by Bob Brigham [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Be_Devine [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Earlier this week, the California Fair Political Practices Commission levied $9 million in fines against Carole Migden for her violations of California law. This new $9 million fine is in addition to the $350,000 the FPPC fined Migden last week. At that time, the $350,000 fine was the largest fine ever levied by the FPPC.  If you have a spare 15 minutes, consider reading my detailed analysis of Carole's most recent problems with the law.

The California Democratic Party meets this weekend and it will vote on whether the Party will endorse Mark Leno, Carole Migden, or Joe Nation for SD-3. The CDP must not endorse Carole Migden.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Say what you will about former Speaker Willie Brown, but the man's got a stage presence. At the Crest Theater in Sacramento today, Brown, joined by former Sacramento Mayor Phil Isenberg, delighted the audience with reflections on his youth, his time in politics, and his perspectives on the political intrigues of today.

Brown grew up in Mineola, Texas, a rural segregated town. When asked how the boy from Mineola wound up in San Francisco, Brown joked, "I took the train," before going into a fascinating response involving segregated education, fleeing townsfolk who didn't like him, and having a bookie uncle in San Francisco. Brown detailed his first encounters with John Burton while in ROTC at San Francisco State College, the two having met because their names were next to each other when the squad lined up in alphabetical order.

On his accomplishments in the Assembly, Brown highlighted his role in removing state prohibitions on consensual adult contact. You can read an excerpt from Willie's book, "Basic Brown," on what happened here.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Photo courtesy of Bob Brigham

Good afternoon and thank you for joining me here today. Thank you Anna Eshoo, Mike Thompson and John Burton. We should applaud those leaders who don’t just get it right but who have the courage to stand up for what is right.

I can think of no better place to announce to my friends, neighbors, and colleagues that I am running for Congress in the 12th District.

It has been almost two weeks since we heard the sad news that Congressman Lantos was diagnosed with cancer. As I begin this journey, let us keep Congressman Lantos and his family in our prayers, and let us thank him. For nearly three decades he has been a passionate champion of human rights around the world. Tom also had a talent for skewering stonewalling bureaucrats. That’s a talent I admire. All of our best hopes go with Tom and Annette during this difficult time.

We are in a park named for Leo Ryan. Congressman Ryan was a man of great courage. Of course, that courage cost him his life.

29 years ago this month I ran for this seat in Congress. I lost that race, but Leo taught me three things which I would like to share with you today:

First, always stand up for the things you believe in, even when you stand alone;

by Bob Brigham [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I'm currently at the Leo J Ryan memorial park for Jackie Speier's official congressional campaign kickoff. Wow. Not only is it the nicest day imaginable, but the crowd is amazingly huge (I'll have pics up later). I'm told the number is 812 signed with over 40 of her 92 endorsed elected officials on hand. Anna Eshoo. Mike Thompson. John Burton. Scores of volunteers. Hot dogs and a cotton candy machine. The operation is top notch.

If it is possible to win a campaign with one event, the Speier campaign may have pulled it off today. The overwhelming show of support and organization is going to make anyone think long and hard about getting in the race. Speier's popularity in the district is legendary, but today was a powerful reminder of how deep that support runs. There's a poll after the jump asking your predictions as to whether you think Leland Yee gets in. I'm voting no.  

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]