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October 17, 2005
Me Llamo Steve Westly
Twenty five years ago Angelika Blendstrup was an energetic teaching assistant getting her Ph.D in education at Stanford University. She had a bright freshman in her class eager to improve his Spanish skills. “I remember Steve coming in to class, so excited to keep working on his Spanish. He wanted to learn the language as a way to connect with people and understand new perspectives. He was also eager to travel. He was so happy to learn how to ask for toilet paper and other key travel phrases.”
After college, Angelika and Steve kept in touch, Steve even visited Angelika while she was living in Munich with her newborn daughter. Eventually Angelika returned to California and started her own business, Blendstrup & Associates while Steve taught and then went to eBay.
Angelika remembers, “Steve handled eBay’s international expansion, he was traveling all over the world and meeting with people from different cultures. We talked about how to communicate with people even when you don’t share a language. He was always a great communicator, able to listen, understand and get an idea across. And he kept working on his Spanish, staying in practice.”
Now all of Angelika’s hard work is paying off, in a historic campaign commercial. Steve is the first non-Latino candidate to air a commercial talking to voters directly in Spanish for the entire spot. So what does Angelika think of her student’s progress?
“I’m so proud of him. Reaching out to involve Spanish-speaking Californians in politics is important and I know Steve will keep finding new ways to bring us all together. Plus, his Spanish sounds great. I’d give him an A+.”
Posted by Steven Aronowitz at October 17, 2005 11:35 AM
Comments
First let me congragulate Steve for deciding to take a great step forward to help his state. I support his stand on the issues and as a California voter I am totally ready to say Hasta to the Strongman.
That said, it is about policy. California is now and will forever be multi-ethnic, We are not SouthAfrica, yet Economic Apartheid crushes the productivity of this state so much that we must import our Intelligentsia, not to mention our Engineers!
Spanish is splendid but go one step further: behold, Switzerland.
How many languages are taught to children in this country? Why not here?
Posted by: Charles Stegiel at October 17, 2005 02:41 PM
I like the ad - congratulations to Steve for doing this. Keep reaching out , show that browbeating. chest beating, and name calling are not what being Governor means. This State needs leadership that is sane, smart, firm and wise.
Posted by: Patricia W. Neal at October 17, 2005 03:48 PM
I gotta give him credit on the Spanish. Very impressive. Do any of you remember Gray Davis' attempts? Not impressive. Bravo, Steve.
Posted by: John R. at October 17, 2005 04:11 PM
It's been clear for sometime now that only one declared gubernatorial candidate truly wants to reach out to ALL the people of Califoria. Congratulations Steve for again exhibiting your inclusive style. Your leadership reminds all of us (Democrats and Republicans alike) that the only way to fix California's problems is by pulling together. Arnold's "devide and conquer" mentality is doomed to certain failure ... anyone who has a basic sense of US political history should understand this un-American folly.
Prediction: Arnold's devisive schemes will go down in flames ... and as a result, our mighty Governor will "delicately lay out an excuse" for abruptly dropping his re-election bid. Keep spreading the message of the people and the people will surely continue to respond ... all of our great leaders have done it this way; your heart and campaign are rooted in the right place.
Posted by: Eddie Alexander at October 20, 2005 01:28 AM
Felicidades, Steve et al, no solamente por haber creado un buen anuncio, sino tambie'n por tener las agallas y sabiduri'a de intentar conseguir el voto latino.
Yo realmente me quedare' impresionado, Steve, cuando aprendas a bailar "la quebradita" e incluyas eso en el anuncio! :-)
Viva, Steve Westly!
Posted by: Mark Wong-VanHaren at October 21, 2005 03:01 AM
No RSS/Atom feed for this blog?
Posted by: Mark Wong-VanHaren at October 21, 2005 03:02 AM
Try this... http://blog01.kintera.com/westly2006/index.xml
Posted by: Joel Bush at October 21, 2005 06:11 AM
