Who would be tougher to beat?

at first, Whitman sounds like she'd appeal to more voters, but she's never ran for office before.  Never, not a single election in her life.  Poizner very nearly won a Democratic-leaning state legislature seat in 2004 and then two years later was elected statewide by 12%.

Who would we rather face?  

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by: skaje @ Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 21:08:56 PM CST

Don't read too much into that statewide win.

He ran against Cruz Bustamante. Anyone, and I mean anyone, could win against Bustamante.

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by: Kanamit @ Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 23:15:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Almost identical to the Governor's race.

Some Democrats couldn't stomach the idea of voting for Cruz and voted for Poizner. I would have been very undecided in that race, and probably would have voted Green. We should have told Bustamante to take a hike after the recall.

Check out the 2010 California races (http://2010californiaracetracker.wetpaint.com) and help us take back Red California! (http://www.takebackredcalifornia.org)

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by: californianintexas @ Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 23:42:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Why the Democrats nominated Bustamente for anything is another question

After the recall debacle, he was pretty much toast.  

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by: Marcus @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 11:11:32 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm hoping

that Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner does decide to go for it, as speculated.

Two dot-com billionaires squaring off in the Repub primary.
How bloody could that eventually wind up to be?

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by: homerun @ Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 21:27:27 PM CST

Poizner

Im not sure of Poizner's overall political leanings but I know hes at least pro-choice. Which will help in the general. Of course he shouldnt be called a moderate just because of one issue but its an important one nonetheless. Were he pro-life hed have a much harder time winning a general i would think.  

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by: HarrisCountyBrian @ Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 22:35:25 PM CST

Meg Whitman is a racist

I went to high school with her son.  He went to the private school in Menlo Park, and he voluntarily left that high school after it became apparent that he would be kicked out if he did not leave.  The story is that he got angry at a black student in his class and wrote a racist letter.  Anyways, after that he came to my public high school.  He was notorious for saying insensitive racist, homophobic, and sexist things on a daily basis (calling black literature uneducated, saying that people with AIDS deserve to die because they're gay, saying that a woman's place is in the home).  And since the apple never falls far from the tree, one can only assume that these beliefs are shared by his horrible mother.  

Anyways, he was rejected from Harvard University when he applied.  So his mother donated a $300 million building to Princeton, and low and behold, he was admitted.  

Meg Whitman is a horrible person, and I would want Steve Poizner to win the primary, because I want there to be no chance that this awful woman becomes our governor.

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by: benjso99 @ Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 23:14:52 PM CST

Get real

Ok lets just take your story at face value. Her son should not reflect on her. Save the punishment for the people at fault.

Meg Whitman is awesome and I felt she should be considered for McCain's VP back when he was looking. She has a good business record. Im excited, though I fully expect us to lose the CA Gov seat no matter if we nominate Whitman or not.

A cat can have kittens in an oven but that doesn't make them biscuits.

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by: Kyle98632 @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 00:35:46 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You get real

If she has such a stunning business record, then why was she fired, sorry resigned from, Ebay in 2008?  She is just like Carly Fiorina-- a lot of hot gas without anything substantive.  She is just one of those people who honestly believes that she can buy anything she wants with her millions of dollars.  

And frankly, if Will Harsh's intollerant views didn't come from her, then where did they come from?  She lives in CA-14-- one of the most liberal places in the United States.  I apologize for the figure error in my previous post-- she donated $30 million, not $300 million, to get her son into Princeton.

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by: benjso99 @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 04:13:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Come on

This is scurrilous, unfounded crap, and we're better than this. Not a single word of that argument makes sense, so please don't venture it as some sort of disqualifying hit against Whitman.

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by: RedefiningForm @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 04:28:43 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I believe you 100%

the Repubs usually have racist views, and they get it from their parents.  I have no doubt that Meg Whitman, along with most Repubs, are racists. For that matter many of them are anti-American traitors, such as the those who oppose this stimulus plan that would prevent this country from drowning.

This is why I called Michael Steal an Uncle Tom and a Jewish Nazi, because basically he sells out his people to side with the enemy for some cash.

Also Kyle above is a Repub troll, he openly states that he is a Republican from Washington, and he continuously spews Repub talking points here/

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by: IHateBush @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 08:26:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Uhhhh

Uncle Tom? Jewish Nazi!? Michael Steele may be a total tool, but good lord. GTFO

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by: Nico @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 08:41:09 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Sheesh... chill

We all may disagree with Kyle on a lot of things but he's certainly no troll.  He may be from the other party but I've always thought his posts were very well reasoned and thoughtful.  It even takes some courage to post at a forum where you know you're outnumbered 100 to 1.

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by: ChadInFL @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 09:14:40 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I haven't

Kyle's posts are standard Repub or right-wing talking points that make you wonder why he is here.

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by: IHateBush @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 09:39:49 AM CST

[ Parent ]

At least he is polite

Which is more than can be said for some...

