News : POLITICO California Playbook: Time for NEWSOM to call in the BIG GUNS? — CAGOP votes NO ENDORSEMENT — DIXIE FIRE rages, GREENVILLE destroyed

Monday, August 9, 2021

POLITICO California Playbook: Time for NEWSOM to call in the BIG GUNS? — CAGOP votes NO ENDORSEMENT — DIXIE FIRE rages, GREENVILLE destroyed — DELTA variant surging in LA, Bay Area

Aug 09, 2021

By Carla Marinucci, Jeremy B. White and Camryn Dadey

THE BUZZ — SHOULD NEWSOM CALL IN THE BIG GUNS? With the Sept. 14 recall election approaching and ballots already in the mail, some Democrats are warning that Gov. Gavin Newsom's team needs to put pedal to the metal — to educate, inspire and turn out Democratic voters.

OUR LUNCH WITH WILLIE: Among those raising the alarm is Willie Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco and sage of the state Assembly, who laid out his concerns during a two-hour lunch at John's Grill this weekend in San Francisco. Over shrimp cocktails and fish and chips, Brown — who mentored Newsom and appointed him to his first political position — had some stark advice for the governor's team: Move it.

"As of Election Day, Gavin is behind by 2.1 million votes: the people who signed those recall petitions," Brown told us. "And they are all going to vote." Newsom may have a big money advantage with $45 million in the bank, as Jeremy reported Friday. But "money is not going to win this election," Brown added. "It is not a traditional campaign."

Brown said his daily conversations with Democrats on the street still show some shocking ignorance about the coming election among Newsom's base voters. Case in point: He says Democrats at a recent Chinatown gathering told him "they were going to vote 'yes' on the recall ballot to help Gavin.'' He had to school them: "No! You have to vote no."

ANGER AND INDIFFERENCE: Then there's the problem of Democrats who are angry with Newsom about school closures or a myriad of other issues, indifferent about the election's outcome or just plain unmotivated. "You don't have to convince them to be for Gavin,'' he said. "You just have to convince them to vote."

What to do, with time running out? "This election is all about turnout,'' Brown said. "You need to run the same campaign here that Stacey Abrams ran in Georgia. They need Stacey Abrams to come out here and escort every Democrat to the ballot box, wherever they are, when they receive their ballots. Stacey Abrams' operation needs to be there, to get those in.''

Brown is not alone among Democrats who think Newsom's team miscalculated by tapping Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts as lead spokesperson in commercials. "She's too liberal, even for a lot of Californians,'' one leading Democrat told us. Others say she simply doesn't connect with many of the Democratic and independent voters, who still need to be convinced Newsom is worth their support.

BIG, BOLD ASKS — Some of the other names that Team Newsom might want to tap:

— President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris: The president has his hands full, yes, but there are reports that Harris has already agreed to have a role in helping the embattled California governor. An ad by Biden could help — especially as the stakes for Democrats nationally have ramped up now that another leading blue-state governor, New York's Andrew Cuomo, is about to go down.

— Jerry Brown: The former four-term governor has been quiet so far on this critical race, except for predicting that Newsom won't be recalled . But his role as a straight-talking elder statesman makes him the most powerful Democratic voice to convince Californians to vote no on that first question. The Brown-Newsom relationship has never been particularly comfortable, in part due to lingering effects of Newsom's 2010 primary challenge for governor. So "Jerry would make him beg,'' GOP strategist Rob Stutzman said of Newsom. "But if Jerry were in, Jerry would end this."

— Rep. Barbara Lee: Popular with women and progressives and a powerful figure with Black voters — many of whom still need to be engaged, Willie Brown said — Lee has also sat out the recall so far. Lee was passed over for Harris' U.S. Senate seat, which eventually went to Alex Padilla, so she may not feel inclined to help the governor. But some state political insiders say both Lee and Rep. Karen Bass could help grab Democrats' attention at a critical time.

— Jane Fonda: The SF Chronicle's Tal Kopan reported the actor looked to get into the race herself, but maybe there's still a role for her. "At this point, you need to elevate this recall to the level of the Oscars or the Olympics,'' Brown said. "Bring in Jane Fonda."

AND THERE'S THIS — " California GOP won't endorse a candidate in Newsom recall, by POLITICO's Jeremy B. White: Hours before party delegates were set to choose between four Republican candidates, a pair of party officials circulated a motion to scrap the process and instead issue no endorsement. They warned that selecting one candidate could make it less likely that voters recall Newsom because "the CAGOP tipping the scale may deter some voters."

BUENOS DÍAS, good Monday morning. We have some big weeks ahead in California, with a handful of new GOP debates tentatively on the calendar. Among them: August 17 at the Sacramento Press Club; August 19, as hosted by KRON and Nextstar Media; and a third on August 25 hosted by KCRA and the SF Chronicle. The Nixon Library has also indicated it may try to schedule another debate the week of August 22.

Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit cmarinucci@politico.com or jwhite@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @cmarinucci and @jeremybwhite.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The town is completely gone. The town has been devastated and leveled." Eva Gorman, owner of a shop called Josefina Fine Knits, laments the Dixie Fire's destruction of the tiny Northern California mountain town of Greenville, via SacBee's Ryan Sabalow, Amelia Davidson and Dale Kasler.

TWEET OF THE DAY: Assemblymember @LorenaSGonzalez reveals she has breast cancer: "Breast Cancer: just another hater trying to kill my vibe. Not. Going. To. Happen."

PODCAST OF THE DAY — "California State of Mind,'' via CalMatters: Democratic strategist Garry South and Stutzman talk about the California recall.

WHERE'S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

TOP TALKERS

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — STUTZMAN LEADS BIPARTISAN TEAM FOR SCHUBERT: Stutzman is taking the lead in a bipartisan team that will be advising independent Ann Marie Schubert in her run for attorney general, POLITICO has learned. Stutzman, founder and president of Stutzman Public Affairs — and former deputy chief of staff and communications guru to Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2003 recall — will be joined on the team by Democrat Bryan Miller, president of Neptune Ops. Miller worked both the Clinton/Gore campaign and served as a member of the Obama for America national fundraising committee in 2008.

The campaign effort may be a landmark — but then, so is the indy run by Schubert, whose 30-year law enforcement career includes the successful investigation, arrest and conviction of the Golden State Killer. "Ann Marie is running as an independent … because she thinks the Attorney General should be a non-partisan office,'' Stutzman said. And as crime remains a top issue for California voters, "we have a solid base among independents and we can attract both Democrats and Republicans." Stay tuned.

PG&E AGAIN? — " Dixie Fire becomes largest single wildfire in California history, by POLITICO's Colby Bermel: "The troubling development reflects not just the dire effects of climate change and neglected forest management, but also that the electric grid remains prone to sparking wildfires. Pacific Gas & Electric disclosed last month that its equipment may have caused the catastrophic blaze.

QUESTIONS — " Judge demands PG&E explain potential role in start of Dixie Fire,'' by MercNews' Nate Gartrell: The judge pushed further into PG&E's operations: "Please identify each fire that PG&E started, or is suspected to have started, this wildfire season," Alsup wrote. The company has until Aug. 16 to comply.

WATER WARS — "California's desert becoming a hotbed for water bandits ," by CalMatters' Byrhonda Lyons: "Known for its starry skies, Joshua Trees and 100-plus-degree heat, California's vast desert has recently become a hotbed of something else: thieves stealing California's water. So who's on the receiving end of all this theft? Local investigators say it's often illegal pot farms."

AG STATE PORK — "Iowa Sens. Ernst, Grassley introduce bill to combat California pork law," by KWWL. "Iowa Republican Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley are among a group of Republicans that have introduced legislation to push back against a California animal welfare law set to go in effect on January 1."

CAMPAIGN MODE

PLAYBOOK EXCLOO — A BIG NON-ENDORSEMENT: Alexandra Datig, a GOP political blogger and commentator who served as Larry Elder's longtime radio and website producer — and who was formerly engaged to him — has endorsed former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer in the California recall.

"I don't like Gavin Newsom. I think he's a terrible governor,'' Datig, the editor-in-chief of the Front Page Index blog, said in an interview Friday. "But I've talked to friends in the GOP and said, 'You need to look at this. It's not a beauty contest. ... It's about ability and capacity. And I don't think Larry Elder has the ability or the capacity.''

The pointed comments come from someone who knows Elder better than most: Datig's official bio notes that her work with him has included "producing over 100 shows of the now nationally syndicated Larry Elder Show,'' helping to boost his show to the top spot on a major global webcasting platform.

Datig says she also created The Elder Statement blog, helping it boost its circulation to 3 million views in its first year, while also mounting a successful campaign on Elder's behalf to secure him a coveted nomination star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

It was during that period that Datig also had a long-running romantic relationship with Elder and lived with him for 18 months. They were engaged but never married, she said. (Angelenos may know Datig's name from her role as an informant in the case against convicted Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, though in the years since she's been active in political commentary and the Southland's Republican politics.)

Datig said she broke up with Elder in 2015 and is under the confines of a nondisclosure agreement, which bars her from commenting on their relationship. But she told POLITICO that, at least regarding politics, "Gavin Newsom is the devil you know. Larry Elder is the devil you think you know." Elder's campaign spokesperson, Ying Ma, declined to comment.

MONEYBALL — Larry Elder surges to GOP fundraising lead, but Newsom still lapping recall field, by POLITICO's Jeremy B. White.

TRUMP-ELDER 2024? — "How far could Larry Elder go?" by Daily Bulletin's Doug McIntyre: "When Donald Trump decides to pull a Grover Cleveland and seek a non-consecutive second term in 2024 he's going to need a running mate. Elder's name would fit perfectly on a bumper sticker next to Donald Trump's."

