chance to win in California because majority of people there do not want to turn their state an extension of Mexico or Guatemala through illegal immigration and do not want to see their hard earned money going to Govt. through excessive taxation to provide overgenerous welfare and health care to illegals which are not readily available to hard working Americans. But, Republicans must be able to frame the issues without harsh rhetoric against immigrants.
10
In a normal election year, I would say it’s most important to pick each candidate as an individual. Judge each person on their merits, integrity and policies, even if it means occasionally straying from the choices of your party. This is not a normal election year. Friends, relatives and co-workers have profoundly disappointed most of us with their continued support of a clinically narcissistic human being. Though the destructive force of his risky personality defects is blatantly obvious, their unabashed tribalism forces the rest of us to act in rigid unison. Rather than seeking perfection, those not suffering from Trump supporter psychosis must band together to restore American integrity and justice. If there is any election that justifies blindly voting the straight D ticket no matter each local candidate’s merits, November 2018 is the one
17
I believe myself to be a progressive liberal of the center (although my wife says that my triligual comments, published in three reputable dailies, respectively, are written by an 'arch-reactionary'). Nevertheless, I applaud any party, including the Democrats, that might restore TRUMPISTAN to the former USA. [N.B. -- The term TRUMPISTAN appeared in the Parisian daily "Le Figaro"].
2
I witnessed the devastation wreaked on many patients' lives by draconian social service cuts required by Republican Gov. Schwarzenegger's ridiculous tax cuts. Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has done an amazing job in an incredibly complex environment.
Comparing the past two gubernatorial administrations in California, who did better:
Republican vs Democrat?
Inexperienced actor vs Experienced skilled politician?
Hmmmmm. Too bad the nation hasn't figured out that experience, ability to effectively work with others across parties and ideologies and a commitment to public service make a difference.
111
So, pretty boy won no really surprise here, another example of the California electorate committing political suicided. I have no doubt he will be elected Governor ( given the choices in both parties primary and general ) This "glad hand " will spend and spend some more .. I wonder just how long the upper 20 % who pay most of the taxes will stick around and watch this fool.
10
Can’t wait for the Washington Post article exposing in detail Newsom’s alcoholic fueled sexual transgressions!
Should be interesting if liberal hypocrisy is on full display or not.
I’m saying NOT!
7
Not exactly a blue wave
More like a blue EH!?
8
No evidence of any 'blue wave'. In fact, the other way around.
9
In fact, yes there is.
2
In the end, it doesn't really matter who becomes governor of California. Even if John Cox was to pull off an improbably Trump-esque victory, the super-majority in both houses of the legislature would continue on unabated--in their quest to build a Central-American garrison state. Cox could be only as effective as The Arnold, perhaps less so.
California cannot be salvaged. It is rapidly becoming a downwardly spiraling leftist utopia, where the wealthy pay all the taxes, the poor and illegal ride for free, and the overly burdened middle class, along with smaller businesses head for friendlier places.
San Francisco is the canary in the coal mine. It has rapidly become too expensive for the middle class, too infested with homelessness, and illegal alien criminals prowl the streets with impunity--knowing they won't be deported.
There is a reason California is shrinking--and Texas is growing. It's the ideology, stupid. When Silicon Valley has finally had enough and vamooses, as it eventually will, it'll be time to turn out the lights. Winston Churchill's words have never been more prescient:
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” Think Venezuela.
Ultimately, for the good of the nation, California should secede--and we should let them. Without their 55 electoral college votes, no Democrat could have been elected president in the last 50 years.
11
Way to hit the extremist right talking points - kudos
Better idea - Texas who actually wants to secede should go. We would not be plagued with the disaster of Republican control of congress or the scourge of Republican presidents ever again.
But no worries. Texas will be Blue soon enough too.
8
Except that California is the 5th largest economy... in the world. And getting stronger.
7
Yes! Please let us secede.
7
Of course the California results are muddled, Nancy Pelosi has promised an immediate tax increase once the Democrats take back the House, people hear that and know that is a problem. People vote their pocketbooks. You tell me that if I elect you your first action will be to increase my taxes I am going to be reluctant to back you. No matter what you think there is more money in your paycheck now under Trump than there was under Obama. Remember " It's the economy, stupid". ( James Carville, Clinton strategist).
