With the nasty Democratic gubernatorial primary race continuing dead even over Memorial Day weekend, rivals Phil Angelides and Steve Westly adjusted their mix of advertising, trading charges about it all the while, and the Tsakopoulos family-funded pro-Angelides advertising campaign scrambled to get its freshly-financed new ad on the air. Both candidates seek to replace Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The broadcast ads from the two bickering Democratic campaigns were all negative all the time over the national holiday weekend. The ads are not available on either campaign’s web site. Nor is the new ad from from the pro-Angelides independent expenditure campaign online.
Westly is running two versions of a TV spot attacking Angelides for his background as a land developer. Both open cinematically with helicopter shots of Angelides developments. The one running in inland California closes by criticizing him for developing in flood plains. The one running in coastal California closes by criticizing him for water and wetlands violations.
Angelides says he followed the rules and ran afoul of bureaucracy. Coastal protection advocate Susan Jordan — part of the Angelides spin team at the environmental debate in Los Angeles and wife of Assemblyman and former Coastal Commissioner Pedro Nava — says Angelides’ environmental endorsements in this campaign are “not just based on one’s past record but on one’s ability to grasp the nuance of existing environmental challenges and formulate forward thinking solutions that could be implemented during one’s term(s) as the next Governor.”
Angelides is taking a different tack in his negative advertising. Dropping his emphasis on Westly breaking his no-negative-ads campaign pledge and his insistence that it is really Westly, not Angelides, who wants to raise taxes, Angelides’ main TV spot over the weekend hits Westly for raising money from a “corrupt Chicago businessman” and steering a $5 million public pension fund investment to the firm he partnered in.
The businessman had not been indicted, was a recent top fundraising official of the Al Gore for President campaign and the Democratic National Committee, and, according to a Sunday Los Angeles Times report, was aggressively but unsuccessfully solicited for funds by Angelides himself and his associates. But Angelides did not push for a pension fund investment for him.
Meanwhile, the controversial independent expenditure (IE) campaign largely funded by the development empire of Angelides’ campaign finance co-chairman, his decades long patron and partner Angelo Tsakopoulos, scrambled with some notable success to get its freshly-financed ($2 million in new contributions from the Tsakopoulos family) TV advertising back on the air over the Memorial Day weekend. The problem was that the latest Tsakopoulos money, with no other matching contributions, came late last week, and normal time buying deadlines were moved up because of the holiday weekend. But by weekend’s end, a new TV ad from Californians for a Better Government was airing in most markets around California.
This TV ad, which has much the same style as an earlier spot from the Angelides campaign, features a firefighter, a teacher, and a police officer talking about their support for Angelides.
The Westly campaign had already launched a 15-second TV spot to counter it, pointing out that the great bulk of the funding for the IE campaign came not from the unions whose members appear in the ad but from Tsakopoulos.
But some more money from a non-Tsakopoulos source has just arrived for the Angelides IE. The $200,000 from the electrical workers union that I reported on May 21st was just about to arrive has finally arrived. Over the weekend, the IE reported to the California Secretary of State that the amount, sent from three separate union accounts (two locals and the union political action committee), has arrived in in its coffers.
At nearly $10 million, this IE is by far the largest in the history of California, easily dwarfing the $2 million spent by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association to elect Gray Davis to the governorship in 1998. And the Tsakopoulos contributions, closing in on $9 million, are the largest by an an individual or family group to an independent expenditure campaign in American political history.
As reported here and in the Sunday Los Angeles Times, Tsakopoulos has ferried Angelides repeatedly in his private plane and has important interests which fall under the sway of the governorship.
NOTE: The new pro-Angelides independent expenditure campaign ad is now available online at this location.
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>Nor is the new ad from from the pro-Angelides independent expenditure campaign online.
