Comments on: Garamendi winning CD-10

By: Johnathan Brooks

Johnathan Brooks — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:02:52 +0000

I read an article online about Stan Statham being nominated for lieutenant governor to replace John Garamendi who was just left for congress. It quoted some high-level government sources but I haven’t seen much else about this in the local media. Has anyone else seen this? Why is this being kept so hush hush?

Maybe they could run a poll here.

By: BGR

BGR — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:58:26 +0000

Not sure what you mean about NYC. As for 25% voting, it is a known problem that runoff elections always have very poor turnout and so can be more easily manipulated, and are expensive. Instant Runoff Voting would solve these endemic problems with our current voting system, by producing a majority winner without need for a runoff, while increasing the likelihood of higher turnout as candidates appeal to broader constituencies.

By: Layne Kilbreath

Layne Kilbreath — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:12:47 +0000

Bill,

Are you going to write a post with your opinion on why $100,000 can’t buy the mayor’s office in NYC and why only 25% of registered voters bothered to vote?

Layne

By: Ben Madsen

Ben Madsen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:41:37 +0000

@Edi-

Actually, when you consider that the registration is +18% towards Democrats, a 10% margin (which is what the result was) says that Harmer’s platform resonated with the electorate more than did Garamendi’s. There is a large demographic (maybe not as large as the Democratic followers) that is growing more averse to the platform Garamendi and Pelosi stand for. It would be wise to understand that and the reasons behind that shift.

By: Edi Birsan

Edi Birsan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:27:33 +0000

I love the spin, feels like a scene in the Exorcist.