GAME PLAYER — " Recall Candidate Rolls the Dice in Fresno With Latest Anti-Newsom Gimmick," by GVWire's David Taub: "John Cox brought his recall game back to Fresno on Friday, this time in the form a large 'Gavinopoly' board based on a Monopoly theme."

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CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR

STREET TALK — "Newsom, in recall fight, says it's 'not acceptable' for homeless to camp on streets," by LATimes' Benjamin Oreskes: "Newsom expressed strong support Thursday for increased efforts around California to remove large homeless encampments, calling them unacceptable and saying the state will need more federal help to create additional housing and expand services for homeless people."

RESISTANCE — "California fire rages, but some defend property at gunpoint,'' via LATimes: Greg Hagwood, a Plumas County supervisor, said that in the last 72 hours, as fire has swept through or threatened small mountain towns including Greenville, the evacuations have grown tense — in some cases, residents have met law enforcement with weapons. "They are met with people who have guns and [are] saying, 'Get off my property and you are not telling me to leave,'" he said.

— "These parts of Northern California are seeing the worst air quality in the world ," by SFChronicle's Annie Vainshtein and Deborah Wandell: "In parts of Plumas County, air quality reached 834 — far beyond 300, where hazardous levels begin, according to data from the World Air Quality Index."

BORENSTEIN — "19% of California COVID cases are breakthroughs,'' by Daniel Borenstein via MercNews: Although vaccinated people are well-protected against serious illness, they can, if infected and even if they're not showing symptoms, spread the virus to others. Indeed, people with breakthrough infections of the delta variant might be just as contagious as unvaccinated people, although the science continues evolving on that point.

BACK WITH A VENGEANCE — " L.A. County reports more than 4,000 new coronavirus cases, attributed in part to increased testing,'' via LATimes' Jaclyn Cosgrove.

— "San Francisco sheriff's deputies threaten to quit over COVID-19 vaccine mandate," by the LATimes: "The San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs' Assn. said on its Facebook page Friday that about 160 of 600 sheriff employees are rejecting the vaccine due to religious or other beliefs, and would rather wear masks or test weekly."

— "Palm Springs will require vaccinations or negative Covid-19 tests for indoor dining," by LATimes' Stephanie Breijo.

SHOCKER — "Jon Jacobo, rising San Francisco political star, resigns from commission after rape accusation," by SFChronicle's Cynthia Dizikes and Matthias Gafni.

BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL

— "Kamala Harris Knows She's Trapped," by the Atlantic's Peter Nicholas: "The vice president needs to win over the voters who approve of Biden, but not of her performance."

SILICON VALLEYLAND

— "Apple to scan U.S. iPhones for images of child sexual abuse," by AP's Frank Bajak and Barbara Ortutay: "The tool designed to detected known images of child sexual abuse, called 'NeuralHash,' will scan images before they are uploaded to iCloud. If it finds a match, the image will be reviewed by a human."

CANNABIS COUNTRY

— "Cannabis Ice Cream Is Coming. Here's The Scoop On How To Get It," by Forbes' Emily Price.

HOLLYWOODLAND

— "Hollywood is booming despite Delta variant as production surges past pre-pandemic levels," by LATimes' Anousha Sakoui: "Even as a new infectious variant of COVID-19 threatens Californians, the film and television industry recorded 9,791 shoot days in the second quarter of 2021 — up 4,947% from the 194 shoot days for the same period last year and up 40% from 7,011 shoot days in the first quarter of this year."

MIXTAPE

— "Video of San Diego County Officer's Collapse After Handling Powder Draws Skepticism," by NYTimes' Isabella Grullón Paz.

— " Listen: San Francisco's Beloved Libraries Are Back," by SFChronicle's Peter Hartlaub & Heather Knight.

— "Tech mogul's $15.5 million Lake Tahoe estate comes with its own skate park," by Mercury News.

— " Andre Iguodala to return to Warriors on one-year, veteran-minimum deal," by SFChronicle's Connor Letourneau.

— "Ocean Water Use Warning In Effect For Santa Monica State Beach," by Patch's Nicole Charky.

— " In a twist, Kristin Smart's alleged killer wants Scott Peterson to testify," by Fox 11's Henry Lee and Aja Seldon:

— "Judge halts Mills College, Northeastern University merger," by KCBS Radio's Edie Frederick.

— " Whistleblower allegations result in $11.4 million settlement by San Mateo County Medical Center," by SFChronicle's Megan Cassidy and Raheem Hosseini.

TRANSITIONS

LARA TAPS GABE — Gabriel Sanchez, a former spokesman and strategist for Gov. Gray Davis and most recently for First 5 LA, has been named press secretary for the California Department of Insurance, headed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.

IN MEMORIAM

— "Bob Ringwald, a Sacramento jazz musician, dies at 80," written by his daughter, Molly Ringwald.

— " Allen Glick Dies at 79: La Jollan was Tool of Mob Takeover of Las Vegas in 1970s," by the Times of San Diego's Ken Stone.

BIRTHDAYS

Bill Burton … Jake Elitzer … Facebook's Robert Traynham

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