Now we understand that Ms. Rice probably doesn’t want to do anything that would make A.G. Cuomo feel pressured to get out of the race, but when compared to another likely candidate for this office – Democrat Sean Coffey (oh, and he’s Irish) – her love seat announcement looks just sad.

Now if that ain’t a contrast.  In all fairness, these aren’t the only two candidates in this race, but the only two with online campaign videos.  Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, and former insurance regulator Eric Dinallo have web pages themselves that may’ve been created sitting on a love seat – but it’s not as obvious as Ms. Rice’s video announcement.

Learn more at Scott Pruitt dot com.

The spot has gotten the attention of one of South Carolina’s leading bloggers, as well various news outlets here, and here.

There are two Republican candidates in this race – Jon Husted and Sandra “Sandy” O’Brien.  Husted is a state senator, and former state representative.  O’Brien is the Ashtabula County Auditor.

At a recent candidate debate, Husted and O’Brien sparred over who, this being a Republican primary it’s what one does, was the more conservative candidate.  They jousted over taxes, elections, redistricting, and lastly campaign finance.  It was on the issue of campaign finance, or more specifically disclosure that a very interesting contrast was brought to light.

He supports requiring greater disclosure by corporations in their political advertisements and has introduced legislation to require that. O’Brien said shareholders should be allowed to vote before a corporation gives money to a candidate.

The “He” in the above quote refers to Jon Husted.  As Secretary of State, Husted said he supports increased disclosure to the public of who is paying for what. A very admirable and seemingly sensible goal.  He backs it up with legislation that he introduced to accomplish just that.  O’Brien on the other hand takes a slightly different approach – an approach that is immensely popular with the more progressive branch of the Democratic party – which is to require share holders to sign off on a company’s political activities.  It’s an interesting approach, but not sure if it’s one that a GOP primary is quite ready for.

Regardless of the outcome, Democrat Maryellen O’Shaughnessy is waiting for the winner of the May 4th primary.

Oh, then there’s the whole thing about being a lawyer active in California politics, for heaven only knows how long, that he should no better than to, at least what appears, ask an outside group to actively engage in attacking his likely Republican opponent for November’s General Election.  The Los Angeles Times writes about the election law side of this story here.

You can see the smooth operator in question below.

Poppy fields of California?  If this is the Jerry Brown Republicans face in November, things are looking up for the GOP in California.

Well, it looks like Nevada Democrat Lieutenant Governor candidate Bob Goodman didn’t get the memo, because former Governor Davis figures prominently on the Nevada Democrat’s campaign website.

Bob and Gray

Promise, we’re not doctoring pictures or making this up.  Read from Goodman’s own website:

During one of California’s most beautiful seasons, in the midst of spectacular scenery, SATDA’s Chairman, Mr. Robert Goodman, again met with Former Governor Gray Davis to follow-up on projects initiated during their meeting last month as well as review several additional ones.

Robert Goodman and SATDA were proud to host the Former Governor and his wife in China and escort them to the APEC meeting in Qingdao. During this trip where the Vice-Governor of the Shangdong province, Mr. Sun Shoupu, received the Former Governor and SATDA’s Chairman, solid ties were developed between SATDA and Mr. Davis that we continue to develop and strengthen.

During their July meeting in California, the two leaders discussed several new initiatives and trends that SATDA has been responsible for developing. Mr. Davis praised the work we continue to do to promote Sino-US trade, and the repeated successes we are reaping in expanding trade and investment between China and the USA for our members. He continued, “SME’s in both China and America need to increase their understanding of each other so they can develop the trust and cooperation needed to produce win-win situations.” Mr. Davis also worked with SATDA’s Chairman, Mr. Goodman, on several obstacles that continue to be issues in expanding trade and investment and discussed the feasibility of implementing certain suggested solutions.

We wouldn’t post if it weren’t true.  Does heralding the great respect for former Governor Davis speak to prospective Lt. Governor Goodman’s management style in government.  Does Nevada need to be another California?  That’s probably a question Goodman’s fellow candidates Paul Murad, Robert Randazzo, and Jessica Sferrazza ought to be asking, no?

And on the Republican side there’s only one candidate – the favorite to win out right in November – Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki.

One wouldn’t normally equate 4th place with leading, but maybe the definition of leading has changed.  You can see the video for yourself – he makes his bold redefinition of leading just 12 seconds into the video, so you don’t have to watch it all.

By the way, Mr. Cooper appears to be the only Democrat candidate running in this race, but Republicans Ken Ard and Bill Connor are competing for the GOP nomination.