I am very, very pleased to announce the launch of the website GovernorPhil.com. Inspired by Raising Kaine in Virginia, that helped elect Tim Kaine governor of Virginia (and soon, Jim Webb), and Lamont blog which recently helped win the nomination for Ned Lamont in the Connecticut Democratic primary.
GovernorPhil.com is another in a series of people powered grassroots websites. In this case put together by a dedicated group of blogosphere types, (aka: myself, Conan Newton, ex-director of Bands Against Bush, long time poster to dkos, mydd, and others, Brian Leubitz (aka: utbriancl) of Calitics, Jenifer Fernandez Ancona (aka: jra) of Power PAC, Dan Ancona (aka: da)of SpeakOutCalifornia.org, Frank D. Russo of The California Progress Report and many more.
Quite simply, this election is not just about the current California recall governor. Certainly that guy is odious, in the pocket of big business and the extreme right wing, all the while acting the part of a moderate. However, while pointing out the current govenor’s lies, misdirections, and dangerous policis, this site is designing to be about helping present the vision and character of California’s next Governor, Philip Nicholas Angelides. Or as we hope to call him soon. Governor Phil
More behind the cut.
The idea behind Governor Phil is two fold, first we want to fill in the gaps from the campaign site, and provide information, commentary and news that might otherwise be lost in the shuffle. Many in the lap dog are so enraptured by the Actor/Recall Governor that they will simply print his press releases as fact. GovernorPhil is designed to be more then just a cheerleading site, we are here for one of the things the blogosphere does best, rapid response as well.
We’re not under the impression we’re reinventing the wheel here, we just want to take what we’ve learned in Virginia and Connecticut and use it here in blue California.
The fact of the matter is that Phil Angelides is the man with the plan, he is a real reformer, his policies are excellent, and he will be the best governor this state has seen in quite some time, he is in it, to win it, but he needs our muscle to help get there.
Phil envisions a California:
* Where people are always given more chances to climb the ladder of opportunity.
* Where we truly support hard-working families rather than lavish more on those who have the most.
* Where education is truly our first priority, so all of our kids have the best teachers, the best textbooks, the best technology, the smallest class sizes, and all the help they need to feed their hungry young minds.
* Where higher education is truly affordable to everyone, so all of our young people can compete for and win the high-wage jobs of the future.
* Where we expand health care for working Californians and their children, and then move on to universal health care — making our state a model for the nation.
* Where we lead the fight against global warming, becoming a national leader in clean, alternative energy.
* Where we have the courage and vision to achieve these goals by making sure that everyone contributes their fair share to our state.That is the California we can build together.
It will not be easy. But Phil has the strength of conviction to lead this difficult task. In his own words, this is how he describes his motivation:
“My father always told me: for every advantage you have been given, remember, there are people who work fifteen hours a day just to survive, people who never get a break from anyone. He told me: don’t ever, ever forget them.
If you elect me as your Governor, I won’t forget. I will give everything I have to make this state the home to your hopes, your own California dream.”
Now, we of GovernorPhil.com understand that there are many Californians out there who are upset about how the primary played out. We also understand that there are many of you out there with strong opinions on how the campaign is being run, some of us share your concerns, but we are here to help fill in the gaps with a little elbow grease and people power.
In most situations, you will find there are three choices, you can be part of the solution, part of the problem, or part of the scenery. As far as this election goes, we of the Governor Phil group are determined to be part of the solution, and would love it if you all would come along.
You’ll notice a lot of answers to popular questions at the PhAQ.
And we have links to ways you can get involved.
So please check out and bookmark GovernorPhil.com, spread the word to whoever you know.
Together we can make Governor Phil a reality, and take back California.
-C.
