Posted on 04/26/2010 7:49:32 AM PDT by SmithL
California hasn't had a lieutenant governor for several months, ever since Democrat John Garamendi resigned to take a seat in Congress.
California has suffered no ill effects from having that vacancy. Like some other states, it could get along quite nicely without having a lieutenant governor.
That should be kept in mind as the Senate votes on – and probably confirms – the nomination of Republican state Sen. Abel Maldonado as Garamendi's successor for the remainder of this year, following the Assembly's confirmation vote last week.
The months-long Democratic stall on confirming Maldonado was pure politics that had nothing to do with filling a pointless office and everything to do with Democratic hopes of gaining a two-thirds majority in the 40-member Senate and thus gaining leverage on the state budget and other issues.
Democrats hold 25 seats now, and they hope getting to the magic number of 27 begins with Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, defeating Republican Anthony Cannella, the mayor of Modesto, in the 12th Senate District.
. . .
Confirming Maldonado as lieutenant governor gives Democrats a shot at 27 this year by forcing a special election in his 15th Senate District,
. . .
Democrats believe their best chance of winning a special election would be one held coincidentally with the November general election, because of its higher voter turnout. To make that happen under state election law, they had to delay Maldonado's confirmation until after last Friday.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
I thought you might be interested in this.
And put me on your DeVore list, please.
You just have to laugh at the naiveté of Aaaahnold and the rest of the Republican establishment in Sacramento. They were convinced that the Democrats would play nice after they agreed to have Maldonado and a few other turncoats be the deciding votes on the biggest tax increase in US history. They really thought that the Dems would return the favor and let Maldonado play Lt. Guv for a few months.
UPDATE: As expected, the State Senate confirms him...
Abel Maldonado gets the OK as lieutenant governor
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.