5
Could you please provide the quote from Nancy Pelosi? If you mean that Democrats will work to overturn the inevitable and dubious tax bill the Republicans passed, that would actually put money back into my pocket.
2
NYT & Liberals,
You can put whatever color lipstick on it you wish but it’s still a “Pig”! Thanks to Jerry Brown and Democrats, Republicans are back in California!
The big news besids Cox for Govenor is the loss by Democrats of the seat held by Josh Newman in a recall election over his vote for the recent gas tax increase!
Gas is important in California where most drive to work on crowded 3rd world freeways. Currently gas costs about $1.50 a gallon extra in California as a result of Democrat policies.
The successful recall of Newman Tuesday should send a message to Democrats, should but won’t! The memory of the fall of the house of Davis for a similar reason (sky high electric bills) is lost on them as well!
Then there is the fact that a majority of Californians disagree with Democrat’s sanctuary state and early Felton release policies. You would think that Democrats would notice, but no and “The ship of fools” sails on!
Thanks to a few years of this Liberal Utopia (Not!) Democrats could find the November elections not at all to their likening.
It has happened before!
9
"Carl DeMaio, a former member of the San Diego City Council who organized the recall, has said Newman was selected for a recall because of his narrow victory over Chang, a former Assemblywoman. Newman won that race by fewer than 2,500 votes out of nearly 318,000 cast."
“The Republicans spent a lot of money lying to voters to get this on the ballot,” Humphrey said. “And they got exactly what they wanted — a re-do of the 2016 election but with only half the number of voters participating. That’s the definition of an undemocratic special interest power grab.”
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-josh-newman-recall-20180605-st...
1
Gavin Newsom for President. He can take on Trump, he is tough, young, handsome, and he has a clear message. I live in NYC and see Mr Newsom as the future of the party. Please run in 2020 and end our nightmare.
11
"Los Angeles County clerk revealed Tuesday night that a printing error had improperly left about 119,000 names off voting rosters in the area "
vlad?? vlad? is that you???.....
fun facts:
1. gavin was once married to kimberly guilfoyle a member of The Five on fox noise.
2. she like another member of the SF DA's office became "famous" during the prosecuting of a sensational dog mauling case where a woman was killed by two huge dogs.
3. they both tried to become "legal analysts" on fox noise.
i guess she made it but you never hear about her legal expertise these days..... she is just another angry fox mannequin.
Go Gavin!!
7
Despite turmoil in the White House, an escalating trade war, and a President who claims to be above the law, voter turnout for this critical primary was a paltry 17%. Not a good sign for our democratic institutions that are under constant attack by Donald Trump.
47
The hard working farmers in the deep red districts of CA need to ignore the non-stop media fueled screeching about unregulated militia, abortion, jesus, and wedding cakes, and follow the money.
Ask what DJT is doing for you.
Better yet, ask your pal Nunes (if you can find him - he's kind of busy obstructing and lying about a professional inquiry into foreign elections meddling.)
Meanwhile, back at the farm- that trade war ? Your crops will rot in silos.
Vote your pocketbook. Vote D.
163
Come November, California will reject the trumper and, most likely, will have to visit the megalomaniac in Sing-Sing.
8
I believe Trump will campaign for Cox to Antifa protests and demonstrations which will have the effect of increasing Republican turnout in primaries across the nation.
6
When was the last time you heard about Antifa doing anything?
6
Dems win, regardless.
4
With so many Asian minorities in California, I sincerely hope Democratic party will elect some Asian minorities to the congress especially the Chinese Americans. They contributed and also suffered so much to the early built-up and development in California. They don't get proper recognition. Now they are part of the California rainbow coalition. I hope they will be properly represented in congress.
30
Ted Liu!
8
Good point. California now has four Congresspersons of Japanese or Chinese descent: Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento), Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), and Rep. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena), who is my Congresswoman.
15
The silver lining for Democrats is the total Dem vote in most contested elections was larger than Republican. Time for Dems to close ranks.
156
Good luck to Gavin Newsom. All he has to do now is defeat John Cox and outwit a Democratic Party that has a history of shooting itself in the foot.
One thing about the bigoted, mysogenistic, narcissists: at least they are all on the same page. The smarter people are, the harder it is to get them to agree about anything.
8
The President's party loses on average 24 seats at the mid-terms. President Obama broke a record in 2012 by losing 63 seats to the Republicans.
The Democrats need 23 seats in November to take the House (then vote in lockstep to impeach).
A month ago the press's Blue Wave theory was a lock. Today it is a toss-up and trending Red. This is being blamed on no ideas except Impeachment, the Trump economy, Mueller, border enforcement, jobs, and a perception we may be drug back into an extended malaise.
Democrats are way beyond hoping America fails.
They must now pray for a nuclear bomb.
12
The Times, as all the other networks have done, has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Look, the story here is that of the 53 Congressional districts, Republicans have 0 qualifying candidates in nearly 7 races. Seven. And this story reads like, "well, Democrats are close to being locked out in a bunch of Republican-held districts." It's just not the case - perhaps because the party spent a bundle getting people to vote. There is one race where a recount could lead to this: CD 10 is close. Below are the results of the relevant districts:
CD 10: Denham (R) v Harder (D)
CD 25: Knight (R) v Hill (D)
CD 39: Kim (R) v Cisneros (D).
CD 42: Calvert (R) v Peacock (D)
CD 45: Walkers (R) v Porter (D)
CD 48: Rohrabacher vs Rouda (D)
CD 49: Harkey (R) vs Levin (D)
CD 50: Hunter (R) vs. Campa-Najjar (D)
22
According to the NYT Mr. Cox is a long shot to win the California Governor's office. This is the same NYT that told us Hillary had 100% chance of wining the Presidency.
I do not support Mr. Cox but the NYT's credibility on forecasting election results is very poor.
19
The Times didn’t say Hillary was 100 percent certain. I remember a complicated graphic article that explained how Trump could win as a long shot.
12
Do they have the electoral college for the Governor's office as well?
15
Everyday NYT posted a line graph showing her at about 90%.
Worries about splintered votes were a bit overblown because most Dem voters in the southland know exactly what they want: and end to the careers of trump shills.
Thus, in the shill districts, it's now Dem versus shill: all of us snowflakes begged this to happen and it did.
I've got a couple bank accounts and access to a print shop to help get rid of these turkeys... who wants it? Dana R and "Where's Mimi".... might as well quit now while you are ahead.
6
1. California will continue to have a Democratic governor. CA state and local taxes, largely no longer deductible on Federal tax returns, will continue to soar.
2. Both the House of Representatives and US Senate will remain Republican, ensuring (at least) Federal taxes do not increase.
Take it to the bank. NYT commentators always think that 'I hate Trump' equals 'raise my taxes to pay for bigger government' but it does not. Many voters who dislike Trump, dislike constantly increasing local taxes more. I do appreciate that voters who are net tax recipients (i.e. receive more in benefits than they pay in taxes) will feel differently - why would they not?
12
Californians can only hope that the believers (democrats) in the new religion of descriptors like "social justice, multiculturalism, diversity, environmentalism (the story of Chicken Little)" will be defeated. Except for the illegal immigrants and those who profit from them, all rational beings should hope for a departure from the Jerry Brown insanity that has all but ruined CA. His departure from wisdom in pursuit of savagery is not enough to dissuade everyone. Many believe in his rejection of wisdom and common sense.
6
Too funny. How has California been ruined? They're the fifth largest economy on the planet.
15
CA is a beautiful state but that has nothing at all to do with your governor. It's in spite of the mismanagement not because of. Where do you think the federal money keeping CA afloat comes from? You may want to look at the recent state budget too. It's not just favorable to have a "large" budget it's kinda nice when the bottom line is positive.
Dixon, CA pays out more than it gets from the fed. You're probably from one of the red welfare states that CA supports. It's kind of nice when you get facts straight.
It’s outrageous that in a country that calls itself a democracy the public has no way of knowing if elections results are legitimate because vote counting has been outsourced to a handful of private, rightwing companies that count our votes in secret with “proprietary software.” Is it a coincidence that statistical and pattern evidence from exit polls indicate that vote counts are being shifted to the right?
