Here's a recent round-up of California political ads from the television:

1. Ad from Republican Steve Poizner (or friends) in opposition to Democrat Cruz Bustamante for Insurance Commissioner. Shows the back of a balding person (presumably Cruz) holding out a large bag while people walk by dumping cash in the sack while winking. Not-so-subtle subtext: Cruz is dirty. Compare with this March 30 2006 article:

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the leading Democratic candidate for state insurance commissioner, has taken large contributions and accepted free meals and travel from the industry he seeks to regulate... In the past year, Bustamante has received more than $120,000 in campaign donations from insurance companies, their trade groups and individual brokers, records show... He and top aides also have accepted from those in the insurance industry hundreds of dollars in free meals and travel expenses at restaurants and resorts in Pebble Beach, Las Vegas and San Diego -- some of which Bustamante did not report on his disclosure statements, according to records.

Meanwhile, the former MEChA member seems to be preparing for a life after politics as a still-guru weight loss guru: startwithcruz.com. That's listed as the official site for his campaign: aroundthecapitol.com/IC/Elections

2. Former California governor Jerry Brown - nicknamed "Moonbeam" for his occasionally outrageous proposals and antics - has an ad calling his opponent for Attorney General, Chuck Poochigian, "too extreme for California". The ad is fact-checked here. While this site isn't exactly an opponent of JB, many people would call him the "extremist", not the other way around. And, those featured in the ad making them claim are:
- Jason Fox, a "Sargeant of Police" from "San Francisco" (he's with the SFPD, see below)
- Randy Hayes, founder of the Rainforest Action Network
- Kathy Kneer, president of Planned Parenthood of California
- Lisa Seitz, "Scientific Researcher"
The announcer makes the claim as well, while a black & white of Poochigian being embraced by George Bush plays for several seconds.

In California terms, PP and RAN might be considered the "extremists", but things are different here. As the fact-check above says, "Seitz is a former Brown appointee to the Oakland Public Ethics Commission... Hayes once held a top appointed post in Brown's mayoral office." Her husband, meanwhile, is the guitarist for a hitherto unheard-of rock 'n' roll band called the NakedBarbies, featuring the attractive Patty Spiglanin.

Note also that Fox' employer (SFPD) is not provided, since apparently that's against state law. That law, and another ad about the weapons Fox discusses, is discussed here.

3. Now we come to one of the strangest - in the pathetic sense - ads that I've ever seen. It has to be seen to be believed, featuring the back of a "young Phil" looking at a poster saying "Dump Nixon". The narrator intones: "In 1972, a young man from California saw a sign that changed his life forever..." Supposed facts are presented, but the music is what makes this special: "Let Your Love Flow (Like a Mountain Stream)" which, if it had been the original Bellamy Brothers version would be bad enough. However, in this case it appears to have been performed by the World's Worst Bread Cover Band. The ad hits squarely onto a major demographic in California: those who are still stuck in the 70s. Phil is one of you.