THE winner in the 2006 election cycle is “default” Eddie Baza Calvo, chair of the Finance and Taxation Committee and vice-speaker of the 29th Guam Legislative. Why? While all the heavyweights were duking it out, he quietly decided to postpone his personal ambitions and take a rain check. Which I’m sure he will cash in, in 2010. And why not?
If we can have governors who have done nothing but increase the size and cost of government and still “survive,” why not have a governor that is from the real world with the real world expertise and business acumen?
Of course, there are pitfalls between now and 2010. The Democrats could recapture the Legislature next year if the electorate’s disillusionment with Felix P. Camacho (and George W. Bush) reaches astronomical heights, thereby setting the stage for a Democratic governor two years later.
So what Eddie “Pepsi” Calvo must do between now and 2010 is position himself as a centrist and be a change agent now, not in 2010 because the trend line is clear that the GOP will be a minority party nationally from here on out.
On Guam, there is little that distinguishes Republicans from Democrats unlike in the mainland. As long as you have a happy, smiley face, lots of money to buy ads, and stay out of trouble corruption, nepotism and cronyism), it should be smooth sailing. Moreover, the Calvo name is not new and there is an automatic percentage of the electorate that will follow regardless.
And since I doubt very much the non-Sunshine supporters will ever see themselves supporting Carl T.C. Gutierrez as the Democratic nominee in 2010, the Republican nominee will be favored. This goes for any Democratic nominee other than Gutierrez since Sunshine folks will never want anyone else carrying the Democratic banner. They haven’t proven that they will rally to the Democratic leader.

MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam