Hildebrand was both inspirational and offered what he described as "tough love." Noting upfront that he is "an outsider" from South Dakota, not California, he said his 22 years of experience is largely with federal candidates. And he, like Jacobs, stressed the importance of winning the ballot initiative fight in Maine. (Jacobs called for an "October vacation in Maine" - though it is unclear if that is in addition to or instead of the Oct. 11 March on Washington.)

Hildebrand noted that "California is a tough state" and stressed that "if you walk into 2010 half-cocked, you will lose." From his outside perspective, he said, "you have to go in with guns blazing, showing great confidence.....I think you've got to go [in 2010] but go with great confidence or don't go."