UPDATED: Latest on Jackson-Strickland

So what's the deal with Skunkwoman running again? Just couldn't stay away from that gravy train of political office? Like cockroaches, she just doesn't go away!

I didn't vote for either of them...I just couldn't stomach his politics for a number of reasons, and I can't stomach her because of her lousy performance the last time we were subjected to her reign.

She thinks she's all that and a sack of chips, doesn't have to respond to her constituents, and takes very good care of her pals to the exclusion of all else.

Get a job, HB...or will no one hire you because of your elitist attitude?

Holly writes: "She thinks she's all that and a sack of chips, doesn't have to respond to her constituents"

I wrote Jackson three times: Twice by e-mail and once by snail mail and didn't get a response. I called into question her concern that school vouchers would give money to religious schools which by definition implies that either she is biased against any religion, or somehow suggests a church/state issue. I explained that ultimately it's the parents who decide what school to which to send the child, *not* the government. What could she possibly say to such a logical argument? (Not that I'm so smart, but rather that her argument is baseless)

So much for the political scene being infused with new blood.
Politics aside, Obama is clearly not one of the Old Guard career politicians, but both state senators, Lois Capps, and Jackson are career politicians. Wouldn't it be better to get more people involved in the political process instead of reelecting over and over and over again the same people? And since I'm on this subject, if I remember correctly Lois Capps said either after her first or second term that she would not run again.

I voted for Jackson - Strickland was the evil of two lessers. (billc - government money going to religious schools DOES raise legitimate and serious church/state issues - issues which the US Supreme Court has addressed on many occasions (and about which Jefferson expressed great concern over 200 years ago)

I can understand someone wanting to express their displeasure with the performance of an elected official or his/her stand on issues.

However, it adds NOTHING to public discourse to engage in name calling. In fact, name calling simply reflects on the emptiness of the writer's arguments and generally acts as a barrier to an intelligent exchange of ideas.

I won't repeat the offensive language, but merely suggest that the writers need to curb their enthusiasm.

Oh please, I see nothing in the comments in the way of name calling that offends or disturbs in the slightest - skunkwoman? I have no idea what the origin of that name is but laughed when I read it. This is about politics, not grade school etiquette. I prefer mine with a little spice and humor, apparently you prefer yours non-descript and bland. To each his own.

Bill, couldn't agree more. The ONLY reason Jackson gets as many general election votes as she does is that for most of us she's the lesser of two evils. What's wrong is the primary process is so controlled by the local party "apparatchik" that new potential candidates can't get enough political and financial backing to break through. I can't believe that a more responsive candidate couldn't have been culled from the thousands of Dem's in this Senate district. Hopefully the passage of Prop 11 will begin to turn the tide, attracting more viable candidates

"(billc - government money going to religious schools DOES raise legitimate and serious church/state issues - issues which the US Supreme Court has addressed on many occasions (and about which Jefferson expressed great concern over 200 years ago)"

Justice: I will address my comments with more clarity. (My fault for not doing so I admit)

You are right about the *government* giving money to religious institutions, but the government in this case is giving money to individuals who choose vouchers hence the *people* make the choices which is something Hannah-Beth Jackson does not want, and based on the protests of other Democratic operatives, I suspect she speaks for the whole Democratic Party.

To put it another way, the government would have to be consistent in this matter and kill the G.I. bill since an individual receiving such money might go to a religious school. To take this point to the extreme, we would have to end welfare since someone receivint that money could use some of it to put money in the church collection plate.

The issue is about individual people making choices and these individuals can choose to send their kids to schools espousing atheism, any religion, or schools that are neutral.

I also have heard the the National Education Association was the biggest single contributor of delegates to the Democratic National Convention. I heard this sometime back in the 1990's so if it was true then, I don't know it that's the case now. That having been said, it makes me wonder if the Sacred Cow of public education and the Democratic Party might not have a financially symbiotic relationship which causes one to invoke the phrase "Follow the money".

Jackson - DEMOCRAT, LIBERAL, TAXER - period

Bad for Santa Barbara
Bad for California
Bad for progress
Bad for REAL change

Plan for Tony to be victorious and help in paving the way to energy independence, tax incentives and other worthwhile ways to turn this BLUE state around.

