The truth turns out to be something very different. This week the Capital Weekly came out with its legislative scorecard. Unlike the rhetoric, Greg Aghazarian and Lois Wolk turn out to be a bunch of moderates. Or do they?
Assemblywoman Lois Wolk is actually even more liberal than Aghazarian is conservative scoring 91 out of 100. That puts her as the 9th most conservative member of the Democratic caucus in the Assembly. Then again she is hardly Cathleen Galginni who scored a 51 or the now infamous Nicole Parra who scored a 52 and was removed from the Capitol for crossing party lines on the budget. There are four Democrats scores between 51 and 64, making the Democrats far more moderate than their counterparts.
Compared to those Democrats, Assemblywoman Wolk is a flaming liberal with her 91. Then again there are 16 Democrats with perfect 100 scores. Seven Republicans scored a perfect 0.
In actuality, it was not that Assemblywoman Wolk crossed party lines on her votes, she was simply marked down because she failed to vote on three of the 20 votes that Capitol Weekly did their scoring on. She did not vote on AB 2058–Plastic Bag Recyling, AB 2083–Tuition for Undocumented Residents, and AB 2716 Sick Leave. The Wolk campaign did not respond to the Vanguard email requests for comments.
Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian on the other hand did cross party lines on four votes. He voted yes on SB 606–School Accountability, Yes on SB 304–Media Access to Prisoners, Yes on AB 1781 the 2008-09, and Yes on AB 1945 Recission. Of those of course, the yes vote on the Budget will innoculate him on potentially the most explosive issue given the crisis in Sacramento. He also did not vote on AB 118–Low-Carbon fuels.
How good are these measures?
The Capitol Weekly discussed the weaknesses of their scorecard in the article that unveiled the rankings published on Thursday, August 21, 2008.
“Every political scorecard has its problems, and this one is no exception. The selection of bills is subjective, chosen after conversations with Capitol staff and experts, and our own observations of big debates over the last two years under the dome.
The bills we chose were not necessarily the most publicized, or even the most hotly contested in all cases. But we sought to pick a variety of bills dealing with diverse topics that lawmakers have been asked to tackle over the last legislative session.
Part of the problem with this particular scorecard is the fact that both legislative houses, and all legislative committees, are controlled by Democrats. As such, the controversial bills that do find their way to the floor are disproportionately Democrat-sponsored bills.”
However they go on to say:
“Also, our scorecard reflects what most Capitol observers know to be true: That Democrats from the Central Valley tend to be more moderate than their caucus colleagues, while Republicans in contested districts like Abel Maldonado and Greg Aghazarian earn more centrist marks than those lawmakers in more solid, partisan districts.”
It is also worth noting that as Ben van der Meer of PolitickerCA.com does , that the 5th District as a whole tends to be centrist.
“State Sen. Mike Machado (D-Linden) had the second-lowest score of any Democrat, and he is termed out of the 5th Senate District seat, another target of both parties this fall.
The two candidates for that seat, Aghazarian and termed-out Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), are both ranked as relative moderates.”
Senator Machado scored a 67, only Lou Correa scored lower in the Senate as a Democrat with a 47. That means that Assemblywoman Wolk is quite a bit more liberal representing Yolo and Solano Counties while Assemblyman Aghazarian is quite a bit more conservative.
Our previous analysis showed that Democrats in this district now have a much stronger advantage than they did in 2004 when Machado held off a strong challenge from former Stockton Mayor Gary Podesto.
However it also indicates that despite the relative moderation of both candidates, the strategy by both will be to paint each other as extremists. How well that works, time will tell.
One thing we know, this will be a heavily funded battle. By August 4, 2008, the Aghazarian campaign reported a 7-to-1 fundrasing advantage.
A press release at the time said:
“Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian continues to turn in strong fundraising numbers, including raising over $565,000 in the latest period ending June 30th. Aghazarian’s fundraising topped that of his opponent, Lois Wolk, by a nearly seven-to-one margin. Wolk raised just over $76,000 for the period. Current cash-on-hand for Aghazarian is $1,040,000 – over fives time more than Wolk’s $185,000.”
