154 Comments
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Mary Lowry Smith's avatar

Swalwell would be an excellent governor for California.

Steve Richmond's avatar

Many Democratic legislators held onto their positions of power as they aged, and they did not nurture (and give way to) up and coming younger talent. This was a failure of succession planning, and it left the Democratic Party deeply exposed. It is refreshing to see new younger leaders emerged. They need our full and enthusiastic support.

Eileen Prussman's avatar

Once again, a woman is demeaned as a “ rude, tyrannical boss”. Same as what was said about Amy Klobuchar, and Hillary Clinton, and Kamala Harris, and virtually every female who is the boss. I would expect better from Jennifer Rubin.

Sonja G's avatar

Agree. I went to look at the link posted for Porter about this and read the Politico reporting with it. I am not sure that Porter is deserving of being dismissed out of hand. The staffer *was* in the shot from the beginning, left the shot and then came back in. Porter did swear at her, but the staffer corrected a misstatement which Porter listened to and accepted. She told her staffer she had been in the shot from the beginning and then she started the taping over again. It looks like typical anti-woman reporting by Politico.

George Stockman's avatar

Katie Porter would be a star for California and America, just as Nancy Pelosi was and is.

Susan Iwanisziw's avatar

Good point. I guess I fell for it. But I think Swalwell would be perfect for the job

Lynda's avatar

It's not just about this for me. I want someone who will continue to fight for our state against trump, AND do good things for it. I haven't heard anything about this from Katie or the others.. Especially the necessary fight against trump. There was a Governor's Forum. You can find it on YouTube. Porter's answers were - political talking points... nothing from the heart like the other candidates. She sat there like she was sure the job was hers. Problems behind the scenes are less concerning than this to me. I want a fighter.

A. Lastick's avatar

Women are not being demeaned. Click on Katie Porter's name and read why Jennifer said what she did.

DW's avatar

Nobody says that of Nancy Pelosi

Eileen Prussman's avatar

Actually, a Democratic congressman from where I used to live hated her. He always said she was ruthless. Then again, he was a Blue Dog. Only ran as a Democrat because that’s what the very good , beloved long-time congressman before him was.

Lita R's avatar

Absolutely I agree with you! Always find a way to demean the woman and then find a man to come in and save the day. Katie Porter would be a FABULOUS governor and there is no need for a man, even an extremely competent one, to come in and save the day. A women has to be twice as good as any man. Its so disturbing and wrong. We haven't come a long way, really.

Pat Jones Garcia's avatar

Did you check the video and see the info about why this description is used? Made sense to me. Too bad Porter did not discuss ahead of time with the staffer how to handle necessary interruptions and not use such language.

Chris Dortch's avatar

I don't have a vote, but if I did, I'd cast it for Swalwell. He's been a major pain in Trump's side and does it with wit and flair. But more importantly, he's a good public servant. These days, it's easy to forget that's what politicians are supposed to be.

Anne Pierce's avatar

California is fortunate to have multiple capable Democratic potential candidates for governor.

Will MacFarlane's avatar

You’ve made a very compelling argument for Swawell to run. It’s time for Democrats to realize that a fresh younger and more energetic generation of leadership is required to move forward.

Susan Iwanisziw's avatar

Every time Swalwell’s name appears on Twitter, there’s a MAGA outcry of “Fang-Fang” (the alleged Chinese spy he may have had an affair with) while not one of them cares about Maria Butina, the IMPRISONED Russian spy previously photographed with every Republican on the planet, and whom Trump returned to Putin free of charge. She presumably still sits in the duma. It would be poetic justice for Swalwell to be elected CA’s governor when Prop 50 dilutes the power of hypocritical Republican voters.

Toni Bal's avatar

Ha! This is so good. And tRump is still afraid of BIDEN? He has no clue Nancy still runs a show.

Irena's avatar

You write that voters will not be deciding on policy issues but that "the candidate with the superior media presence, the capacity to generate viral moments that break through the political din, and the most memorable debate performance(s)" is the one to be preferred. I think that is a sad, and perhaps poor comment on us, the voters.

Don Kennedy's avatar

I believe the idea is that policies are reasonably straightforward to express, but charisma is much much harder to show. These days, as Trump has shown, and as the younger Democrats have shown, charisma is important.

Irena's avatar

I understand your point but I think we must vote for policies, many of which are not straightforward, not for star appeal.

Don Kennedy's avatar

As a social species, we must vote for people we find attractive, that is people who have characteristics we admire and at the same time, we must not forget that they have to also hold good policies as well – but being that social species you can’t get away from the fact that people will vote for people whom they admire over people whom they do not.

