Billions spent nationally, two years of nonstop campaigning and essentially nothing changed. But the outcome of Tuesday’s election will help the economy. Gov. Jerry Brown reigns supreme. People voted to tax themselves and Democrats have super majorities in the legislature. Happy days are here again!
The Republican drive to get districts drawn “fairly” backfired badly. To paraphrase President Clinton: Republicans have a problem with math.
Open primary elections provided a less than stark choice for voters—which translated into less Pete Stark.
Local hero Ann Ravel of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) deserves credit for exposing the largest money laundering effort in California history. Spoiler alert—the money came from Republicans, though who gave individually still needs to come out of the wash.
Mayor Chuck Reed, like President Obama, governs an extremely divided electorate. But unlike the President, he has all he needs to govern.
The minimum wage increase is a big win for under-employed. Will the mayor and San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce now support wage increases in neighboring cities to “even” the playing field? Can’t wait to see those television ads.
The worst run campaign this year was by state Senate Candidate Joe Coto, who should demand his money back from the consultants who stole it. He’s a good man who deserved a better outcome.
Paul Fong won big over newly minted independent Chad Walsh. Fong aide and Campbell Councilmember Evan Low announced he was running for his boss’s seat in 2014 before all the votes were even cast. We expect Chris Christie to announce for President as soon as 2015, or possibly when Florida is called.
Women matter. Ask President Obama, David Ginsborg and Patrick Kwok.
Note to all future candidates and Scott Herhold: Signs don’t work and are a waste of money—even lawn signs.
Without looking, name three winners in down-ballot races: local school districts, the water district, open space authorities, etc. Many people can’t, which begs the question: Why do we vote for these positions?
Note to Dustin DeRollo and Tom Saggau: Stealing campaign signs may be unseemly, unethical and illegal, but even if you catch the culprit red-handed, it has little effect on the outcome of the election.
Note to current Milpitas City Councilmember Debbie Giordano: Stealing an ex-husband’s mailbox is stupid and a federal crime. But, apparently, that has no effect on voters either. An honorable person would resign from office anyway.
In 20 years you will be free to marry whomever you want and celebrate with marijuana instead of champagne. Times are a changing’.
Republicans may seek protection in California utilizing the endangered species act. Irony, where is thy sting?
Finally, it’s nice to know that while Donald Trump may have millions of dollars, my daughter cancelled out his vote in New York this year.
Voting is the last vestige of egalitarianism in our country. It allows the possibility of American exceptionalism to exist.
Rich Robinson is a political consultant in Silicon Valley.
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