http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/anytwosomenewsom/ en-us Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:36:52 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2269531/posts Mayor Gavin Newsom has repeatedly boasted of balancing San Francisco's dire budget deficit without raising taxes - but has quietly introduced hundreds of new fees and fee increases that would make living, working and traveling in the city more expensive. Some of them are likely to be controversial, including charging youths a daily fee if they're detained at juvenile hall, charging poor people a monthly fee if they need help managing their welfare money and charging tourists - including those who live as close as Daly City - more to enjoy Golden Gate Park facilities. The mayor has widely discussed... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2269531/posts#comment Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:36:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2268736/posts San Francisco property owners could pay hundreds or thousands of dollars more per year under a measure introduced Tuesday at the Board of Supervisors - one of many tax proposals that could be placed before voters this fall to help the struggling city. Other options on the table for a November ballot include an increase to the sales tax and payroll tax, another business tax and an increase to the vehicle license fee. And the city, which has been hit hard by the economic downturn, will also impose dozens of new fees that do not require voter approval but will... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2268736/posts#comment Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:41:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2262495/posts Ever since Gavin Newsom opened San Francisco's City Hall to same-sex weddings in 2004, he hasn't shied away from the political, legal and social firestorm he helped fuel. Yet the San Francisco mayor's gubernatorial campaign has also been working doggedly to shed his single-issue candidate persona. Newsom and his handlers have tried to advance his image as a "hard-headed pragmatist" who gets things done, who reshaped San Francisco with green buildings and new housing and now is making tough city budget choices amid California's fiscal crisis. But when the California Supreme Court affirmed the Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage... SacBee: Capitol Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2262495/posts#comment Mon, 1 Jun 2009 23:21:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2256582/posts San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, a declared Democratic 2010 California gubernatorial candidate, has decided to return a hefty $25,000 campaign contribution -- from the son of controversial conservative talk show host, Michael Savage. As we reported earlier this month, Savage was one of 16 individuals on a "name and shame" list who was banned from the United Kingdom. U.K. Home Secretary Jaqui Smith charged that Savage's right wing controverial broadcasts constituted "hate speech" and could promote violence, and did not represent the "values" of Britian.Now, the move at home against Savage comes after a progressive activist in San Francisco, Aaron... SFGate: Politics Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2256582/posts#comment Fri, 22 May 2009 22:16:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2251932/posts So Mayor Gavin Newsom tells The Economist that if The Chronicle were to disappear "People under 30 won't even notice." Hey Mayor Twitter -- if you can hear us from wherever you are outside San Francisco -- that's not what you told CBS5 back in February when asked about the possible effect of a Chronicle closure. "I think it's a very serious concern for all of us," Newsom said waaaaaaaaay back then. "It is part of the fabric of our community. You cannot have a world-class city without a world-class newspaper. So I think it is a very serious concern... SFGate: Politics Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2251932/posts#comment Fri, 15 May 2009 23:43:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2251806/posts Everyone has an opinion about the dying newspaper industry, including Gavin Newsom. The SF leader turned gubernatorial candidate/media pundit apparently told The Economist if the Chronicle were to fold, "People under 30 won't even notice." This guy looks awfully familiar If that's the case, then people under 30 won't even notice you haven't been our mayor for more than a year. So, Gavin, whether you like it or not, it's time to burn through those frequent flier miles to come back here and take care of your constituents. San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2251806/posts#comment Fri, 15 May 2009 20:03:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2250467/posts Rockstar energy drink founder and CEO Russell Weiner - son of Michael Weiner, aka Bay Area-based, nationally broadcast conservative talk radio talk host Michael Savage - on Monday made a $25,000 contribution to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's 2010 gubernatorial campaign. Yes, the son of Michael Savage, who just last October was saying Newsom is "in love again with the gay mafia" and "a whack-job as a mayor - 'Any-twosome' Newsom." Y’know, Savage — the guy the Brits don’t care to have around. Is this a case of the apple falling far from the tree? It's not as if the... Oakland Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2250467/posts#comment Thu, 14 May 2009 01:38:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2248182/posts . . . Speaking at the Commonwealth Club on Thursday, I was asked for my thumbnail assessment of next year's Democratic gubernatorial primary.Here it is: Gavin Newsom is trying to position himself as the new Barack Obama and his main rival, Attorney General Jerry Brown, as old John McCain. Jerry is trying to position himself as Barack Obama as well, and Newsom as the new Sarah Palin. I was over in Hawaii last week speaking to a group of insurance brokers and agents. They couldn't understand why health care had dropped from being the No. 1 White House issue... