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(CA) Demos Caught in Budget Gaffe Open Mike Picks up Faction's Talk of Profiting From a Crisis
SF Chronicle ^ | July 22, 2003 | Lynda Gledhill

Posted on 07/22/2003 10:09:16 AM PDT by Weimdog

Edited on 04/13/2004 2:43:02 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

Sacramento -- The state's budget crisis took a surreal turn Monday after a frank discussion by a group of Democrats on the budget and its impact on their re- election was accidentally broadcast throughout legislative and reporters' offices.

Members of the Assembly Democrats' progressive caucus were heard making candid, if not intemperate, statements such as one by Los Angeles Assemblyman Fabian Nunez that they may want to "precipitate a crisis" over the budget this year. That might persuade voters to lower the two-thirds vote threshold needed to pass a spending plan, he reasoned.


(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: democrats; openmike; weasles
Caught the Democrats conspiring to tax the state to death!
1 posted on 07/22/2003 10:09:16 AM PDT by Weimdog
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To: Weimdog; Grampa Dave; Joe Hadenuf
Wow!
2 posted on 07/22/2003 10:14:21 AM PDT by Southack (Media bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: Weimdog
"Oh s--," Goldberg said as the sound was cut.

LOL!

3 posted on 07/22/2003 10:15:37 AM PDT by Paul Atreides
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To: Weimdog
CRIMINALS!! CRIMINALS!! CRIMINALS!!!
4 posted on 07/22/2003 10:16:06 AM PDT by mvpel (Michael Pelletier)
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To: Weimdog
You gotta love it!!!!!!!!
5 posted on 07/22/2003 10:17:20 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy (For victory & freedom!!!)
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To: Paul Atreides
Time for another few recall petitions, I reckon.
6 posted on 07/22/2003 10:17:48 AM PDT by mvpel (Michael Pelletier)
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To: Weimdog
I see business as usual.

7 posted on 07/22/2003 10:23:33 AM PDT by freekitty
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To: Weimdog
Wait and see how long it takes for the media to spike this one....

"Open microphone?....trying to intentionally cause a crisis?...nobody in the statehouse said that. I don't know what you're talking about."

OR

"The Republican's just need to let go of this and move on so we can get back to the business of helping the poor!"


8 posted on 07/22/2003 10:30:16 AM PDT by Orangedog (Soccer-Moms are the biggest threat to your freedoms and the republic !)
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To: Weimdog
"Oh s--," Goldberg said

Yes, Goldberg, you can recognize it. But will you do anything to clean it up? Nope, didn't think so--that's a job left to the GOP, to clean up the s--- left by the Criminal Party!

9 posted on 07/22/2003 10:43:44 AM PDT by Chairman_December_19th_Society (Conservatives aren't perfect, we're just right.)
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To: Weimdog
You won't see this in AP, or LA Times or NYT.
10 posted on 07/22/2003 10:56:22 AM PDT by Zathras
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To: Weimdog
I'm shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, to find partisan politics going on in the California legislature.
11 posted on 07/22/2003 10:58:47 AM PDT by My2Cents ("Well....there you go again.")
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To: Weimdog
Story also posted here
12 posted on 07/22/2003 10:59:09 AM PDT by mountaineer
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To: Weimdog
"We're on a death march to insolvency," she said. "We want to figure out how to let the people understand that we may be setting ourselves up for disaster."

She got the first part right but she's using the wrong tense for the last part. The disaster is already here.

13 posted on 07/22/2003 11:05:42 AM PDT by telebob
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To: Southack
"Their intention is to destroy the state of California and its financial base," said Assembly Minority Leader Dave Cox of Fair Oaks. "They intend to hold up the budget."

The people who work for state agencies have been told they will receive minimum wage beginning in August if no budget is passed. Some state employees will lose their jobs altogether, budget or no budget. State employees provide services to the whole of the state's population and this is aside from the $ that gets funneled to the private sector through these state agencies. Obviously these Dems could care less of the impact that will have state wide.

14 posted on 07/22/2003 11:11:24 AM PDT by drypowder
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To: Paul Atreides
I heard her once at LA City Hall go on and on about the Process, over and over she kept on about how she had the Process...

Wasn't the Process the name of some looney Malibu/Santa Barbara based Scientology-type rich hippie cult LSD smuggling ... the Process, the Process,

can't remember if I've ever seen Jackie on the sand tho'...hmmm...
15 posted on 07/22/2003 11:25:07 AM PDT by Republicus2001
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To: Zathras
Believe it or not it made Page 1 this morning LA Times...I must be on Bizarro World...
16 posted on 07/22/2003 11:27:03 AM PDT by Republicus2001
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To: Weimdog
. . . their intransigence on the budget will almost certainly cause the state to miss first its CalGrant payment," due Aug. 1. On average, each of the 200,000 students in the program is supposed to receive $1,000.