Aghazarian Spokesman Tim Clark said:
“Greg Aghazarian has built a strong reputation in the Valley as a balanced ‘can-do’ legislator who is willing to do what is right, even if it means going against the ‘party’ line… Voters want to see him continue representing them in the State Senate, and that’s one reason why the outpouring of support has been so strong. Greg’s broad base of support is a sharp contrast to that of Lois Wolk, who continues to struggle in her fundraising.”
However, with just two targeted Senate races, it is unlikely that money will be an issue for Assemblywoman Wolk either, Senate Democrats will likely open up their coffers as well.
The Vanguard will continue to cover this race and much more as election day approaches.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
This is a joke that Aghazarian is a moderate.
1. Scoring a 19 out of 100 on the scale only compares him slightly above his fellow knuckle-draggers.
2. These are just his most recent votes, never deciding votes, as he attempts to look more moderate. His other 5 years in the Assembly he scored as the most conservative.
3. By EVERY real standard he is total right winger. 100% anti-choice. 100% anti- gun control. 100% anti- labor. 100% anti- environment. 100% anti-immigrants rights.
Even on the key issues that Schwarzenneger parted with his party, like global warming and raising the minimum wage, Aghazarian voted NO.
Nobody will be fooled by this.
This is a joke that Aghazarian is a moderate.
1. Scoring a 19 out of 100 on the scale only compares him slightly above his fellow knuckle-draggers.
2. These are just his most recent votes, never deciding votes, as he attempts to look more moderate. His other 5 years in the Assembly he scored as the most conservative.
3. By EVERY real standard he is total right winger. 100% anti-choice. 100% anti- gun control. 100% anti- labor. 100% anti- environment. 100% anti-immigrants rights.
Even on the key issues that Schwarzenneger parted with his party, like global warming and raising the minimum wage, Aghazarian voted NO.
Nobody will be fooled by this.
This is a joke that Aghazarian is a moderate.
1. Scoring a 19 out of 100 on the scale only compares him slightly above his fellow knuckle-draggers.
2. These are just his most recent votes, never deciding votes, as he attempts to look more moderate. His other 5 years in the Assembly he scored as the most conservative.
3. By EVERY real standard he is total right winger. 100% anti-choice. 100% anti- gun control. 100% anti- labor. 100% anti- environment. 100% anti-immigrants rights.
Even on the key issues that Schwarzenneger parted with his party, like global warming and raising the minimum wage, Aghazarian voted NO.
Nobody will be fooled by this.
This is a joke that Aghazarian is a moderate.
1. Scoring a 19 out of 100 on the scale only compares him slightly above his fellow knuckle-draggers.
2. These are just his most recent votes, never deciding votes, as he attempts to look more moderate. His other 5 years in the Assembly he scored as the most conservative.
3. By EVERY real standard he is total right winger. 100% anti-choice. 100% anti- gun control. 100% anti- labor. 100% anti- environment. 100% anti-immigrants rights.
Even on the key issues that Schwarzenneger parted with his party, like global warming and raising the minimum wage, Aghazarian voted NO.
Nobody will be fooled by this.
Aghazarian a moderate? DPD have you completely lost it?
Aghazarian a moderate? DPD have you completely lost it?
Aghazarian a moderate? DPD have you completely lost it?
Aghazarian a moderate? DPD have you completely lost it?
Apparently you missed the tongue in my cheek on the title.
Apparently you missed the tongue in my cheek on the title.
Apparently you missed the tongue in my cheek on the title.
Apparently you missed the tongue in my cheek on the title.
Obviously neither are moderates. Aghazarian at 19 and Wolk at 91 (with all three of her deductions being NVs rather than No’s).
DPD, Glad you were joking. But the fact that Aghazarian is a raving right winger is not funny. Take the issue of gay rights. He, like most Republicans opposes gay marriage. But unlike many more moderate Republicans, including Schwarzenegger, Aghazarian opposes all rights for gays. He opposes domestic parnterships and he opposes applying the most basic civil right protections for gay and lesbian people — AND HE VOTES THAT WAY! He opposes applying civil rights laws to prevent discrimination in housing, in schools, in health care or anywhere else –AND HE VOTES THAT WAY! He even opposed protecting gays and lesbians from hate crimes. He is WAY OUT THERE ON THE FRINGE. Don’t be snookered by his flirtations or his spin machine.
