State of California secondary Archives: on Principles & Values
Bill Simon:
Successful businessman, charity contributor, family man
Q: What is your single proudest achievement that qualifies you to be Governor?A: I think three things qualify me to be governor: I am a successful businessman, a former federal prosecutor who worked under Rudy Giuliani, and a charity leader.
Over the years, I have donated both my time and money to charitable causes including many Latino efforts. I am very proud of my record. But what I am most proud of is my family, my wife and my four children.
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
Caitlyn Jenner:
OpEd: Jenner a recluse on public policy
Sorry, can't help you much on the best-known GOP aspirant: Caitlyn Jenner. She's a recluse on public policy and has failed to tell us much about what she'd do as governor. "We're running out of water. I am a big advocate of fire protection,
OK?" she answered pesky reporters pressing for specifics at a news conference, her first of the campaign. Aides stopped the Q&A after 12 minutes.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2021 CA recall race
Jul 19, 2021
Caitlyn Jenner:
Olympics win not because our system better than any other
[On the Olympics]: "I didn't win the gold medal for the United States. I won it for myself. Living in the United States gave me a great opportunity to grow up and do with my life what I wanted, and I went with it. The government wasn't paying me.
The Olympic committee didn't help. I did it all on my own. That medal is significant because of what I accomplished. It wasn't because our system is better than any other in the world. . The medal's in my house, not the White House."
Source: Politico.com on 2021 CA recall race
Jun 4, 2021
Caitlyn Jenner:
My faith played a very big role in what I'm doing
As a Christian, Jenner said she still goes to Church often, believes in God and faith. However, that relationship made her wrestle with her identity. "To me, my faith played a very big role in what I'm doing," she said. As she was making her
final decision about transitioning, she had a long conversation with her pastor. "In the end, when I talk about faith, the last hurdle I had to get over to know I was doing the right thing in transitioning was my faith and with God."
Source: E! Online on 2021 CA recall race
Apr 26, 2017
Carly Fiorina:
I'll work across the aisle, including with Sen. Feinstein
Boxer & Fiorina both began airing new ads this week. Fiorina is continuing her efforts to reach out to independent voters by promising to take on dysfunction in Washington."California jobs gone and Barbara Boxer plays politics," the ad's narrator says
as unemployment figures flicker on the screen. The ad cites criticism of Boxer by the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board, which declined to endorse either candidate and said Californians deserve a senator "able to reach across party lines to achieve
progress" adding that Boxer "falls short on those counts."
"When bickering ends, solutions begin. No partisan games," a smiling Fiorina says to the camera. "I'll reach across the aisle, work with others, oppose my party if needed. Your agenda. Not
mine."
Fiorina has criticized spending increases under both Democrats & Republicans while praising bipartisan efforts to curb spending. She has also promised to work with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein to boost water deliveries to the Central Valley.
Source: Los Angeles Times coverage of 2010 CA Senate Debate
Oct 20, 2010
Dianne Feinstein:
Offers three televised Senate debates, but no Fox News
Dear Dr. Taitz, If you do become the Republican candidate, I would like to set up three debates to be televised by three major television stations. However, our campaign has five ground rules which we would like agreement upon before proceeding further:
- No questions shall be asked and no answers shall be given concerning the eligibility of President Obama or any related matters. The debate should focus on economic, social, and foreign policy issues.
-
The format of the debates shall provide for a two minute response, followed by a one minute rebuttal, followed by a 30 second response.
- No notes, documents, or teleprompters shall be allowed.
- No debates shall be televised by
Fox News or any affiliates thereof.
- None of your supporters shall be allowed to attend. Guests shall be limited to 100 voters chosen at random.
Please let me know if these ground rules would be satisfactory.
Source: Email from Feinstein to Taitz on 2012 CA Senate debate
May 14, 2012
Dianne Feinstein:
OpEd: Feinstein refusing to debate is a democracy dodge
Elizabeth Emken is the Danville Republican who has taken on a task that few--no, make that, NO--big name Republicans had the guts to do: Challenge Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein.Feinstein has refused to debate her. No, not even at 3 a.m. on a
Saturday on a cable access station in Turlock. As Feinstein's campaign manager told us a while back after Emken challenged DiFi to a series of debates : "This is the sort of typical cliche move from someone is 19 points down and has
$25,000 in the bank and 35 percent name recognition," he said.
