Brown
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Jerry Brown, one day after an easy victory in the Democratic primary for governor, is proposing a series of debates with his Republican challenger.
Brown wants he and Meg Whitman, the ex-CEO of eBay, to hold 10 town hall appearances around the state to discuss job creation, schools and the state's budget while answering questions from those in attendance.
"Partisan bickering and attack-dog politics have created an awful mess in Sacramento, and I think Meg and I now have an opportunity to change the tenor of politics in California by conducting a responsible campaign that shows the politicians that there is a better way to do business," Brown said.
"I'm inviting Meg Whitman to join with me to run a campaign that will put the focus on town halls where each of us in an unscripted manner will discuss our positions and answer questions."
Whitman defeated state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner in Tuesday's primary, gaining 62 percent of the vote.
Brown earned 83 percent of the Democratic vote. A May poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports had Brown with a 4-percent edge over Whitman in the general election, which will be held Nov. 2.
Brown suggested the town halls start in either San Diego or San Jose, then continue on to Fresno, Anaheim, Oakland, Sacramento, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
"I think we should have a variety of formats. Some of the town halls could have a panel of reporters asking questions," Brown said. "Others might have local teachers. Some could have regular voters asking Meg and me whatever questions are on their minds."
Brown was California's governor from 1975-1983. He said the town hall meetings will promote an issue-oriented race.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.