NOTE: There really are no more than one or two truly moderate Republicans left in the Legislature. (Maldonado and Horton, maybe.) The Republican Party is totally controlled by the ideological right. So the definition of a moderate among those they elect goes further and further to the right. It has become a meaningless label.
Obviously neither are moderates. Aghazarian at 19 and Wolk at 91 (with all three of her deductions being NVs rather than No’s).
DPD, Glad you were joking. But the fact that Aghazarian is a raving right winger is not funny. Take the issue of gay rights. He, like most Republicans opposes gay marriage. But unlike many more moderate Republicans, including Schwarzenegger, Aghazarian opposes all rights for gays. He opposes domestic parnterships and he opposes applying the most basic civil right protections for gay and lesbian people — AND HE VOTES THAT WAY! He opposes applying civil rights laws to prevent discrimination in housing, in schools, in health care or anywhere else –AND HE VOTES THAT WAY! He even opposed protecting gays and lesbians from hate crimes. He is WAY OUT THERE ON THE FRINGE. Don’t be snookered by his flirtations or his spin machine.
NOTE: There really are no more than one or two truly moderate Republicans left in the Legislature. (Maldonado and Horton, maybe.) The Republican Party is totally controlled by the ideological right. So the definition of a moderate among those they elect goes further and further to the right. It has become a meaningless label.
Obviously neither are moderates. Aghazarian at 19 and Wolk at 91 (with all three of her deductions being NVs rather than No’s).
DPD, Glad you were joking. But the fact that Aghazarian is a raving right winger is not funny. Take the issue of gay rights. He, like most Republicans opposes gay marriage. But unlike many more moderate Republicans, including Schwarzenegger, Aghazarian opposes all rights for gays. He opposes domestic parnterships and he opposes applying the most basic civil right protections for gay and lesbian people — AND HE VOTES THAT WAY! He opposes applying civil rights laws to prevent discrimination in housing, in schools, in health care or anywhere else –AND HE VOTES THAT WAY! He even opposed protecting gays and lesbians from hate crimes. He is WAY OUT THERE ON THE FRINGE. Don’t be snookered by his flirtations or his spin machine.
NOTE: There really are no more than one or two truly moderate Republicans left in the Legislature. (Maldonado and Horton, maybe.) The Republican Party is totally controlled by the ideological right. So the definition of a moderate among those they elect goes further and further to the right. It has become a meaningless label.
Obviously neither are moderates. Aghazarian at 19 and Wolk at 91 (with all three of her deductions being NVs rather than No’s).
DPD, Glad you were joking. But the fact that Aghazarian is a raving right winger is not funny. Take the issue of gay rights. He, like most Republicans opposes gay marriage. But unlike many more moderate Republicans, including Schwarzenegger, Aghazarian opposes all rights for gays. He opposes domestic parnterships and he opposes applying the most basic civil right protections for gay and lesbian people — AND HE VOTES THAT WAY! He opposes applying civil rights laws to prevent discrimination in housing, in schools, in health care or anywhere else –AND HE VOTES THAT WAY! He even opposed protecting gays and lesbians from hate crimes. He is WAY OUT THERE ON THE FRINGE. Don’t be snookered by his flirtations or his spin machine.
NOTE: There really are no more than one or two truly moderate Republicans left in the Legislature. (Maldonado and Horton, maybe.) The Republican Party is totally controlled by the ideological right. So the definition of a moderate among those they elect goes further and further to the right. It has become a meaningless label.
Maldonado’s from the district where I grew up, he’s not really a moderate, although he will occasionally toss a vote or two. His score was 20, not much different from Aghazarian. He was a key vote on the budget a few times. But probably the best thing he did was knock off a really anti-Hispanic Mayor of Santa Maria prior to becoming Assemblyman.
Maldonado’s from the district where I grew up, he’s not really a moderate, although he will occasionally toss a vote or two. His score was 20, not much different from Aghazarian. He was a key vote on the budget a few times. But probably the best thing he did was knock off a really anti-Hispanic Mayor of Santa Maria prior to becoming Assemblyman.