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2248182/posts#comment Sun, 10 May 2009 21:58:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2236431/posts Democratic state Attorney General Jerry Brown -- the former two-term governor expected to make another run in 2010 -- has issued the ultimate challenge to newbie Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom. He says he's willing to do "any test" to prove that he can meet and match any candidate, anywhere -- on brain power. Brown, 71, made the comments on KGO 810 AM this morning, after he was asked about the "generational" differences between himself and the San Francisco mayor, 41, who declared himself a candidate for governor earlier this week. "If he's asserting that the year he's born ...... SFGate: Politics Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2236431/posts#comment Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:52:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2234814/posts San Francisco, CA (AHN) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced he will run for governor of California. The 41-year-old mayor used social networking sites Twitter and Facebook to announce his decision to seek the Democratic nomination for the state's gubernatorial race to succeed Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "I'm running for Governor because California needs a new direction. In San Francisco, we've defended people's civil rights, created a universal health care program, protected teachers from layoffs and enacted a local stimulus plan that will put people back to work and save jobs. And we've done it while balancing our budgets... All Headline News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2234814/posts#comment Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:20:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2234458/posts SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has made it official—he's running to become California's next governor. The 41-year-old mayor used the social networking sites Twitter and Facebook to announce on Tuesday that he was seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2234458/posts#comment Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:34:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2223321/posts Frank Schubert walked off a big winner at the just-concluded 2009 Pollie Awards for his come-from-behind knockout punch to same-sex marriage, and he had a special guy to thank: Mayor Gavin Newsom. "Like it or not."Schubert and his crew were honored at the American Association of Political Consultants' annual meeting in Washington, D.C., for their successful fight to pass Proposition 8 in November, which banned same-sex marriage in California.Schubert acknowledged that half the crowd at the Gaylord hotel ballroom didn't agree with his stance.Still, he was happy to give the political pros from across the country a 45-minute seminar on... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2223321/posts#comment Mon, 6 Apr 2009 15:20:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2219798/posts What is it - pay up or payback? You decide. For weeks, Minister Christopher Muhammad and members of the Nation of Islam have dogged San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's fledgling gubernatorial campaign up and down the state. Now City Hall is returning the favor, demanding that the minister's school at Hunters Point pay the city $168,193 in delinquent rent.The school squeeze comes as the mayor is preparing for another gubernatorial town-hall meeting tonight in Palo Alto - and bracing for more of the Nation of Islam's in-your-face tactics.As we reported Monday, Muhammad and his crew have been pummeling Newsom for... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2219798/posts#comment Wed, 1 Apr 2009 14:38:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2200946/posts We told you that Mark Bogetich, a Republican "political vulnerability researcher," had requested a variety of information about the Department of Public Health's new "Healthy Penis" campaign. He wouldn't say why, but it could be used someday against Mayor Gavin Newsom in his run for governor. After all, health staffers walking around in giant penis costumes to promote syphillis testing might not play well in certain parts of the state. SFGate: City Insider http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2200946/posts#comment Fri, 6 Mar 2009 21:14:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2188875/posts The mayor and Mrs. Newsom are pregnant! Rumors began circulating around the Internet and City Hall this afternoon after a gossip blog said friends of Jennifer Siebel Newsom, 34, had revealed she was pregnant. After an emergency powwow, Gavin Newsom's handlers confirmed the happy news."The mayor and the first lady are thrilled to be embarking on this adventure together and they appreciate your good wishes," a statement read.No word yet on when the baby's due.Naturally, the City Hall chitchat has turned to how this might play in Newsom's run for governor. Analysts say that starting a family can only help... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2188875/posts#comment Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:32:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2164475/posts Assessor: Catholic Archdiocese owes millions Erin Allday, Chronicle Staff Writer San Francisco will try to collect up to $15 million in taxes from the Archdiocese of San Francisco, which is refusing to pay certain taxes on properties the church is transferring from one Catholic nonprofit organization to another. That tax bill would be the second largest of its kind in San Francisco history. But the archdiocese has appealed the charge, saying the church should be exempt from property transfer taxes for a variety of reasons - primarily because the properties are being moved among groups that all are a part... sfgate.com/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2164475/posts#comment Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:59:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2160603/posts When vandals covered the walls of the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with swastikas and other graffiti last weekend, Gavin Newsom condemned the attack, as any mayor should. But according to some Catholics, the mayor (and the Board of Supervisors) is partly to blame for the vandalism. "Both Newsom and the board have shown nothing but contempt for the First Amendment rights of Catholics," said a statement released by the Catholic League the day after the graffiti was discovered. "When crucifixes are sold