California
Related: About this forumAntonio Villaraigosa: the clear choice for California governor
California is a big state with bigger contradictions. It is the wealthy tech capital of the world and the epicenter of U.S. poverty. It is the most influential progressive state and a tremendous educational disappointment for minority students. It is the boldest state on profoundly important issues like climate change and one thats unable to address the financial challenge of creating a sustainable pension system for government workers.
To address these giant California problems, the next governor must be willing to take on the most powerful factions in the states dominant Democratic Party. The environmentalists and trial attorneys who use state environmental laws to make adding housing stock so difficult, spurring a dire shortage that has led to sky-high rents and home prices. The teachers unions that dont just oppose basic education reforms that have worked in other states, but use their clout to win approval of a school accountability program that makes it harder to hold districts accountable. The public employee unions that have fought off changes to generous pension programs that could soon consume one-quarter of the budgets of local governments and crowd out basic services like public safety, libraries and parks.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board believes that of the seven major candidates we interviewed, only two have a chance of being elected. Thankfully, this list includes the candidate with the best chance to be the aggressive reformer the state needs: Antonio Villaraigosa. The veteran Democrats willingness to challenge government unions while mayor of Los Angeles and his ability to get things done as speaker and majority leader in the state Assembly lend credibility to his claim that he could take on Californias political status quo.
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom the only other candidate with a real chance of succeeding Jerry Brown talks a great game, displaying a deep understanding of a vast range of state issues. Like Villaraigosa, he calls for a variety of changes in state laws that would make it easier to add more housing. But Villaraigosas record as L.A. mayor from 2005 to 2013 far surpasses Newsoms record as San Francisco mayor from 2004 to 2011. Villaraigosa not only displayed an effective, judicious management style in persuading his City Council to restrain city spending during a budget-crippling recession; he won voters approval for ambitious transportation projects and beefed up his police force. Yes, Newsom deserves credit for his early championing of same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization. But he hasnt gotten nearly as much done or overcome as many obstacles as Villaraigosa. Questions about Newsoms ability to build coalitions to advance his bold ideas have dogged him for years. His decision to skip so many debates in recent weeks didnt help him. If hes the frontrunner, he seems to be running scared.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/editorials/sd-antonio-villaraigosa-endorsement-for-governor-20180511-story.html
Wwcd
(6,288 posts)there's a reason why.
Gavin Newsom is the finest in the ring to date.
California Labor Federation, endorsed Gavin Newsom for governor and Kevin de Leon for U.S. Senate.
Villaraigosa & Newsom, its set to be an interesting race, indeed.
kimbutgar
(21,187 posts)He wont be getting my vote, hes a corp a dem who wants to turn over the education of California children to for profit entities.
BigmanPigman
(51,626 posts)That say he is going to get universal health care for CA. I saved an article from March 2017 where Gavin said the same thing but I haven't heard or seen anything about this subject from him since. Do you know what his position is on THIS?
http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-gavin-newsom-adds-a-new-plank-to-his-1489439179-htmlstory.html
Won't be voting for him. I don't trust him.
stuffmatters
(2,574 posts)I'll probably vote Gavin but I like John Chiang too.
Chiang should add creating a Ca State Bank to his platform, liberating Ca from
Wall Street,since his ads have focused on the 2008 collapse and he's State Treasurer Good to actually offer new ideas and solutions; Ca State Bank would be a natural for our State Treasurer Chiang and a very attractive position to all Californians (North Dakota got through 2008 the best of all states bkz it has a State Bank)
TeamPooka
(24,254 posts)when he was mayor. he sucked.
He let the Feds raid legal pot dispensaries because he's a police union suck up.
There is nothing I like about him.
California can do better than Antonio.
Raine
(30,540 posts)and is doing ads for him, he gets my vote!
gyroscope
(1,443 posts)I'll take Newsom over the Conservadem anyday.