Now, trouble in California? Obama jumps into the governor's race to help Jerry Brown vs. Meg Whitman

As a likely reflection of how challenging the nation's political environment has become for Democrats, President Obama on Tuesday jumped into the governor's race in, of all places, California, which his party has taken for granted for years -- except when it comes to fundraising.

In an e-mail to many of the millions of names in the contact list of Obama's Organizing for America perpetual campaign operation, the vacationing Democrat urged his supporters to also support Jerry Brown, one of the Golden State's more enduring politicians who should need no introduction -- nor help -- in the longtime Democratic stronghold of California.

Brown wants to be governor again after his terms from 1975 to 1983, back when Obama was in school and Ronald Reagan had just been governor. Brown also was mayor of Oakland and is now the state attorney general.

But in this crummy economic climate with the state's unemployment at 12.3%, the 72-year-old....

... career pol faces an ominous challenge from GOP businesswoman Meg Whitman, who has enough of her own money to run a campaign in one of the country's most expensive media markets.

"These next few years offer a complex series of challenges," Obama says in Tuesday's e-mail. "For California and our nation -- and there is much we must accomplish together. Meeting these challenges will be possible only if we have bold leaders like Jerry Brown working alongside us."

Obama's e-mail says Brown "wants to return to Sacramento to bring that passion to the governor's office, and he needs our help to ensure that he wins this race."

Clearly relishing the president's involvement, a top aide to Whitman reacted:

"After two days of press accounts about Whitman leading a GOP juggernaut all the way down to the level of state assembly races, it looks like air raid sirens are sounding in Jerry Inc. world. A panic-stricken John Burton probably called the White House. But all Obama's horses, and all Obama's men just can't put one lame campaign back together again."

Obama's recent help for other troubled Democratic candidates has been less than, well, helpful -- ask his party's candidates in Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts and newly-unearthed Democrat Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania, all of whom lost after receiving Obama endorsements and campaign help.

Polls earlier this year showed that while Obama's favorability was sinking elsewhere, it remained stronger in California. Nationally, Obama's disapproval has now topped 50%, his approval sunk to 41% and Republicans are smelling blood in the Nov. 2 midterm elections by attacking Democrats on their handling of jobs and the economy.

House Republican Leader John Boehner on Tuesday called for the president to fire his entire economic team for its lack of effectiveness and inexperience in business.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Brown. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times; Matt Stroshane / Bloomberg News (Whitman).

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Comments

[Ron]

Time for a change!

[Rick laBonte]

If you needed any more proof that Jerry Brown is a radical marxist, you now have it. He's being visited by the #1 radical marxist in America - Barack Hussein.

[Scott]

Oilbama is the kiss of death for Brown and Boxer even California is realizing that some school getting $587 million and pensions that are breaking the budgets back in Sacremento.

Whitman can outspend any of Barry's "Organizing/Socializing for America" morons except Soros. I wonder how many of those union workers and college students have now put the VOTUS (Vacationer of the US) on block sender???

[Tom]

How Brown lost it? California is one of, if not the most liberal/far-left/progressive states in the nation. If Brown is so afraid of losing as to call on President Obama for help, it's worse for him than I believed. This is a big mistake for Brown. Obama will only hurt him. Brown will be linked to every mistake Obama has made. Looks like Whitman really does have a chance.

[Vince Calhoun]

What a waste and a fraud being perpetrated on the American citizen! It's hard to fight an ideaology that is bent on destroying everything Americans have fought for in the last 65 years! We have a racially motivated President waging war on the majority with his equally racially motivated Justice Department who does not uphold Title 8.0 USC, and allows illegal aliens to invade! If that isn't enough now we have our President campaigning to help the crazy 50's Hippie- liberal Jerry Brown! Other than that, Obama goes on vacation!
What's up? Can't spend enough on jet fuel for Air Force 1?
Why not stay in Washington and think about cutting taxes so people can get a job? Think about what does it take to put beans on the table? Jerry Brown is causitive to how California got in trouble in the first place! We sure don't need a spendy-touchy-feely Democrat like him in office in Califonia For God's sake, give the people a break, a job, and some hope! Send Obama home, and tell him to chill...

[ken]

100 million and she isn't ahead yet maybe another 100 million and she can buy the job being able to do it any better than Arnold is doubtful.

[Sister Soul]

Is it any wonder that Meg Whitman is way ahead of Jerry Brown?

Meg Whitman will be the first Republican I have ever voted for.

Carly Fiorini will be the second.

Bye, Citizen Boxer.

Bye, Citizen Brown.

[dmgg711]

Since Jerry Brown is accused of being a radical marxist what has he got to lose if President Obama jumps in to help AG Jerry Brown. If Sarah Palin can jump in for the GOP candidates and she's a red-neck from the word go, can't even put a sentence together correctly, then President Obama has her beat in political speeches.

[Staunch liberal]

A health care package including viagra for all teachers and public employees
needs to be guaranteed by Brown in order to entice our base to vote and help
get out the vote.Only one humane way to beat the budget short fall is to raise
income taxes on the rich.Double the taxes on all propertys above $300K.
and we need a VAT tax in California if we care enough about improoving
our safety net in theese tough times.Taxes could be lowered as soon as the economy is back in full swing.Come on Gerry...go for it!Be bold !

[Say Adios to Gerry and M'am]

Let Gerry collect his 3 or 4 pensions and Barbara keep the 20 million in her
war chest and we will end up way ahead.Meg and Carly are sure putting their
money where their mouth is and dserve a chance to serve.

[Girl with the bushy armpits]

Will Gerry also implore the prince of darkness for help ?Blanche Lincoln was
happy she did. Smirnoff or whatever his name is in Colorado maybee regreted
he did.

[Obummer Firehim]

Obummer and Jerry what a pair-VOTE GOP! Change for the BETTER!