Barbara Danon This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. SignOn San Diego Politics -- Different views of Danon emerge

   www.sandiegovoter.com/news/pol - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/20/2001   Last Visited: 5/28/2001

   Barbara Danon, his stepmother, remembers he even wore his baseball cap to bed, leaving an indentation in his thick, black hair.
   
   As a teen-ager, Danon aspired to be a rock star. Today, he settles for singing karaoke in bars.
   ...
   Danon developed an early interest in history. He proudly shows off a 1944 photo of his grandmother holding a baby -- his father -- in her arms in Oswego, N.Y., as Eleanor Roosevelt signs autographs. His grandparents became citizens in 1951, passing on a strong work ethic and a commitment to volunteerism to their children.
   
   Danon says he has always been fascinated by the Kennedys and how they inspired people to get more involved in their communities.
   
   ...
   Barbara Danon, who now lives in Sherman Oaks, recalls the family debating issues at the dinner table.
   
   Danon graduated from high school in 1983. He said he took a year off to work, attended Irvine Valley College for two years, then transferred to San Diego State University, graduating with a political science degree. He said he worked full time as a waiter while in college.
   
   At first, SDSU officials could not confirm his graduation because Danon's academic file had been sealed at his request. Danon said the sealing of his records was a mistake and authorized the university to confirm his graduation to The San Diego Union-Tribune. After initially refusing, he later agreed to release his transcript as well.
   
   It shows he was on academic probation for two full academic years.
   
   The transcript shows his grades included an F and a D in political science. He also earned two A's in business/professional speech and the other for an internship in local politics his final semester.
   
   He finished with a grade point average of 2.16 in his SDSU classes and a cumulative average of 2.43, which includes community college classes.
   
   Students need a 2.0 average to stay off probation and to graduate.
   
   Danon said he is not proud of his grades and that now he has a different approach to life than he did as a college student.
   
   Danon says he was student vice president at his high school and president of the College Republicans at SDSU. But once he joined the real world of politics, he was happy working behind the scenes as a chief of staff or a campaign worker.
   
   Danon worked on George Bush's presidential campaign in 1988. In 1992, he worked on the mayoral campaign of Ron Roberts.
   ...
   Bilbray, who has appeared several times in Danon's campaign mailers, credits Danon with helping to forge the strong community ties Bilbray says he made as a U.S. representative.
   
   "Steve was instrumental in creating the framework that made it possible for me to represent that area so aggressively," he said in a phone interview from Washington, D.C., where he now works as a consultant.
   
   © Copyright 2001 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
   
   > > > >

2. 2. SignOn San Diego Politics -- Different views of Danon emerge

   oas.uniontrib.com/news/politic - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/20/2001   Last Visited: 5/25/2001

   Different views of Danon emerge.
   
   ...
   Danon , who was about 14 at the time , insisted he could.
   
   As his stepmother tells it , his parents stood nervously on the shore and watched him swim all the way across that lake.
   
   HOW THEY VOTED
   
   ...
   Danon , now 35 , says he admires the hero in his favorite movie , Rocky , because he , too , overcame a challenge. He was given an opportunity and went with it , Danon says.
   
   It is this kind of determination that Danon's friends and family believe is now driving his campaign to become the city councilman for San Diego's District 6.
   
   Some , however , see it as opportunistic ambition. Danon and his wife , Patty , moved to Clairemont and he registered to vote there in October 2000. His critics contend they moved in anticipation of the downfall of former Councilwoman Valerie Stallings.
   ...
   Danon was the fund-raising leader in the crowded primary election last month and finished first among 11 candidates with 26.2 percent of the vote. Environmental activist Donna Frye came in second , with 25.6 percent. Voters will choose between the two in a runoff election June 5.
   
   Danon's supporters describe him as intense , passionate and committed , and always able to rally people for a good cause. They say he is incredibly polite , a good listener , and the kind of person you want to have as a friend.
   
   ...
   I think he's always been compelled to do public good , said Steve Maciej , a lobbyist who has known Danon since college.
   ...
   Danon said he has not been endorsed by the Building Industry Association and will absolutely not be beholden to special interests.
   
   To say that I'm a smooth talker and insincere , I'm honestly hurt by that , Danon said. My parents have always taught me to strive to do my best and be straightforward with individuals..
   
   Mike Pallamary , who came in third in the primary , said Danon used negative tactics in the campaign , violating the 11th commandment of Republican politics , which holds that GOP candidates should not do ill to another.
   ...
   Danon countered that it was Pallamary who went on the attack.
   ...
   The grandson of Yugoslav refugees , Danon was born in 1965 in the San Fernando Valley. His father worked in furniture sales ; his mother was a hairdresser. When Danon was about 8 , his parents divorced and his father married a teacher.
   
   Danon did not grow up wanting to become governor or president. In fact , his childhood dream was to be a major league baseball player. Barbara Danon , his stepmother , remembers he even wore his baseball cap to bed , leaving an indentation in his thick , black hair.
   
   As a teen-ager , Danon aspired to be a rock star. Today , he settles for singing karaoke in bars.
   ...
   Danon developed an early interest in history. He proudly shows off a 1944 photo of his grandmother holding a baby -- his father -- in her arms in Oswego , N.Y. , as Eleanor Roosevelt signs autographs. His grandparents became citizens in 1951 , passing on a strong work ethic and a commitment to volunteerism to their children.
   
   Danon says he has always been fascinated by the Kennedys and how they inspired people to get more involved in their communities.
   
   Danon's stepmother remembers young Steve being similar to Michael J. Fox's character on the television comedy Family Ties , a Republican son of Democratic parents. Barbara Danon , who now lives in Sherman Oaks , recalls the family debating issues at the dinner table.
   
   Danon graduated from high school in 1983. He said he took a year off to work , attended Irvine Valley College for two years , then transferred to San Diego State University , graduating with a political science degree. He said he worked full time as a waiter while in college.
   
   At first , SDSU officials could not confirm his graduation because Danon's academic file had been sealed at his request. Danon said the sealing of his records was a mistake and authorized the university to confirm his graduation to The San Diego Union-Tribune. After initially refusing , he later agreed to release his transcript as well.
   
   It shows he was on academic probation for two full academic years.
   
   The transcript shows his grades included an F and a D in political science. He also earned two A's in business/professional speech and the other for an internship in local politics his final semester.
   
   He finished with a grade point average of 2.16 in his SDSU classes and a cumulative average of 2.43 , which includes community college classes.
   
   Students need a 2.0 average to stay off probation and to graduate.
   
   Danon said he is not proud of his grades and that now he has a different approach to life than he did as a college student.
   
   Danon says he was student vice president at his high school and president of the College Republicans at SDSU. But once he joined the real world of politics , he was happy working behind the scenes as a chief of staff or a campaign worker.
   
   Danon worked on George Bush's presidential campaign in 1988. In 1992 , he worked on the mayoral campaign of Ron Roberts.