Dave RahardjaGood riddance, sex pest.
Now let’s see who groups will endorse instead of him: Katie Porter, or Tom Steyer?
“Eric Swalwell drops bid for California governor after sexual misconduct allegations”
sgt1372@drahardja He wasn't my pick & there are at least 4 others who have NO CHANCE of winning & need to drop out too.
What's left wouldn't be appealing but at least there will probably be a Dem left in the race to face one of the GOP candidates in Nov.
Right now I'm leaning towards Mahan but that could change, depending on who stays & who goes.
955_36@sgt1372 @drahardja Mahan is the least progressive and the darling of the tech bros. They’re backing him because they don’t expect a Republican to have a chance so he is their best hope.
@955_36 @drahardja If not Mahan, who?
The 3 remaining candidates that I think should drop out because they have no chance to win are: Thurmond, Yee & Villaraigosa.
So, IMO that just leaves Mahan, Porter, Becerra & Steyer.
On paper, Katie Porter is the most progressive but she's more moderate than some would otherwise think. The question is whether she has state wide appeal beyond progressive Dems & personally I doubt that.
Steyer characterizes himself as a progressive Dem & says the right things but I don't trust him because it's hard to get past the fact that he's using his wealth to try to buy the office.
Becerra is the most "authentic" Dem of the bunch but does his work as AG provide him what it takes to run the state politically -- both north & south, blue & red? I'm not sure of that.
Mahan has shown that he can work with diverse groups in SJ &, like it or not, he has that "it" factor (that Gavin also has) which increases his likeability across party lines & the probability that he can win.
Ezra@sgt1372 @955_36 @drahardja i like porter but she would be a better senator. I like Mahan but he is too involved with the tech assholes. Bacerra or Stayer right now. But seriously whoever is polling highest will probably get my vote so we don’t end up with two maga candidates.
@Ezra_Bridger @sgt1372 @955_36 It’s honestly either Porter or Steyer. Becerra is trailing in the polls, and so is Mahan.
I will probably choose Porter, imperfect and awful as she is. I don’t really trust Steyer; he is a billionaire after all.
@drahardja @Ezra_Bridger @sgt1372 Here is the polling among Indivisible members. This was taken right before the Swalwell news came out.
@Ezra_Bridger @955_36 @drahardja Swalwell was leading in the polls at about 15-18 & Porter was next about about 11-12%.
Swalwell's withdrawal should throw more votes Porter's way & make her competitive w/the GOP candidates.
Trump's recent endorsement of Hilton should swing votes his way too. And in a two horse race between Porter & Hilton, Porter should win.
As much as I prefer him, Mahan is only polling about about 4%; the same for Becerra. So, unless something changes, they really don't have a chance to run for governor.
The ringer is Steyer who a was polling at about 10-13%.
If he withdraws most of his votes "should" go to Porter &, at worst, make it a race between her & Hilton (15-17%).
Unfortunately, I don't think Steyer is going to withdraw & that could be the main reason that it will be a two Republican race between Hilton and Bianco (13-15%)
Of course, I'd vote for Porter if she's the Dem candidate but that remains to be seen.
We need new polling data ASAP!!!
@sgt1372 @955_36 @drahardja who thought this open primary top two system was a better idea? I’d like to have a primary for democrats.
I voted for porter for senate. Just not sure about her management or temperament for governor. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t vote for her. Bacerra is boring but his policy stances are in line. I hate all wealthy people for destroying this country, so steyer is suspect. I like mahan, I live near San Jose, but no one knows him. It’s the wrong time to kiss tech executives butts. I don’t get that really. I’d like to see a debate with porter, Bacerra, stayer, and mahan.
@sgt1372 @drahardja Except for Meyer, Mahan would be my last choice. Even with the current situation, I’m confident we’ll get at least one Dem in the general. Republicans have a choice between a guy Trump endorsed, and now has to carry that anchor, and a guy who stole ballots because he has the same mindset as Trump.
So you should vote in the primary based on which candidate reflects your values best, not who you think has the best chance of beating the Republicans. With the state 40% GOP, the best they can do if they tie is 20% of the vote. That leaves a lot of room for one candidate to beat them. And that’s based on a tie.
As a progressive, I’m going to put my vote to elect a progressive. Dems consistently make the mistake of saying we need moderates in order to win. Then please explain how Mandami is now mayor. Progressives have been ignored far too long in the Democratic Party, yet we’re the ones doing the work, organizing and protesting.
@sgt1372 @drahardja I'm not sure what you even mean by the "it" factor. Gavin has the unique talent of being hated by both parties. I hope he doesn't end up being our choice for president in 2028.
I don't think Mahan is even known outside of the Bay Area. I had never heard of him until I read that all the tech bros were throwing money at him to get him elected. That's a big red flag waving right there.