The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Pulling together material for my column in the Wall Street Journal today, I interviewed Meg Whitman on Oct. 12, the day of her third and final debate with Jerry Brown. I was only able to include a sentence or two in the column, and I thought Ricochet readers might be interested in some notes that didn't make it. They show a determined and articulate candidate--and one who is really and truly fed up with the public employees unions.
I asked about the "Nixon to China, Brown to the unions" argument. Since Brown knows the unions so well, didn't Whitman suppose he might find himself in good position to win concessions from the unions?
WHITMAN: That is absolutely not the case. Jerry Brown’s campaign is bought and paid for by the public employees unions. If he wins, there’s going to be a big meeting in the governor’s office of every union chief. They aren’t going to be there to talk about making concessions. They’re going to be there to collect their IOUs.
What does she had to offer Hispanic voters that Jerry Brown doesn't?
WHITMAN: A proven record as a job creator. And without jobs, there is no future for Latinos in California—or anybody else in California either. I have the best took-kit for job creation.
And I will fix our K-12 education system. Latinos often find themselves in the worst districts. Guess who opposes any [school] reforms. The California Teachers Association. Guess who the second-biggest donor is to Jerry Brown’s campaign. The California Teachers Association. And guess who has run $27 million in attack ads against me. The California Teachers Association.
Lots of people--including her own campaign chairman, former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson--have tried and failed to enact education reform. What makes her suppose she can do so now?
WHITMAN: It’s getting increasingly hard for the CTA to hide the results. I get this question from moms and dads of school-age kids all the time. ‘What are you going to do about the schools?’
Have you seen that movie, ‘Waiting for Superman?’ It may just be one of those catalytic events that galvanizes the country. Who are the villains? The teachers’ unions. People understand that now.”
Thanking her for making time to speak with me on short notice--I'd requested an interview only a couple of hours earlier--I noted that she sounded relaxed, surprisingly so since she would soon face Jerry Brown in the final debate.
WHITMAN: Oh, this is going to be fun. I'm looking forward to it.
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Comments :
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
There's a saying in fashion that if you wore the style when it first came out, i.e. miniskirts, you're too old to wear it when it comes around again. I've worn Jerry Brown once and no one would want to see me wearing him again.
Sadly, I don't see Meg pulling it out. Not in this state. It's so depressing.
Sep '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
If Jerry Brown and Boxer win in California this year and the inevitable happens - California needs a bailout from the Feds - every good Republican should demand that his representative in Congress oppose any such measure. If the teachers unions are going to make this bed then they should have to lie in it. If California has to file Chapter 11 let the state do what every other bankrupt business with a union has had to do: negotiate and gain concessions from it's overpaid and pampered union labor force.
Jul '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Whitman's campaign has been miserable. "Create jobs, improve education, cut spending....blah, blah, blah." $150 million of pablum.
She has utterly failed to strike a bold stance that will tap into the genuine anger and anxiety of the electorate. She clearly comes across as an opportunist, not a visionary - and appears to have all the energy and charisma of an eggplant.
Edited on Oct 23, 2010 at 12:33pmRe: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Kenneth: Whitman's campaign has been miserable. "Create jobs, improve education, cut spending....blah, blah, blah." $150 million of pablum.
She has utterly failed to strike a bold stance that will tap into the genuine anger and anxiety of the electorate. She clearly comes across as an opportunist, not a visionary - and appears to have all the energy and charisma of an eggplant. · Oct 23 at 12:30pm
Edited on Oct 23 at 12:33 pm
I have the sense that Meg Whitman is a squish -- eager to please, unwilling to offend -- which is generally what you get when businessmen and business women go into politics: an apppeal to managerial competence and no ideological edge. Carly Fiorina, business woman that she was, seems willing, in contrast, to make the conservative case. I am unable to follow these races in the fashion in which those on the spot do. Am I being unjust?
Jul '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Paul A. Rahe
Kenneth: Whitman's campaign has been miserable. "Create jobs, improve education, cut spending....blah, blah, blah." $150 million of pablum.
She has utterly failed to strike a bold stance that will tap into the genuine anger and anxiety of the electorate. She clearly comes across as an opportunist, not a visionary - and appears to have all the energy and charisma of an eggplant. · Oct 23 at 12:30pm
Edited on Oct 23 at 12:33 pm
I have the sense that Meg Whitman is a squish -- eager to please, unwilling to offend -- which is generally what you get when businessmen and business women go into politics: an apppeal to managerial competence and no ideological edge. Carly Fiorina, business woman that she was, seems willing, in contrast, to make the conservative case. I am unable to follow these races in the fashion in which those on the spot do. Am I being unjust? · Oct 23 at 12:39pm
You're right on the money. And let us not forget that Whitman got the vapors for Van Jones on that Alaska cruise and had previously given money to Barbara Boxer.
