LA Times, via Mercury News:
Opinion: California's political power shifts northBy Joe Mathews
for the Los Angeles Times
Posted: 02/25/2009 06:30:40 PM PST
Nearly two years before we learn the results of the 2010 California governor's race, the identity of the likely winner is clear: Northern California.
More than half of California's population lives south of the Tehachapi Mountains, but the state — in matters of politics, governance and civic engagement — is tilting decidedly north.
Just look at the race to succeed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Republican contest is shaping up as a Silicon Valley primary, with three candidates hailing from within a half-an-hour drive of the Googleplex. Two — Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former eBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman — became wealthy as high-tech executives, a species the north produces far more of than the south. The third is a former U.S. congressman and Schwarzenegger budget director, Tom Campbell, whose House district included Stanford University and much of Silicon Valley.
650 rules!
"It's the revenge of the 650 area code," joked Dan Schnur, a former Republican political consultant and self-described Northern California refugee who now directs the Jesse Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California.
The Democratic side has a touch more geographic diversity. The likely candidates are Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco; Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who lives near Sacramento; and, of course, Jerry Brown, attorney general/former governor/former Oakland mayor, who hails from — take your pick — the East Bay, outer space or the 1970s. And in the wings? Dianne Feinstein, former San Francisco mayor and current U.S. senator. ........(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_11786023?nclick_check=1
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