Posted on 04/05/2009 9:14:23 AM PDT by SmithL
The race to replace outgoing East Bay Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher could get a lot more interesting.
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi - who lives in Walnut Grove, which sits on the northeast edge of the district - tells us, "Several people have asked me to run. Of course we'll check it out."
. . .
Perata play: Don Perata's decision to go public with his plans to run for mayor of Oakland didn't exactly come as a surprise - it did, however, instantly reshuffle the deck in that city.
For starters, City Attorney John Russo, City Council President Jane Brunner and City Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente (all thought to be contenders) immediately opted out.
That leaves City Councilwoman Jean Quan, who has been positioning herself for a run for the past year.
Given his long history in politics, his name ID and his connections, Perata is clearly the early front-runner - but he does come with some pretty heavy baggage.
For one, there is the matter of the nearly five-year FBI investigation into allegations that Perata was personally benefiting from state and local deals.
Second, unlike most Oakland politicians who spring from the progressive "Kumbaya" school of politics, Perata is a pragmatic deal-cutter who doesn't mind playing hardball.
"I'm pretty well-known, probably the most vetted candidate out there," Perata said. "It will be pretty clear to voters what they will be getting."
As for the FBI investigation, which so far has resulted in no charges: "I look at that as vindication."
How's that for spin?
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
And yes PeRATa will be the next Mator of Oakland.
Presuming they’re both equally well-organized for this run, just pick the most liberal of the two and that is who will win.
Don’t forget, this is the town that elected Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown as mayor.
What sane person would wan to be Mayor of Oakland?
Better to catch a social disease than be Mayor of that sewer.
What sane person would wan to be Mayor of Oakland?
______________________________________
Mayor of Oakland is a more sane quest than mayor of Berkeley or mayor of San Francisco.
If someone is in that field, and lives in northern California there are far worse duty posts.
Garamendi wants to go where the money is in politics.. altho there is plenty here these days too, he’s a bit aged too.
What neXt? Willie Brown, SCotUS Justice nominee?
Tune into your local RAT station for your RAT update on your favorite RAT channel.. and RAT’sa’Ruck, Kalleeforniyaa. You gonna need it.
Why is Tauscher retiring? Rats don’t retire from Congress they die in office or ,by some lucky chance, they’re voted out.
Garamendi’s also trailing big time in the Dem primary for governor...better to find more promising opportunities elsewhere.
She not retiring. She’s got a new job in the Hillary administration.
I'm sure Perata and his Rat friends would say the same about John Doolittle, right?
I thought not.
Oakland is a social disease. And, as for the mayor’s race:
Brunner, Perata, Quan, de la Fuente: Doofus, corrupt Democrat A; doofus corrupt democrat B; doofus corrupt democrat C; etc... you get the point.
Oh yeah, celebrate diversity.
Viruses all.
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