Election Day: cash trumps ideology

08 June 2010 |permalink | email article

“WE’VE seen examples of where moving to the conservative base is paying off for Republican candidates,” Bruce Cain, a University of California political scientist told The Wall Street Journal. But in the California race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, Cain noted that underdog candidate Steve Poizner’s effort to play the immigration card with conservatives is not working.

Both Poizner and Meg Whitman, the former eBay chief executive, have similar messages: cutting taxes, reducing government spending, fixing the education system and curbing illegal immigration. But billionaire Whitman’s big lead in polls, and deep pockets – she’s spent $81 million so far to his $24 million – has allowed her to reach more voters, analysts say, because Poizner has been forced to counter her aggressive ad campaign.

Cain said Whitman would not have been able to run a competitive primary campaign with such moderate positions without an economic crisis that played into her strengths as a businesswoman and fiscal conservative.

But unlike Poizner, as with lame duck Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who lacked zero previous political experience, Whitman could face a daunting task if elected because California faces a $19 billion budget shortfall through June 2011. Her business screed to solve the impending crisis is a far different challenge than eBay. In facing a Democratic controlled legislature Meg, trying to play Czarina, won’t cut it.

Heat in A.G. battle

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, leading in the race for the Democratic nomination, is under increasing criticism of her performance and on the campaign trail for not supporting the death penalty, and being labeled more of a career politician than a crime-fighting attorney.

Former Facebook executive Chris Kelly has suddenly emerged as Harris’ major challenger. He’s poured more than $12 million into the race to attack her record. including non-stop ads to gain credibility with voters. She has strong Democratic support, White House connections and backing from Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. Kelly has a Harvard law degree and been an adviser to former President Clinton. But Harris’ camp has criticized his lack of courtroom or law enforcement experience. But Kelly would not be the first California A.G. in recent decades without such credentials.

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