Jerry Brown's California revival. Jerry Shows how serving, not ego is the objective for greats

[graham4anything]

http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/jerry-browns-california-revival-85440.html?hp=t1


He’s no kid at age 74, but California Gov. Jerry Brown has staged a comeback this year that Bill Clinton could appreciate.

It looked as though Brown’s second go-round in the governor’s job might well end after a single term. He staked his governorship on a referendum to raise taxes that was in trouble approaching Election Day. His approval ratings were mired in the low 40s.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/jerry-browns-california-revival-85440.html#ixzz2FrhoCvTk


But voters pulled through for Brown and approved his ballot measure to mend the long-broken state budget. And now Brown finds himself in prime position to achieve his ambitious agenda — and a virtual lock for reelection.

“He’s absolutely unbeatable in the state of California. Not even the Lord could beat him,” said former San Francisco Mayor and legendary Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. “California is Jerry Brown territory.”

In a political life that stretches back to the 1960’s, spanning one presidential campaign, three terms as governor, and a stint as Oakland mayor, Brown seems to be experiencing a career high of sorts. Voters also elected Democratic supermajorities to both chambers of the Legislature, removing the last check on the party’s near-total control of state government and relegating Republicans to something approaching minor-party status



Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/jerry-browns-california-revival-85440.html#ixzz2Frht9OSH

[graham4anything]

1. Thank you Jerry Brown for a lifetime of serving the public and decades to come doing more

It is not beyond question that a Hillary45/Jerry Brown ticket could be dreamed of

The democrats screwed both Jerry Brown and Jesse Jackson more than once in the past.

Jerry Brown both the youngest Gov. of California ever, and the oldest, with many roles in service in between the two!

One of the true legends in political history.

And Jerry, for those that remember, ran a shoestring campaign much like Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, way before the internet was thought of, way before social media

Jerry ran solely on a 1-800-# and almost had one of the singular biggest upsets ever.

And Jerry ran another shoestring campaign for Gov. against the filthy rich Meg Whitman, friend of Mittens, who, had she prevailed, might have been Mittens VP choice but Jerry wiped out that horrible thought singlehandedly with zero money.

Why? Because the people love him.
And he is liberal as they come. However, he is a great liberal in the classic sense, and he knows enough not to overplay his hand.
(so I would say he is not a progressive.)

He is liberal and wins as opposed to progressive and whines.

And now California is 100% democratic. There are no republicans left. As article says, the republicans are a minor also ran party.

Which is the model Barack Obama is doing nationwide.
(and the liberals love Obama and get steady forward gain, while the progressives want 100% and whine and whine)

Love you Jerry Brown!
Showing how instead of cuttenrunning, he stayed and served the public and continues to do so his entire life.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Jerry, during at least one of the several times I met him when I was a teen, called himself

progressive and in fact, he is the reason I looked up the political history of that word. Another thing Jerry was steadfast against was the divisions some seek to make among Americans and among Democrats using 'terms of art' (had to look that up as well) to characterize others as being not as pure and wonderful as one's self and one's peers.
The single least pretentious political figure I have ever met, and I've met lots and lots of them. Clearly spoken and without the desire to put down others to raise himself up.

[graham4anything]

3. Yes I agree. Jerry knows that compromise to move ahead is needed and it works.

I have met him over the years a few times in NYC as you say the least pretentious person
simply the best.

And knows that 10% advancement is a helleva lot better than 100% of nothing and he doesn't whine, he knows if he dont' get it, he tries again, sometimes from a different angle, sometimes wording things just right to achieve what he is going for(again the many steps ahead foresight that the great ones have) and sometimes taking a hit (ropeadope) to know it will be overturned or the courts will rule etc.

All political people should be that way. That is how it was thought of.
No ulterior motives
Keeping the eye on the prize

I voted for him each time I had the opportunity to do so.
And I donated money each and every time to his campaign.