What many may not know is how many labor unions have endorsed Steyer. They include the United Domestic Workers, representing some quarter-million home care and family child care providers in CA, and the California Teachers Association, one of the state's largest and most powerful teachers unions; and the CA Nurses Association, the state's largest and fastest-growing union of registered nurses. Sheldon Whitehouse has endorsed, too.
Yes, and for those of us also concerned about human rights and endless wars over big oil, and mass migration caused by the same extractive policies, this is also the best choice... because what California does influences the Nation, the world. Thank you for this thoughtful analysis Sammy!
My concern about Steyer is that he has no record in the legislative process. Yes he passed an initiative, but that's not what a governor does. Steyer has relied on political consultants to send his message but we already have an example of a billionaire with no governing experience--he has bypassed the legislative process entirely and his legacy will be short-lived if he lets the electoral process run its course. Steyer doesn't seem to have the charisma and warmth of Schwarzenegger that enabled the latter to have legislative success. If Steyer had been at least a city councilmember I'd be much more comfortable supporting him. I think he will instead try to steamroll the Legislature without the deeper public support that Trump has been able use. That means that Steyer won't be effective at enacting his agenda, as attractive as it sounds. Instead, I'm left searching for the most viable Democrat in a primary field that the party failed to winnow down.
I hear you and think this is a legitimate concern over Steyer. Given the options, I think he's the best choice for the reasons I've stated above, but I get it. Personally I'm hoping he'll be more like JB Pritzker in Illinois, another billionaire and erstwhile political candidate with no government experience who by all accounts has been a very effective governor (on climate and otherwise).
I think the question is what type of personality Pritzker has compared to Steyer. Schwarzenegger was gregarious and Pritzker seems to be similar. I don't get that vibe from Steyer. Being too earnest often turns off other politicians.
This is an excellent piece about why Steyer is our best choice for governor. I heard him speak and met him here in Santa Barbara and totally agree. However, it's important to remind everyone that we need to unite around ONE DEM CANDIDATE - lest we get stuck with one of those "other guys." The GOP candidates are a waking nightmare, each worse than the other. I believe the best strategy is to wait until the end of May and see who is polling the highest, and vote for that person. That said, I am all in for Steyer and hope he's our next governor.
Appreciate your reading Rachel, glad you enjoyed. I'm hoping we get some better polling in the next few weeks...I'm watching the numbers too and have been surprised and pretty frustrated by the lack of robust polls from trustworthy nonpartisan sources. Fingers crossed. Everything moving so fast and lots of folks with agendas, I'm personally a little wary of trying to game my vote right now.
I've got no problem with someone who made billions on FF and prisons, but then saw the light and changed. He now uses those billions for good. That's key. Most Dems still buy gasoline for their personal cars, so those folks can't say anything against Steyer without being hypocrites. We need the tens of millions of Dems who drive gas cars to wake up and understand THEY are the problem.
It's a fair question. All things considered, I don't think the article revealed much that hadn't been reported previously — Steyer seems to have gotten the overwhelming majority of his fortune out of fossil fuels, but because he has so much of it parked in hedge funds, it's hard to know for sure that he's scrubbed out everything (and probably even likely he's missed some stuff). Far as I can tell, the article didn't present any evidence that Steyer is still profiting from coal, although it did make me wonder why he doesn't just pull his funds from Farallon entirely — that seems like it would be better. Didn't change my view of the governor's race though, considering Steyer's track record/platform on climate and the comparison to the other candidates.
I appreciate and respect your considered view. Seems to me that besides his having any investments or has profited from coal, there might be a possibility that his investments, even if unconsciously, affect his judgment, that they indicate hidden agendas. But then, what politician doesn't have hidden agendas and influences? Thanks!
What many may not know is how many labor unions have endorsed Steyer. They include the United Domestic Workers, representing some quarter-million home care and family child care providers in CA, and the California Teachers Association, one of the state's largest and most powerful teachers unions; and the CA Nurses Association, the state's largest and fastest-growing union of registered nurses. Sheldon Whitehouse has endorsed, too.
Yes, and for those of us also concerned about human rights and endless wars over big oil, and mass migration caused by the same extractive policies, this is also the best choice... because what California does influences the Nation, the world. Thank you for this thoughtful analysis Sammy!
Thank you for reading Marta!
My concern about Steyer is that he has no record in the legislative process. Yes he passed an initiative, but that's not what a governor does. Steyer has relied on political consultants to send his message but we already have an example of a billionaire with no governing experience--he has bypassed the legislative process entirely and his legacy will be short-lived if he lets the electoral process run its course. Steyer doesn't seem to have the charisma and warmth of Schwarzenegger that enabled the latter to have legislative success. If Steyer had been at least a city councilmember I'd be much more comfortable supporting him. I think he will instead try to steamroll the Legislature without the deeper public support that Trump has been able use. That means that Steyer won't be effective at enacting his agenda, as attractive as it sounds. Instead, I'm left searching for the most viable Democrat in a primary field that the party failed to winnow down.
I hear you and think this is a legitimate concern over Steyer. Given the options, I think he's the best choice for the reasons I've stated above, but I get it. Personally I'm hoping he'll be more like JB Pritzker in Illinois, another billionaire and erstwhile political candidate with no government experience who by all accounts has been a very effective governor (on climate and otherwise).
I think the question is what type of personality Pritzker has compared to Steyer. Schwarzenegger was gregarious and Pritzker seems to be similar. I don't get that vibe from Steyer. Being too earnest often turns off other politicians.
This is an excellent piece about why Steyer is our best choice for governor. I heard him speak and met him here in Santa Barbara and totally agree. However, it's important to remind everyone that we need to unite around ONE DEM CANDIDATE - lest we get stuck with one of those "other guys." The GOP candidates are a waking nightmare, each worse than the other. I believe the best strategy is to wait until the end of May and see who is polling the highest, and vote for that person. That said, I am all in for Steyer and hope he's our next governor.
Appreciate your reading Rachel, glad you enjoyed. I'm hoping we get some better polling in the next few weeks...I'm watching the numbers too and have been surprised and pretty frustrated by the lack of robust polls from trustworthy nonpartisan sources. Fingers crossed. Everything moving so fast and lots of folks with agendas, I'm personally a little wary of trying to game my vote right now.
Thank you!! So important!
Thank you for reading!
Thanks for writing this, Sammy. Sending it to friends who care about climate change.
Thank you for reading, Renee! I appreciate your spreading the word.
I've got no problem with someone who made billions on FF and prisons, but then saw the light and changed. He now uses those billions for good. That's key. Most Dems still buy gasoline for their personal cars, so those folks can't say anything against Steyer without being hypocrites. We need the tens of millions of Dems who drive gas cars to wake up and understand THEY are the problem.
I hope you comment about the NY Times article that just came out about his coal investments
It's a fair question. All things considered, I don't think the article revealed much that hadn't been reported previously — Steyer seems to have gotten the overwhelming majority of his fortune out of fossil fuels, but because he has so much of it parked in hedge funds, it's hard to know for sure that he's scrubbed out everything (and probably even likely he's missed some stuff). Far as I can tell, the article didn't present any evidence that Steyer is still profiting from coal, although it did make me wonder why he doesn't just pull his funds from Farallon entirely — that seems like it would be better. Didn't change my view of the governor's race though, considering Steyer's track record/platform on climate and the comparison to the other candidates.
I appreciate and respect your considered view. Seems to me that besides his having any investments or has profited from coal, there might be a possibility that his investments, even if unconsciously, affect his judgment, that they indicate hidden agendas. But then, what politician doesn't have hidden agendas and influences? Thanks!