Maldonado’s from the district where I grew up, he’s not really a moderate, although he will occasionally toss a vote or two. His score was 20, not much different from Aghazarian. He was a key vote on the budget a few times. But probably the best thing he did was knock off a really anti-Hispanic Mayor of Santa Maria prior to becoming Assemblyman.
Maldonado’s from the district where I grew up, he’s not really a moderate, although he will occasionally toss a vote or two. His score was 20, not much different from Aghazarian. He was a key vote on the budget a few times. But probably the best thing he did was knock off a really anti-Hispanic Mayor of Santa Maria prior to becoming Assemblyman.
DPD,
You maybe right about Maldonado and he may not be much of a moderate according to this particular list of only 20 bills, but you have to judge politicians on their entire record. At least on environmental issues, I think it would be fair to call Maldonado a moderate based on a few coastal protection issues and some others. He may be just reflecting his coastal district, and I would prefer a Democrat, but I think he is one of the first Republican votes, if not the only one, environmentalists can occasionally get in the Senate.
Aghazarian, on the other hand, is hopeless. Totally in the pocket of the oil industry, polluters, developers, etc. As I recall, he didn’t even support Wolk’s flood plain protection bill that Schwarzenegger signed, even after the BIA removed their opposition. (pretty sure Maldonado voted in favor.)
This will be a clear and easy choice for anybody who cares about the environment. Go Lois!
DPD,
You maybe right about Maldonado and he may not be much of a moderate according to this particular list of only 20 bills, but you have to judge politicians on their entire record. At least on environmental issues, I think it would be fair to call Maldonado a moderate based on a few coastal protection issues and some others. He may be just reflecting his coastal district, and I would prefer a Democrat, but I think he is one of the first Republican votes, if not the only one, environmentalists can occasionally get in the Senate.
Aghazarian, on the other hand, is hopeless. Totally in the pocket of the oil industry, polluters, developers, etc. As I recall, he didn’t even support Wolk’s flood plain protection bill that Schwarzenegger signed, even after the BIA removed their opposition. (pretty sure Maldonado voted in favor.)
This will be a clear and easy choice for anybody who cares about the environment. Go Lois!
DPD,
You maybe right about Maldonado and he may not be much of a moderate according to this particular list of only 20 bills, but you have to judge politicians on their entire record. At least on environmental issues, I think it would be fair to call Maldonado a moderate based on a few coastal protection issues and some others. He may be just reflecting his coastal district, and I would prefer a Democrat, but I think he is one of the first Republican votes, if not the only one, environmentalists can occasionally get in the Senate.
Aghazarian, on the other hand, is hopeless. Totally in the pocket of the oil industry, polluters, developers, etc. As I recall, he didn’t even support Wolk’s flood plain protection bill that Schwarzenegger signed, even after the BIA removed their opposition. (pretty sure Maldonado voted in favor.)
This will be a clear and easy choice for anybody who cares about the environment. Go Lois!
DPD,
You maybe right about Maldonado and he may not be much of a moderate according to this particular list of only 20 bills, but you have to judge politicians on their entire record. At least on environmental issues, I think it would be fair to call Maldonado a moderate based on a few coastal protection issues and some others. He may be just reflecting his coastal district, and I would prefer a Democrat, but I think he is one of the first Republican votes, if not the only one, environmentalists can occasionally get in the Senate.
Aghazarian, on the other hand, is hopeless. Totally in the pocket of the oil industry, polluters, developers, etc. As I recall, he didn’t even support Wolk’s flood plain protection bill that Schwarzenegger signed, even after the BIA removed their opposition. (pretty sure Maldonado voted in favor.)
This will be a clear and easy choice for anybody who cares about the environment. Go Lois!
The only thing this tells me is that if Democrats do our job and work hard for Wolk we will get a significant improvement in our representation in the State Senate. Machado has been a real disappointment.
The only thing this tells me is that if Democrats do our job and work hard for Wolk we will get a significant improvement in our representation in the State Senate. Machado has been a real disappointment.
The only thing this tells me is that if Democrats do our job and work hard for Wolk we will get a significant improvement in our representation in the State Senate. Machado has been a real disappointment.
The only thing this tells me is that if Democrats do our job and work hard for Wolk we will get a significant improvement in our representation in the State Senate. Machado has been a real disappointment.