Boo freakin' hoo. Tell 'em to get a job at McDonald's for $6.75 an hour and work the equivalent of three and a half weeks.

17 posted on 07/22/2003 12:16:16 PM PDT by mvpel (Michael Pelletier)
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To: Weimdog
Democrats want to "precipitate a crisis", in their very own words. This should be on every CA talk radio station. And it's not helpful for any conservative to go "That's news?". Yes it is news. For Democrats to speak openly about manufacturing an economic crisis in America is like identifying a terrorist openly hatching a plot to destroy an important pillar of America. What this shows is that Democrats are willing to make millions of people suffer economically in order to win a few votes at the polls.
18 posted on 07/22/2003 12:54:22 PM PDT by jagrmeister
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To: jagrmeister
"For Democrats to speak openly about manufacturing an economic crisis in America is like identifying a terrorist openly hatching a plot to destroy an important pillar of America. What this shows is that Democrats are willing to make millions of people suffer economically in order to win a few votes at the polls."

Hence their opposition to tax cuts and their demands for additions to the prescription drug benefit. They will stop at nothing to further their own ends.
19 posted on 07/22/2003 1:07:36 PM PDT by .cnI redruM (Dirty Deeds and They're Done Dirt Cheap)
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To: .cnI redruM
bttt
20 posted on 07/22/2003 1:09:48 PM PDT by timestax
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To: Republicus2001
I heard her once at LA City Hall go on and on about the Process...

She showed up two weeks ago at our city hall, did twenty minutes of Demo spin, then walked out as soon as the public began responding. She's a real piece of.... work.

21 posted on 07/22/2003 2:05:01 PM PDT by ArmstedFragg
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To: Weimdog
Isn't this enough evidence for a class action lawsuit against the state? I would think so and I would think this is also treason, willfully misleading tax payers and failing to uphold the oath of the office, or failing to uphold their fiduciary responsibility.
22 posted on 07/22/2003 2:07:32 PM PDT by samuel_adams_us
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To: samuel_adams_us
Ann Coulter is right. TREASON! Anything to destroy Prop 13 and have a free hand at raising taxes.
23 posted on 07/22/2003 2:15:34 PM PDT by winner3000
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To: Weimdog
["It's like taking a car that's moving comfortably down the highway and jamming it in reverse," Davis said during a conference call with reporters..."]

Comfortably down the highway? WTF???!!!! Is that was he calls it. The man is demented! He should not only be recalled from office, he should be committed to an insane asylum.

24 posted on 07/22/2003 2:51:29 PM PDT by Mad_Tom_Rackham
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To: jagrmeister
"And it's not helpful for any conservative to go "That's news?". Yes it is news."

I absolutely agree. And that's why I also get upset when some people say both parties are the same. No they're not. Before the 1996 General Election the US economy was not that strong...and it would've been very easy for the GOP to derail any attempts to improve it. Instead, the GOP forced Welfare Reform down Clinton's throat and enacted some stimulus growth as part of the Conract With America. And the GOP still did all this knowing that Clinton would take the credit for it. Instead of perpetuating an economic crisis while they were in power, they actually helped get Clinton reelected...to their own detriment.
25 posted on 07/22/2003 4:07:24 PM PDT by cwb
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To: Mad_Tom_Rackham
he's drunk
26 posted on 07/22/2003 4:22:34 PM PDT by Republicus2001
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To: cwboelter
Good point. In strong contrast, Democrats put their political aspirations ahead of the county's interests. Latest example in California when a Democrat assemblywoman was caught on microphone strategizing on how to bury California's economy in exchange for political advantage in the next election: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/07/22/national1417EDT0629.DTL
27 posted on 07/22/2003 4:44:18 PM PDT by jagrmeister
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To: jagrmeister
FRom Yahoo! News

"The Summer of the demRats of Deception"

http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34&in=us&cat=democratic_party

Check it our, Folks!

Latest Developments
Open Mic Catches California Democrats
(AP) - Unaware that a live microphone was broadcasting their words around the Capitol, Assembly Democrats meeting behind closed doors debated prolonging California's budget crisis for political gain. Members of the coalition of liberal Democrats talked about slowing progress on the budget as a means of increasing pressure on Republicans. A microphone had been left on during the closed meeting Monday, and the conversation was transmitted to about 500 "squawk boxes" that enable staff members, lobbyists and reporters to listen in on legislative meetings. More...

28 posted on 07/22/2003 4:59:27 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...&&&&&&&&&... SuPPort FRee Republic)
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FRom a pdf off Yahoo!

