It's rare that someone the caliber of Bill Clinton takes sides in a primary race, but that's what he's set to do. Clinton will endorse Gavin Newsom for Governor of California at an event in early October. Newsom is the current Mayor of San Francisco. He backed Hillary in 2008.
He is challenging Jerry Brown, former Governor, former Mayor of Oakland, and current Attorney General of California. Brown also ran for president in 1992, against Clinton. He was soundly beaten, but managed to win a few primaries, including Colorado. (Disclosure: I voted for Clinton. My daughter voted for Brown.)
Something people don't realize about good politicians is that they're loyal. They support those who supported them, and help those who have helped them. Bill Clinton has always been this way--(as opposed to, say, Sarah Palin, who regularly turns on people who thought she was their friend).
That's not to say Clinton's endorsement isn't a good political move as well. I have a soft spot for Jerry Brown, mainly because he was always considered somewhat strange for a politician, but always managed to have considerable vote-getting appeal in spite of it. When politicians come blow-dried and predictable, a guy like Jerry Brown can be refreshing.
That said, Jerry Brown has been around for a long time. His political career goes back to the 60's. His father, Pat, was a popular Governor, and beat Richard Nixon in 1962, out of which came a moment of classic political theater, Nixon's "last press conference," in which he whined that the press wouldn't "have Nixon to kick around any more." (Alas, it turned out not to be true.)
Newsom, on the other hand, is fresh, and his win could have national implications. Brown is considered the front-runner at present, but that may change. Newsom is an attractive candidate and the Clinton name is political gold in California--Hillary won the primary by 10% in 2008. Newsom might beat Brown even without Clinton's endorsement. With it, the odds shift in his favor.
Comments