Posted on 10/04/2009 9:06:22 AM PDT by SmithL
A political earthquake is rumbling in the Central Valley over water, and it could cause a real tsunami for the Democrats in the 2010 elections if they don't handle it well.
That's the message I'm getting from my Blue Dog Democrat friends in farm country.
Rep. Jim Costa, D-Hanford (Kings County), told me unemployment in his district is running at 35 to 45 percent. The once-fruitful federal farm subsides are drying up and so is the water, with people blaming the Democrats on both counts.
The perception is that folks like Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, and environmental activists are orchestrating a policy out of Washington that says "yes" to water for the delta smelt and "no" to water for crops. Anger over putting fish before jobs in these lean times is running as strong as any anti-war, anti-Enron feeling we had up here in the Bay Area during the Bush years.
Not only could the fish fight lead to a split within the Democratic Party, it could also be just the issue Republicans are looking for when the environmentalists' best friend in the Senate, Barbara Boxer, faces re-election in 2010.
Speaking of the 2010 races, I called Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Campbell to invite him to the Willie Brown Institute breakfast Nov. 3.
He was at a Denny's somewhere in the valley, having breakfast with a would-be supporter.
"Now let me understand this," I said. "You're in a Denny's for a one-on-one? How important can that person be if you're in Denny's?"
I had to compliment him, however. Whatever you think of Tom's politics, he is the only candidate for governor who has clearly spelled out his agenda for the state. The rest are still talking in feel-good generalities.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Why don’t they build a desalinization plant? They’ve got all the saltwater they could ever want, and they aren’t going to suddenly find some fresh water that they did not know about.
And a water recycling plant, use filtered water from waste water.
The dems try to advocate for so many special interests that eventually one cause has to collide with another. And now that they’re in charge of everything there’s no one left to blame. Uh-oh.
The irrigation systems already in place, desalination plants are pricey, it would cost alot more then simply letting the water flow where its already set up to.. I think anyway heh.
35 to 45% unemployment in a dem district. Send the illegals home.
CA has some many natural resources, scenery, people with money (or had money), agriculture, etc etc. Only Democrats, illegals and unions are dumb enough to destroy paradise. Reminds me of people starving in Africa when white farmers in Rhodesia were capable of feeding half the continent until Mugabe aka Obama 1/2 destroyed everything.
Don’t worry, the CA GOP will find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
SZ
California Republicans have had many opportunities and they always screw it up.
They are already not handling it well.
What’s quite amazing is the fact that the “water issue” is getting very little play in the national press.
If Republicans could somehow be blamed for putting fish over people, being responsible for 40% unemployment in what could arguably be the vegetable capital of the United States, this would be 24/7 news on every network.
...”yes” to water for the delta smelt and “no” to water for crops....”
....something like this would be gold in the hands of somebody like Lee Atwater...RINOs don’t have the guts to attack with it.
I wrote to the GOV about this and got some boilerplate letter. It was awhile ago—last year. If the mideast can do this, why not CA???
Talking about recycling, how ‘bout they take the delta smelt and make fertilizer out of ‘em?
I wonder if they teach kids where food comes from anymore in publik skool?
oh,, and jobs.
So the problem is not are the fish being deprived of water, but the fact their eggs are being sucked into the pumps, or so the dimwits claim. Desalinization plants wouldn't help there except they wouldn't need those particular pumps if we had them. Right now however, the problem isn't water supply it is stupidity on the part of the government and a possible land grab in the works.
They can destroy until nothing is left but ignorant leftist will blame pubbies & STILL will vote (D).
All the Republicans have to do to win Boxer's seat is create a TV spot showing Boxer's explaining why she voted to keep the water shut off, show a picture of the fish being saved and then showing a picture of a little Latino girl looking dirty and sad. Easy!
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