OK, so we thought we knew how far to the left Phil Angelides is. We knew he was hanging out over there in the nosebleed seats high above left field with Mark Leno and Howard Dean. But now we see he’s barely in the ballpark at all.
Angelides has a bona fide, unabashed socialist working on his behalf. He’s making TV appearances on Angelides’ behalf and writing blog posts at a pro-Phil website.
And guess what else? He’s a union organizer, and he used to be a national official for the Young Democratic Socialists.
**There is more – click the link**
August 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
What is truly frightening is NOT that Phil has socialists working for him, but that he is working for the socialists..
August 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Angelides is a gift from the Democrats. In him we have an opposing candidate who does not hide his political philosophy as most Dems do. This is the real face of the current Democrat Party.
August 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Pink? Why not a dark red?
August 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I’m a Democrat; I am not a socialist–like most all Democrats are not socialists.
Edda said “…does not hide his political philosophy as most Dems do.” Now, what the heck does that mean?! This is NOT “…the real face of the Democrat{ic} Party.”
Whatever. [eyes rolled.]
August 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I thought Democrats were socialists who just hadn’t realized it yet…
August 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
If we didn’t already know Angelides as the dirty little animal with a Sacramento jones and a Capitol dome-sized ego which causes him to soil himself every time he thinks about the higher offices to which he believes he’s entitled … I’d almost think he was a hired shill for the Ahnold campaign.
Christ, do I hate socialism and socialists. Scum like Daraka – esp. his spiritual brethren running the Legislature – are why I left CA in the first place.
August 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Jo Ann,
I believe you’re correct. However, the majority of your state elected Democrats are de facto, if not self-professed socialists. Just as the most conservative Republicans get elected to the Legislature because of the partisan dynamics and the currently apportioned districts, so do the most leftist Democrats.
Here in Nevada, the Democrat gubernatorial nominee (Dina Titus) is one of the most liberal Democrats in the state: pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-union, pro-social welfare programs. As mainstream-liberal as she is, she couldn’t win a primary in most of the safe-D state legislative and congressional districts in CA. Your elected Democrats aren’t like the ones in flyover country.
August 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Tony:
PLEASE tell the Flash Report crew about the ill-advised phone call Dina Titus
made the day before the primary election … a call which effectively stepped
on her own election win.
August 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Thanks for your response, Anthony. I understand your point about extremists, but that still doesn’t make those liberal elected officials “socialists”.
I was just commenting on inaccurate remarks here (i.e. Edda’s and then Joseph’s posts) suggesting that all Democrats are socialists and that’s just plain silly!
Of course, Democrats are not socialists. If they were, they wouldn’t be Democrats… they’d be members of the Socialist Party!
August 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Well, what defines a ‘socialist’ is the belief in governement ownership of business, property, etc. as a BETTER alternative to private enterprise In many regards Phil is exactly that (as are most elected Dems.) Phil is that as evidenced by his stance on public power and energy (California Power Authority)and many other issues. The only reason they won’t admit to being socialists is the ‘name recognition’ that goes with that most famous of socialists–who it turns out was anything but liberal wrt social issues.
August 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Jim,
Wow – I didn’t know you followed NV politics. I’ve actually listened to the VM. It wasn’t as bad as the media made it out to be. However, it was avoidable – and surprising, because Titus has been a very disciplined campaigner. It’s far from the worst ill-advised use of voicemail I’ve ever heard of.
The worst incident (others may have better stories) involved a San Diego city council candidate back in 1998 or so. The county board of Realtors endorsed the candidate’s opponent. The candidate flew into a blind rage and left a scorching, out-of-control, profanity-laced VM for the board of Realtors’ president. The Realtors’ president promptly … forwarded the candidate’s VM, as-was, to all several hundred of his members. Oopsie!
August 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Jo Ann,
I disagree. They’re committed socialists, and they’re destroying their state.
A lot of registered Republicans are small-l libertarians – I’m one of them. I believe in about 80% of what the Libertarian Party advocates. But I’m not a Libertarian, because I’m also somewhat pragmatic to the extent that they can’t win partisan elections.
You can be a small-s socialist w/o being a Socialist.
August 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Hi Anthony! Thanks again and I do understand what you’re saying. And of course we can simply agree to disagree! :-)
I really was just noting the general view here that suggests that all Democrats are socialists–that is simply not true!
You have been discussing California’s elected Democrats–I haven’t made specific comments on any of them. I would have to know whom you’re talking about and determine for myself if I agree or disagree with you. (Not that we’d do that, of course!)
I understand your point about you being a small “l” Libertarian, but that doesn’t mean all Democrats are small “s” socialists. (Not that you said that about “all” Democrats, but others here have.) Why, even I appreciate some ideals of the Libertarian Party–and I am a true Democrat–not a socialist!
Although, on the flipside, look at Schwarzenneger. He’s supported by conservative Republicans and well, he’s not really not much of a conservative at all! ;-)
August 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Jo Ann,
We DO agree – not all Democrats are socialists – any more than all Republicans are libertarians, or conservatives (social or fiscal)! I used myself as an example of what’s possible, albeit on the other side of things. You sound like a thoughtful individual – and that’s what needed in both parties right now, more than blind partisanship.
August 26th, 2006 at 12:00 am
NEVADA ‘DARWIN AWARD ‘ NOMINEE
Nevada Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dina Titus may merit recognition
by the Darwin Award for her primary Election Eve error in the Silver State.
As reported by Nevada newspapers, Titus heard a rumor that a young woman
employee of her Lt. Gov. running mate was doing volunteer work for Titus’
Demo primary Gov. opponent. Ms. Titus called the young woman, leaving a
voice message promising to tell her Boss about her behavior, and expressing
her overall indignation.
It will surprise no “Flash Report” reader that the voice mail was swiftly leaked
to the Media, and Dina Titus spent much of primary Election Day explaining
that she wasn’t REALLY threatening the unnamed young woman with loss
of her job. Honest.
And as we ALL know…. when you are explaining, you are losing. The result
is that the GOP Gov. nominee, Congressman Jim Gibbons, is now a solid
favorite to beat Titus and hold the State house for Republicans. Gibbons has
a 96% vote score from the ACU by the way.
So, remember candidates ! THINK before you dial.
August 26th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Hey Anthony! I too agree that we do agree on this! ;-) And thanks–yes, I do think things through and see that you do as well. (You’re right that blind partisanship is never good.) Thanks for the discourse and have a great weekend! :-)