'08 Presidential prospects campaign in Cali. for Angelides, raise funds

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: Top Democrats Mining State
White House prospects are joining Angelides on campaign swings through a region rich with potential donors.
By Mark Z. Barabak, Times Staff Writer
September 27, 2006


Helping out
(Eric Risberg / AP)

Although many Democrats quietly despair over Phil Angelides' uphill fight against Arnold Schwarzenegger, there is one group flocking to the underdog's side: the party's 2008 presidential prospects.

Here comes the parade, from Washington and beyond: former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and John F. Kerry of Massachusetts.

Due in soon are New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut and retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark. And former Vice President Al Gore, who is or isn't thinking about another White House run, depending on the latest rumor.

They stand next to Angelides and express their deep regard for the state treasurer's principles and passion. They take a swipe at Republican Gov. Schwarzenegger, speaking off Angelides' campaign talking points. The choice, Warner said in a recent campaign stop, is between an incumbent who "walks in lock-step" with President Bush and a Democrat committed to improving public schools.

But the main reason the political tourists come is one that Willie Sutton would understand. He robbed banks, Sutton supposedly said, because that's where the money is. And that is why presidential candidates come to California, only to abandon the state once the competition heats up in Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida and the Midwest, where presidential campaigns are typically decided....

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-prez27sep27,1,2773514.story?coll=la-center-politics-cal

[madfloridian]

1. And don't forget this visit in August....

Dean in CA says a vote for Arnold is a vote for Bush's policies.

[MindPilot]

2. Riddle me this you campaign-savvy DUers

Why weren't these big guns out in force for Busby in the 50th? It seems to me that gaining a seat in the house is far more important from a party-power standpoint than a state governor.

[Tom Rinaldo]

3. Clark helped, don't know about others...

Clark is on the road full time now doing local events for Democratic candidates for the HOuse all around the country. He deems it essential that we retake at least the House of Representatives this fall. He is on record saying if we fail to retake the Hill the liklyhood of Republicans launching a war against Iran is dangerously high. Clark thinks they might anyway, but our best chance to stop them is through a strong showing in the Novemeber elections that puts them on notice that we have the power to investigate this Administration. See this kos Diary by a DFA coordinater in Kentucky:

"I met with Wesley Clark last night. Iran strike very likely!"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/26/125738/074

Here is a small part:

About Iran: General Wesley Clark said that Bush is painting himself into a corner on Iran. The General feels that the only chance to stop a strike on Iran is the election of a Democratic Congress in November, assuming BushCo does not manage to start dropping the bombs before the election. The only good news about Iran is that Clark feels there are clear divisions in the Administration, with Rice showing some misgivings about striking, and CheneyCo wanting war with Iran ASAP. The bad news is that with RiceCo wavering, and CheneyCo chomping at the bit, a strike is simply a matter of "when, not if."