Posted on 06/01/2009 7:45:29 AM PDT by SmithL
Barack Obama's election as president indirectly created two vacancies in California's congressional delegation. In the ensuing game of political musical chairs, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could redistribute political power in the state – and perhaps even name his own potential successor.
It all began with Obama's selection of Southern California Congresswoman Hilda Solis as labor secretary and Northern California Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher as undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.
A special election to fill Solis' heavily Democratic seat was held last month. Judy Chu, a member of the state Board of Equalization, emerged as the putative winner, needing only to defeat a token Republican candidate in a runoff election in July.
Chu will resign from the five-member Board of Equalization, which wields vast power over tax policy,...
The Legislature probably would deny confirmation to a Republican, so a business-friendly Democrat who would hold the key vote on the board might be Schwarzenegger's best bet to win both confirmation and a full term in 2010.
The governor's second opportunity to reshape state government would come later in the year, assuming Tauscher is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Tauscher's 10th Congressional District in the eastern reaches of the Bay Area is strongly Democratic, so the Democratic special election winner would be the prohibitive favorite. State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, had Tauscher's backing and strong labor support, but then Lt. Gov. John Garamendi shifted from running for governor to seeking the congressional seat.
Were Garamendi to win, Schwarzenegger would fill the lieutenant governorship, again assuming he can find someone to win legislative confirmation. That someone could have a leg up on running for governor in 2010, especially if it were a Republican moderate, such as former congressman Tom Campbell.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
This is all pretty laughable with the discussion of how no Republican can win an election or survive an appointment that won’t be approved. Talk of the Governator reshaping politics in that state is akin to discussing the arrangement of deck chairs on the Titanic.
“Hilda Solis as labor secretary “
Can’t be any good news after that line - she is a card carrying member of the Socialist Party and a La Raza member...
Solis served near the end of the Carter administration in the White House Office of Hispanic Affairs,[1] where she was editor-in-chief of a newsletter...became a management analyst at the civil rights division of the Office of Management and Budget, but her dislike for Ronald Reagan’s policies motivated her to leave later that year.[6][13]
In her one term in the State Assembly, Solis was prominent in the debate on illegal immigration to the United States, backing a bill to allow illegal immigrants to attend California colleges as long as they were state residents
...five-member Board of Equalization...
Huh?
Garamendi.... when will he go away?
Big strong Ahnald will do exactly what his Kennedy family wife tells him to do. Then he’ll ask permission to go outside.
He’s not capable of a smart decision.
The Board of Equalization collects California state sales and use tax, as well as fuel, alcohol, and tobacco taxes and fees that provide revenue for state government and essential funding for counties, cities, and special districts.
http://www.boe.ca.gov/members/board.htm
The Board’s five members serve concurrent four-year terms as the nation’s only elected tax commission. Their popular election ensures that the Board’s tax program administration remains directly accountable to the people. Four members are elected by district. The fifth member, the State Controller, is elected at large and serves in an ex officio capacity. All terms expire in January 2011.
(snip)
Did you catch the end of Dan Walters article about Garamendi being on the State Land Commission and
standing in the way of the Tranquillon (PXP/Soros) offshore oil project?
Or... appointing Abel Maldonado would give Maldonado a leg up on the Lt. Guv spot. He has been Arnold's pet lapdog for the past several years introducing some of the most contentious legislation (e.g. minimum wage hikes), has given the Dems the deciding vote on various budget and borrowing bills and Harvey Milk "gay day," and will face a difficult primary election in his pursuit of the Lt. Gov spot in 2010 given his liberal record. Running as an incumbent would greatly increase his chances.
I believe in the old "No honor among thieves" saying. I don't think Arnold has much respect for Abel. A few years back they really went at it because Arnold wouldn't back him in his race for Controller. It's also obvious among everyone including libs that Abel has NO convictions, he's all about Abel and he'll do what it takes to get to the top. Arnold believes he comes from a background of hard work to get where you need to go.
If I had to guess he'd pick Bruce McPherson, a far more likable person, but just as much a filthy RINO ideologically.
I remember the little temper tantrum Maldonado had when Arnie didn’t back him. But since then, Maldonado carried the water for a bunch of Arnie’s pet projects, including tax increases and the open primary (which I believe was Arnold’s idea — not Abel’s). Lots of back scratching going on.
McPherson — interesting possibility.
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