Victoria Collier points out in her article below that “In 2005, the non-partisan Commission on Federal Election Reform, chaired by Jimmy Carter and James Baker, stated that the greatest threats to secure voting are insiders with direct access to the machines. ‘There is no reason to trust insiders in the election industry any more than in other industries.’”
A must-read: “How to Rig an Election” https://tinyurl.com/y9xx63f6
Germany, Ireland, Norway, and The Netherlands went back to counting ballots by hand (its the gold standard) after realizing the vulnerabilities with computerized voting. The U.S. must do the same.
German Court Rules E-Voting Unconstitutional https://tinyurl.com/za778ju
“Political scientist Joachim Wiesner and son, physicist Ulrich Wiesner complained that push button voting was not transparent because the voter could not see what actually happened to his vote inside the computer and was required to place ‘blind faith’ in the technology. In addition, the two plaintiffs argued that the results were open to manipulation.”
#SayNoToFaithBasedVoting
77
Republican Stephen Spoonamore, Computer Security Guru, Election Theft with Voter Machines
https://tinyurl.com/y7855vmp
"There is no voting system in the world that cannot be hacked. You cannot have secure electronic voting, it doesn't exist. Paper ballots are the only way to make voting secure."
Why would election officials destroy the ballots during pending litigation and before 22 months as required by federal law?
Politico: Experts [Say] Broward’s Election Chief Broke Law Destroying Ballots https://tinyurl.com/ybkktvf9
Steven Rosenfeld: In Violation of Federal Law, Ohio's 2004 Presidential Election Records [and Ballots] Are Destroyed or Missing https://tinyurl.com/y9eo4ovp
It’s very alarming that voting machine companies are pushing touchscreen machines which create “ballots” that have a “barcode.” Human eyes would not be able to identify which candidate the voter selected. It’s important to mention that paper-marked ballots that are dropped into an optical-scan machine are not much better because election integrity advocate Jonathan Simon says that the “ballots ‘almost never’ see the light of day.”
Barcodes Stir Anxiety As Georgia Eyes New Voting System https://tinyurl.com/ybut5bfu
Joseph Stalin: “The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”
25
No worries in California. No machines involved -- only paper -- counted by hand which is one of the reasons it takes so long for the tallies to come in. And we're slowly switching over to vote by mail like Washington and Oregon. Whenever you switch locations you are automatically also switched to vote by mail.
Amanda,
You should be worried when 99% of votes in the country are counted on machines. Vote by mail is not a good idea for a number of reasons.
NYT: Error and Fraud at Issue as Absentee Voting Rises https://tinyurl.com/ydbr84qa
“There is a bipartisan consensus that voting by mail is more easily abused than other forms. In a 2005 report signed Jimmy Carter and James Baker, the Commission on Federal Election Reform concluded ‘Absentee ballots remain the largest source of potential voter fraud.’ Absentee voting replaces the oversight that exists at polling places with something akin to an honor system.”
Jonathan Simon: Vote by Mail [the website is currently down]
http://electiondefensealliance.org/vote_mail
"Vote by mail is for many an attractive concept at least initially. Upon more critical consideration, voting by mail is revealed to be inherently very vulnerable to fraud because ballot chain of custody is broken for days and weeks. There are several paths of attack peculiar to vote by mail, in addition to all the opportunities for electronic fraud built into the optical scan systems that are used to count mail-in ballots.
"Central count optical scanning provides optimal conditions for mass vote manipulation by election insiders, while leaving the public little to no means to observe the transit, signature verification, or storage of the ballots, nor independently authenticate their counting or tabulation.
"Vote by Mail is a good intention with very bad consequences."
If California added ranked choice with instant runoff they would effectively eliminate risk of getting single party results from the two person non-partisan primaries. See http://www.fairvote.org/rcv#where_is_ranked_choice_voting_used
3
So the leader of your state does not take his job seriously, he thinks he is there to oppose the federal government? I want a governor who will work with the feds where that benefits his citizens, and will oppose those things that are not in the best interests of the citizens. I hope he loses big time.
10
There's a reason why California outranks Tennessee on every level.
15
The majority of what Trump has done isn’t good for citizens. Spending money on a Wall, military parades, and appointing corrupt officials like Pruitt are not fiscally responsible acts. Killing health care, passing a tax scam, and enhancing the family empire are not acts of a competent president.