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 10:14:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't do polite

If one is a piece of shit, I'll let 'em know.

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by: IHateBush @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 11:40:36 AM CST

[ Parent ]

If you're not willing to "do polite"...

...then you can leave. Your comments in this thread have been way over the line. SSP has always been valued as a place for relaxed and civil discussion, and I would appreciate it if you would stop poisoning the dialogue with abusive comments and inappropriate phrases like "Jewish Nazis" and "Uncle Tom". Consider this a warning, and please realize that I've exhausted my patience with people like you, so don't push me.

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by: James L. @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 14:07:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Kyle

Kyle hasn't used Uncle Tom either, which whether you think you're above racism or not, is a racist term. I don't think Kyle is the troll here..  

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by: IowaCityDem @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 10:37:28 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Well thanks

I appericate that.  

A cat can have kittens in an oven but that doesn't make them biscuits.

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by: Kyle98632 @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 10:15:01 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Wowsers

I really didn't want to comment here, because I don't think I should entertain or encourage whatever drivel you two are spewing, but really?

Repubs usually have racist views, and they get it from their parents.

Quick little story: You're right that racism is often a function of those you grow up around. My grandfather, for example, is one of the most racist people I know (called my stepfather a "wetback" when my mom brought him home the first time, despite my stepdad being Cherokee...) He's also ardently anti-abortion, and the most partisan Democrat I know. He actually asked me during the campaign if there were "Racists for Obama" bumper stickers, and he ran around western Pennsylvania door to door, at 78, to campaign for someone he would happily denigrate to his (Obama's) face.

No party has a monopoly of racists. Look at the the Democratic areas in the South that didn't vote for Obama. In the same vein, no one party has a monopoly of people who support racial understanding. I think the Democrats do better at it most of the time, but geez, to say that all Republicans are racists is just a scotch reductionist...

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by: adam.kretz @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 09:27:32 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Not all racists are Repubs

but most Repubs are racists.  Take a look at Ashley Todd, there's an example of the wingnut movement for you.  Stone cold racists.

And yes, many white Southerners are racists, and most are Repubs as well, although a good number of the racists in the South and Appalachia are Democrats as well.

The fact that the Repubs had to hire an guy like Michael Steal to head the RNC to trash Obama tells you how racist they are, and how scared they are as being portrayed as their true selves.  And even that was close, they almost elected an unreconstructed segregationist in Katon Dawson.  

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by: IHateBush @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 09:45:09 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Uncle Tom and You.

Please go back to the first thread in which you uttered Uncle Tom and read how racist a term it is.  

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by: IowaCityDem @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 10:40:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Wow

Thansk for taking a level headed view on this. These people on both sides who think their political party is perfect, and the other guys are horrible people really nned to open their eyes.

A cat can have kittens in an oven but that doesn't make them biscuits.

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by: Kyle98632 @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 10:13:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I always take for granted

That people can be thoughtful about these things, and then I always get proven wrong. At least some of us can try and keep a positive discourse, even when we disagree.

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by: adam.kretz @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 14:11:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I call BS

Kyle is a Republican but he's no troll.  If you want an echo chamber, I suggest you go somewhere else.

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by: sicembears @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 13:00:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Kyle

I know Kyle (I believe its the same Kyle, anyway. Im about 100% positive it is LOL) from another political blog site and I will also say hes no troll. And hes a genuinely good guy to boot.

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by: HarrisCountyBrian @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 17:23:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]

So let me get this straight IHateBush

If you vote against the majority of a demographic you're a part of you are a sellout to "your people"?  A majority of whites (55% of them) voted for McCain.  I'm white and voted for Obama.  Does that make me a sellout?  This is exactly why your methodology stinks on this issue.  

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by: ChadInFL @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 20:36:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]

According to this story

Whitman stepped down from Ebay to run for office in the near future (and it turned out to be right).

http://articles.latimes.com/20...

Last I heard, Ebay has been doing fine. She can not be compared to Fiorina who truely is someone with a bad business record of running HP into the ground.

It is simplistic to think that someone gets their views from their parents automatically. I have a cousin who is racist, and makes no effort to hide it, yet his mom certainly is not and he doesnt have a dad. When I started getting into politics when I was 12 I quickly became a Republican dispite my parents Ralph Nader signs in our front door. Alot of things influence people's thinking and behaviors.

A cat can have kittens in an oven but that doesn't make them biscuits.

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by: Kyle98632 @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 10:24:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

In Texas

Here in Texas arguably the most racist area is the Beaumont/Port Arthur area and the whites there are old school, Yellow Dog Democrats. Does the GOP nationally and in TX have more racists? Im guessing so. But certainly they dont have a monopoly on racists which many people claim.

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by: HarrisCountyBrian @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 17:27:12 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I hope this becomes an issue

during the campaign.  The behavior of Whitman and her son should become common knowledge throughout California, the people of California, who elected Obama by 24%, have a right not to be governed by a stone cold racist.

