Why would Cooley lose LA ?

[bwiese]

I think the major reason is one I forgot up until now...

.... LA DA elections are "nonpartisan"; Cooley didn't identify as a Republican.

.... but Cooley ran as a Republican for state AG office.

"Republlican" status in CA is doubly compromised; a lot of people don't like them, and they're being perceived as perennial losers.

[not-fishing]

Feeling defensive, much?

I said that immigration issues are what did him in. Plenty in LA voted for Harris who has proven to be a BIG friend of illegal immigrants. Compared to the number of votes involved there, libertarians voting is a side show. (But an important side show. In order for an anti-statist candidate like Cooley to win in CA, he has to win big enough to overcome libertarian voting patterns.)

I wonder if Harris will make California a Sanctuary State??

[Hogxtz]

I'm no expert, but the reason all the (D)'s won in Calif is because of the voting demographics. In Los Angeles, and the Bay area the Blacks, and Hispanics dominated and dictated the outcome of the elections. The majority of white voted R's, which is truly now the minority in Ca.

[bwiese]

I'm no expert, but the reason all the (D)'s won in Calif is because of the voting demographics. In Los Angeles, and the Bay area the Blacks, and Hispanics dominated and dictated the outcome of the elections. The majority of white voted R's, which is truly now the minority in Ca.

Somewhat.

But another part is that the Republican brand name in CA is damaged goods.

There were some fairly conservative state ballot propositions that won and also even more that won at the county level (pension reform, etc.) So in part the party was rejected for what it was, in combination with some lackluster candidates (Meg never ever fired anyone up, pretty much same with Fiorina, Cooley is "Mr. Personality"- not, etc.)

[rynando]

I don't think this is the reason. It usually is, but in light of the fact that he's been elected and re-elected to DA of LA county 3 times indicates that people here do overlook the (R) behind his name.

He didn't have the "R" behind his name in the DA races he won. Muni races are non-partisan.

[BigJim_610]

If you don't want to do the time, don't do the crime.

Pretty simple policy if you ask me.

Think about it-- there are people serving life in prison even today because of Garcetti's policy, people whose crime were petty and miniscule.

You have no reason to gripe about Steve Cooley's opinion on mandatory sentencing.

When Cooley became DA he departed from his predecessor Gil Garcetti by giving 3rd-strikers a break if their current offense is non-serious or violent. They treat the current crime like it is a second strike case, saving the taxpayers millions while achieving "social justice." Garcetti sent petty thieves to prison for life. Ain't that terrific that this state can afford such largess?

Cooley's was a sound policy decision.

Think about it-- there are people serving life in prison even today because of Garcetti's policy, people whose crime were petty and miniscule.

California thought it was brave and that it could lock up every petty thief and tramp for life. They've proven themselves horribly incompetent.

If I had to give an enema to the entrire US, I think I would place it in LA (or SF or Sac).

[laguns]

Really? Her politics aside, she's hardly what I would call unattractive.



--B

Plus one on that.

[Hogxtz]

Somewhat.

But another part is that the Republican brand name in CA is damaged goods.

There were some fairly conservative state ballot propositions that won and also even more that won at the county level (pension reform, etc.) So in part the party was rejected for what it was, in combination with some lackluster candidates (Meg never ever fired anyone up, pretty much same with Fiorina, Cooley is "Mr. Personality"- not, etc.)

Bill, do you think that is how people like extremists like Gavin Newson and Kamala Harris got in? I cant figure that one out at all. .

[rysmithjr]

WTF is the bolded part? Being white is so politically incorrect they have reduced to a sub group?

Hispanics are caucasian, so there is a split in a lot of demographic data to differentiate Hispanic White from non-Hispanic White.

[BluNorthern]

Bill, do you think that is how people like extremists like Gavin Newson and Kamala Harris got in? I cant figure that one out at all. .

Maybe it's as simple as they are 'good looking' people. Looks go a long ways with superficial Californians. Call it 'Star Quality' or whatever?

[snobord99]

He didn't have the "R" behind his name in the DA races he won. Muni races are non-partisan.

I actually didn't know that. I don't pay attention to the letter after the name and don't even know whether it's there. Lesson learned

[Kestryll]

Let me make it clearer: The reason he lost (if he does) is because of Proposition 8. Cooley made it clear (even though it's likely legally impossible to do this) that he would appeal the Proposition 8 decision, whereas Harris would follow in Jerry Brown's footsteps and refuse to defend the statute in federal court.