Editorial boards all up and down California--including our very own Ivory Tower-dwellers--have called out Feinstein for the democracy dodge.
Emken ramped it up when the San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate.com's Shaky Hand Productions video crew caught up with her. She called DiFi "arrogant" and "dismissive" for not agreeing to debate:
Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2012 CA Senate debate
Oct 10, 2012
Elizabeth Emken:
Wins primary slot against 14 Republicans and 5 Democrats
Elizabeth Emken squeaked past 22 other challengers to face Dianne Feinstein, the popular, well-financed lawmaker in November. None of the aspiring Feinstein challengers--14 Republicans, five Democrats and members of four minor parties--had much money
or name recognition except Orly Taitz, who earned a measure of fame from her attempts to show that Pres. Obama was not born in the US. [NOTE: California has a non-partisan primary, with two winners who proceed to the general election].
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2012 CA Senate debate
Jun 5, 2012
Elizabeth Emken:
Wins primary slot against 14 Republicans and 5 Democrats
Elizabeth Emken squeaked past 22 other challengers to face Dianne Feinstein, the popular, well-financed lawmaker in November. None of the aspiring Feinstein challengers--14 Republicans, five Democrats and members of four minor parties--had much money
or name recognition except Orly Taitz, who earned a measure of fame from her attempts to show that Pres. Obama was not born in the US. [NOTE: California has a non-partisan primary, with two winners who proceed to the general election].
Emken won backing from the state GOP and from several of the state's Republican elected officials and made campaign stops throughout the state. She had raised the most money of any of the challengers, a little more than
$300,000, federal records showed.
Feinstein, who is seeking her fourth full term in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 44% to 30%, with 21% of voters unaffiliated, had raised more than $9 million.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2012 CA Senate debate
Jun 5, 2012
Elizabeth Emken:
Feinstein is arrogant and dismissive for not debating
Elizabeth Emken is the Danville Republican who has taken on a task that few--no, make that, NO--big name Republicans had the guts to do: Challenge Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein.Feinstein has refused to debate her. No, not even at 3 a.m. on a
Saturday on a cable access station in Turlock. As Feinstein's campaign manager told us a while back after Emken challenged DiFi to a series of debates : "This is the sort of typical cliche move from someone is 19 points down and has
$25,000 in the bank and 35 percent name recognition," he said.
Editorial boards all up and down California--including our very own Ivory Tower-dwellers--have called out Feinstein for the democracy dodge.
Emken ramped it up when the San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate.com's Shaky Hand Productions video crew caught up with her. She called DiFi "arrogant" and "dismissive" for not agreeing to debate:
Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2012 CA Senate debate
Oct 10, 2012
Gavin Newsom:
Partisan divisions can smash democracy like an antique vase
Speaking from Sacramento, Newsom thanked Californians for rejecting the recall effort. He also addressed the divisions in the country, describing democracy like an "antique vase." "You can drop it
and smash it in a million different pieces. And that's what we're capable of doing if we don't stand up to meet the moment and push back," he said.
Source: CNN.com on 2021 CA recall race
Sep 15, 2021
George W. Bush:
Priorities: Reaganesque tax cuts; education & health reform
Gov. George W. Bush. He's a once-in-a-generation leader with a bold agenda, a successful governor with a fresh leadership style. - So every child reads, he'll fight for education reforms hailed as the most sweeping in a decade.
- While Washington deadlocked, he delivered a patients' bill of rights that's a model for America.
- He's the candidate with a tax cut called ‘Reaganesque' and ‘worthy of a new president.'
