CA-GOV: Whitman Endorsed By Former L.A. Mayor Riordan

Republican insider Richard Riordan who was never able to get the brass ring of the California governorship himself has endorsed Meg Whitman for that position.

In the Whitman news release sent out this morning, Riordan says, "Meg believes the future of our state and the strength of our nation depend on Californians rededicating ourselves to education. Her commitment to returning control of our schools back to parents and teachers and demanding accountability makes Meg the best candidate."

Whitman repeated the education theme in her quotes in the news release.

"I appreciate Richard Riordan's steadfast commitment to education reform,'' Whitman said. "Over the decades, he has worked relentlessly to ensure every California student has access to a quality education. I am honored to have Mayor Riordan's endorsement and he will be an asset to my team."

CA-GOV: Brown Beats All Republicans, Newsom Trails All Of Them

California political junkies are buzzing about the new Rasmussen poll which shows former Governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown handily leading all the major Republican gubernatorial contenders (Meg Whitman, Steve Poizner and Tom Campbell) while Brown's rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination trailing the same three possible Republicans. Here's the data:

Brown (D) 44%, Whitman (R) 35%
Brown (D) 45%, Poizner (R) 32%
Brown (D) 44%, Campbell (R) 34%
Whitman (R) 41%, Newsom (D) 36%
Poizner (R) 40%, Newsom (D) 36%
Campbell (R) 42%, Newsom (D) 36%

This is definitely NOT very good news for the Governor Gavin movement. That's too bad, because MadProfesah has been leaning towards Newsom, especially since Gerry Brown hasn't announced whether he wants the job (again) yet, and acting as attorney general, Brown was responsible for the devastatingly incompetent presentation by an Assistant Attorney General during the Proposition 8 California Supreme Court oral argument.

CA-GOV: Brown Leads Money Race

Attorney General Jerry Brown has the most amount of cash on hand of all contenders for the 2010 election for California Governor, according to reports filed with Secretary of State.

The top fundraiser overall among likely candidates for governor was Attorney General Jerry Brown, a Democrat who collected $3.4 million. He was followed by fellow Democrats Gavin Newsom, the San Francisco mayor, who raised nearly $1.2 million; and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who reaped about $1.1 million.

[...]

Of the five contenders, only Garamendi has filed the official paperwork to run for governor. Poizner, Campbell and Newsom have formed exploratory committees.

Others have talked about running but either haven't filed the necessary paperwork — such as former eBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman, a Republican — or haven't raised much money, including state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, a Democrat. Or, they've done neither, such as Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat running for re-election to his current job.

Among the announced Republicans, State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has self-funded his campaign to the tune of nearly half a million dollars while former U.S. Representative Tom Campbell raised just over $200,000 in 2008. As for cash on hand as of January 1, 2009:

Brown has amassed a total of $4.1 million in his account, including the $3.4 raised last year, but reported spending only $173,000 in 2008. Newsom spent $641,000 last year and has nearly $719,000 in cash on hand. Garamendi spent nearly $557,000 and has $756,000 left. None of the three loaned their campaigns any money.

Campbell used up more than $40,000 last year and had a cash balance on Dec. 31 of about $173,000. Poizner, who leads the Republican field in endorsements, gave himself $460,000 in cash as well as a loan for $100,000; he spent nearly $592,000 and kept $739,165 in the bank.

Mad Professah is an elected member of the California Democratic Party State Central Committee and will be voting to choose the party's nominee for Governor in 2010.

Who do YOU think it should be?

Whitman Getting More Serious About Running For Governor

As MadProfessah reported last week, former E-Bay CEO and billionaire Meg Whitman is considering running for the California Republican Gubernatorial nomination. Sadly, she is a homophobe who supported Proposition 8, unlike her rivals State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former Congressman and Stanford Law professor Tom Campbell.

Tuesday 365gay.com has more information about the moves Whitman is making to prepare herself for her foray into California politics.

The 52-year-old Republican plans to run in 2010 for the seat Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is leaving but is not ready to make a formal announcement, said the person, who was not authorized to talk publicly and spoke Monday on condition of anonymity.

Whitman made the decision while spending time with family over the holidays and will make the announcement official in four to six weeks, he said.

Henry Gomez, a spokesman for Whitman, said she stepped down from the boards of eBay, Procter & Gamble Co. and DreamWorks Animation SKG last week due to “personal reasons and time commitments.” He would not elaborate.

[...]

Whitman retired in March after 10 years at the helm. A billionaire, she retains a 2 percent ownership stake in eBay.

[...]

Whitman has donated money to candidates and causes in the past but was not particularly active in state politics while she led eBay. Little is known about her social views.

Whitman supported Proposition 8, the gay marriage ban that passed in November, according to the person who spoke about her political decision. Campaign finance records do not indicate she contributed money to that campaign.

I am sure the Log Cabin Republicans will wet their pants at the possibility of holding onto the Governorship with Whitman. Interestingly, if Diane Feinstein wins the Democratic nomination and Whitman wins the Republican nomination MadProfessah would vote for NEITHER.

I have no intention of voting for Dianne Feinstein ever again, for any position.

Meg Whitman Is A Homophobe?

Meg Whitman is considering running for the Governorship of California. The Republican Party is notoriously homophobic, although Arnold Schwarzenegger is in a different mode, he is termed out and must be replaced in 2010. In June of that year there will be gubernatorial (and legislative) primaries. On the Republican side State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has already announced he is running, and Log Cabin Republicans claim that he is a fiscal conservative but social moderate. Whitman, apparently wants to go in another direction:

She has made no broad announcements on the issue, but Whitman adviser Zak said she has told GOP gatherings in the last two weeks she supports the same-sex marriage ban.

[Tom] Campbell, a moderate Bay Area Republican, opposed and even wrote an op-ed for libertarian-leaning Reason.com making a conservative case against the initiative. Poizner has not taken a position.

All three Republicans fashion themselves as social moderates, which could leave the 2010 gubernatorial field open to a GOP entrant from the right. None of the three Republicans are openly supporting Proposition 4, the abortion notification measure.

Many Capitol watchers are not impressed. The 2010 California Governor's race should be very very interesting, perhaps on both sides of the aisle. Another question is whether there will be another same-sex marriage proposition on the ballot. Stay tuned!