"I have no idea what the origin of that name is but laughed when I read it"

She used to have a white streak in her hair, but from the recent picture it appears that her hair is turning whiter. (Not that there's anything wrong with white hair)

Does anyone remember the "squawk box" incident in the State Capitol back in 2002 or 2003? If that wasn't playing politics @ the expense of the people of California, I don't know what is :) henry

Hannah-Beth Jackson was extremely successful as an assemblywoman for our district. She is very capable and knows how to bring home the bacon, unlike Lois Capps and Pedro Nava. The mudslinging leaves a bad taste in everyones mouth, but her record of bringing $$ into her district is terrific. If she loses to Strickland I hope she runs for congress when Capps retires.

"Does anyone remember the "squawk box" incident in the State Capitol back in 2002 or 2003?" -Hank-
No I don't, what was it?

HBJ voted for driver's licenses for illegal aliens while in the Assembly. Sufficient reason for me not to vote for her, although I guess a lot of Santa Barbarans would vote for her just for that reason.

The headling says Jackson is ahead, yet the beginning of the article says Strickland is ahead. Which is it?

Bill, The "squawk box incident" occured sometime around 2002 or 2003 when there was yet ANOTHER budget impasse.
HBJ & some of her fellow Democrat lawmakers had a little closed door meeting where they actually discussed how they could make the budget impasse last longer & make it look as if it were the Republican lawmaker's fault.
There was only 1 problem: The intercom (squawk box) was on & the contents of the conversation were piped ALL over the Capitol building for everybody to hear!
That made the news, but was quickly backpedaled & quashed. Amazing how people forget, more amazing is how things can be covered up w/ time :) henry

Henry, I remember the "squawk box incident" -- specifically Assembly Sheila Kuehl (D. Santa Monica) et al hoping that the whole dialogue wasn't being recorded for posterity. It was!! And, yes, as you say, those particular dems -- and I'm a democrat too -- were willing to sacrifice our fiscal well-being for partisan political advantage. Disgusting!

I said it before, I'll say it again: I find it surprising Strickland didn't use that fiasco in his ads. It was a classic moment in partisan politics @ the expense of the constituency :) henry

Bill - The article is correct - Strickland is ahead as of 7:41 am, 11-12-08. We've been updating the blog as new numbers come in and the teaser has lagged a bit. Sorry for confusion.

No problem. Thanks for the clarification. -Bill-

Per the squawk box incident, now that you mention it I remember.

Maybe Strickland simply felt that win or lose, he wanted his campaign to be defined by the strength of the issues. Either way, California has to stop spending itself further into the hole.

Well, it look's like Tony's Phoneys have full control over this dialogue.

You all know, deep in your hearts and souls, that he's as bogus as the 3-dollar bills that Dubya and Hank are printing to paper over the financial collapse and trillion-dollar-plus taxpayer giveaways. If Strickland regains (yes, REGAINS) a seat in the legislature, we'll all be the poorer for it.

It always surprises me that the criticism of any politician ends up with name calling. If there is a complaint about either Jackson or Strickland surely it can be iterated. However, my recall about Jackson's and Strickland's respective terms demonstrates that Strickland does not any program except obstructionism, his term was notable that he didn't develop any legislation or do anything except occupy space. Has he held any employment except feeding at the public trough. If that is his idea of public service we are al in deep doo-doo. Jackson, on the other hand, introduced several approved bills, which were signed into law by a Republican governor. Not only that, Jackson's environmental record speaks for itself, whereas Strickland's also speaks for him (98.5 % against any bill designed to our state more environmentally secure). But the irony of it all is that Strickland campaigned as the concerned environmentalist. Of course, all you persons supporting him won't recognize the falsity of this. Now,you are concerned with the state spending habits, and I suggest that first we reduce the number of prison guards and sheriffs by at least half, the states medical practitioners equally, and the highway repair personnel at least by 50%. We shouldn't forget probation department or the court system or the schools. We have already cut the benefits of welfare recipients, the disabled, and the needy so there is nothing left to cut.

Greg, I ain't printing $3 bills, that's up to the US Treasury Dept. & the US Mint.
But if I were, you can bet Hannah Beth Jackson will be there to take as many of those from you as she can in the name of party politics which she'll gladly discuss in a backroom w/ the intercom on. HAHAHAHA! :) henry

In the picture at the top of this article it looks like they're saying "It's a plane....it's a bird..."