Final endorsements

With the election now just two days away, let me repeat all of my 2006 general election endorsements.  I note that I have switched on one key statewide race.  All endorsements are for Democrats save where noted.

State Offices

Governor: Peter Camejo, Green

Lieutenant Governor: John Garamendi

Treasurer:  Bill Lockyer

Insurance Commissioner: Steve Poizner, Republican

Attorney General: Jerry Brown

Controller: John Chiang

Secretary of State:  Debra Bowen (I have switched on this race, reasons to follow)

US Senate: Dianne Feinstein

29th Congressional District: Bill Paparian, Green

44th Assembly District:  Ricardo Costa, Green

State Propositions:

1A: No
1B,1C, 1D, 1E: Yes
83: No
84: Yes
85: No
86: Yes
87: Yes
88: Yes
89: Yes
90: No

I’m voting for one Republican, the moderate Steve Poizner.  Though I am a registered Democrat, I am not now nor have I ever been a  "straight ticket" voter.  In my heart, largely for environmental and animal rights reasons, I’m a Green.  When the choice is between a moderate Democrat and a Green, I vote Green when I am certain that the Democrat is either certain to win  — or  to lose (as with Angelides.)  When the race is close, I vote Democratic.  Rarely, as with Poizner, the Republican is clearly the best candidate.  With Feinstein, I go back and forth — she’s a moderate Democrat at best, but I’m gaining affection for her in our old age.  She won’t be on the ballot again.

I had planned to vote Bruce McPherson for Secretary of State.  A moderate, pro-choice Republican with a fine record on the environment, I hadn’t realized he has a very welcoming and uncritical approach to electronic voting machines.  His Democratic opponent, Debra Bowen, is far more suspicious of these new devices, and will demand greater accountability.  With reluctance, I am voting against a man I deeply admire.

Time permitting, I will explain my endorsements when asked.  Use the comments section.