Source: Television Commerical before CA & NY primaries
Mar 2, 2000
Gray Davis:
Proud of record on education, healthcare, guns, environment
Q: What is your single proudest achievement that qualifies you to be Governor?A: I don't think you can boil it down to just one thing. As Governor, I've put together a record I can be proud of. In education, we've reduced class sizes, demanded more
accountability and made historic investments in teacher recruitment and training. We've expanded 10-fold the Healthy Families Program for uninsured children, provided one million kids with health insurance and established the first agency in America to
help patients fight their HMO-and win. We've signed the nation's toughest gun laws, banning assault weapons and requiring trigger locks. We've signed tough new laws cleaning up our beaches, signed the nation's first law reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and sued the federal government to block more offshore drilling. We've improved our veterans' homes and are building five more. Finally, I'm proud that California's economy has grown from the 7th to the 5th largest in the world over the last four years.
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
John Cox:
I'm against corruption in government and in business
Regardless of where it's coming from, I'm against corruption, in our government and in businesses. I'm not a career politician. Unlike our current governor and my opponent, I've spent my entire career creating jobs and
helping people to earn a better living. You can count on me to continue fighting in the interest of the people and fighting corruption wherever I see it.
Source: Campaign website JohnCox.com for 2021 CA recall race
Feb 15, 2021
John McCain:
Reagan Republican: simplify taxes, stop waste, pay down debt
Here's some straight talk.- I'm a proud Reagan Republican.
- I'll tear up the 44,000-page tax code that benefits special interests.
- Stop the outrageous waste and pork barrel spending that steals your money.
- Use the surplus to secure Social Security, cut middle class taxes and pay down the debt.
- Give me your vote, and we'll give you back your government.
Source: Television Commerical before CA & NY primaries
Mar 2, 2000
John Melendez:
Equal opportunity instead of catering to 1%
I have been angered for some time at the way in which our government continues to cater to the top one percent. I am not rich, I am a middle class, working father of three. The middle class and the poor are being marginalized now more than ever.
I will fight to continue the changes Barack Obama has made, and I will stand up to the obstructionists in Congress. Now is the time to put our country first and ensure equal opportunity for all.
Source: 2018 CA Senate campaign website JohnMelendezForSenate.com
Aug 1, 2017
Kevin Faulconer:
I treat people with dignity and respect even if we disagree
I think I'm known as a Republican who brings people together. I'm a big believer and you're going to have a difference of views and opinions and parties, and that's fine. But I treat people with dignity and respect, even if we disagree on some of the
issues. That's the type of approach that I would take as governor. And I think that's the approach that's been lacking right now in Sacramento.
Source: KQED on 2021 CA recall race
Feb 14, 2021
Kevin Faulconer:
Strive to govern by being as inclusive as possible
You should strive to govern by being as inclusive as possible. You should govern not by partisanship, but by leadership. I've found that Californians care less about the "R" or "D," by a candidate's name, and more about whether you can get the job done.
What Californians need right now is a problem solver. It's not about political rhetoric, it's about who can reduce the size of the homeless population, who can protect small businesses and who can keep neighborhoods safe.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2021 CA recall race
Mar 24, 2021
Kevin Paffrath:
Recall part of a national referendum on Trumpism
Newsom emphatically defeated a recall aimed at kicking him out of office early, a contest the Democrat framed as part of a national battle for his party's values in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and continued threats from "Trumpism."
Republican talk radio host Larry Elder almost certainly would have replaced Newsom had the recall succeeded. The recall turned on Newsom's approach to the pandemic, including mask and vaccine mandates.
Source: Associated Press on 2021 CA recall race
Sep 15, 2021
Kevin Paffrath:
YouTube real estate star; politics not a priority
For his interview with CalMatters reporters and editors, the 29-year-old Zoomed in from the same technicolored studio where he's made hundreds of YouTube videos, with more than 400 million views, advising his 1.7 million subscribers how to strike
it rich in real estate. He speaks of state-reshaping policies that sit far outside typical political promises. He calls himself a "JFK-style Democrat," but excoriates the sitting governor and party establishment.
Since launching his campaign, he's crashed Newsom's anti-recall campaign events, baited his opponents into debating him with promises of seven-figure charitable contributions, picked a Twitter fight with comedian Stephen Colbert and threatened to sue
CNN for failing to acknowledge his campaign. "Politics has never been this high priority for me," he said. "I think things changed after I had my second son and I became more aware of some of the disasters that we're seeing in California."