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by: IHateBush @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 08:28:34 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Whitman

I don't know much about California politics, and I'll say that right off the bat. But someone I know (who is smart, well-respected, and well-informed-- and whose name I probably shouldn't mention) is absolutely certain that Whitman will win in 2010 and be somewhere on the GOP ticket in 2012.

I'm personally suspicious on both counts, but it's an interesting possibility. I don't know much about Whitman, but she doesn't strike me as a candidate that'll hold up over a long campaign for governor. It's just a feeling, but she seems like one of these candidates that will peak somewhere around May of 2010.

But I don't know anything, and my unnamed prognosticator shouldn't be taken too seriously for now.

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by: Fitzy @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 00:19:06 AM CST

I don't think

Anybody really knows anything about Whitman's political abilities. She's certainly got the connections, but beyond being pro-choice I don't know any of her positions and she's a political neophyte.

---

by: safi @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 11:32:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

She endorsed Prop 8

But I don't recall how extensively she spoke on it during the campaign.  

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by: adam.kretz @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 14:12:49 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Whitman, Poizner and Tom Campbell could split the

  conservative to moderate part of the GOP electorate (probably a shrinking portion of their primary voters) leaving an opportunity for a more hardcore rightwinger to get the nomination. Who might that be? The obvious choice would be Conservative Icon Tom McClintock, but I don't think he is crazy enough to give up a House seat to run for Gov so soon.
   

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by: Zack from the SFV @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 01:22:15 AM CST

Oh he is crazy enough

and even crazier.

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by: tommypaine @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 02:11:22 AM CST

[ Parent ]

he intends to

he had already set up an exploratiory fundraising committee before he was ever elected congressman.  

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

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by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 10:18:34 AM CST

[ Parent ]

The guy is a complete clown

He knows he has a ceiling of maybe 43% yet still insists on running in hopeless races.

---

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 20:41:29 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Poizner is not

a conservative. He's very liberal, and he ran, and had my support against the odious Cruz Bustamonte in the Insurance Race. Poizner made a big ethics stand and refused to take mone from the insurance industry, whereas some 60% of Bustamonte's money came from the Insurance industry. Poizner is very liberal, and nearly won in 2004 in a House district that went like 70-30 for Kerry. He would be a formidible opponent with his North California base and appeal. He's also very pro-environment.  

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

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by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 10:17:55 AM CST

And so

What's with the R next to his name?

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by: adam.kretz @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 14:13:49 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I think its more of a pro-business

thing. But he's one of those pragmatic guys who would rather avoid a party label altogether, at least that was my impression of him.  

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

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by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 15:38:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

looks like a messy race on both sides

and people are all over the place on this thread:

1. Whitman's son will not play a role in this election unless he gets arrested in the next two years.  It's silly to even mention him.

2. Is Poizner liberal or conservative?  I read some people saying he's a right wing nut and some saying he's extremely liberal.  Can you give some supporting evidence: pro-choice/pro-life, pro-Iraq war/anti-Iraq War, pro-stimulus? pro-immigration/anti-immigration?

so who do we democrats want to run against in 10? and who do our gop brothers and sisters on this site want to run against on our side and why?

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by: st paul sage @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 11:19:44 AM CST

If McClintock

Does jump in, he'd probably be the easiest candidate to beat. Between Ponzier and Whitman, its a crapshoot. Ponzier has won statewide so he's not a neophyte but it was against a flawed opponent and a much lower profile race. Whitman, like I said in another post, has great connections but none of us have any idea on what her political abilities are.

From our side, they probably want to run against Newsom and/or Villaraigosa because of the baggage they have.

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by: safi @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 11:39:01 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Foreign policy

Not saying you think foreign policy views are important in a Gov. race but I am of the opinion theyre irrelevant. Schwarzenegger proved that in 2006. I believe Angelides was trying to make his own anti-war views a campaign issue and it just didnt work. Im sure Californians were thinking hes insulting their intelligence. Since a Gov. cant do shit with regards to foreign policy unless it has to do with jobs and trade and things like that.  

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by: HarrisCountyBrian @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 17:32:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Proposition 8

Meg Whitman supported Proposition 8 in California last year. Between the three main Republican candidates, she was the only one who did so. Poizner did not publicly state his position while Campbell was opposed to Proposition 8 and wrote an op-ed against it for Reason.com

So I think Whitman will try to position herself as the most conservative of the 3 in an attempt to appeal to the Republican base. Which shouldn't be too hard for her unless McClintock gets in...

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by: Nigel @ Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 12:19:16 PM CST

Someone needs to explain to me

why two successful businesspeople would blow tens of millions of their own money on a worthless nomination? Might as well just write checks to the media consultants for what their overrides would have been and save the cost of the actual buys.
Barring an incumbent Democrat screwing the pooch a la Gray Davis de-electrifying Cali, no Republican is winning this one in the general.

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by: pinhickwv @ Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 12:44:45 PM CST