Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Brown is the New Back

Bellweather?

Millionaire mall developer Rick Caruso, a longtime Republican fundraiser and pal of Arnold Schwarzenegger, said in an interview with the Huffington Post on Tuesday that he is backing Jerry Brown for governor.

Caruso -- who raised money for both Bushes -- said he believes Brown is the most qualified candidate to navigate California's political labyrinth during these troubled times.

"I want to make it clear that this is not a reaction by any stretch of the imagination to my buddy Arnold," Caruso said. "I think Arnold has done a great job, given the circumstances."

"Some of my other Republican friends might question this once the word gets. But I think they'll understand that because Sacramento is so screwed up, you need someone who knows the system. Jerry Brown has been on the ground and in the weeds."

Caruso added that he will hold a fundraiser for Brown at his Brentwood home on Feb. 2. He said he hopes it will raise tens of thousands of dollars from both Republicans and Democrats.

"It should be an exciting evening," Caruso said.

Caruso's stunning decision is a blow to the ambitions of ex-eBay CEO Meg Whitman.


If not Jerry, then who?

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