Bill Clinton supports Gavin Newsom for California governor

Seventeen years after Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown clashed in the 1992 race for the White House, the former president made clear today that bygones will not be bygones in the 2010 campaign for California governor: Clinton signed on to support Brown rival Gavin Newsom in the Democratic primary.

It is highly unusual – perhaps unprecedented, according to the San Francisco mayor’s campaign – for a former president to take sides in a California gubernatorial primary. But the bad blood between Clinton and Brown, now state attorney general, runs deep, much as Newsom would like Californians to believe that Clinton’s choice is based on merit alone.

“This is not some kind of payback on Bill Clinton’s part,” Newsom strategist Garry South said. “He doesn’t think that way.”

Tensions in the 1992 race for the Democratic presidential nomination peaked at a debate in Chicago, where Brown accused Clinton of “funneling money to his wife’s law firm for state business.”

“I don’t care what you say about me, but you ought to be ashamed of yourself for jumping on my wife,” Clinton snapped, shaking his finger at Brown. “You’re not worth being on the same platform as my wife.”

Clinton plans two stops with Newsom on Oct. 5 – a public event in East L.A. and a fundraiser in Los Angeles --  with details still to be worked out, South said.

Neither Clinton nor Brown, who has not yet formally entered the governor’s race, was immediately available for comment.

-- Michael Finnegan in Los Angeles

Comments

[Mark]

Cool. I've been for Newsom since he announced. It would be awesome to see him become Governor.

[James Kent]

In case California's have short memories (or no memories at all), it was Clinton who started the economic destruction of California in his first term by taking all the Aerospace contracts from California. He then reallocated those contracts to five other states. Anyone who worked in Aerospace at that time and still lives in California will surely want to support someone he supports, yeah, right!

[captain grumpy]

If Clinton promotes anyone,its a good reason to do the opposite. As for his wife,she can stick up for himself. Although there is probably some truth in the reason for hatred.

[Ky tin]

I do not like Jerry Brown anyway. He states one thing then does another. He did not perform as Attorney General but rather as someone who thought swaying to Gay and Lesbian vote is going to help him

[thealaskan]

If Clinton registers in LA then Newsome should have at least one vote.

[Tommy D]

Let me get this straight. Bill Clinton is mad at Jerry Brown because Brown dissed Hillary. So, not to be outdone by Brown, Bill cheats on Hillary. Makes total sense.

[Louie]

I like Newsom as a person, but I've gotta go with Jerry Brown for governor. Hopefully Bill's endorsement will be as unsuccessful as it was last fall.

[Rudy Haugeneder,]

Gee, based on Clinton's example, I wonder who Obama will support for Gov. after Barack serves out his term as president? Will it be a Republican or a Democrat?

[Abogada Adelante]

Bill Clinton is wrong again!

[Lothario]

Since when has Bill Clinton been concerned about people jumping on his wife?

[Juan Flores]

Are you joking? I don't care if The Pope endorses Newsom. Newsom backstabbed his friend and deputy chief of staff, Alex Tourk by having sex with his wife!
"Politics it seems to me, for years, or all too long, Has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong"(Richard Armour)

Newsom sleeping with his friend's wife is wrong on so many levels.

No thanks

Juan Flores
Registered Democrat
Los Angeles Ca.

[Sabiane]

My bet is on Jerry, as in Brown.

Brown in 2010.

[ALEX]

Good of Finnegan to include the last sentence.
I must concur with Garry South--William Jefferson Clinton
is not one to use the politics of personal destruction,
which includes perpetrating vengeful acts.

What a revelation? A Man of Highest Merit signs on to support
A Man of Merit for California Governor. First Edition, eh?

[Jules]

VOTE FOR BROWN - he's brilliant and an experienced politician - maybe he can sort out the mess that is California government.

[tom]

Neither Brown or Nuisance or Hillary or ANY of them are qualified to be governor.

[stewart]

Seems to me, Jerry Brown has the right stuff in his background to step right in to this job, IF he decides to even run at all right?
Its probably high time to embark on a draft Brown campaign because in my opinion? Every day brings new challenges that the current administration seems unsable to address.
During this era of red ink flowing like a river the last thing we need is another governor doing on the job training!
Brown 2010...

[Levon in Friscotown]

wow Mark - Governor Newsom: "awesome"? Been up here to frisco lately? it's like an open sewer and bankrupt to boot. Newsom's polling in the Dem's race are lower in SF than they are statewide- he's an empty vapid shell of a politician....there's no there there.

What precisely would make governor Newsom "awesome"? Do you sincerely think he's the best candidate (or Democrat) for the job? Bill Clinton can't float the Titanic either. Gerry's already been Gov. Time for new blood, and some serious fiscal management instead of the usual suspects.

[Victor]

Bill Clinton was President, I'm already planning to vote supporting Clinton as the New Governor of California. I heard Bill did good a President. Who knows what about Brown? My opinion is Bill Clinton can 'out-debate' Brown. People are propably saying easy; unless Clinton has Cheap- Shots of his own. I don't even know who Brown is, after getting responded that way by Bill Clinton, Governors possition don't "seem" right in Browns favor, after being address that way by Ex-President Clinton.