Maybe you forgot your morning coffee Bill – it’s up on the CPF website:
http://www.cpf.org/default/whats_new/cbg_television_ads/index.cfm
So… more union money for this so-called IE so that Mr. T can take a little more cover ….Below, is an excerpt from the Sac BEE 5/28 front page article… an example of how Mr. T and and family operate. Read it and Weep. Susan Jordan and Larry Fahn and the rest of the ENVIRON leadership appear to be standing up for Angelides and silent regarding Mr. T.’s troubling history, role in this primary race, his potential on an Angelides GUV Admin…what about our cause? what about their obligation to rank and file?..I do not know who will win this primary, but I do know this display of HYPOCRISY AND THE FAILURE TO ACT BY ENVIRON LEADERSHIP on what is going on here IS A MAJOR SETBACK FOR OUR CAUSE. Westly should do an AD about what is going on in Placer County, because if Phil wins this primary all of California lands are up for grab by Mr. T and family…”Simmons says the current politicians he most admires are U.S. Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville” Heck I know REEPS that would not vote for this guy because he is too conservative!…moreover, didn’t “CADTS” yesterday say something like Angelides appeal to the Environs that endorsed him was probably because he appeared the more “liberal” candidate… well then, will someone please ask Mr. “more liberal” Phil want he thinks about what Mr. T and family are doing in Placer County?…
“This year, Angelo Tsakopoulos and Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis have spent $8.7 million on an independent expenditure campaign to boost the gubernatorial fortunes of former AKT employee Angelides….Simmonsis an admirer of Doolittle…I know Reeps that would not even support him because he is so conservative but Mr. T’s money can because it is good for his business.
The Simmons race isn’t the first time the Tsakopoulos family has backed a Republican. The family often gives money to Republican candidates for local offices in districts where Democrats can’t hope to win.
What’s unusual is the scale of the involvement and the fact that Kyriakos Tsakopoulos is targeting an incumbent perceived as relatively moderate who is facing a challenger who describes himself as more conservative.
Citing their “strong family values,” Simmons says the current politicians he most admires are U.S. Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, and Assemblyman Tim Leslie, R-Tahoe City.
Weygandt, Santini and other local officials say the Tsakopoulos family’s opposition to Weygandt stems from the belief that he was to blame for their failure to secure quick county approval of their plans to donate about 1,100 acres in western Placer County for a private university and adjacent development that would pay for the university’s construction.
In 2003, the Christian Brothers order announced that it would build a four-year university but pulled out last year, saying the building approval process was taking too long.
Tsakopoulos’ “beef with Robert is simply that they do not feel he has supported their university project,” Santini said. “He has supported it. I honestly don’t know how the differences they have had about the ultimate shape of the project could have escalated to this point.”
The university site west of Roseville is amid thousands of acres of farmland, much of it owned by Angelo Tsakopoulos and his partners. Environmentalists criticize the proposal to donate land there as a ploy to eventually open the area for growth.”
That’s nice, Kevin. It wasn’t last night, nor did the CPF spokesman, with whom I spoke yesterday afternoon, mention it.
You know that I published this piece about an hour before you posted your comment.
Peek-a-boo politics.
Incidentally, Kevin, or “sactodem” according to your free e-mail address, under the rules of this site it is now time for you to reveal your full, real name, and relevant political associations.
Your posting history makes it clear that your principal purpose here is to advocate on behalf of the Angelides campaign.
I agree with Barbara. It is ludicrous that so-called environmental leaders stand by silently while a toxic, land-scraper developer like Tsakopoulos spends unprecedented millions trying to buy the governorship for his sock puppet, Angelides. Even if they believe Angelides is now a born-again, committed environmentalist, what do we think these enviro leaders would do if a huge developer — with long-time financial ties to Arnold — was doing a $9 million so-called “independent” expenditure on behalf of Arnold? We all know they’d be running around the state in high dudgeon denouncing this attempt by a noxious “special interest” to “buy the governorship.” Pure, unmitgated hypocrisy. And if I were a grass-roots member of one of these enviro groups, I would be steamed that my “leadership” was totally mute while a major developer tried to buy the governorship for a Democrat.
Garry, I think your new bundle of joy must be keeping you up and making you more cranky than you have to be. Is this going to be the tone of the campaign all the way to the final minute? I plan on asking Steve Westly about that later today when I get to meet him. He seems like a sunny guy. Too bad, you won’t be there, Garry. The meet-up is at a winery. You seem like you could use some mood relaxing vino.
Adam,
I agree with Barbara and Gary. The damage to the our political integrity is already done. If we keep this IE activity up, we as citizens will have absolutely no control over our government officials. With Big Business is in control, the little guys like you and I will gain nothing.