as sex toys and Catholic sensibilities are assaulted by naked men in the street at the annual... SFGate: City Insider http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2160603/posts#comment Thu, 8 Jan 2009 00:42:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2145517/posts San Francisco's budget deficit for next year has grown to $575.6 million - equal to nearly half the city's discretionary spending account. It's a financial crisis Mayor Gavin Newsom called one of the worst the city has experienced since the 1930s. Newsom will announce his plan for cutting up to $125 million from this year's $6.6 billion budget today, but gave few details about what it will include. "This is nothing we've seen before," he told The Chronicle. "As difficult as these cuts will be, the real challenge is in the next three, four, six months." Today's announcement is expected... San http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2145517/posts#comment Tue, 9 Dec 2008 15:53:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141670/posts Gavin Newsom may or may not have kicked off his gubernatorial campaign (he still hasn't decided if he's running or not) with a nice, safe town hall meeting at his alma mater in Larkspur Monday night. Armed with a microphone in the library at Redwood High School, Newsom got to run around like a TV talk-show host (his words, not ours -- he compared himself to Phil Donahue), taking questions from the 100 or so Marinites at the event.It was the first of what could be many such political events as he considers a run to replace Schwarzenegger in 2010.... SFGate: City Insider http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141670/posts#comment Tue, 2 Dec 2008 21:11:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2136557/posts With another Proposition 8 protest expected to bring thousands to the Capitol in Sacramento today, both sides continue to accuse each other of a four-letter word in the same-sex marriage debate, and it isn't "love." It's about the polar opposite — hate. A pro-Proposition 8 group, the National Organization for Marriage, has a new Web site, AboveTheHate.com, that allows people to sign an electronic letter to "say 'Enough!' to the campaign of hate and intimidation" against supporters of the marriage ban. In the 18 days since California voters banned same-sex marriage by 52-48 percent, the heat on both sides of... San Jose Mercury News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2136557/posts#comment Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:40:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131263/posts It's been said that San Francisco politics is like a dysfunctional family. But that's unfair to dysfunctional families. In the last eight years, the city's leading politicians have seemed more concerned with petty personal grudges than governing. There are supervisors - hello, Chris Daly - who will reflexively oppose anything Mayor Gavin Newsom proposes. Again and again, the mayor's office is quick to rise to the bait but not so eager to reach out and build bridges. And so, as four new members of the Board of Supervisors prepare to take their seats, here's some advice: Knock it off. This... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131263/posts#comment Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:47:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128505/posts House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed deep disappointment on Friday that California voters approved Prop. 8, the measure banning same-sex marriage, and defended her ally, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, against critics who say his actions contributed to its passage. In a wide-ranging interview with The Chronicle, Pelosi said she believes some voters might not have fully understood the initiative, which overturned a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. The measure was approved 52 to 48 percent. "Unfortunately, I think people thought they were making a statement about what their view of same-sex marriage was," the San Francisco Democrat said.... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128505/posts#comment Sat, 8 Nov 2008 07:28:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126711/posts Election night was not kind to Gavin Newsom, who may end up one of the biggest losers after suffering a potentially crushing loss with Proposition 8 and at best breaking even in the local contests he had a stake in. Political analysts have long argued that Newsom has short coattails in local politics - a theory in play with the Board of Supervisors races, in which at least three of the seven seats up for grabs seem likely to go to candidates he did not endorse. With the local ballot measures, voters for the most part sided with Newsom's choices,... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126711/posts#comment Thu, 6 Nov 2008 04:37:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126696/posts As San Francisco and the blue state majority of California nurse their election euphoria hangover, let's point out the obvious about the passage of Prop. 8: Gavin Newsom screwed it up. Voters are the ones who make the decision but no one person handed the Yes on 8 campaign a more persuasive and compelling sound bite than our own mayor. Even if there were other flaws in the anti-8 operation, he was unquestionably the poster child for the pro-8 push, whether you like it or not. And unlike Willie Brown, whose 70s high afro and muttonchop sideburn photo got used... SFGate: Bronstein at Large http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126696/posts#comment Thu, 6 Nov 2008 04:19:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126162/posts SAN FRANCISCO — While this city is known as the epicenter of the gay rights movement, the Castro has been its hypocenter — the origin of the explosion. And Tuesday night was no exception. As results rolled in for Proposition 8, which would amend the California constitution to prevent same-sex couples from marrying, part of Castro Street was transformed into an election dance party, complete with thumping music, colored lights and thousands of energized voters. But it was unclear what, in the end, they would be celebrating. The race was tight. With a little more than a third of precincts... Oakland Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126162/posts#comment Wed, 5 Nov 2008 18:28:47 GMT