San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom quit his campaign for Governor
over the weekend. Undeclared opponent Jerry Brown had out-raised
him 8 to 1. Today's
Chronicle outlines how his ego got in the way of a good
campaign. Although, as I reported in
August, it seemed that the issues he stood for really were
not in line with those of California Democratic voters. The
combination of appearing aloof and elitist, as the
Chronicle commented on today, along with being out of
touch with California voters makes it hard to win.
The gubernatorial campaign leaves 1970s Democratic Governor Jerry
Brown pretty much unopposed at the moment for the Democratic
nomination. On the Republican side, there is Meg Whitman (Ebay
CEO), Steven Poizner, and Tom Campbell.
Those celebrating the fall of Newsom should temper their
enthusiasm because Brown is on many issues to the left of almost
everyone and has long been a champion for organized labor and
social liberals.
