The 2010 Governor's Race: The Inside Story

Welcoming Remarks

Darius Anderson, Chairman, Institute of Governmental Studies National Advisory Council
Jack Citrin, Director, Institute of Governmental Studies

The Primaries: How We Ended Up with Brown and Whitman

How did the two nominees emerge? What were the key turning points in the Republican primary battle between Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner? Does Tom Campbell’s campaign hold lessons for Republican moderates? How did Jerry Brown clear the Democratic field? Did Gavin Newsom’s aborted campaign have any lasting impact? Why did no other major challengers emerge?

Moderators:
Mark Barabak, Los Angeles Times
Timm Herdt, Ventura County Star

Panelists:
Steven Glazer, Brown campaign
Sterling Clifford, Brown campaign

Jamie Fisfis, the Campbell campaign

Peter Ragone, Newsom campaign

Jim Bognet, Poizner campaign
Jarrod Agen, the Poizner campaign

Break - Refreshments

The Polls: How to Measure Public Opinion?

What are the new realities of polling? What about recorded-voice calling vs. live calling? How important is it to sample cell phones? How are polls impacted by the increase in voting-by-mail, and should results be released from people who have already voted? Polls are always controversial and this year was no exception. We look at the polling in the 2010 election.

Moderator:
Jane Junn, USC

Panelists:
Mark Baldassare, PPIC
Mark DiCamillo, The Field Poll
Jay Leve, Survey USA
Darry Sragow, Los Angeles Times/USC Poll

Continental Breakfast

In Blue California, Do Campaigns Matter?

California turned away the Republican wave that swept over the rest of the country, including in the gubernatorial election. Does the Democratic registration advantage in the state give Democrats an almost insurmountable edge in statewide elections? Can Republicans hope to consistently win in California, and if so, how? After an election year in which California deviated from the national trend, we consider whether it’s the state’s underlying political reality, rather than the campaigns, that determine the outcome of California’s elections.

Moderator:
Max Neiman, UC-Berkeley

Panelists:
Thad Kousser, UC-San Diego
Ken Miller, Claremont McKenna College
Kim Nalder, Sacramento State University
Tony Quinn, California Target Book

Keynote Lunch Address

The Honorable Bill Lockyer, Treasurer, State of California

Lunch provided for first 200 registrants only.

Politics 2.0: How Campaigns are Changing

How was the 2010 election affected by the changing nature of California politics?  What was the effect of increased voting by mail? What was the impact of social networking sites and other new media? How effective is microtargeting? Did Citizens United make a difference?

Moderator:
Susan Rasky, UC-Berkeley

Panelists:
Rick Claussen, Goddard-Claussen
Gale Kaufman, Kaufman Campaign Consultants
Chris Lehane, Fabiani and Lehane
Ray McNally, McNally Temple

Break - Refreshments

The Big Battle: Why the Winner Won

What was the status of each campaign emerging from the primaries? What were the critical turning points of the general election campaign? Why did the winner emerge triumphant?

Moderators:
Cathleen Decker, Los Angeles Times
Anthony York, Los Angeles Times

Panelists:
Bob Naylor, former Assembly Republican Leader

Steven Glazer, Brown campaign
Joe Trippi, Brown campaign
Sterling Clifford, Brown campaign

Roger Salazar, California Working Families independent expenditure campaign

Duf Sundheim, former chairman, California Republican Party

Jim Brulte, former Senate and Assembly Republican Leader

Reception

Boiler Room, Hotel Shattuck Plaza