Aghazarian voted for the 2008-9 budget? I thought it was stuck in the legislature. Do you mean the 2007-8 budget? When did he finally get around to voting for it, I think it was in September last year. Do we really want to give more power to republicans who will block the budget in ways that make California impossible to manage?
Aghazarian voted for the 2008-9 budget? I thought it was stuck in the legislature. Do you mean the 2007-8 budget? When did he finally get around to voting for it, I think it was in September last year. Do we really want to give more power to republicans who will block the budget in ways that make California impossible to manage?
Aghazarian voted for the 2008-9 budget? I thought it was stuck in the legislature. Do you mean the 2007-8 budget? When did he finally get around to voting for it, I think it was in September last year. Do we really want to give more power to republicans who will block the budget in ways that make California impossible to manage?
Aghazarian voted for the 2008-9 budget? I thought it was stuck in the legislature. Do you mean the 2007-8 budget? When did he finally get around to voting for it, I think it was in September last year. Do we really want to give more power to republicans who will block the budget in ways that make California impossible to manage?
Black Bart:
That’s what the chart said…
Here’s the bill:
AB 1781
Black Bart:
That’s what the chart said…
Here’s the bill:
AB 1781
Black Bart:
That’s what the chart said…
Here’s the bill:
AB 1781
Black Bart:
That’s what the chart said…
Here’s the bill:
AB 1781
DPD — The chart was wrong. Using your link you’ll see Aghazarian didn’t vote at all, even though he was there. In the Bee he said the vote was meaningless.
AUG 17, SACTO BEE: Aghazarian called Sunday’s vote a political “drill” whose outcome was certain. “When it’s real, then I’ll make a real vote,” he said.
So laying off teachers and closing child care centers isn’t “real”? So what he’s saying is that, in the end, after there’s a final deal he’ll vote for it. So what. That’s the meaningless vote. What a useless piece of Republican crap.
He’s just another anti-government Republican who doesn’t mind taking a handsome paycheck from the government. I’ll bet you a venti latte’ machiotto with foam that he still took his $170 per diem to show up and not vote that day. This guy is a total Caveman loser. After he loses maybe he can do Geico commercials.
The good news is that the Democrats actually have a decent chance to replace his sorry ass in the 26th AD with rancher John Eisenhut.
Here’s to a Obama/Beiden and a Democratic sweep in November!
DPD — The chart was wrong. Using your link you’ll see Aghazarian didn’t vote at all, even though he was there. In the Bee he said the vote was meaningless.
AUG 17, SACTO BEE: Aghazarian called Sunday’s vote a political “drill” whose outcome was certain. “When it’s real, then I’ll make a real vote,” he said.
So laying off teachers and closing child care centers isn’t “real”? So what he’s saying is that, in the end, after there’s a final deal he’ll vote for it. So what. That’s the meaningless vote. What a useless piece of Republican crap.
He’s just another anti-government Republican who doesn’t mind taking a handsome paycheck from the government. I’ll bet you a venti latte’ machiotto with foam that he still took his $170 per diem to show up and not vote that day. This guy is a total Caveman loser. After he loses maybe he can do Geico commercials.
The good news is that the Democrats actually have a decent chance to replace his sorry ass in the 26th AD with rancher John Eisenhut.
Here’s to a Obama/Beiden and a Democratic sweep in November!
DPD — The chart was wrong. Using your link you’ll see Aghazarian didn’t vote at all, even though he was there. In the Bee he said the vote was meaningless.
AUG 17, SACTO BEE: Aghazarian called Sunday’s vote a political “drill” whose outcome was certain. “When it’s real, then I’ll make a real vote,” he said.
So laying off teachers and closing child care centers isn’t “real”? So what he’s saying is that, in the end, after there’s a final deal he’ll vote for it. So what. That’s the meaningless vote. What a useless piece of Republican crap.
He’s just another anti-government Republican who doesn’t mind taking a handsome paycheck from the government. I’ll bet you a venti latte’ machiotto with foam that he still took his $170 per diem to show up and not vote that day. This guy is a total Caveman loser. After he loses maybe he can do Geico commercials.
The good news is that the Democrats actually have a decent chance to replace his sorry ass in the 26th AD with rancher John Eisenhut.
