As the "Anybody But Brown and Newsom" Voices Get Louder, Here Are Some Alternatives

With the Governor signing the budget today, it's never become clearer just how important it is to elect a Democrat in 2010. Democrats are aching to occupy the horseshoe, much like they way they were after eight years of the Wilson governorship. And it won't be easy: the GOP opponent, no matter how scarred from an ugly primary, will be well-funded and not from the crazy wing of the GOP.

Perhaps that's why there appears to be growing dissatisfaction among many activists and rank-and-file Dems when forced to choose between the yet unannounced gubernatorial wannabe AG Jerry Brown and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (who jettisoned his well-respected consultant Eric Jaye yesterday). Both are strong candidates, but each has his own set of negatives that Republicans will exploit in every way possible.

With Mayor Villaraigosa out of the picture and John Garamendi running for Congress, the list of candidates that can muster the support (and money) to the race is limited. But Brown is still running his campaign out of his basement, and Newsom hasn't caught fire (though his burn rate on his cash is high). Anything is possible.

Here are a few potentials out there that could make the Democratic race more interesting.

Bill Lockyer --  Loved by rank-and-file and activist Dems, he's got name ID and millions in a bank account that's gathering dust. Also on the plus side, he actually knows how the Legislature functions. After Arnold's amateur hour term of office, voters will be looking for experience and competence. Lockyer fits the bill. And from his comments during the budget debate which irked Capitol Democrats, it appears he's itching to be sitting at the head of the Big 5 table.

Jackie Speier -- The rookie Congresswoman would be a breath of fresh air to the race. Speier has a compelling personal story and a solid Bay Area base. She ruffled feathers of the special interests during her time in Sacramento but got results. She's got some DC experience now too (helpful in the $ department and tapping federal dollars). With Barbara Boxer on the ticket (along with Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina), having Speier in the lineup would be a very good thing for Dems. Can she raise what she needs to win the primary? Possibly. She's popular among the netroots and has valuable D.C. connections.

Laura Chick -- Her profile position as the Queen of Stimulus Dollars gives her a platform to run. And she'd be the only candidate from LA in the primary or the general election from either party. She's not of Sacramento (a good thing) and manages to rack up lots of positive press clips. On the downside, she's a virtual unknown to party activists. And her coziness with Gov. Schwarzenegger could prove lethal in a Democratic primary.

Jack O'Connell -- The Supt. of Public Instruction's quest for the governorship seems to have waned. Too bad. O'Connell is perhaps the best qualified (and liked) of the potential candidates. He'd have some tribal money to make the race interesting too. His commitment to education funding and reform (which, after this budget, may be the front and center issue of the 2010 campaign) gives him a solid base. O'Connell spent much of the past four years going to every Democratic chicken dinner up and down the state, so he has the connections. He'd just have to get over the hurdle of "he can't win" that many have uttered. Gray Davis did it. Why couldn't O'Connell?

Loretta Sanchez -- The fiery Orange County Congresswoman could be double trouble with Latino and female support. She's not exactly known as a policy wonk. But as a political competitor, she's fierce and well-connected. I keep hearing rumors that Sanchez ultimately wants to be Governor. Yeah, sure, it's great to be a Democrat in power in D.C. at the moment, but there's no sign of the Dems losing the House anytime soon. So why not take a shot now?

John Garamendi -- The working man needs a horse in this race. And Lord knows Democrats need someone who can minimize expected losses in the Central Valley. We're so confused about what office he's running for lately, pulling a switcheroo at this juncture could easily be forgiven. Say what you will, Garamendi is a proven vote-getter. It's the campaign cash that's needed that has been the problem.

John Burton -- Why the F:*$% not? Progressives love him and he's one of the few pols that actually could have a good relationship with the Legislature. And he's got the ability to raise some serious cash. The trashing of the poor in this budget no doubt has made his blood boil. I know it's far-fetched, but if Burton jumps in, it would be the most interesting gubernatorial race in a long, long time.

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