Jun '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
I feel for you folks living in California, but we need an example so that the consequences of socialism are made clear to the entire nation. I'm sorry, but you're it. I will feel no more sympathy for profligate California than I did for the tax scofflaws I busted as a junior agent for the IRS. A price must be paid for living beyond one's means. Expect European type riots when the time comes. There will be dark days ahead for the golden state, but that is as things must be. Prepare yourselves.
Oct '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
There is a hint in bold here. Having lived (rather, suffered) as a Californian through the Pete "RINO" Wilson years, the association between Whitman and Wilson is enough to make even the strongest TeaPartier tremble. If she wins, she will be the Republican establishments "man", just as Brown is the union's "man". I will keep you all in my prayers.
Edited on Oct 23, 2010 at 3:38pmAug '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
I don't know about energy, but I find that eggplants have lots of charisma if you cook 'em right.
Oct '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Jerry Brown needs to go back where he belongs: inside the lyrics of 1970s punk rock songs.
"Zen fascists will control you, 100% Natural!"
Edited on Oct 23, 2010 at 2:50pmMay '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Good Berean:
There is a hint in bold here. Having lived (rather, suffered) as a Californian through the Pete "RHINO" Wilson years, the association between Whitman and Wilson is enough to make even the strongest TeaPartier tremble. If she wins, she will be the Republican establishments "man", just as Brown is the union's "man". I will keep you all in my prayers. · Oct 23 at 1:31pm
Edited on Oct 23 at 01:32 pm
Keep in mind that Chris Christie was once considered a RINO (in the primary). Every once in a while a politician pleasantly surprises, especially when the fiscal math is giving an extra nudge.
Let's hope Meg gets the opportunity. California's better off with a blind date than a date with a known fugly.
Jul '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
T
Scott Reusser
Good Berean:
There is a hint in bold here. Having lived (rather, suffered) as a Californian through the Pete "RHINO" Wilson years, the association between Whitman and Wilson is enough to make even the strongest TeaPartier tremble. If she wins, she will be the Republican establishments "man", just as Brown is the union's "man". I will keep you all in my prayers. · Oct 23 at 1:31pm
Edited on Oct 23 at 01:32 pm
Keep in mind that Chris Christie was once considered a RINO (in the primary). Every once in a while a politician pleasantly surprises, especially when the fiscal math is giving an extra nudge.
Let's hope Meg gets the opportunity. California's better off with a blind date than a date with a known fugly. · Oct 23 at 2:49pm
The problem is that even if she wins, she won't have established a consensus for bold, decisive action. People don't storm barricades for an eggplant.
Jul '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
My guess is that California is only about half way through the stations of the cross. Interestingly, the smart retired public employees -- a youthful lot by and large -- have moved out of California to venues with a less crushing tax load. These people are a lot of things, but dumb is not one of them.
Sep '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Ref Episcopalian #2. Doesn't BO have LOTS of stimulus money left to continue to bail out states; ie public employee unions?
Oct '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Kenneth: T
Scott Reusser
Good Berean:
There is a hint in bold here. · Oct 23 at 1:31pm
Edited on Oct 23 at 01:32 pm
Keep in mind that Chris Christie was once considered a RINO (in the primary). Every once in a while a politician pleasantly surprises, especially when the fiscal math is giving an extra nudge.
Let's hope Meg gets the opportunity. California's better off with a blind date than a date with a known fugly. · Oct 23 at 2:49pm
The problem is that even if she wins, she won't have established a consensus for bold, decisive action. People don't storm barricades for an eggplant. · Oct 23 at 2:54pm
What about Baba ghanoush?
Oct '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
What about Baba ghanoush? · Oct 23 at 3:47pm
I didn't know she was running.
Jun '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
As much as I like moussaka, I would just as soon that there were no Republican fingerprints on the debacle that is coming in CA.
Jul '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
They're already there Pilgrim. Or do you really think Arnold will get a pass come Judgment Day?
He, rather conspicuously, didn't last time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEMICfWLOig
Aug '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Xty
Good Berean
Kenneth:
People don't storm barricades for an eggplant.
What about Baba ghanoush?
I didn't know she was running. · Oct 23 at 3:52pm
I'd vote for baba ghanoush! Or moussaka. Or pickled eggplant salad...
Eggplants are succulent and versatile.
May '10
Re: The California Race and a Few Leftovers
Kenneth:
Scott Reusser
Keep in mind that Chris Christie was once considered a RINO (in the primary). Every once in a while a politician pleasantly surprises, especially when the fiscal math is giving an extra nudge.
Let's hope Meg gets the opportunity. California's better off with a blind date than a date with a known fugly. · Oct 23 at 2:49pm
The problem is that even if she wins, she won't have established a consensus for bold, decisive action. People don't storm barricades for an eggplant. · Oct 23 at 2:54pm
Nor did Christie, and he's admitted as much. In fact he's flat out said that if he'd spilled the beans on his intentions pre-election, he'd never have been elected.
And a year ago the vegetable metaphors for Christie would have been even more troublesome than eggplant. Potato? Pumpkin? Yet he's been a prince.
Take a chance, CA.