The San Joaquin Valley Insider
News
and analysis of politics and public policy affecting California's San Joaquin
Valley
Central Valley Political
and Public Policy Headline News
Edited by Mark Looker
A news service of Mike Lynch Consulting, 801 10th Street, Modesto, CA
95354 (209) 526-2121
www.mikelynchconsulting.com
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Drive-by fundraising By Mike
Lynch June 11, 2007 - - Is the era of drive-by fundraising in California
presidential politics coming to an end? California partisans of both parties
have long become accustomed to seeing California relegated to the status of
an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in the presidential nominating process of
both parties. Hundreds of millions of dollars were raised here, and spent
outside the state Read more June 11, 2007
Believe your eyes: Candidates finally come out to
the valley - - Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin has never believed in
Bigfoot. Now he's not so sure. Because so few presidential candidates ever
visit Modesto or Merced, Pazin usually refers to them as a bunch of yetis,
which, along with sasquatch, is another name for the mythical Bigfoot.
"We've heard of them," Pazin said. "There are a few grainy photos. But I
hadn't seen one until now." By visiting Modesto on Monday, Arizona Sen. John
McCain convinced Pazin that presidential candidates -- those political yetis
-- really do exist. See, sheriff? They're not just a bunch of mannequins
propped up to spew talking points during the televised debates. They only
seem that way, since they so rarely come to the valley. Until this past
weekend, Republican nominee Bob Dole was the last presidential candidate to
visit Modesto. That was in 1996.
<more> June 12, 2007 Modesto Bee columnist Jeff Jardine
McCain visits Modesto. GOP candidate is praised
as a 'good listener' at fund-raiser - - Whatever else you know, or think
you know, about Arizona Sen. John McCain, know this: The man who would be
president of the United States is a good listener. And that's a very
important trait, said Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin, especially in a
region accustomed to being ignored when it comes to presidential politics.
"It was refreshing to finally be invited to the table to discuss some
substantive issues," Pazin said. "He took time to reach out to local
sheriffs. "It was a great opportunity to sit down and talk with an
individual who actually has the influence to make changes in our daily
lives. "(But) mostly, he's a very good listener." McCain, one in a large
field of potential GOP contenders for the 2008 presidential nomination,
rolled into Dewz Restaurant in downtown Modesto for a fund-raising
breakfast.
<more> June 12, 2007 Modesto Bee
Presidential candidates see valley as
destination. An increase in population, an earlier primary are why - -
Veteran observers say upcoming appearances by two top Republican
presidential candidates reflect the Northern San Joaquin Valley's increased
visibility on the national political stage. Arizona Sen. John McCain and
former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani are scheduled to be in the Modesto
area to raise money Sunday and Monday. "The valley has always been one of
the more competitive areas in California," said Mike Lynch, who was Ceres
Democrat Gary Condit's chief of staff when he represented the 18th District
in Congress. After Condit was defeated in 2002, Lynch returned to Stanislaus
County. "In a wide open year like you're going to see in 2008, we should see
a variety of candidates come to town," he said.
<more> June 9, 2007 Modesto Bee
McCain drops by Modesto - - Presidential
hopeful Sen. John McCain met this morning with law enforcement officers at a
downtown Modesto restaurant before talking with reporters during a brief
campaign stop
(see video). The Arizona Republican was one of two GOP contenders for
the 2008 presidential nomination to visit the area. Former New York City
Mayor Rudy Giuliani was the guest of honor at private fund-raiser Sunday in
Hughson. Standing in front of a war memorial outside the Stanislaus County
Courthouse, McCain said he discussed the area's methamphetamine and gang
problems with law enforcement representatives. McCain also touched on
immigration reform, the war in Iraq and the Central Valley's agricultural
importance during a 15-minute news conference.
<more> June 8, 2007 Modesto Bee
Florez announces bid for lieutenant governor -
- State Sen. Dean Florez says he’s running for lieutenant governor. It’s the
office that is traditionally viewed as the most meaningless job in state
government, but it may never be the same if he wins. Florez, famous for
calling frequent press conferences to announce proposals or criticize
government agencies, said he believes the office can be used as a “bully
pulpit” to push for new programs to benefit consumers, workers and the
environment.
<more> June 8, 2007 Bakersfield Californian
California's absentee voters may complicate
campaigns. With the primary slated for Feb. 5, millions could cast ballots
by early January. And those votes could be crucial. - - As states jockey
for early power in next year's presidential caucuses and primaries,
California could have an unexpected edge. Under the present — and evolving —
calendar, absentee voters here may be able to cast ballots before the
traditionally first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries.
The votes wouldn't be counted until California's scheduled primary on Feb.
5, but the prospect of millions of Californians being able to vote beginning
Jan. 7 complicates strategy for the major candidates. And playing California
right could be crucial: The state will send at least 440 delegates to the
Democratic National Convention, more than the current five early voting
states combined. The Republican delegate allotment won't be set until later
this year, but California's population means it will be among the largest
delegations to that convention as well. None of the campaigns would discuss
their plans, but one issue is sure to be how much money to spend seeking
early voters in California — usually reached with television ads and direct
mail — while campaigning in more than 20 other states.
<more> June 11, 2007 LA Times
Woman is Arvin's air apparent for change - - Raji Brar just wanted to clean up downtown Arvin. he 31-year-old opened a Subway sandwich shop on the city's main thoroughfare in 2003 and had a vested interest in seeing the surroundings revitalized. So with $3,000 -- about half of which she borrowed from her father -- she launched a campaign to run for City Council. And won. Soon after taking office late last year, however, Brar realized that Arvin had far bigger problems than a dilapidated downtown. The city was in the midst of a pollution crisis. In recent years, it had more smog violations than any other place in the country. Earlier this year, Brar was appointed to the board that oversees the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, the agency charged with cleaning the valley's notoriously dirty air. Three months in, Brar has shown she's not willing to rubber-stamp plans or go easy on industry. <more> June 11, 2007 Bakersfield Californian