A few observations concerning the Democratic State Party Convention — sent into the FlashReport by State GOP Communications Director Patrick Dorinson:
The good thing about the California Democratic Party Convention year after year is that if you miss one it doesn’t really matter. They keep bringing up the same, failed, tired old ideas that they have been preaching for the last 30 years.
A few observations:
Steve Westly’s ads tout him as a “different kind of Governor”, but when you listen to him he sounds like any other Democrat running for office. Lots of old repackaged ideas but no way to pay for it. He may try to fool California voters that he is different with his ads, but at heart he is a just another liberal Democrat. Just listen to his own words from his speech to the convention:
"Like all of you, I’ve been a Democratic activist most of my life. In fact, I got my start when you elected me party treasurer in this very building 25 years ago. And I’ve been working with you ever since to strengthen this party. It’s good to be home."
Here’s another passage I particularly liked:
"I’m proud to have worked for Jimmy Carter on solar energy back in 1979….
I don’t know why anyone would invoke Jimmy Carter who gave this country double digit interest rates, high unemployment, high taxes, and high inflation. Maybe this was not a mistake but more of a preview of what we could all look forward to in a Westly Administration.
And then there’s this one:
…and I’m proud that you helped elect me state controller in 2002 because, lord knows, someone needed to beat Tom McClintock."
Someone needed to beat Tom McClintock? Why? Tom McClintock as Controller was their worst nightmare because he has an encyclopedic knowledge of state government and would have had the power to audit all of the Democrat’s pet programs to see if California taxpayers were getting their money’s worth.
Phil Angelides speech was long on promises but short on how to pay for them. He didn’t even mention his favorite word…TAXES. Maybe even Phil realizes that Californians are vehemently opposed to new taxes and that he should stop using that word. I have an idea for Phil. Just call them “revenue enhancements”!
Neither one of them addressed any of the issues brought up by the other down ballot candidates who addressed the convention.
Where do they stand on the government-run healthcare proposals?
Where do they stand on “three strikes” and Democratic efforts to undermine that law?
How do they propose to rebuild California’s aging infrastructure?
Where do they stand on “Jessica’s Law”?
Perhaps we will hear those answers as the campaign progresses although I wouldn’t hold my breath.