Posted on Thu, Sep. 28, 2006
Barbs fly in race for attorney general
ONE HOPEFUL CALLED `FLAKY,’ ANOTHER CALLED `EXTREME’
By Steve Geissinger
MediaNews
SACRAMENTO – Though Democrat Jerry Brown is better known, has more
money and enjoys a double-digit lead in the polls, a state Senate
Republican is making a serious bid to defeat him for the office of
state attorney general.
Sen. Chuck Poochigian of Fresno is warning that Brown is too “flaky”
for the job of the state’s top cop. The senator principally calls
Brown soft on crime and cites his opposition to the death penalty.
“Jerry Brown is the last person who should have the responsibility of
protecting California’s families as attorney general,” said
Poochigian spokesman Kevin Spillane.
But Brown, a former California governor and now Oakland’s mayor, is
saying Poochigian is “too extreme” for the state, considering his
opposition togun control and abortion rights.
Brown campaign strategist Ace Smith said Poochigian is “trying to
pass himself off as a moderate when in fact he’s an extremist.”
The campaign, so far, is being carried out primarily through
occasional appearances and an exchange of costly television ads.
The attorney general, a statewide elected officer, runs the Justice
Department and represents the people of California in civil and
criminal matters in the courts. The office also serves as legal
counsel to state officers, agencies, boards and commissions.
The attorney general further coordinates local and regional narcotics
enforcement efforts, participates in criminal investigations and
provides forensic services.
Also, the attorney general operates programs aimed at protecting
Californians from fraudulent, unfair and illegal activities that
victimize consumers or threaten public safety, and enforces laws that
safeguard the environment and natural resources.
The current attorney general, Democrat Bill Lockyer of Hayward, is
termed out and is running for treasurer against Republican Board of
Equalization member Claude Parrish.
Poochigian calls Brown “flaky,” pointing out that Brown’s own city,
Oakland, is suffering a high homicide rate and noting that Brown
vetoed a bill reinstating the death penalty in the late 1970s — only
to have the Legislature override his veto.
Brown responds that he formed a special police unit earlier this year,
among other things, in response to a public outcry over the soaring
homicide rate in Oakland.
The former governor said Poochigian supports high-powered sniper
rifles and opposes a woman’s right to abortion.
Poochigian responds that, at the time of the 2004 gun vote, the rifles
were legal in 49 other states and that he would not work to outlaw
abortion. Here are their positions on the environment, crime,
abortion and gun control:
ENVIRONMENT
Brown supports assertions that Poochigian opposed the 25 most
important environmental bills from 2003-05. Poochigian dismisses the
allegations as Sierra Club propaganda for Brown.
CRIME
Poochigian criticizes Brown for Oakland’s homicide rate and for
vetoing a bill reinstating the death penalty in the late 1970s. Brown
says Oakland’s overall serious crime rate has fallen and vows to
uphold the death penalty. Poochigian says the former governor has
personally protested against an execution, that he supports the
Prisoner’s Bill of Rights and that he opposed the Crime Victim’s Bill
of Rights.
ABORTION
Brown asserts Poochigian is opposed to abortion and would work to
outlaw it. Poochigian says Brown’s statement that he would work to
outlaw abortion is “categorically false.” However, Poochigian
acknowledges that he opposes abortion rights, except in cases of rape,
incest or when necessary to savethe life of the woman.
GUN CONTROL
Brown attacks Poochigian for his opposition as a state lawmaker to
banning 50-caliber sniper rifles. Poochigian responds that his 2004
vote came whenthe rifles were legal in 49 other states and counters
that, in 1976, Brown vetoed legislation providing front-line officers
with bulletproof vests.
Three other candidates also are running for the office: Jack Harrison
of the Peace and Freedom Party; Kenneth A. Weissman of the Libertarian
Party; and Michael S. Wyman of the Green Party.
© 2006 MercuryNews.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
