Jerry Brown kicks off his campaign

I guess in an effort to ration his money for the fall stretch, Brown has until now campaigned almost nil.  Meg Whitman has spent something like a hundred million on ads pounding Brown all summer, and in this climate, quite frankly, I think it’s miracle he isn’t 20 points behind.  But he’s averaging only a point behind with the largest poll deficit being seven.  Have Whitman’s ads actually hurt her?

In any case, Brown aired his first ad today.  It’s a feel-good piece aimed at younger voters who may not remember the governorship which ended tarnished by inexplicable blame for the medfly crisis.  All of the wind farms were of his creation, and the technology he boosted is just now paying dividends.  Moreover, we benefit from the satellite communication system he envisioned which earned him the “Governor Moonbeam” slam at the time.

It’ll play well with younger voters.  But will younger voters come out this time?  Ironically, Brown may benefit from turnout generated by the very Proposition he opposes.

Kelo Revisited

The Ridgewood development proposal is in the news as one woman does not want to give up a private road which will provide one of four necessary accesses to the subdivision.  Some in the comments section are asking whether the condemnation for the benefit of a private developer is allowed by the 5th Amendment, and for better or worse, the US Supreme Court has answered “yea.” 

Kelo vs. the City of New London basically defines “public benefit” broadly, as incorporated that which is deemed by the applicable government body to be of economic benefit to the entire community – whether the public in general will actually use the property.  Therefor, yes, a local government may force a purchase of the property under rules of eminent domain – for a private developer.  It’s been done for decades to create malls and such.  It’s pretty much local government’s call, with very little court scrutiny.

More later.