EXCEPTS FROM DEMOCRATIC STUDY GROUP DISCUSSION

July 21, 2003

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: Hannah-Beth, are you saying that if we don’t take it to the point if we don’t get more revenues, we do not support a budget that has an additional $1.5 billion worth of cuts. … At least to start it off at the point of discussion

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …the question is how are they going to formulate the budget they are going to send over to us. Where’s the next $1.5 billion in cuts going to come from?

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: I understand that, Hannah-Beth. My point is, given that we know we are not going to get new revenues the, is what we’re saying that we just want to have input as to where those cuts are going to be or are we saying we don’t support cuts that deeply into this budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …The question is, I think we’re looking at $1.5 billion worth of cuts …

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Dymally]: Hannah-Beth, …what are we asking, what are we saying to the Senate folks?

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …We want to know what your plan is…what are you proposing?…the reality is that when the Senate sends it over to us, it is going … it is going to be a problem in 04-05. We want them to respect our input so that we can go out when we do get a budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Nunez: No. But, you know, there’s a very responsible perspective to that, in that precipitating the crisis does not necessarily mean that -- if you’re thinking about this is, the strategy for the 55 percent, all the polls, all the polls suggest that if you don’t have a budget, that it lent itself to help support the effort for the 55 percent. That’s what the proponents say -CTA and the others - are saying about that. In addition, in terms of the recall, the extent to which the Governor can do a good job of making a connection between having no budget and the1

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: Hannah-Beth, are you saying that if we don’t take it to the point if we don’t get more revenues, we do not support a budget that has an additional $1.5 billion worth of cuts. … At least to start it off at the point of discussion

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …the question is how are they going to formulate the budget they are going to send over to us. Where’s the next $1.5 billion in cuts going to come from?

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: I understand that, Hannah-Beth. My point is, given that we know we are not going to get new revenues the, is what we’re saying that we just want to have input as to where those cuts are going to be or are we saying we don’t support cuts that deeply into this budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …The question is, I think we’re looking at $1.5 billion worth of cuts …

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Dymally]: Hannah-Beth, …what are we asking, what are we saying to the Senate folks?

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …We want to know what your plan is…what are you proposing?…the reality is that when the Senate sends it over to us, it is going … it is going to be a problem in 04-05. We want them to respect our input so that we can go out when we do get a budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Nunez: No. But, you know, there’s a very responsible perspective to that, in that precipitating the crisis does not necessarily mean that -- if you’re thinking about this is, the strategy for the 55 percent, all the polls, all the polls suggest that if you don’t have a budget, that it lent itself to help support the effort for the 55 percent. That’s what the proponents say -CTA and the others - are saying about that. In addition, in terms of the recall, the extent to which the Governor can do a good job of making a connection between having no budget and the1

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: Hannah-Beth, are you saying that if we don’t take it to the point if we don’t get more revenues, we do not support a budget that has an additional $1.5 billion worth of cuts. … At least to start it off at the point of discussion

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …the question is how are they going to formulate the budget they are going to send over to us. Where’s the next $1.5 billion in cuts going to come from?

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: I understand that, Hannah-Beth. My point is, given that we know we are not going to get new revenues the, is what we’re saying that we just want to have input as to where those cuts are going to be or are we saying we don’t support cuts that deeply into this budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …The question is, I think we’re looking at $1.5 billion worth of cuts …

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Dymally]: Hannah-Beth, …what are we asking, what are we saying to the Senate folks?

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …We want to know what your plan is…what are you proposing?…the reality is that when the Senate sends it over to us, it is going … it is going to be a problem in 04-05. We want them to respect our input so that we can go out when we do get a budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Nunez: No. But, you know, there’s a very responsible perspective to that, in that precipitating the crisis does not necessarily mean that -- if you’re thinking about this is, the strategy for the 55 percent, all the polls, all the polls suggest that if you don’t have a budget, that it lent itself to help support the effort for the 55 percent. That’s what the proponents say -CTA and the others - are saying about that. In addition, in terms of the recall, the extent to which the Governor can do a good job of making a connection between having no budget and the2 Republican [inaud] on the recall -- I don’t know if any of you have heard the Darrell Issa commercials on the radio, but they’re all about the budget. It’s all about what’s going on right now. That’s why he wants to be governor. And he’s saying “we don’t have a budget because of Gray Davis.” The folks that are heading up the anti-recall effort think if you don’t have the budget, it helps Democrats in the recall effort. If you don’t have a budget, it helps Democrats on the 55 percent. So if you’re looking strictly at outcomes in terms of how we’re preparing and gearing ourselves to win the war on the 55 percent, there are, [inaud] I mean, there’s…

* * *

Assemblymember Goldberg: The question that I have, is that - and I go back to both ‘92 and to ‘78 - when people never saw what, they never got to see really up front and close what Prop 13 really did. Because what we did in education was is that teachers started subsidizing their classrooms, and we cut out art and we cut out music and we cut out drama and we cut out sports in some areas and, cut out tutoring and [inaud] teachers and we raised class size. And people thought: look, schools are all still open, this didn’t hurt anyone. Some of us are thinking that maybe people should see the pain up close and personal, right now.