This failure of enviro leadership to advocate is not amusing. Placer County is not as “sexy” as coastal issues…but it is a big issue…it is a test case for both Phil and the current crop of environ leaders. The grass roots in N. CA especially in Placer, need support from other grass- roots around state and especially from Enviro leadership now… those of us who love nature and open space, love to cycle, hike and ride horses in N California are very worried…
Where is Phil? He needs to make a statement …May I assume he is aghast at Mr. T and family’s behavior in the Placer County Supervisor race?..so say that!….if he can’t be critical now he sure as heck won’t oppose whatever Mr. T wants AFTER he makes him Guv! Anyway, Phil should want to that because Phil’s very liberal soul should be shattered by Mr. T’s attempts to get a moderate smart growth candidate replaced by a very Conservative “Doolittle” REEP. Really ask yourself how can Phil take Mr. T’s money knowing what is going on in Placer County? PLACER COUNTY IS A BELLWETHER ISSUE …for environs …take look at that Brd of Sup race …at Mr. T and family …where is Phil?
Carole,
I wish IE’s were the only problem with how campaigns are financed. To my mind, even with this unpredecented one, they are not the most pressing problem. Long before IE’s were ‘pioneered’ (Garry South’s credit), we had no control over our government officials, other than voting them out, which most people seem disinclined to do. Until we have the fortitude to truly address pay-for-play, the taking of gifts, and the selling of access, all these other grievances are simply added to the long list of why people don’t trust politicians.
I have grown so absurdly tired of what these comments sections have turned in to. What started out as a legitimate place to have informed political discussion has turned into an endless rehashing of the same two or three debates with both sides getting more and more upset that the other side ‘doesn’t get it.’
Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way but I’ve had enough.
PS I blame the campaigns for failing to discuss any issues and give us something substantive to talk about.
The other night I was having dinner with an old friend, and she was complaining abour her confusion — not in a senior way — with the ads being airied by the two gubernatorial wannabes.
I attempted to explain to her how these ads are supposed to work, but she complained about a lack of information.
As has been posted many times before, this is not a new phenomenon.
However, I will differ from Scott and not lay the blame entirely with the campaigns.
Both of these candidates have layed out detailed policy proposals. Not dissertations, mind you, but there is enough out there to get a feel for where a candidate stands.
But do these proposals get reported on? A little. But any flack worth his salt will tell you it’s easier to pitch reporters on conflict than policy. Look at the headlines and placement of a story when a candiate “rips” the other versus “outlines” a plan to do x,y and z. The same holds true for TV news too.
But it’s not the media’s fault either. It’s ours for tuning out.
C’mon, all you non-flacks and non-hacks, have you studied or dissected the candidates’ policy proposals? Have you dived into those articles? Not me.
But I bet you all have read the stories featuring the candidates sniping at other. Why? Cause it’s fun and entertaining.
We are all to blame.
Hey, Scot, YOU don’t get ALL this stuff forwarded to you 24/7. (:
Comrade Bierko comments from the great beyond “’… all you non-flacks and non-hacks, have you studied or dissected the candidates’ policy proposals? Have you dived into those articles? Not me.”
I have lost all respect from them due to their insulting stances on taxes–which are so insubstantial and pandering as to not deserve two seconds worth of debunking. The structural deficit is a serious matter and we deserve to know what they think should be done to fix it. A pox on both!
P.S. – the incumbent is no better on this issue.
Scott,
If you were a candidate, I bet you would want us on your side.
Adam,
Changing diapers prepares you for the political shit storm,soon to come if Phil get elected.
Bierko,
Guilty as charged.
Well said Bierko, and I have to agree that we, as voters (or nonvoters all will be the case for the vast majority of the state), deserve a helping of blame as well.
Bill, I’m amazed you haven’t thrown your blackberry into the wall, repeatedly. I’ve said it before but thank you for putting up with us.
Dana, Westly has a budget plan which doesn’t account for what he wants to do. Angelides has an “exact” plan which he and his staff won’t spell out.
Bill:
Exactly! Smoke and mirror budget plans. I am an adult. Enough with the pablum budgetary voodoo!
EIGHT hours have passed and still no word from “Kevin,” aka “sactodem” with a freemail address, who was so quick to say the Angelides IE ad is so online.