Isn't the AG obligated to appeal or litigate on behalf of the vote of the people regardless of his or her personal views?

Or do we endorse elected officials getting to cherry pick what parts of their job they will and will not do?

[zenthemighty]

Or do we endorse elected officials getting to cherry pick what parts of their job they will and will not do?

Cummon now Kestryll, you've been in this state long enough to know that this is EXACTLY what they do.

[gunn]

Plus one on that.

Photoshop, gentlemen. Photoshop.

Here's one from a photo agency.
http://www.blackrhinophotography.com/portrait_services.html




AP Wire



----
I'm hoping that the lead gets eroded by the mail in voters.
After all, people who mail in ballots tend to be more responsible.
Responsible people tend to be older and those tend to swing more conservative.
It's a tenuous thread, but I'm not willing to call it just yet.
-g

[bwiese]

Bill, do you think that is how people like extremists like Gavin Newson and Kamala Harris got in? I cant figure that one out at all. .

• They're Dems, and the registration skew gives them an advantage.
  .
• Many people don't know how lefty they are, and these candidates look nice and speak well in
  TV sound bites.
  .
• Republicans are a minority in CA by registration and gotta reach out to the middle, including the
  large decline-to-state/swing voter group to remotely have a chance of winning anytning at least
  in statewide offices.
  
  The managment of the CA Rep. party forgets this and does stupid things like support Prop 8 or
  having candidates mentioning abortion. That gets them some short-term gains in primaries at
  long term party-sacrifice costs. These short-term wins give the brains of CA Republican leadership
  an incorrect endorphin level that makes them think they're winners - kinda like a cokehead at
  work thinking he's a good employee because he's buzzing around a million miles an hour not
  doing anything.
  
  The CA Rep party, however, has a near-autistic level of social awareness and things "if only we
  were more convervative [read: antigay/proreligious/privatize everything] we'd win" -- which
  shows you that even Republicans know where to buy good party drugs.
  
  Right now (and for quite some time) there's nobody on the Republican bench that's worked his or
  her way up from the bottom and who can win statewide office - this is why we have rich political
  nonentities like Meg, Stevie Poizner, Arnie all trying to be governor. Anyone else coming up thru the
  CA Republican 'system' is tainted for a variety of reasons and is not electable: the Republican 'brand'
  at the state level has been highly tainted and there's no management ability to fix this (unlike the
  famous recovery of Tylenol after poison scare/recall, or recovery of other famous brand names etc.)
  
  CRA needs to be disbanded, and Ron Nehring needs to be hanging from a tree. National Republican
  party understands "CA needs to be a tad different" but this has not carried into effective state Rep.
  leadership.
  
  Remember that operation of the CA Republican party has its benefits - jobs, 'stature' in a limited self-
  praising circle, ability to use funds, etc. Part of the reason rich candidates for state level office get
  the CA R nod is that a self-funding candidate means they don't have to do much fundraising and can
  retain funds to maintain a feel-good/relevant status in spite of reality (being continual losers here).
  .
• When you run a crusty old guy like Cooley who made a few PR missteps and was underfunded against
  someone with Hollywood backing like Harris who handles the cameras nicely, you can lose easily.
  .
• In real estate, a house that sits for sale too long (often due to mispricing by an incompetent agent)
  becomes 'tainted'. The more people see it not sell, the more compromised the general feeling about
  that house is - "there must be something wrong if it didn't sell" (even if it's only a pricing matter).
  The longer it stays listed, the worse it gets. Smart RE agents that get called in to fix this kinda
  situation pull the house off the market for awhile and then re-list it afresh.
  
  This is an analogue to what's happening to the CA Rep party: besides the overall negatives, there's
  a perception of ovveral haplessness and "market staleness". This i doubly reinforced by Meg's
  campaign: can't even win with $140 million spent.
  .
  
• Newsome also won because Reps cut their nose off to spite their face over relatively minor issues with
  Maldonado. Maldo is worlds better than Newsom on most issues, and we would have had a Republican
  in that slot, who'd possibly useful in a Mike Curb style We'd also have had someone that would
  be better on gunrights than Arnie, eMeg or Stevie Poziner should (he) Maldo become governor. Maldo
  would have had a good chance (Hispanic, pleasant, verbal - and doesn't look like a sten school marm
  with a strong jawline like eMeg does).
  .