The MySpace race

So the two Democratic candidates for governor are competing just about everywhere. Both are organizing rival bus tours. Steve Westly and his backers urge that we jump on the Westly wagon. Phil Angelides wants to tour the coast and tout his Democratic (and environmental) credentials. The two have given competing speeches at the Sacramento Press Club--and for each the opponent has sent representatives to the back of the room to spin the media. The two are competing on the airwaves--with multi-million dollar ad buys that have saturated the airwaves. They have competed in televised debates--shooting sharp barbs back and forth. Of course, one little noticed competition is online--with MySpace. And in that battle Angelides is kicking Westly's online you-know-what. Angelides: 1355 friends Westly: 179 friends Both are pretty active myspacers users (or, rather, their staff is). Westly last logged in yesterday. Angelides logged in today. And both are doing substantially better than lieutenant governor hopeful John Garamendi, who has only 51 friends. And much much better than Garamendi opponent Jackie Speier, who has all of 0 friends. Liz Figueroa, the other Democratic lite gov candidate doesn't have a MySpace profile. Unfortunately for Phil, which is what most of his MySpace well-wishers call the state treasurer, some of his 1355 friends aren't yet eligible to vote. One pro-Phil user, pRiNcEsS, wrote, " im really only 12 so i cant vote. my parents r both independent but i wanna b a democrat." Another Phil booster, ANdy, writes, "phil, if i was 18 i would vote for you in a secong but i still have a year. i believe in your platform. your support is impressive. comment me back dude." One of Westly's commenters, *So Cali Princess*, (his first comment, actually) is excited about his candidacy. "Thanks for not being evil!" she writes. Others chime in with more excited "Go Steve!" sentiments. By the way, Angelides is a Gemini looking for "Networking, Friends" and "Californians interested in a better future for our state!" And, really, who isn't.