Jerry Brown Files to Enter Attorney General's Race

[Freddie Stubbs]

SACRAMENTO — Former Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, mayor of Oakland and an opponent of the death penalty, now wants to be state attorney general.

"I'd bring creativity and innovation to that office. I have a lot to give," Brown, 66, said Monday in an interview from London, where he stopped en route to a conference in Croatia. Brown last week quietly filed his required statement of intention to run for attorney general in 2006. The filing, a prerequisite to raising campaign funds, was an unusually stealthy move for a career politician who has been California's secretary of state, governor, a three-time presidential contender, a U.S. Senate candidate and mayor of Oakland.

Brown served as governor from 1975 to 1983. His father, Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, served two terms as state attorney general from 1951 to 1958, followed by two terms as governor from 1959 to 1967.

At least four other candidates also have filed to run for attorney general's office, now held by Democrat Bill Lockyer, who will leave due to term limits. Brown's chief primary election opponent is likely to be Sen. Joe Dunn (D-Santa Ana).

more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-jerry18may18,1,3238852.story

[Semi_subversive]

1. Attny. General Moonbeam??

[genius]

2. If Jerry wants the job, it's his.

We need Jerry back in the state government. Things were much better under him.

[slackmaster]

3. He's got my vote

I'd vote for Jerry Brown for just about any statewide office over just about anyone.

[davidinalameda]

4. where does he get off criticizing Kamala Harris

He recently criticized Dist. Atty. Kamala Harris of San Francisco, also an opponent of capital punishment, for her controversial decision not to seek the execution of the alleged killer of young police officer Isaac Espinoza.

"It is not right to categorically say that 'I am not going to follow the law,' " he said Monday.


that's bullshit pandering on his part

where does the law state that she has to request the death penalty?

unless there is someone further to the right than him, he lost my vote

[genius]

5. Notify him that the Dem Party adopted a resolution for a moratorium

It called for a legislated moratorium. As far as I can tell, it was a dumb political statement on his part. The people in San Francisco elected Kamala because they liked her approach to the death penalty. He certainly doesn't have the right to attack her for doing what the voters elected her to do.

However, he is much better than the current alternatives in the AG race, and he has not, as of yet, said that he has changed his position on the death penalty. He's just talking about following the law. But, as an attorney, Jerry should know that a district attorney has a choice in a matter like this.

The crime was reportedly gang-related. I bet that the accused is not from the upper class. This also means that he is less likely to get a fair trial and is more likely to be convicted - even if he is innocent.

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. A 'legislated moratorium?'

So in other words they did not call for not enforcing the law, they called for changing the law.

[genius]

9. Exactly

But, given that the death penalty is only enforced against the poor and the blacks, the death penalty violates the Constitution.

[ronnykmarshall]

7. When did he re-join the party?

I know that in the mid 1990's he became went indy. When did he become a democrat again?

[genius]

8. He spoke at the convention in Sacramento. So before then.

The fact that he was disgusted with business as usual speaks well for him.

[davidinalameda]

10. he's nothing more than a political opportunist

like I said yesterday, he won't get my vote

[genius]

11. So far, he's the best one in the race.

And he was the last good governor we had.

[nator311]

12. actually

I'd have to vote for Dunn over Brown. I don't think Brown could win the AG seat in the general because of his view on the death penalty

[genius]

13. Brown would do better in the general election

Dunn's got too much baggage. Some alleged FEC violations were committed right under his nose last year in OC and could come back to haunt him.

[mitchtv]

14. Got my vote, he is a serious man

Sorry he doesn't pass the ideological purity test for some. He is smart, creative,and decisive. He knows what he's doing.