Source: Cal Matters on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 25, 2021
Lily Zhou:
Legally immigrated from China; became entrepreneur
Lily Zhou is the living proof that the American Dream is alive and well. She was born and raised in China. Seeking a better life and the freedom of the United States, Lily legally immigrated to the
United States with no money and not speaking a word of English. Using her work ethic, she became a serial entrepreneur. Her record includes successfully starting and selling three businesses.
Lily has also worked internationally with former heads of state and was an active planning committee member of the Kyoto Prize Symposium, known as second to the Nobel Prize. She has authored a book and spoken at numerous conferences around the world
including the Global Women Economic Forum and raised money for many charities. In 2009, Lily has received awards for international work including helping 41 teachers, parents, and students "quarantined" by the Chinese government safely return home.
Source: 2021 CA Senate campaign website LilyZsenate2022.com
Lily Zhou:
Restore people's faith in American Dream and our democracy
Presently, she is the community director for the San Diego Family Circle Adult Day Health Center as well as a real estate broker in the San Diego area where she is seeing many families flee the state due to high taxation and over regulation.
Her goal is to pay it forward by restoring people's faith in the American Dream and our democracy.
Source: 2021 CA Senate campaign website LilyZsenate2022.com
Lily Zhou:
I'm a doer; I don't believe in research
I'll show you because I'm a doer and I don't believe in studies. I don't believe in research. I don't believe in any of it because if all of this happens, then the world would be perfect. We have the best technology, the computer,
the fastest computers and scientists and everything to get the solution, the stock market, if you can predict it, if people try and do that, but can that happen? No, it cannot.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune on 2022 CA Senate race
Jan 9, 2020
Mitt Romney:
Me & Tea Party are both for small government & low spending
Q: Are you a member of the Tea Party? ROMNEY: I don't think you carry cards in the Tea Party. I believe in a lot of what the Tea Party believes in. The Tea Party believes that government's too big, and taxing too much. I put together a plan with a
whole series of points of how we can get America's economy going again. Tea Party people like that. So if the Tea Party is for keeping government small and spending down, and helping us create jobs, then, hey, I'm for the Tea Party.
Source: 2011 GOP debate in Simi Valley CA at the Reagan Library
Sep 7, 2011
Orly Taitz:
Sen. Feinstein offers three debates, without birther issue
Dear Dr. Taitz, If you do become the Republican candidate, I would like to set up three debates to be televised by three major television stations. However, our campaign has five ground rules which we would like agreement upon before proceeding further:
- No questions shall be asked and no answers shall be given concerning the eligibility of President Obama or any related matters. The debate should focus on economic, social, and foreign policy issues.
-
The format of the debates shall provide for a two minute response, followed by a one minute rebuttal, followed by a 30 second response.
- No notes, documents, or teleprompters shall be allowed.
- No debates shall be televised by
Fox News or any affiliates thereof.
- None of your supporters shall be allowed to attend. Guests shall be limited to 100 voters chosen at random.
Please let me know if these ground rules would be satisfactory.
Source: Email from Feinstein to Taitz on 2012 CA Senate debate
May 14, 2012
Peter Camejo:
His candidacy broadened the debate and gave people choices
Q: What is your single proudest achievement that qualifies you to be Governor?A: I'm proud that in this campaign I've broadened the debate so that people understand issues better and have more choices -
real choices, not just the Republicans and the Democrats which are kind of the same thing.. This is the kind of attitude a governor should have, promoting the free flow of ideas.
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
Republican Party:
Democrats outvoted GOP in mail-in ballots
[On 2021 CA Recall]: Republicans are starting to fear that Trump's ridiculous allegations are actually hurting their performance in elections. They are especially worried about the damage Trump is doing to mail-in ballot habits of base Republican
voters, habits that GOP strategists have spent years building up. Registered Democrats made up a disproportionately high share of ballots returned by mail, while many Republicans appear to have waited for Election Day to vote--if they voted at all.
Source: The Hill on 2021 CA recall race
Sep 15, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023