[ilbegone]

Presence at event rankles rival

October 11, 2009

The Press-Enterprise

The battle for the Democratic gubernatorial race took an Inland turn this month.

Attorney General Jerry Brown headlined a fundraiser for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

The problem? Ramos is a Republican, and Brown's office is helping the district attorney in a local corruption investigation.

Now, Brown, who launched an exploratory committee for a run for governor, is coming under fire from his potential Democratic opponent, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

After the fundraiser, Newsom campaign manager Nick Clemons sent a note to supporters asking them to sign a letter urging Brown "not to raise money for right-wing Republican politicians who will take California in the wrong direction."

Clemons' letter cites Ramos' support for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former President George W. Bush.

"At a time when the state Republican Party refused to help solve the crisis that pushed California to the brink of collapse and forced draconian cuts in higher education, health care and vital services, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor is headlining a fundraiser for one of California's Republican politicians?" Clemons wrote.

"Why would Jerry Brown do this?"

Steven Glazer, a Brown senior adviser, said the appearance at the fundraiser is not an issue.

"This is a nonpartisan office with no announced Democratic opponent," he said of the San Bernardino County DA. "Mr. Ramos has been an effective crime fighter. The attorney general's evaluation is based on public safety and not partisan politics."

Ramos is up for re-election next year.