Newsom says he represents party's future, don't need a "stroll down memory lane" (i.e. Jerry Brown)

[jefferson_dem]

:popcorn: Brown and Newsom are two principled straight talkers. This will be fun to watch...and good for the party as a whole.

Newsom says he represents party's future
By JULIET WILLIAMS, Associated Press Writer

Saturday, April 25, 2009

(04-25) 16:57 PDT Sacramento, CA (AP) --

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom on Saturday took a swipe at potential rival Jerry Brown, telling party delegates he represents the future and not just "a stroll down memory lane."

The San Francisco mayor was greeted by thunderous applause as he addressed delegates at the state Democratic Party convention in Sacramento.

After announcing his candidacy this week, Newsom made his pitch to the party faithful by casting himself as the candidate of tomorrow.

"Will we offer Californians a stroll down memory lane?" he said. "Will we embrace the past, or will we embrace the future?"

Newsom, 41, did not mention Brown by name but was clearly drawing a contrast between the party of yesteryear and the ideas he claims to represent. Newsom often has referred to the election of President Barack Obama to say that voters are ready for a fresh start and new ideas.

He played up that theme Saturday, saying his campaign will be about bringing fundamental change to California.

"We're not a state of memories, we're a state of dreams," Newsom said. "We're not intent to keep reliving history; we're going to make it."

<SNIP>

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/04/25/state/n110626D85.DTL&type=printable

[AtomicKitten]

1. Newsom running to the left of Brown will actually help Brown. n/t

[Ex Lurker]

2. Newsom has so much baggage

he needs a Pullman Porter to follow him around. His opponents will call him a San Francisco nut, he'll sweep the Bay Area and lose by double digits everywhere else. If he's the future of the Party, the party's in deep trouble.

[avaistheone1]

3. I think Newsom has real potential, but if stupid cracks like that are his best shot he

is doomed.

[jefferson_dem]

4. What does it say about a state where Governor "Moonbeam" is the mainstream candidate?

Just saying... It's Cali. We are grading on a curve here. I like them both.

[depakid]

7. One of the things it says is that California recycles its politicians

better than it does its cans and bottles.

[jefferson_dem]

8. I can see it.

Printing out the resumes of Jerry and Willie Brown alone would require a small forrest of trees.

[depakid]

9. Don't forget John Garamendi- not quite so colorful and well known

but has a way of popping up whenever there's an election.

[Born_A_Truman]

10. I've always liked Jerry Brown

Many don't know the real reason behind the nickname Governor "Moonbeam":

As Governor, Brown proposed the establishment of a state space academy and the purchasing of a satellite that would be launched into orbit to provide emergency communications for the state—a proposal similar to one that would indeed eventually be adopted by the state. In 1978, Mike Royko, at the time a Chicago Sun-Times columnist, nicknamed Brown "Governor Moonbeam" because of the latter idea. The nickname quickly became associated with his quirky politics, which were considered eccentric by some in California and the rest of the nation. In 1992, almost 15 years later, Royko would disavow the nickname, proclaiming Brown to be "just as serious" as any other politician.

[FrenchieCat]

5. I like Gavin Newsome, but he certainly is no paragon of virtue!

That may be a problem, or it may not be.

I like Jerry Brown too...and Newsome actually reminds of me Brown when he first became Governor,
although Jerry Brown didn't have that adultery stuff in his resume....as he was a single guy.

As a California Voter, I say.....We shall see.

[Hellataz]

6. The Sex stuff didn't bother me with Clinton and it doesn't with Newsom, I like him a lot

He's young, has fresh ideas and is very progressive, not sure how that'll fly in the conservative parts of Cali that voted from prop 8, but I'll be voting for him.

[Hippo_Tron]

11. He might've also been referring to Diane Feinstein

Brown or Newsom would be better than Feinstein but I'd prefer Newsom simply because he's younger and putting him in the Governor's mansion will be better for the party than putting Brown there. Newsom could be a Senator or perhaps even President or VP some day. With Brown those days have long passed.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

12. Newsom a "principled straight talker"???

Uh, that would be a "no".

As a politically active San Franciscan, I would have to say I wouldn't trust Newsom as far as I could throw him. He is, as the saying goes, "Slick as owl shit." The position of Mayor was, from the get go, nothing but a stepping stone from him -- and his terms have reflected that, to the detriment of the City.

If it comes down to picking between Newsom and Brown, I'll go with Brown, every time.