Will voters evaluate Democrat governance?Overview:
Hilton runs strong second but faces uphill battle against Becerra in November
After years of promotion, the World Cup finally starts today. It’s co-hosted by America, Canada and Mexico, a first, and a logistical and financial challenge for fans trying to follow their team.
Fox is carrying the broadcasts and has been promoting it heavily. I must confess, I do like the one commercial and shows fans rooting for the U.S. to win the cup and doing so. It concludes with a scene with two guys at the bar discussing whether the U.S. has a chance. Mike Eruzione chimes in from the bar “What, you don’t believe in miracles?” and then leaves wearing a U.S.A. hockey jacket.  The line mirrors sportscaster All Michael’s famous 1980 line when the U.S. pulled its stunning gold medal triumph at Lake Placid. Eruzione was a member of that team that was spotlighted in a great special earlier this year.
Speaking of miracles, is it possible that a majority of California voters will fairly evaluate how disastrous 16 years of Democrat rule in Sacramento has been and want a change? British government veteran and now U.S. citizen Steve Hilton ran a strong second place and will face the undistinguished Xavier Becerra in the November gubernatorial run-off. Becerra emerged as the Democratic front-runner from well back in the pack after the disgraced Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign (leading in the polls at the time) and resigned from Congress after allegation of sexual assault from two women, including a staffer.
It’s been quiet on the Swalwell front other than a Sacramento Bee article reporting that the Fair Political Practices Commission has initiated an investigation into whether Swalwell used campaign funds inappropriately to pay for an attorney.
Hilton, running as a Republican, is talking common sense in a state known for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s fanciful grand pronouncements, the epic jousting with climate change and pushing ahead with the absurdly expensive high-speed rail that still is going from nowhere to nowhere with (sadly) a contract issued for rail. Remember this was supposed to be shovel ready in 2012 when the Obama Administration poured $3 billion into it. There is no overall completion date, but the Central Valley segment is targeting 2033 for passenger service—Good luck.
Hilton, with all of the Democrats in the race splitting up voters, actually led in polling until Swalwell dropped out. That boosted Beccera and billionaire Tom Steyer who obviously was a much better investor than political candidate. Between the gubernatorial run and his presidential run in 2020, he spent $558 million according to reports. His spending for governor, in constant dollars, is about what former eBay CEO Meg Whitman spent trying to beat Jerry Brown for governor.
Incidentally, Steyer’s spending for president is dwarfed by the $1 billion spent by Michael Bloomberg in 2020. Of course, Bloomberg was elected mayor of New York for three terms—Oh, would residents welcome him back.
