Talk Elections

Since Schwarzenegger is term-limited, could we see a matchup between CA Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner (R) and CA Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) in 2 years?

Poizner wouldn't make it past the GOP primary, I think. McClintock is the much more likely GOP nominee.

The Democratic Primary is likely to be very competetive as well I should think.  There are several plausible candidates for Governor. 

Well, yes, but Brown is at least a genuine possibility for the Democratic nomination (along with Villaraigosa and Newsom, and maybe Sanchez if Villaraigosa doesn't run).

a.k.a. Safe DEM pick-up.

A McClintock victory wouldn't be entirely out of the question; he's come very close to winning statewide office twice (as Controller in 2002 and as Lt. Gov. in 2006). Still, it would take something going wrong on the Democratic side, a vicious primary or a moderate scandal engulfing the candidate.

I think Brown would win over just about anyone, though Poizner is worth almost 1 billion I believe, so he could invest alot of money into the race and make it close. But Brown would be favored at least. Could we then look forward to a Brown run for president in 2016? I’d vote for him. Problem is, he’d be in or near his 80’s then, right?

Our Next Governor's time has passed on the national level, unfortunately.

I won't believe his time in the spotlight is over until he is in the grave. I wish he had won in 92. Brown "16!

Keep Jello Biafra's dream alive!

Jerry Brown can't lose, and McClintock can't win. I suppose Poinzer could win if the Democrats figure out how to self-destruct like they did in 2006.

The Post-Arnold?

Meg Whitman, the retiring chairman of the Internet auction site eBay, is telling colleagues she has no current plans to run for governor of California as a Republican in 2010 when Arnold Schwarzenegger is termed out of office. But my California sources tell me the 53-year-old corporate powerhouse caught the political bug this year raising money for Mitt Romney, with whom she worked at the venture capital firm Bain & Co.

This month, Ms. Whitman made the rounds of key Republican groups in the state and got a warm reception. She would bring a sterling record of running eBay for a decade along with the advantage of being a fresh face on the California political scene. Her moderate views on social policy combined with her fiscal conservatism could be a natural fit for California's electorate. Financing a campaign wouldn't be a problem -- Ms. Whitman's estimated net worth is $1.4 billion.

Of course, there would be obstacles in her way. Wealthy Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steve Poizner, the state's elected Insurance Commissioner, is eyeing a run and is likely to score political points next week for leading a successful campaign to defeat a ballot measure weakening the state's term limits on state legislators. A race between Ms. Whitman and Mr. Poizer, himself estimated to be worth nearly $1 billion, would certainly be a prospect to delight political consultants.

-- John Fund

I can't imagine a 72 year old man being elected Governor.

Think a younger, politically opposite Strom Thurmond.

Jerry Brown is a massive FF and an American hero. Newsom and Villaraigosa can wait their turn; they're both plenty young.

I remember reading in the Mercury that Poizner could have a chance at the primary. Who knows...

the Jerry Brown of the 1970s would support Newsom in 2010.

Newsom is finished.

why?  the affair?

Yes.

he could conceivably be propelled by progressives in a multi-headed primary and win with a relatively small share of the vote (especially if both Villaraigosa and Brown run, as unlikely as that  is) and then be favored or at least very competitive in the general election against not Arnold.

Newsom is just fine.