It’s no secret that former State Controller and unsuccessful 2006 Democrat Gubernatorial candidate Steve Westly wants to run for Governor again.
But you may not know that Westly has chosen an unusual platform for his next gubernatorial campaign – supporting subterfuge, and misleading California voters.
I noted with some degree of cynicism that Westly has endorsed Proposition 93, the Nunez/Perata Career Politician Term Limits Loosening Initiative.
It’s one thing to oppose term limits or believe it should be changed – but it’s a completely different thing to support an initiative that’s designed to trick the voters. Which is exactly what 93 does. Proposition 93 is so bad that a slew of major newspapers (you know, the ones who always endorse the WRONG candidates?) have come out strongly against the measure.
Proposition 93’s main backers – and beneficiaries – are the poster children for its defeat. Senate President Don Perata is under an active FBI investigation and has even had his home raided. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez has become a statewide laughingstock as the most ethically-challenged Speaker since Willie Brown. Both politicians are also under investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission for illegal and lavish spending (can you say Louis Vuitton, Fabian?) – of campaign funds to benefit themselves personally.
Proposition 93’s financial supporters are the major special interests with business before the Legislature who have been coerced – or offered promises of favorable legislation – into giving campaign contributions. So much for standing with the people against the special interests, Steve.
Westly had always marketed himself as an honest reformer — a candidate who could appeal to independents and moderate Republicans. But that appeal has been shot after he’s aligned himself with the failed leadership of the Legislature. Don Perata and Fabian Nunez are a serious drag for any statewide candidate – even in a Democrat primary. In one foul swoop, Westly has shown himself to be a phony reformer and an apologist for the most ethically-challenged politicians Sacramento has seen in many years.
Now we better understand how Westly, who dramatically outspent his opponent in the 2006 primary, could lose to an unattractive political hack like “Landslide Loser” Phil Angelides – the Dems’ worst candidate for Governor in decades. With political judgment like this, don’t expect Westly to do any better in 2010 no matter how much money he spends.
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