And who, after reviewing his posting history, is clearly required to give his full real name and relevant affiliations to post here, since his principal purpose is to advocate on behalf of Angelides.
Not only did he get the post from me above, he got a personal e-mail.
I’ve lost track of how many times I have gone through this very exercise.
Childish …
Angelo is Greek. Phil is Greek. The Greek community supports one other. that is the essence of this IE.
oops….I meant “one another” sorry.
Matt,
If it’s Greeks supporting Greeks, then why won’t they answer any questions about this IE? If everything was so simple, then why don’t we get simple real responses from Angelo? This extreme secrecy makes NO SENSE if there is nothing to hide. Your answer is the only one we have been given, and it just doesn’t do it for me. If Angelo would come out and explain himself, then the public would be given a chance to evaluate the situation, but the whole “no comment” business is ridiculous. I would be willing to even hear the response you gave if it came from Angelo in the process of a real interview. Why be secretive with nothing to hide? It is adverse to the public interest, and it reeks of foul play.
Just watched three commercial breaks during the local news with the hopes of seeing some of the latest political commercials and boy did I get what I asked for. During the breaks there were no non-election commercials until the end of the third break which had an two other ads. There was a yes on 82 ad featuring Antonio (very good ad), the Angelides ie (positive), Delgadillo (positive/negative). Then during the next break there was a no on 82 ad (also very effective) and an Angelides campaign ad (believe it or not a positive ad touting his endorsements). The third break had the Garamendi ad (positive/negative), and a Westly ad (the negative one that ends ‘if the environment is important to you…).
All in all it was a rather impressive amount of political advertising with all of the ads being pretty well polished and relatively effective. I especially liked the two Angelides ads during which I think they said his name a grand total of 432 times. I guess we’ll find out what ads everyone liked the best next Tuesday…
BTW, did everyone see the Bee pieces about Tsakopoulos’s son now doing another IE in support of a rightwing Republican in Placer Co. — where the Tsakopouloses have mucho property interests — running against a well-regarded incumbent Supe? I don’t believe this beneficiary is Greek — and he certainly isn’t even a Democrat. So much for the idiotic “Angelo supports Greeks and Democrats out of the goodness of his heart” defense that Angelides has used to brush off questions about the massive support of himself. It’s all about business — Tsakopoulos family business.
Greek? That is what Tsakopoulos wants to do to the land.
Yeah, that may be true Garry, but it is all insider baseball stuff to the public, many of whom have started to tune out of the election. Enjoy your record low turnout, Angelides and Westly. You earned it.
(33% is the number to beat, which was the number in the 2002 primary. Add the fact that many would be voters are out vacationing or enjoying the fine weather, and the negative ads and lack of competitive down-ticket races on the Republican side save Controller, and I wouldn’t be surprised if turnout dropped below 30%.)
PLACER COUNTY IS A BELLWETHER ISSUE …for environs …take look at that Brd of Sup race …at Mr. T and family …where is Phil?
And where oh where is our Enviro Leadership! They made themselves part of this primary with their ENDORSEMENTS. They need to address Mr. T.’s actions regarding the so-called I.E. and in Placer Sup. Race…I assume “leadership” understand they are where they are because of dues and donations from the rank and file who are not happy per e-mail traffic in all our in boxes.
Ok Barbara, we get it, you’re outraged. I honestly believe that your decision to stop being a member of these organizations is commendable given how much this upsets you. I think that it’s important people support causes they believe in and take that support away when those same people misuse the trust we place in them, as you believe these organizations have done.
That said, you’ve said this same thing about 15 times now. Can we please just all agree to disagree on this and move onto to other topics.
Gosh, I would love to just post about how many ADS I have seen, and critique them for the masses …but unfortunately, I don’t sit around and watch TV as much as some people do…I am usually off riding my horse in PLACER COUNTY!!!
BRIAN , I ordered “Black Mass” the book on Irish mafia/politicians …sounds great! Thank You
I agree that the Placer IE is very transparent and has everything to do with Angelo’s financial interests up there. But the Angelides one has more to do with the Greek connection as well as the fact that Angelo regards Phil as something of an adopted son.
How would you possibly know that?
Doesn’t a son want to please his father? lol
“But the Angelides one has more to do with the Greek connection as well as the fact that Angelo regards Phil as something of an adopted son.”