The Governor of California needs to oppose the Trump Dictstorship as strongly as possible. As the fifth largest economy in the world we can make our own deals with China, Canada, Europe, and Mexico. We can support a healthy environment. We can keep growing.
19
Considering that California is a donor state and Tennessee a welfare state, I find it amusing that you attack the Governor of California who turned the state's economy into one of the largest in the world. But, I guess FOX "News" does not report about that?
13
"But Mr. Brown has struck a decidedly moderate note during his years in Sacramento — he was well known for pushing back at what he saw as excesses by the Legislature when it came to spending or lawmaking — at a time when energy in the Democratic Party was moving to the left."
This language seems to make a straight-line connection between being "leftist" and spending more tax dollars. We live during the most conservative period in my lifetime in this country (I'm in my mid-50's). Given the myriad of issues out there and the measurable shift to the right in this country (supreme court decisions and tax-cutting during deficit years being just a couple of the benchmarks), isn't there room to be "leftist" in many ways and also mindful of budget?
65
Nope. If you keep electing Democrats, they will gradually raise taxes until they reach 100%. Ask the taxpayers in New Jersey and Illinois.
12
Given the grifter's budget is exploding the deficit there is room to be a leftist and mindful of the budget.
21
Hmm. I live in a state dominated by Republicans and my taxes keep going up.
So, there is some fallacy as to which party is guilty of raising taxes.
5
Gavin is a bright young star in the party and honestly a good looking dude. Couldn't the times have chosen a picture that doesn't make him look like Mit Romney?
11
Wonder if you are being facetious, or if you are honestly so superficial as to weigh a candidate's party ascendancy right next to their physical appearance. We're talking California here, so the latter sounds about right.
2
"We're talking California here, so the latter sounds about right" ... sez Mike, from 3,000 miles away, in profound Connecticut.
Okay, you'll have to excuse me now - surf's up! Either that, or because 'we're talking California here,' there's The Future to be created.
Wow, reading his story left me with the feeling that this was a runaway victory for Democrats. However, looking at vote totals it was not as much a runaway versus a victory for two people. I read a message , load and clear that the people of California do not want the Liberal Government of the past. Stay tune, this might get interesting. I only hope that there will still be people left to vote. There is a big woos sound of people leaving this State.
12
What is “guaranteed” healthcare for all? Sounds as meaningless as “access” to healthcare.
12
Guaranteed means you will receive it if you need it, access means you will receive it only if you can afford it.
10
It means expanded medicare - for all citizens.
The "leaders" in the bought-and-paid-for R party prefer tax dollars are skimmed off for yet more profits to the tippety top (you know- the guys who never took an early bus or broke a sweat.)
The rest of us can eat cake. And hope we don't get sick.
14
I'm pleased Gavin won in Cal. and I hope he goes on to be a great liberal governor like Brown!
100
Gavin Newsom will be an excellent govenor of our largest and most successful state. He can allow California to continue to lead the resistance against the Trump kakistocracy/kleptocracy.
206
Cox is a prime example of the lies the GOP tell. "The highest taxed state"?? Nonsense. According to Marketwatch, we leave that to New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, etc. He's a complete non-starter and is a great way to get Dems to the polls in November.
33
The usual Republican talking points about California not being business-friendly are laughable. California's economy is humming along under Democratic control and has been long before President Dotard cheated his way into the Presidency. Democrats want to improve access to healthcare, invest in our transportaion infrastructure, improve educational opportunities and fight climate change; all things that the Republican Party ignores in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy. Democrats are the business-friendly party, not Republicans.
322
Glad Gavin won and wish him the best. Will miss Jerry Brown who has been a good steward of the environment, pushing back on Trump/Pruitt disaster. Go Gavin!
210
I'll be sad to see Jerry Brown go. Sincerely hoping Newsom can step up and fill his enormous shoes.
I would remind the Republicans thinking that California drives businesses away that it's not only the largest state economy in the U.S. but by itself is the 6th largest economy in the world.
I would agree that if taxes are too high, it stifles the population, but when a group only can think of profit and cutting taxes as a means to increase profit, taxes invariably end up too low.
