Do as I say, not as I do

Apparently in the midst of all the allegations of “misrepresentation” and “lies” that have been told by the Alameda Point initative signature gatherers, conveniently summed up as just SunCal in general, there have been a few complaints to the offices of the City Clerk and the City Attorney. At one City Council meeting, Councilmember Doug deHaan decided to weigh in as well.

Shock and Awe

The results are in, but you probably caught them over at the Island, Eve’s blog, or SDR.    For the Awe, the national election was one to celebrate, while I was not out dancing in the streets, I was celebrating privately with my family and thankful that after these past eight years there will be change for the better.  And that change comes with one man and his name is Barack Obama.

Not so shocking is the City Council incumbents were re-elected, which just goes to show that the majority of people are pretty happy with the way the City is headed in.  And even though there might have been the perception that Tracy Jensen was/is part of the Perata political machine, that didn’t stop her from getting a healthy percentage of the vote.

Live blog thread

9:29 p.m.
Don’t forget you can check out updated poll results here, and Michele Ellson is live blogging the results as well.   Me?  I’m heading to bed. 

9:23 p.m.
Yes we can.

7:26 p.m.
Most of the networks are calling enough states for Obama to have 207 electoral votes (270 to win) and that is before the polls have closed on the West Coast (California [55], Oregon [7] , Washington [11], Hawaii [4]) someone needs to ball up and call this thing for Obama already.

5:39 p.m.
Big win for Obama, Pennsylvania is being called for the Democrats.

4:00 p.m.
Associated Pressjust called Vermont (3) for Obama and Kentucky (8) for McCain.

3:57 p.m.
It’s been about an hour since the polls have closed in certain parts of Indiana and Kentuckyand  I am shaking.  I’m not sure if it is nervousness or the Halloween chocolate I just ate. Exit polling (not the best gauge) has been swinging pretty positively for Obama, but I’m not holding my breath having gone down that road before.

Pins and needles

Remember if you haven’t voted yet, VOTE!   If you need  to find your polling place, you can look it up here.   Don’t forget, if you requested an absentee ballot you can always drop it off at your polling place.   If you have relatives or friends in crucial swing states, please nag them to get out and vote as well.  

A last minute plug for our local races, please vote for Marie Gilmore for City Council and Ron Mooney and David Forbes for School Board.

Local propositions: yes on 1A and no on 4 and big fatty no on 8.  

Election results for the local stuff should start rolling in after the polls have closed and you can track them here.

True.

[updated 7:33 a.m.]

As we all anxiously await the results to roll in tomorrow for what will be a truly historic Presidential election, honestly our local City election is sort of meh-worthy comparatively.  I thought I would leave you with a few of my favorite campaign ads from around the Internets.

Wassup 2008

Certified fresh!

Endorsement time, I know everyone was anxiously waiting, right?   RIGHT?   For those interested in a roundup of endorsements for local issues, I have included them on the Election 2008 Roundup page.

Starting at the top of the ticket and working my way down, here are my endorsements for select issues/candidates on the ballot.

P and you

Measure P, as a reminder for those who have not voted yet, is the hike in the real estate transfer tax in order to help fund services in Alameda.  Before we get into talk about mavericks and lone dissenters again, ALL the City Council members voted to put the real estate transfer tax on the ballot.

As mentioned in passing, the “No on P” campaign has raised the most money, largely through the state Realtors Association PAC and have spent a healthy chunk of change to defeat this Measure as evidenced by all the lawn signs cropping up around the City.  (signs don’t vote!)   Stop, Drop, and Roll (SDR) has covered a bit of the No on P funding here and here. 

Money for nothing and endorsements for free, part 2

Next roundup of campaign contributions and expenditures from the City Council candidates.  Only three out of four again, Justin Harrison did not file which either means (1) he forgot or (2) he’s under the $1000 threshold Mike McMahon commented about.   Considering that I have only seen a few janky lawn signs around the Bay Farm Bridge for Justin Harrison, I am opting for number 2.   Oh yeah, I also saw a Justin Harrison bumper sticker on the back of an SUV at the Alternative in Action event on Thursday.  I noticed it because the SUV had on its rearview window the word “WUSS.” (complete with period) emblazoned on it in massive lettering.   Brief digression, the WUSSmobile made me do a double take because this car had once cut me off when I was driving.   I remember it distinctly because who forgets a vehicle that cuts it off and has the word “wuss” on the back?  Not me.  

Anyway, special shot goes out to the No on P campaign who have raised more money ($28,200) — through the larger Realtors Association PAC —  than any of the candidates and have spent more money ($12,961.20) than any of the candidates as well.   Yes on P now has a few random lawn signs popping up around the City, but they have had a late start compared to the No on P campaign.

And on to the money…

Funny bunny

Did you know that Playboy had a Foundation?  Playboy.  Yes, that Playboy.  And as part of their Foundation they give out an award entitled the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards.  One of this year’s winners is a fellow Alamedan: Mark Klein.   Highlights from this article:

The Playboy Foundation honored the winners of the 2008 Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards…

“These winners have shown extraordinary commitment to preserving the First Amendment rights of all Americans,” said Christie Hefner, chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. “Their example is an inspiration to everyone who cares about the fundamental civil rights on which our democracy is based.”

…

Money for nothing and endorsements for free

As of the first campaign disclosures statement filings, here is how the expenditures stand.  This is only for City Council and only three of the four candidates filed.   This is only the initial round of campaign disclosures, but as a reminder, all groups are supposed to file these statements even if they haven’t collected any money so there are a few organizations out there (and candidates) that missed this deadline.

And without further ado, here are the council candidate breakdowns: