Davis postpones tech-sponsored fundraiser [fear of FReepers stops bribe-taking at Spago Palo Alto!]

Mercury News Sacramento Bureau ^ | September 24, 2002 | Dion Nissenbaum

[RonDog]

Posted on Tue, Sep. 24, 2002

Davis postpones tech-sponsored fundraiser
By Dion Nissenbaum
Mercury News Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Three days after abruptly canceling a Silicon Valley fundraiser, Gov. Gray Davis on Monday postponed a second high-priced campaign event amid a swirling controversy over raising money from special interests.

Davis had been slated to take part in a town hall forum in Palo Alto this evening before heading off to attend a small, $10,000-a-person fundraiser organized by his high-tech allies at an upscale restaurant.

Late Monday afternoon, Davis delayed both events, with the campaign citing the governor's appearance today at a women's conference in Long Beach and his need to weigh the fate of hundreds of bills he must sign or veto by midnight Monday.

``With all of the work that the governor has before him, the best thing to do was to work with the sponsors and see if we couldn't move the events to a date in October,'' said campaign spokesman Roger Salazar.

The tech fundraiser, co-sponsored by venture capitalist John Doerr, was organized at the same time that the industry has been aggressively lobbying Davis to veto so-called e-waste legislation. A bill that passed the legislature in late August would impose new fees on companies to pay for recycling environmentally hazardous computer parts that sometimes end up in trash dumps.

The decision to delay the fundraiser came three days after Davis canceled another Silicon Valley campaign event organized by Rod Diridon, a former Santa Clara County supervisor and Davis appointee to chair the state's High-Speed Rail Authority.

The $1,000-a-person event at Diridon's home was set to take place one day after the governor signed a $10 billion bond measure that, if approved by voters, would jump-start California's high-speed rail system. In an e-mail, Diridon had solicited donors ``who will build, operate and maintain'' the state's fledgling high-speed rail system to attend.

Davis canceled the fundraiser after Diridon's e-mails became public.

But that didn't stop the governor's GOP challenger, Los Angeles investor Bill Simon, from joining protesters outside Diridon's Santa Clara house and accusing Davis of selling state policy to special interests.

Monday afternoon, Davis called a co-sponsor of the TechNet event, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and asked him if they could postpone the event because he is pressed for time.

Hastings said he asked Davis if his decision was at all related to the latest controversy and the governor said no. Hastings also dismissed suggestions that Davis makes policy decisions based on who gives him money.

``The governor has been unafraid to take on core constituencies that typically contribute a lot of money if he felt like that wasn't the right policy,'' said Hastings, whom Davis appointed to the state school board.

---

Contact Dion Nissenbaum at dnissenbaum@sjmercury.com or (916) 441-4603.

[RonDog]

Sorry, Northern California FReepers.

My public messages posted here seem to have ruined an EXCELLENT FReep opportunity. :(

We need to be SMARTER next time...

[RonDog]

Sorry.

Need to be smarter next time - ping.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[TLBSHOW]

Freepers are the best! way to go Ron Dog!

[daviddennis]

Look at the bright side - we clearly have him on the run!

D

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

Monday afternoon, Davis called a co-sponsor of the TechNet event, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and asked him if they could postpone the event because he is pressed for time.

Hastings said he asked Davis if his decision was at all related to the latest controversy and the governor said no. Hastings also dismissed suggestions that Davis makes policy decisions based on who gives him money.

``The governor has been unafraid to take on core constituencies that typically contribute a lot of money if he felt like that wasn't the right policy,'' said Hastings, whom Davis appointed to the state school board.

I had no idea Hastings was in bed with Davis... I am dissapointed. Netflix and Hastings are based in my town. Too bad I have to cancel my Netflix account.

[Mediaqueen]

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS RonDog!

[buffyt]

I am in Los Angeles area if there are any Freep events closer to me, I would love to join. I am east of LA. Freep mail me.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Aw shucks! * grin *

[SevenofNine]

Hey Ron that tell me ALOT about Grey's out character

HE IS BIG PUSSY Come on Grey show what kind of man YOU Little wimp

Now Bill Simon he is a real Man

Grey is GIRLIE MAN

[mewzilla]

Okay, who's got a chicken costume...

[heleny]

ping

[NormsRevenge]

We must be on the same frequency :-) Chicken ala Davi$... with a splash of dioXin and a little MTBE on the side.

The neXt time will be Hell to Pay for the Pay to Play Guv.

RonDog , Good Job. The key thing IS getting the word out... Davi$ can;t hide forever behind his duties... much less, his oath... to "service serve all people of California"
DUMP DAVI$



GO SIMON

[SFConservative]

Bummer! Made my signs last night and was planning to be there ...

Let's all keep our eyes peeled for "some date in October" although I suspect these guys now are just going to send in their bucks to the Davis campaign and hope for a payoff after the election.

[montag813]

I ate at Spago Palo Alto (although not with Gray Davis) back in the Internet heyday. One of the best meals I ever had.

[seenenuf]

It's working - maybe you are sorry that a freep opportunity has evaporated -- but gee whiz,, FR has credibility in this campaign,, and Davis lost out on some more bucks. Boo hoo. If the Gov is afraid to show up in person, here in a liberal state, to dine/coffee/etc., in front of his 'safe' constituants - it speaks louder than those lame TV spots.
See you (ya Whore - ha) Monday at the Nixon!

How do we know when FR has real credibility in this race? When we feel the attacts. Bring it on, baby!

[AnnaZ]

BWAHAHAHAHA!!! Too funny!

 

You rock hard, RonDog, and you've got the fox on the run. Too rich!

 

(P.S. I was (voluntarily) off-line for a week, forgive my absence of late.)

[Saundra Duffy]

Davis is a chicken and a whore. FReepers are making a difference. We've got him on the run! Go, Simon! For victory & freedom!!!

[Feiny]

Well, Rondog...it is time to put you on double secret probation. All of our activities will have to be done is code....under the cover of darkness...we will need a batcave.

[Howie]

"...we will need a batcave."

I know of a few, not very batmobileaccesible though. I'm saving one for when "they" come for my guns.