When taxes are too low, critical infrastructure is overlooked, and the disenfranchised cannot contribute as they could, because either: 1) the opportunities don't exist, or 2) they must spend all their time surviving, not improving. (as Napoleon once said "Ability is nothing without Opportunity") The richest 2% do not have a lock on intelligence or capability. They only have 2% of it. California understands this, which is why their economy is not only the largest in the U.S. but is among the fastest growing too.
In the U.S. as a whole, our tax structure is too low, especially among the wealthiest. The tax burden as a ratio of controlled wealth and income is very unfairly distributed against the poor and middle class. The wealthiest 2% pay only 37% of all income taxes but control over 50% of the income, leading to over $2 Trillion per year subsidized to the wealthiest by the rest of us directly through the tax code, financed by deficits. Given that in 40 years, we've seen none of the supposed benefits of these massive tax cuts, it's time to start reversing that.
394
Well said, JustJeff. I'm tired of business extorting free services and infrastructure, cutting benefits and wages and siphoning equity. California has a MARKET. If you don't want to do business here, we'll see you in the funnypapers. Someone else will. Who needs to beg and pay you.
Times—please interview people in Kansas, Wisconsin, Louisiana. Ask them, as Sarah Palin would put it. "Howzat workin' out for you?"
I really thought Louise Story's article was gobsmacking. Should have changed the world immediately.
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/us/how-local-taxpayers-bankroll-corpo...
35
5th largest economy just behind Germany. And, yes, larger than Russia's. So it only makes sense for Trump and his supporters to grovel before Russia and attack California.
http://fortune.com/2018/05/05/california-fifth-biggest-economy-passes-un...
53
Er, I live in Los Angeles, and work downtown Los Angeles.
You are describing a place which does not exist! We are way overtaxed without observable results. The delivery of services is awful for working poor and middle class - education, health, roads/bridges, etc.
The only solution placed before the voters are to increase income and sales taxes and increase in fees.
I can not wait to move from California. There are far better places to make a living. If I were to start all over again, I would definitely select a different state, perhaps the South. And before you reply with: move with the other racist people in Southern states, I am Latino. Southern people are the nicest people I've met.
2
What is about California that raises the hackles os so many people who do not live here? Periodically, for example, friends fromTexas, my home state, will call to clue me in on the latest supposed California disaster, about which I know nothing. "Well, I guess you people out there..." and the latest supposed California foolishness pours out.
If the rest of the country were run with the creative skill Jerry Brown has shown the past twelve years managing the world's sixth largest economy perhaps ..... Well, you know.
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Sitting here in VT, thinking back to our six-month winter this year, CA looks pretty nice. I would move there in a flash. And our one-year-old grandson lives in LA, another reason! Keep up the good work!
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I was just thinking the same thing! All the comments I've read so far warning of the terrible state of affairs in CA have been from out-of-staters. Everyone I know who lives in CA loves it there.
85
California is a boogey man for the extremist right, just like the imaginary magical powers of George Soros, or the imaginary powers of MS13 or the imaginary waves of undocumented immigrants flooding the polling booth.
Their thinking, if they had it, is muddied by being constantly aroused to a state of angry fanaticism. It is what fox exists to do, and what drumpf hate rallies exhibit so plainly
117
Schwarzenegger cut taxes as governor of California resulting in drastic cuts to education, infrastructure and help for the poor and nearly bankrupting our state. Governor Brown was elected and put raising taxes up to a direct vote by Californians. Brown did not impose taxes on us we voted for increasing taxes in California. As a result California now has the 5th largest economy in the world and we have gone a long way to repairing the damage done by tax cutting anti government Republicans. A lesson for Kansas and other red states that refuse to pay taxes and instead rely on blue states to support them. We may not continue to do that in the future.
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Cox also forgets to mention that some municipalities in California vote to add a city tax. The small tax added by my town paid for new fire equipment.
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Mary you are so right about our state and it's contribution to the nation's failing red state areas. they truly do not understand how much money we remit to the federal government and how little we receive back. we do not cry foul but give us some credit for maintaining this republic's dream.
i also think a fair amount of the animus directed OUR way is because they see a couple population centers out here with wonderful year round weather. in the bay area it's like living in Barcelona and not having to learn another language. we already have every language and it is beautiful to hear it spoken daily.
