Comments on: Bonilla shifts gears; will run for state Assembly

By: MVP

MVP — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:42:29 +0000

How many in the race now?

By: Barbara Zivica

Barbara Zivica — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:24:19 +0000

Perhaps it’s not all about politics – just her being in the mood to redecorate another office!

By: John W

John W — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:45:33 +0000

Agree with Arne Simonsen about AD 11 and the pool of good people at the municipal government level, where some of them manage to balance their budgets without breaking a sweat. I voted for Ted in the Dem primary but would have voted for Mayor Wilson in the general if he had not signed “the pledge.” I was torn between Wilson on the pledge issue and Buchannan on the issue of public records (i.e., government employee salary info)and what her position indicated about her ties to public employee unions. What is it about these pragmatists who turn into rigid party loyalists when they get to or run for a job in Sacramento?

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:06:23 +0000

Lisa,
Since another poster brought it up — I was really surprised that the Times didn’t focus more on the musical chairs played by Torlaksanier. Sure it was legal but the act itself demonstrated that their political careers are more important than serving their constituents. No one (except the media) could call them to task on the brazen nature of their disdain. Alas, the media didn’t follow up. They did it just because they could.
I hope the Democrats and Labor withhold their endorsements until they see who ALL the players are 18 months down the line.

By: BGR

BGR — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:28:30 +0000

Great. Now it’s musical chairs.

By: Arne Simonsen

Arne Simonsen — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:42:10 +0000

There are many good Democrats in AD-11, and since AD-11 has Democrats outnumbering Republicans 2:1 I think it is time to look for someone who has not served on the Board of Supervisors!

If Tauscher can go from never having held elected office at any level to Congress, then I see no reason why we should be even be considering anyone who has been a County Supervisor!

There are many good council members and mayors in AD-11 who are more than qualified to become a good Assembly Member.

Let’s just hope that the electorate in AD-11 finally wises up

By: Brian Kalinowski

Brian Kalinowski — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:18:31 +0000

Lisa-

Just to clarify its a total of 14 years not 12, 6 plus 8. Math is very important in these lean economic times…:).

By: Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Lisa Vorderbrueggen — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:52:19 +0000

Good point. Perhaps Bonilla and DeSaulnier will “switch seats,” just as DeSaulnier and Torlakson did in November.

By: hypocriticalyes?

hypocriticalyes? — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:45:24 +0000

Lisa,
Since Mr. DeSaulnier didn’t serve his eight years in the Assembly, couldn’t he end up running for that seat again?? Anyone who doesn’t believe that these seats are reserved for cronies believes in the Tooth Fairy,
look what these two “friends” did to Joe Canciamilla just to get what they wanted.

By: Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Lisa Vorderbrueggen — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:37:06 +0000

Oh please, Bill.

I don’t have Bonilla winning anything. I am speculating — the undeserved purview of political writers — based on the reality of incumbency. Torlakson followed the same path. Barring a significant political shift, DeSaulnier will very likely do the same thing. I would not be serving my readers if I ignored reality and pretended that every election offers a brand new and equal chance for everyone to win.

That said, the unknown here is redistricting. None of the analysis at UC Berkeley or the Rose Institute contemplates a major shift in either of these districts but the introduction of the citizen panel brings a new element into the picture.