* * *

Assemblymember Goldberg: …they are 10, 10, and 5 over there. Ten want to hold out for [inaud], ten want to [inaud], and five [inaud]. We’re going to try and find out tomorrow where we are. “

* * *

Assemblymember Goldberg: But we have to figure out what we do think. And I do think it has to be in line with two things, and that’s one of the reasons that I asked Mr. Dymally to get us together. One is how it impacts the 55 percent proposition. And secondly whether or not - if there’s going to be a crisis to happen - if there’s going to be a crisis, whether it should be this year or next year, in terms of members of our House who want to get re-elected, in terms of members of our House who [inaud]. Personally, I think the crisis is better off this year than next year. But that’s a discussion that I just want to make sure you have, and that’s happens, and that’s why [inaud]…

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Laird]: …to talk with her about the budget and see if that’s the thing that we feel like those concerns have been removed and that it’s worked as a political strategy. If we got every Dem but Marco and Richman to go up on it, and suddenly … I mean that’s the first line that can be crossed in public. Politically, there’s some statements. And if the Senate is about to send something worse, they might be in a better position and it might even force the out-year issue. I think that’s a strategy worth taking a hard look at. And maybe an intermediate step is meeting with them to see if, strategy-wise, if that is something worth recommending to this group. And should we toss that out?

Assemblymember Goldberg: I will say that Canciamilla reported that Richman would not go for that budget. I hear that if it didn’t include a commitment on workers’ comp -- 17200 and other structural needs.

Unidentified Assemblymember: So technically it’s (inaude)

Assemblymember Goldberg: So here’s the question.

Unidentified Assemblymember: You said both of those and some other structure.

Assemblymember Dymally: Alan? Alan?

Assemblymember Jackson: We need to also keep in mind there is another factor here. We’ve got a problem. Excuse me, but don’t Mr. Brulte and Mr. Cox dislike each other? So, will Cox automatically accept a Brulte budget, or is there something else?

Unidentified Assemblymember: That’s another story

Assemblymember Jackson: Well, yes that is another story.

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Levine]: It’s our story. It’s our story. If we’re sitting there getting hit. At some point, the decision, as John said, has got to be 28 Republicans or 26 Dems; it’s really their budget. So, that more Republicans go up and yet the Cox/Brulte thing – you know, they hate each other – because… I don’t want to go up on that budget.

Assemblymember Goldberg: Yes

Assemblymember Laird: And whether it’s two of us who have less than 50 percent Dems in our district that have high green turnouts or something like that. You know (inaudible).

Assemblymember Goldberg: It’s up to my successor…..

Unidentified Assemblymember: Yes, that’s not where we need to be put up our budget. So, there needs to be a lot of Republicans up to give some people a pass and the Cox-Brulte thing is very much trouble.

Assemblymember Goldberg: That won’t happen. I think it’s very unlikely that a Democrat will get a pass on any of these budgets. I just don’t think that’s going to happen. If I might just say, I think Allan and Patty both worked on that budget didn’t you? I think it would be wonderful if we could find out in Canciamilla and Richman.

Unidentified Staffer: Excuse me, guys, you can be heard outside.

Assemblymember Goldberg: Oh, shit.

Unidentified Staffer: The squawk box is on – you need to turn it off right there.

Assemblymember Goldberg: How could that happen?

29 posted on 07/22/2003 5:11:04 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...&&&&&&&&&... SuPPort FRee Republic)
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To: Weimdog
The unintentional broadcast was interrupted when someone informed the group that a microphone was on. "Oh s--," Goldberg said as the sound was cut.

It sounds to me more like "Oh f---," but the sound quality is pretty poor.

30 posted on 07/22/2003 5:47:31 PM PDT by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
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To: NormsRevenge
Assemblymember Goldberg: Oh, shit.

Unidentified Staffer: The squawk box is on – you need to turn it off right there.

Listening to the tape, it sounds more like:

Unidentified Staffer: The squawk box is on –

Assemblymember Goldberg: Oh, f***.

Unidentified Staffer: you need to turn it off right there.


31 posted on 07/22/2003 5:49:01 PM PDT by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
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