Here’s to a Obama/Beiden and a Democratic sweep in November!
DPD — The chart was wrong. Using your link you’ll see Aghazarian didn’t vote at all, even though he was there. In the Bee he said the vote was meaningless.
AUG 17, SACTO BEE: Aghazarian called Sunday’s vote a political “drill” whose outcome was certain. “When it’s real, then I’ll make a real vote,” he said.
So laying off teachers and closing child care centers isn’t “real”? So what he’s saying is that, in the end, after there’s a final deal he’ll vote for it. So what. That’s the meaningless vote. What a useless piece of Republican crap.
He’s just another anti-government Republican who doesn’t mind taking a handsome paycheck from the government. I’ll bet you a venti latte’ machiotto with foam that he still took his $170 per diem to show up and not vote that day. This guy is a total Caveman loser. After he loses maybe he can do Geico commercials.
The good news is that the Democrats actually have a decent chance to replace his sorry ass in the 26th AD with rancher John Eisenhut.
Here’s to a Obama/Beiden and a Democratic sweep in November!
“I’m biden my time.”
George and Ira Gershwin from Girl Crazy
“I’m biden my time.”
George and Ira Gershwin from Girl Crazy
“I’m biden my time.”
George and Ira Gershwin from Girl Crazy
“I’m biden my time.”
George and Ira Gershwin from Girl Crazy
David Greenwald,
Maldonado knocking off a really anti-hispanic mayor. What was the situation? Just the truth please.
David Greenwald,
Maldonado knocking off a really anti-hispanic mayor. What was the situation? Just the truth please.
David Greenwald,
Maldonado knocking off a really anti-hispanic mayor. What was the situation? Just the truth please.
David Greenwald,
Maldonado knocking off a really anti-hispanic mayor. What was the situation? Just the truth please.
while i underfstand the desire for a good hook in the headline, it gives a bit of as false impression at first, and unwittingly plays into aghazarian’s tack in the general. not that you weren’t aware of that, but i found it a bit jarring.
i also note that aghazarian’s yard signs don’t mention his party affiliation, at least in yolo county. look for a lot of flyers stuffing your mailbox in a couple months that wax eloquent about his independent-y independent-ness.
if he’s smart (which he won’t be) he’d be the deciding vote on passing the budget. of course, then the howard jarvis nuts would primary him for disobedience.
while i underfstand the desire for a good hook in the headline, it gives a bit of as false impression at first, and unwittingly plays into aghazarian’s tack in the general. not that you weren’t aware of that, but i found it a bit jarring.
i also note that aghazarian’s yard signs don’t mention his party affiliation, at least in yolo county. look for a lot of flyers stuffing your mailbox in a couple months that wax eloquent about his independent-y independent-ness.
if he’s smart (which he won’t be) he’d be the deciding vote on passing the budget. of course, then the howard jarvis nuts would primary him for disobedience.
while i underfstand the desire for a good hook in the headline, it gives a bit of as false impression at first, and unwittingly plays into aghazarian’s tack in the general. not that you weren’t aware of that, but i found it a bit jarring.
i also note that aghazarian’s yard signs don’t mention his party affiliation, at least in yolo county. look for a lot of flyers stuffing your mailbox in a couple months that wax eloquent about his independent-y independent-ness.
if he’s smart (which he won’t be) he’d be the deciding vote on passing the budget. of course, then the howard jarvis nuts would primary him for disobedience.
while i underfstand the desire for a good hook in the headline, it gives a bit of as false impression at first, and unwittingly plays into aghazarian’s tack in the general. not that you weren’t aware of that, but i found it a bit jarring.
i also note that aghazarian’s yard signs don’t mention his party affiliation, at least in yolo county. look for a lot of flyers stuffing your mailbox in a couple months that wax eloquent about his independent-y independent-ness.
if he’s smart (which he won’t be) he’d be the deciding vote on passing the budget. of course, then the howard jarvis nuts would primary him for disobedience.
Dems United is smoking crack if he thinks AD 26 is going dem anytime soon.
Dems United is smoking crack if he thinks AD 26 is going dem anytime soon.
Dems United is smoking crack if he thinks AD 26 is going dem anytime soon.
Dems United is smoking crack if he thinks AD 26 is going dem anytime soon.