Posts Tagged ‘nathan ballard’

It’s Official – Jackie Speier to Remain a Congresswoman for Now

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Per UC Hastings Law School graduate Nathan Ballard comes news from UC Hastings Law School graduate Jackie Speier. It seems California’s most-beloved lawyer will stay in D.C. after all:

“Rep. Jackie Speier “Grateful” To Stay In Congress. Speier: Unfinished Work To Do On Consumer Protection, Health Care, Education

Washington, D.C. – Today, ending days of speculation, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) announced that she will remain in Congress.
 
“I am thankful that so many supporters came forward to urge me to run for statewide office, but after talking it over with my family, I have decided to stay in Congress,” said Speier. “I am convinced it is the right thing to do for my family, and I believe I can best serve my constituents by remaining in Congress and working hard on consumer protection, financial reform, jobs, and health care.”

Jackie in the Halls of Congress:

 

“Today’s announcement by Speier, who served for 18 years in the state legislature, ends speculation that she will seek statewide office in 2010. She has served in the U.S. Congress since 2008 and is a member of the financial services committee, the oversight and government reform committee, and the select committee on energy independence and global warming.
 
“My constituents have given me an extraordinary opportunity to protect the environment, the elderly, and a woman’s right to choose,” said Speier. “I am grateful to serve in Congress, and I do not take a single day for granted.”
 
In November 1978, Speier was serving as a legal advisor to Congressman Leo Ryan when she flew to Guyana to investigate crimes committed by Peoples’ Temple cult leader Jim Jones. While helping captives escape, Speier was shot five times by cult members and left for dead.
 
Since then Speier has dedicated her life to public service. She has written groundbreaking legislation in privacy and consumer protection, education, and health care.
 
Over the years Speier has earned a reputation as a reformer. The San Francisco Chronicle said “Jackie Speier has taken on some of Sacramento’s most powerful forces — banks, insurance companies, prison guards, University of California administrators, even legislative leaders — in her crusades for the public interest.” (May 14, 2006)
 
Speier, 59, graduated from UC Davis and received her law degree from UC Hastings. She is married with two children.”

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The Thing About Nate Ballard, Former Director of Communications for Gavin Newsom

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Here’s the thing about Nathan Ballard – he was almost always in this damn-the-facts-Gavin-Newsom-is-always-right mode. That’s just the way the bulk of his profession does it these days.* Oh well, he won’t be in that mode much longer, see the news release below.

But what if the roles had been reversed? What if the smarter one were Mayor and the more charismatic one were Director of Communications?

Wouldn’t that arrangement have worked out better? For them, and for us? Just asking…

NB on the job, an impossible job, really, when you get down to it. Here he is documenting the goings-on around on Polk Street:

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Check Nate’s Earned Media website: ”Good Press. It isn’t free…” True that.

Anyway, here’s the news of the day:

Nathan Ballard to Leave Newsom Administration

Today Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that Nathan Ballard, his director of communications, will be leaving the Newsom administration.

Newsom praised Ballard’s skills.

“Nathan Ballard is unflappable, smart and a fierce advocate,” said Newsom. “He is a talented communicator and a consummate professional, and we will miss him.”

Ballard praised Newsom for his leadership.

“Mayor Newsom is a gifted leader who fearlessly tackles significant issues such as health care, the environment, education, and equal rights,” said Ballard. “It has been a privilege to serve this administration.”

Ballard took the helm of Newsom’s communications operation in February, 2007. He will be leaving the administration in February, 2010. He said he plans to spend more time with his family and to relaunch the business he founded in 2004, Earned Media, LLC.

Ballard, 40, has served as a spokesman for two presidential candidates, Senator John Kerry and General Wesley Clark. He has also been a communications director for the Democratic National Committee, the California Democratic Party, and California’s largest labor organization, the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.

Good luck Mr. Ballard. Bon courage.

*Speaking of charismatic leaders, even Mussolini would occasionally admit he lost a battle or made a mistake. Those by-gone days of frankness are long-gone, it would seem.

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San Francisco’s Most Overused Cliche of the Decade: “World-Class”

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

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Oh Lord, if I ever see or hear the cliche “world-class” again, it will be too soon. But now, They’re using the Phrase That Shant Be Named twice in the same monkey-fighting sentence:

“A world-class city like San Francisco needs a world-class boulevard. We’re optimistic this plan will lead to a renaissance of Market Street,’ said Nathan Ballard, Newsom’s spokesman.’”

Now first of all, we already have a “world-class boulevard” – it’s called Octavia and it’s turning out to be a public policy disaster.

Second of all, “world-class: cliché (avoid)”:

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Now, do you want to use this phrase the way it was meant to be, like saying that Cleveland has a world-class symphony orchestra. I don’t know if that’s true or if it even ever was, but it’s surprising that a sub-million-population city like Cleveland would have such a good symphony so world-class is apropropriate, right? And indeed, the same could be said for the San Francisco Ballet, which acquits itself quite nicely considering S.F. is the fourth-biggest (and falling – Sacramento, where you at Sacramento?) city in the state. 

But I mean, does everything in town have to be world-class? The Strybing Arboretum? Really? “Just look at that tree, man, that’s one monkey-fighting world-class tree!”

Or, how about:

“A world-class boyfriend like me needs a world-class omelette, don’t you think, honey?”

Oh, how they must laugh at us:

“I despise the hackneyed phrase “world-class.” It’s a tired cliché supposed to inspire and excite where it only deadens and dulls the senses. In a world where everything is touted as “world-class”, nothing is exceptional or intimate.”

“Here’s my deal: I’m a world-class talking head. I’ve made my bones and I’ve got all my bona fides.”

“Is there anybody else who winces at the use of “world class”

What would the Encyclopedia of Business Cliches say about us? Nothing good, that’s for sure.  

Or Gaia, maybe She could help with this issue. Yes, Divine Intervention will be required at this point.

Or you know, Whomever, just please make it stop.

4028booze

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Is San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly Supposed to be Stupid or Something?

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

“Chris Daly is not exactly the president of Mensa.” That’s the quote today in the Chronicle in an article about closing part of Market Street to cars. Is Supervisor Daly supposed to be stoopid or something?

1. Trying to close part of Market seems a lot more appealing than some other ideas. Ideas like this, or like corn ethanol for example. Trying this Market Street concept, which has been proposed by others in the past, would be cheap to implement and would be simple to undo if things didn’t work out.

2. Chris Daly could easily become president of Mensa if he had a reason to want to do so. (Look out Alan Winson!) Chris wouldn’t even have to take a test to join. He could most likely dig up the SAT or ACT scores he needed to get into Duke and use them to get into Mensa. Bingo bango. (Bonus: He seems familiar with the organization.)

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Chris is a smart guy you just happen to disagree with on this or that. So, let’s leave Mensa out of future discussions of how to move forward, mkay?

Carry on.

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