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PeaceWave

(3,649 posts)
Wed Apr 22, 2026, 10:56 PM 5 hrs ago

Watching the California Governor's debate and my assessment so far is I wish Newsom could remain our Governor...

Xavier Becerra is doing well, coming off as the grown up in the room. Tom Steyer has said at least one comment that will unfortunately end up in a sound bite attack ad against him - Something to the effect that him paying more in personal income taxes is not the answer to California's problems. Matt Mahan is surprising me, coming off as quite relaxed and comfortable in his answers. Katie Porter was finally asked THAT question regarding the video of her berating a member of her staff. She said she apologized for her behavior. Fortunately, nobody was permitted follow up questions regarding the matter. Steve Hilton is coming off as weird. For some reason, he himself brought up the fact that not only is he not a native Californian but was actually born outside the U.S. It's like he was trying to compare himself to California's last foreign born Governor - Arnold Schwarzenegger - who was a horrible Governor. Chad Bianco looks angry, like he wants to physically fight someone. At one point, he was was making some disparaging remarks about California's Attorney General. It appeared that Bianco thought Becerra was still California's AG. Becerra no longer holds that position though. Rob Bonta is now California's AG. So, that was quite odd. Personally, I think the winners tonight were Becerra and Mahan.

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Watching the California Governor's debate and my assessment so far is I wish Newsom could remain our Governor... (Original Post) PeaceWave 5 hrs ago OP
I've been impressed by Porter LSparkle 5 hrs ago #1
Yes. May 5th, I believe. PeaceWave 5 hrs ago #2
Good! I didn't see the opening statements ... LSparkle 5 hrs ago #4
April 28th Pomona College Debate which will be streaming and May 5th CNN in Los Angeles chowder66 5 hrs ago #3
The two Rs lost, none of the Ds gained or lost ground. Sibelius Fan 5 hrs ago #5
Bianco certainly WAS scary. He even went after the person asking the question. He came off as paranoid. C Moon 2 hrs ago #6
Damn! We missed it. I am usually on top of stuff, but not right now. Silver Gaia 2 hrs ago #7
Would it matter? Mail in ballots go out the first week of May. 80% of Californians voted by mail in ballot in 2024. PeaceWave 2 hrs ago #8
Well, yeah, it matters to me. Silver Gaia 1 hr ago #9
Votes will not determine this outcome CA Reasons 1 hr ago #10

LSparkle

(12,218 posts)
1. I've been impressed by Porter
Wed Apr 22, 2026, 11:07 PM
5 hrs ago

She comes across as serious and I thought her response on the staffer interaction was good. Becerra also did well but I thought he was less prepared or didn’t have enough notes. Agreed on the Rethugs coming off poorly (cranky and arrogant). Steyer was slick but that’s my problem with him (and I don’t see his business background helping at all!).

Is there going to be another debate?

LSparkle

(12,218 posts)
4. Good! I didn't see the opening statements ...
Wed Apr 22, 2026, 11:17 PM
5 hrs ago

And I’d frankly like another chance to hear Mahan because he surprised me in a good way.

I went into it pulling for Becerra and I’m glad he’s going to have another chance to make his case!

chowder66

(12,374 posts)
3. April 28th Pomona College Debate which will be streaming and May 5th CNN in Los Angeles
Wed Apr 22, 2026, 11:13 PM
5 hrs ago

Sibelius Fan

(24,846 posts)
5. The two Rs lost, none of the Ds gained or lost ground.
Wed Apr 22, 2026, 11:25 PM
5 hrs ago

The R who is proud that tRump endorsed him committed hari-kari. The R sheriff (Bianco) who grabbed the ballots came off poorly, especially at a time when law enforcement is out of control. He seemed angry.

Becerra did well, Steyer was the best prepared and went in with a game plan, Porter was good IF she was able to put the bad behavior behind her. Can’t see Mahan as governor.

C Moon

(13,681 posts)
6. Bianco certainly WAS scary. He even went after the person asking the question. He came off as paranoid.
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 01:48 AM
2 hrs ago

And I'm grateful for that: I don't want that guy as our governor.
Hilton seemed to be proud of trump. That won't work for him.
Agreed: Becerra and Mahan.

Silver Gaia

(5,379 posts)
7. Damn! We missed it. I am usually on top of stuff, but not right now.
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 01:51 AM
2 hrs ago

I will try to pay better attention!

So, the next one is on the 28th, but streaming only, right? Then a televised one on CNN on May 5. Are there more planned?

PeaceWave

(3,649 posts)
8. Would it matter? Mail in ballots go out the first week of May. 80% of Californians voted by mail in ballot in 2024.
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 02:04 AM
2 hrs ago

Silver Gaia

(5,379 posts)
9. Well, yeah, it matters to me.
Thu Apr 23, 2026, 02:58 AM
1 hr ago

The CNN debate on May 5 is the same date when we will receive our ballots in this county.

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