Will MacFarlane's avatar

Your absolutely wrong. Anyone, myself included, can get up there and blah, blah, blah democratic talking points all day long and garner no attention whatsoever. The Democrats need dynamic young media savvy candidates that can actually make a connection with everyday people, and a sense of humor doesn’t hurt either. It’s not what you say. It’s how you say it.

donna woodward's avatar

Sorry but it IS what you say, what you believe in, what you'll fight for. You do have to say it well, but first you have to have convictions and the courage of those convictions. What we don't want is someone who's a great 'influencer' (think Charlie Kirk) but a little promiscuous when it comes to principles.

Will MacFarlane's avatar

Of course it’s what you say. Virtually all dems are speaking the same talking points. Chuck Schumer can be saying exactly the same thing as AOC, but who inspires you more?

We need more young passionate politicians who understand how and where to engage voters from all walks of life to get out and vote. To passionately articulate our

shared vision of what our country future will be for our children,grandchildren, and all future generation to come.

So yes, “it is how you say it.”

Eric Swalwell has those attributes, and would make an excellent governor of California

donna woodward's avatar

I'll go with AOC every day because she, unlike Schumer, inspires me. And that is because she has convictions and the courage of her convictions. Media savvy has little to do with it . (Although she probably has that too.) Did Bernie have much media savvy? What he has was ideas that resonated with people. Ideas spoken with passion. What I'm suspicious of is a veneer of charisma with little beneath it except self-promoting ambition. Eric Salwell may have "the right thing," or not. We need to hear more.

Will MacFarlane's avatar

Maybe you’ll know by the time he’s 74…

And you don’t think Bernie is media savvy…

DW's avatar

I agree. With only a few exceptions, most Democrats have a standard view on liberal issues.

DW's avatar

I think we kid ourselves to think that it ever was any different, even in the "olden" days

Don Kennedy's avatar

Yep; I’m old enough to remember the Nixon/Kennedy televised debates. Made all the difference in the world.

Carol Ann Conners's avatar

This is good news for California.

Robert Gillette's avatar

Along with his other attributes, Swalwell has an ironic sense of humor, rare among political figures. But he has to lose the scruffy beard

It's Come To This's avatar

To each his own. I like the scruff. Gives him a bit of the pirate visage. Bring it on.

Barbara F's avatar

Agree re the beard! He's a good looking man, but that scuzzy fuzz doesn't do a thing for him. And yes, looks are a factor in politics, unfortunately.

patricia's avatar

Robert, Maybe that's a young person thing...

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

No, I’m afraid it isn’t a young person thing. After my husband died, after a while I tried online dating, and I can assure you that almost all of the retired guys on that particular dating site had scruffy beards.

DW's avatar

I also have noticed that many older men now have beards and mustaches. After some thought, I've come to believe it has to do with not wanting to be bothered shaving, just as many women have stopped dying their hair, wearing spike shoes. Who gives a hoot when you get to a certain age. LOL

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

I totally agree! I stopped dying my hair when I realized my gray hair look good. Luckily I got my dad sort of platinum gray hair and not my mom‘s mousey gray hair. She kept dying hers though with a good reason! I never did like spike shoes and quit wearing them along before I got old!

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

And I apologize to all the retired guys who have some facial hair! It’s just not for me although my beloved late husband did have a goatee and mustache for about six years. And it didn’t stop me kissing him ha ha

patricia's avatar

admire you for trying dating !

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

It was a challenge! There were some nice guys out there but plenty of frogs that did not turn into a prince when kissed! Not that it got that far!

Margo Landrum's avatar

I ‘m a supporter, but I wish he’d call lose that second shirt buttonhole. Makes him look like an aging roue.

Robert Gillette's avatar

I’m with the women on this. Cool, commanding appearance is critical.

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

As all women know, because we’re frequently criticized for our appearance in public places.

DW's avatar

I'm not a fan of scruffy beards, but they are very very popular with the younger half of our voting age group.

It's Come To This's avatar

Donald Trump always manages to be his own worst enemy. Swalwell would be a great governor. Maybe he should ask Kristi Noem for a donation.

Stacey S.'s avatar

I’m 100% for Swalwell! None of the other candidates caught my eye & none are the right leader for this moment. Thanks for highlighting this worthy candidate Jen!

Ricardo's avatar

As a former Californian, I hadn't thought of this, but you're right, and I'm all in for Swalwell to be it's next Governor.

KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

Interesting….in a good way.

Prototype's avatar

Slightly related- If no one has coined the term "Mortgage Swat" yet, I hereby claim it.