ASSEMBLYWOMAN MAY BE PINNING HOPES ON HOSPITAL ISSUE
Many with knowledge of the political landscape believe Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi is gearing up for a run at state Sen. Ellen Corbett’s seat in 2010, but question whether a bloody battle for the state Senate is wise with the fate of San Leandro Hospital as its backdrop.
Most conversations recently regarding Hayashi typically involve an exaggerated scratching of the head. For instance, why did she co-author a bill with Corbett if she planned to let it die in committee?
The confusion in Sacramento from her office last week on a simple hearings schedule and a war of words over who’s better shepherding the saving of San Leandro Hospital seem silly and contrived. It’s all one big head scratcher if you leave out one important piece of information–Hayashi wants Corbett’s seat.
In recent weeks, Hayashi and Corbett have manufactured situations hoping to pin the possible demise of San Leandro Hospital on the other. The hot-button issue has the potential to carry into 2010 and will likely be the top issue in many local race from the two state race, the mayoral election in San Leandro and Councilman Michael Gregory’s seat on the city council. Gregory’s district includes the San Leandro Hospital campus.
“This is not the issue to be fighting over,” said Charles Gilchrist, a long-time political consultant in the area, “There will be other issues.”
One of the reasons for ramping up her campaign against Corbett are a few lessons gleaned from former Assemblywoman Wilma Chan’s ill-fated run for Don Perata’s Senate seat in 2008. The prevailing theory is the two year layoff became a liability. The downtime hampered Chan’s fundraising ability and removed her from the public radar–two things Hayashi would hope to avoid against the first-term state Senator.
Typically the odd year before an election cycle features this sort of contentiousness. Vice Mayor Joyce Starosciak has already began to define distinctions between herself and Mayor Santos while other possible challengers have ramped up criticism in hopes of defeating the long-time pol. What appears different in the possible senate battle is Hayashi’s willingness to use a quality of life issue like the loss of the city’s only hospital for political points.
ebcitizen.com 
And there's not enough evidence to prove that Hayashi was waiting for better addtions to the bill.
She may as well promise you no traffic on 880 at 8am.
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Even with the reasoning being possible due to timing issues, Mr. Cassidy's raises other points which undermine the likelihood of this theory.
You need to provide more evidence of your claims…
You say Hayashi “planned to let it die in committee” but of course you have no basis for this claim of her “plan” and her public statements contradict your unfounded claim.
You say they've tried to “pin the possible demise of San Leandro” on the other, but don't provide examples.
I'm not saying you are wrong, there just isn't strong enough reason to believe you are right.
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A two year lay off for someone that is mostly known by the unions that support her is a long time. Hayashi is probably considering how many people in positions like City Council, etc, will be aiming to run for Corbett's Senate seat in 2014. She's doing her math, anything can happen between 2010 and 2014. Also, consider Pete Starks age…he's 78 this year. If she wants Corbett's seat for one term with hopes to run for Congress, Stark would be 82 after her first term…and most likely, not running. She'd be the front runner.
It's simple math and commen sense.
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My comment above should save “Klehs and Dutra”
The graphic you've used for this blog entry is off – the primary election will be in June 2010, not Fall 2010.
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First, it doesn't make sense for Hayashi to challenge Corbett. Corbett herself had a two year layoff and went on to defeat then sitting Assembly member Klehs or Dutra in 2006. Any downside from a layoff is far better than a defeat in a primary against Corbett.
“In recent weeks, Hayashi and Corbett have manufactured situations hoping to pin the possible demise of San Leandro Hospital on the other.”
That's not supported by the record. How has Corbett been trying to create the impression that the possible closure of San Leandro Hospital is seen as Hayashi's fault? It was Hayashi that chose not to provide the tenth, and necessary vote, to get Corbett's bill out of the Assembly Health Committee.
She subsequently reversed course. As far as I can tell from checking today the online legislative materials, no amendments were made to the bill. The bill, which has the support of both the California Medical Association and California Nurses Association, then sailed through the committee on a 19-0 vote. All Reps joined in support of the bill. See http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_196&sess=CUR&house=B&author=corbett
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I don't think Hayashi has a chance. Nobody knows her.
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You're on to something…keep digging! To think Hayashi knows the people of the 18th District is wrong and naive. She knows the unions that pay for her victory. She's not the type of leader this district needs!
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