Washington (CNN) – Jerry Brown described California as "failing" Tuesday evening, and vowed to bring Democrats and Republicans together to help revive the state's economy if he is elected governor in November.
"I think we have to sit down, starting not next year, but right after the election, and get in the Republican leaders and all the members of the legislature," Brown, who served as governor from 1975 to 1983, said in an interview on CNN's 'Larry King Live.' "The way the budget works now is they have four leaders from – two from each party. And they do it. That doesn't work. You've got to get all 120 legislatures in the room, day after day and month after month, keep the focus on solving that budget deficit."
Earlier in the day, Brown declared his bid for the Democratic nomination, a formality, of sorts, as he has been laying the groundwork for some time to run again for governor.
"We've got the creativity," said Brown, currently the state attorney general. "But we've got to stop that bickering – that poisonous partisanship in Sacramento. I think they need someone in there with the skills and the knowledge and, maybe more importantly, insider's knowledge, but an outsider's mind. And that's exactly what I can bring to this job."
Brown, who has no primary opposition, will face either state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner or former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, who are each running for the Republican nomination, in the general election.
Brown said he would "like" President Obama to "campaign for me," but also noted that he would welcome GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's support as well. "I'd like everybody who I could get," Brown said.
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Maybe Senator Brown could try explaining what the word 'bi-partisan' means: To the Democrats.
Bi-partisanship does not mean a caving in on principles by the other side.
Even if he's serious, it takes two sides to be bipartisan. Republicans will not risk the ire of their followers by cooperating with people who they have demonized.
Whether or not you like Jerry Brown, during the property tax fight that ended up with Prop 13 cutting that tax by 57%, then Gov Jerry Brown actually had the better proposal that would not have slashed local and county services for fire, police, parks, libraries, etc. Hopefully he can do something about the sad state of affairs in California.
Brown is a 71 year old white guy.
If he was a Republican, all you would hear is he's "pale, stale, and male". Yet we don't hear that. Why?? Is it just the 'D' after his name?
Um, Dude, Obama tried that line already on the whole country.
I don't think people will be fooled again by such an empty promise.
Mr. Brown sure sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I'm sure he'll do a way better job than the Governator has done.
Brown pledges bipartisanship. WHO is this clown fooling. He ran California into the toilets and now wants to do it again.
If Californians vote this jerk back, they DESERVE WORSE than they're getting with Arnold, much worse. Brown will drive California right off the cliff.
We need to STOP recycling OLD GEEZERS like Brown, McCain, Rangel, Grassley, McConnel, Specter, etc.
There should be a 8 year TERM LIMIT on every elected official. Bottom line.
They all promise bipartisanship, then get elected and act partisan... The bottom line for Calif (and all states) is to elect leaders who will cut spending, cut entitlement programs and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. We have to stop taking money from hardworking people to give free stuff (food, housing healthcare) to lazy people who won't work.
We have had Mr. Brown as Governor once before.
I surly hope the big wonderful state of California can produce
a fresh, new candidate for this office.
...please!
Go Jerry Brown!
That's awesome...except for the fact that Republican's do NOT want to work together. Sounds good, but I bet its an empty promise.
Is this the same Jerry Brown that refused to investigate Acorn in California? Looks like another bought and paid for democrat.
I hope he has more luck that Schwarzenegger did trying to get everyone to agree on something. California needs some serious help in terms of clearing out mandated things from the constitution. That is restricting it. They need to raise some taxes because otherwise there will be nothing left other than a few prison guards and some state police and everything will fall apart.
Richard Alcala raped and murdered five women beginning in the late 60s when Jerry Brown was the Attorney General of California.
Alcala's first sentence, for the raping and near-death beating of an 8 year old girl, was 2.5 years. (an aside note, why is society seemingly so tolerant of raping little children? The man arrested in the murder of Chelsea King was sentenced to only 5 years for the kidnapping an rape of a 13 year old girl in 2000, only to go to rape and kill).
Brown's stint as mayor of Oakland ended with a 66% increase in the murder rate. This state cannot endure more of Moonbeam in office. Its awful enough he's AG again!
Jerry Brown should be President, not Governor. I like his style. He is not afraid to stir things up and make politicians accountable. Brown and Schwarznegger do get along well and symbolize rare bipartisanship.
The only way Brown should be re-elected is if Mike Curb runs too! I loved that combo of bipartisanship....
WOW! I didn't know Jerry Brown was still alive, as an elderly senior he's up there with Nick Jager.
Jerry, glad to see you're in the race, you have my vote
Governor "moon beam" or Jim Beam. Does it really matter? Cali is on liberal lockdown and the home of such liberal stallwarts as Maxine Waters, Henry Waxman, Nancy Pelosi, the 9th Circuit Court and Barbara Boxer! A beautiful state that has been politically hijacked! A liberal experiment gone terribly wrong!
Please, please, PLEASE have Obama campaign for Jerry Brown!!! He did such a great job for the Olympics in Chicago, Climate Change in Copenhagen, and Martha Coakley in Massachusetts. Let the streak continue!
Brown in 2010, a sequel to the HORROR of his last term.