Posted on 03/13/2007 8:11:45 AM PDT by SmithL
Sacramento -- Three Democratic senators were locked out of their Capitol offices Monday by Senate leader Don Perata as retaliation for attending an event to raise money to help elect moderate Democrats.
Perata, an Oakland Democrat, declined to comment on the action, but aides said he was punishing the three lawmakers for disobeying a rule forbidding members to show loyalty to what has been known as the "Moderate Democrat" caucus.
Perata's action highlights the rift in Democratic politics between liberals who hold leadership roles and more moderate members who tend to adopt more pro-business stands. It also illustrates how concerned Perata is about the leverage a handful of lawmakers could wield.
The three senators locked out of their offices were Gloria Negrete-McLeod of Chino (San Bernardino County), Lou Correa of Santa Ana and Ron Calderon of Montebello (Los Angeles County). All are newly elected senators who were active in the Assembly's Moderate Democrat caucus during their tenure there.
If the three senators were to side with Republicans on issues in the 40-member Senate, the Democrats would still have a majority, but it would require 21 of the remaining 22 Democrats to vote in concert, not always an easy task.
The three could also form an alliance with other Democrats and try to topple Perata, although no one has attempted to challenge Perata's leadership.
Perhaps to squelch such a threat, Perata's method of discipline was very public -- and heavy-handed.
"I don't think you could call it disciplining your members when you use a sledgehammer," said Bill Campbell, the Senate's GOP leader from 1978 to 1983. "I've never heard of anything like it."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Looking good senator. Chavez would be proud.
Who do you think tutors Chavez?
Frankly, the 50 cards short of a full deck groups on the left and the right have gone over the edge.
Kalifornicate's Democrats -- the party that worships "diversity"...
Right...
Democrats are the party that opposes diverse thought...
Communist bastards.
Semper Fi
More stalinist tactics, showing their true colors daily
lol, if I had got to work and found my door locked against my will- you can bet someone would be installing a new door pronto
I remember when they did this to Fast Ed Markey and put his desk out in the hall.
In Tennessee, outgoing Governor, Ray "Pardon Me" Blanton was locked out of office by the THP, and Lamar Alexander was sworn in several days early, back in the `70s.
Lou Correa a moderate? better word = mobster
If I were Schwarzenegger, I'd consider bestowing hefty crowbars upon all of the locked-out Democrats (and making a big public show of the fact, of course; this is Arnold we're talking about).
Yyyeeeeaaahhh right. As if Schwarzenegger's own, uh, "crowbar" has been anything other than flaccid and impotent in the face of the 'Rat-Kontrolled CA Legislature.
Well, of course that's true too. "If I were Schwarzenegger," I wouldn't have rocketed to the left at sonic speed, as he's done.
Ah, the Democannibal party: agree with us comrade or we lock you out! Pass the popcorn, please!
IMO, Perata is one of the dirtiest politicians in the Nation. This is just giving him face time in the media.
I hope it puts a target on his back for all the back room deals he live for. He needs to be put into prison.
Amen brother - that is word. the guy stinks worse than an LA Councilman - Whew!
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