Arnold picked State Senator Abel Maldonado to be our new Lt. Governor
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has picked Sen. Abel Maldonado to replace Democrat John Garamendi as our Lt. Governor, pending approval by the State Legislature. Maldonado, “who like the governor is a moderate Republican. A 42-year-old lawmaker and broccoli farmer from near Santa Barbara, Mr. Maldonado broke a five-day budget-session impasse in February when he cast the final Republican vote needed to approve a series of spending cuts and tax hikes to close a then-$42 billion budget shortfall,” according to the Wall St. Journal.
By appointing Maldonado, Schwarzenegger is also punking the state GOP. It is likely that the Democrats will pick up his State Senate seat, probably with one of their local Assemblymen. That will of course open up another legislative seat to yet another special election.
Will the State Legislature approve Maldonado’s nomiation? You have to believe that the Democrats will support this as they owe Maldonado for his vote last year, and they want his State Senate seat. The Republicans are another matter altogether. Two Republican State Senators are running for Lt. Governor. And the rest of them aren’t big fans of Maldonado.
Maldonado also peeved his red brethren by putting an Open Primary measure on the ballot, as part of his deal to approve the tax increase.
Will Maldonado be able to turn this nomination into something else? Perhaps, but not for some time. Until the Open Primary becomes a reality there is no way the state GOP will elect him in a primary. He will have to be patient and bide his time.
And the California Republican Party continues its slide into oblivion…
“Que viva el Gobernador George W. Bush”
It was’nt too long ago that Abel was praising GW.
Another example of the foolish, self serving GOP.
California gets EXACTLY what they asked for by electing Arnold. Thanks John and Ken, Red County and JUohn McCain.
These guys are clowns, A collective group of fools.
“These guys are clowns, A collective group of fools.”
And you’re ignorant, Duplojohn. Schwarzenegger was elected Governor in Sept. 2003. Red County (OC Blog) didn’t start until June 2004.
I’d ask you to tell me again how Arnold is Red County’s fault, but I don;t want to burden you with…I don’t know — being factual?
And in case you try to blame Arnold’s re-elect on Red County, I voted Libertarian in that contest.
I think Arnold has checked out. It’s quite obvious that he’s delegated decision-making to his Chief of Staff, Democrat Susan Kennedy.
The only question is whether she is incompetent or insidious. She may be incompetent because she helped destroy Gray Davis. She may be insidiously attempting to further isolate the Governor by alienating him from the GOP (in attempt to more easily align him with the Democrats).
What’s wrong with this guy? He endorsed Linda Ackerman, didn’t he? That should count for something.
Maldonado does not appeal to the very conservative or the very liberal voters. Thus, he may be of interest to the majority. The two women former CEO’s, jockeying for the Repub. nomination, should be worried. Shrewd move to appeal to moderates of both parties and the growing number of independents. Let’s see how the polarized Legislature handles this nomination.
Matt,
You got me there.
To be fair, my original post referenced OC BLOG.
TO BE CLEAR, In an desperate effort to get the seat, YOU and many other political junkies went with a guy who had ZERO professional expeience in government, held demolition derbys in place of real discussions and was known to be “west” of your published views.
That to me sounds like selling your values for victory.
Further, You are an experienced political operative know, there is no way with his thin skin Arnold could have survived the bruising prmary process that is California elected politics, and knowing that your folk (Corona, Cambell, Lewis et all) was more interested in the seat than in governing.
The fact is, Arnold Schwartzneegers balls are made of iron, and your tounge was a magnet.
sorry, sent from the beach.
Duplo is at the Royal Hawaiian this week!
Nana nanna na
“To be fair, my original post referenced OC BLOG.”
And so it is still wrong because, as I pointed out, OC Blog started in June 2004.
…YOU and many other political junkies went with a guy who had ZERO professional experience in government, held demolition derbys in place of real discussions and was known to be “west” of your published views.
Duplo, I wasn’t aware I had ever shared with you my thinking on why, very late in the campaign, I decided to switch my vote from McClintock to Schwarzenegger. In fact, I’m sure I haven’t — not that that fact stops you from deciding you magically know what I was thinking.
Further, You are an experienced political operative know, there is no way with his thin skin Arnold could have survived the bruising prmary process that is California elected politics…
Congratulations, you’re the millionth person to state that piece of the obvious.
…and knowing that your folk (Corona, Cambell, Lewis et all) was more interested in the seat than in governing.
Duplo, I know for a fact that John Lewis was actively involved in helping Tom McClintock during the recall.
Matt,
Your tounge must be stinging like a lick of the 9 volt battery X100.
Aloha