46
I live in Missouri, and I do thank you and the many other states that over support taker states like mine. There are many of us “out here” in the Midwest trying hard everyday to change the math.
Any political commentator who doesn't recognize that this was a very good night for the Democrats is just not getting it. Newsom will not have to lift a finger to beat Cox and probably by around 2:1 and the more pro-Trump Cox is the better for the Dems. And all seven of the targeted Republican Congressional districts are in play (and I'll be happy to bet that Dems win at least five of them). No wonder why Paul Ryan has cut and run as have three dozen Republicans in Congress. They know what is coming (including what will will be in Mueller Report). And we also know that Trump and the Republicans are trying to ride the Obama economy into electoral success but guess again.
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Newsom for President 2020. He is the future face of the party he can beat Trump.
22
Yes, the Obama economy. The only thing Trump has done so far is borrow money to give everyone a tax cut. This will help in the short-term but those tax cuts for individuals go away and need to be paid back. I hope you are saving your red pennies.
2
Its Obama's economy. Trump just take the credit for it.
2
Good luck, California. When you elect Gavin Newsome you will be taking your state even farther left then it already is. Newsome will bring all of his politically correct, big government San Francisco style politics to Sacramento. Sanctuary cities will become sanctuary California. The homeless problem will explode. Welfare and food stamp rolls will expand exponentially. Gas prices will go even higher. And your state income and sales taxes, already the highest in the nation, will rise even more to pay for it all. Democrats, liberals progressives know how to spend your money better than you do, and they will keep doing so under Newsome.
25
Fear! Be scared! The leftwing is coming!
It's sad that this same overarching fear is used by the right in every country they feel under pressure. It's the exact same buzzwords the Canadian right attempts to use to scare voters. Stephen Harper after 10 years in government went down to defeat here using the exact same talking points.
When fear is all you have to offer, you have nothing to offer voters.
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Everybody else always--every cycle--manages to warn California about the dangers that lie ahead... none of which ever happen. Tell you what, Paul: you stay in White Plains, I won't tell you how to vote in NY, and I'll stay here and you can butt out.
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Dems know how to govern better than Repubicans, which is why Brown turned the state around, and it is booming. Might want to pay more attention to your own state.
91
Newsom will more than likely win in November.
Unfortunately there are enough Democrats who are less than enthusiastic about his candidacy that turnout may not be very wave like. Sure the guy looks like he was sent over from central casting but he's got baggage. He'd be shredded on the national stage.
Cox will get the Republicans to the polls and you can bet Donny John will be fanning the flames for the base. If the DNC doesn't step up and actually start supporting local candidates you can forget flipping the house seats in the Central Valley or behind the Orange Curtain.
The Democrats have a storied history of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. History may be about to repeat itself.
This is going to be a long summer.
On another note I'd like to thank the NYT, SF Chronicle and LA Times for the virtual blackoout of any coverage of Delaine Easton or John Chiang. Both were excellent candidates with years of experience in Sacramento and solid policies. You guys just decided they weren't worth the column inches I guess.
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Cox may get a few more R's to the ballot box, but a well funded pro-Trump campaign is going to get even more Democrats to the polls. No R's on the Gubernatorial ballot would only lead to D complacency and down ballot issues. This is the best result.
9
Column space has nothing to do with it. The NYT editorial board likes to pick winners and losers. If a candidate is on their black list, they'll deny coverage unless begrudgingly necessary. You have to remember: The Times is a corporately owned, for-profit business. Journalistic integrity aside, the owners have a political axe to grind same as the Koch's. They just happen to lean Democratic. Of course, that's only true if you consider "Democrat" synonymous with neoliberal. Look at the reporting from 2016. And people wonder why we have Trump as president.
5
Very insightful comments. Thank you.
3
As a liberal Democrat, Newsom's win troubles me. Photogenic hair and family aside, he's shallow and never approached the intellectual and political stature of Jerry Brown.
Generally, he will probably be harmless as Governor, since he'll likely follow Brown's policies. . .but I'm very worried that the DNC is thinking.. "Two terms as gov and then we can run this good looking guy for President." I hope to god he learns something over the next few years.
36
They said the same type of things about Reagan, but he turned out to be a popular and effective president, although I never did agree with the Supply Side Economic philosophy.
6
I see what you are saying but am not that concerned. At the end of the day there were things I liked about all 4 Democratic candidates. I really didn't care which one won. However I preferred Newsom as I felt he has the best potential long term upside on the national stage. An intellectual is great - I would love to see PRESIDENT Brown, but what the Democrats need to start thinking about (locally and nationally) is about people that can WIN. Just like in sports, winning ugly is better than losing pretty. HRC would have been a good president in my opinion, but I knew from day 1 she was going to lose.
2
As a San Francisco resident for over 25 years (and while Newsom was mayor of San Francisco), I wouldn't necessarily characterize him as shallow. He's actually very intelligent, articulate, charming (quickness and glibness can come off as shallow) and can be a bit of a wonk to the point of tedium. He knows the issues (sometimes in exhaustive detail) and I'm convinced he cares about them passionately. He doesn't have Brown's gravitas, and there are some character concerns that will no doubt dog him throughout his career, but from a perspective of competence and leadership, we can do a lot worse than Newsom.
10
Californian Democrats should be very concerned. The primary result should create many moments of pause
They overplayed their hand.
The Democratic leadership political trajectory has been formulaic and predictable. First, capture local office to gain name recognition and rise through the Democratic party's ranks. This trend has been the preffered route to higher office, think Devin Newsom, Gil Garcetti and Antonio Villarraigosa. The problem with this course is that it stunts political growth. They have not developed the life experiences which requires them to find solutions and pivot.
The only solutions they are familiar involves additional spending, raising taxes and increases in fees. They depend on people who claim to be experts in the "field" to feed them information. The result is that leaders in Californian cites and state legislatures are being operated by ambitious individuals rich in rhetoric and misers in competence and results.
The Republican party on the other hand is poised to make a comeback in California.
Stay tuned, the Democratic wave could be no more than an "ankle slapper" - suffers' term for poor surfing conditions.
14
what's wrong with beginning a political career in a local office and rising through the ranks?
and perhaps you can explain why running for the top job with no public service or government experience is preferable.
13
Trump went into government without any real clue about the nitty-gritty of its processes. Unless a person is born with an uncanny knack of grasping how people self-organize, they learn the ropes by climbing them. But I suppose Trump does comprehend self-organization on some level, since he has indeed hypnotized millions.
5
Ha!
4
If Republicans hope to have a shot in California, they need to stop making it about taxes. The only people in California that care about taxes, are rich Republicans. They complained about paying taxes when it was the 7th largest economy on earth, kept making it about taxes as it became the 6th largest economy and now, as John Cox is making it about taxes, we're the 5th largest economy on earth, ahead of Great Britain. People see the benefit of roads, schools, hospitals. police departments. It works.
51
Maybe that is because the only ones paying taxes in California are rich Republicans. All the illegal voters are on the govt dole. Iti is no wonder why California is in such a financial crisis.
2
https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/01/05/california-schools-earn-c-in-nati...
California school system is in shambles. We received a C-.
https://www.ocregister.com/2017/03/03/californias-roads-are-some-of-the-...
Roads as well
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-be-a-cop/34669/
Quality of Life rankings for police in CA rank 32nd in the Nation.
Facts matter. Stealing money from people to prop up failed institutions doesn't "work". Stop spreading misinformation. It literally took me 10 - 15 minutes to look this stuff up.
3
I admit to being worried about a Governor Newsom. While ambition is certainly not a bad quality it's always seemed to me that Gavin has only that, without other qualities necessary to be a thoughtful, thoroughly prepared leader. Of course now I have to vote for him....so I hope I'm wrong (or that he's scrambling up the learning curve as I write this). The world's sixth largest economy is of vital importance, and not just to those of us who live here.
24
I do think many of us CA dems share your trepidation and I'm dismayed (though not surprised) Feinstein prevailed.
Our state is strong and we'll continue to press for progressive measures, even at the city levels.
4
you are correct. obama was abjectly unqualified and only had ambition, and he was an awful president. BTW, obama is also extremely lazy and has never worked, but does enjoy bloviating from a teleprompter.
3
bob - This kind of bigoted ignorance is shameful.
President Obama worked long days and nights and he did so for the benefit of all Americans.
Among his many accomplishments was pulling the country out of the great recession G.W. left us.
1