[Congressman Billybob]

As I understand Calif. election law, when the office of Lt. Gov. becomes vacant for any reason, it is then the right of the Govrnor to nominate a new person for the job, subject to legislative confirmation. If Governor Schwarzenegger nominates Tom McClintock to become Lt. Gov, the legislature would cover itself in embarrassment to say no to the man with the mandate.

Think President Ford's nomination of Rockefeller to become Vice President. Many Republicans had doubts about Rockefeller, and many Democrats didn't want him. Still, it is the sort of situation in which the President ought to get his own choice in that office serving under him. The same logic refers to a Governor choosing a new Lt. Gov. who will serve with him, and replace him if it ever becomes necessary.

If this happens with S and McC, I'll reveal how I knew it was under consideration, but not until then.

Billybob / John

[ambrose]

Not going to happen.

The **California** legislature would never confirm. We've had multiple statewide offices left vacant for years, due to the Rats' refusal to confirm GOP nominees. State Treasurer, Sec. of State, Supt of Public Instruction. They confirmed Matt Fong to be on the Boad of Equalization only as a result of his mother's insistence (mother was a prominent statewide Democrate officeholder).

[BlackElk]

The office of Lieutenant Governor does not become vacant. The Lieutenant Governor becomes "acting governor" just as he does when the governor is out of state. When the governor is elected, the governorship is filled and the "acting governor" reverts to Lieutenant Governor.

The scenario you suggest may be under consideration (I am not questioning your personal integrity but that of Wilson and the scum running Arnold's campaign) by Arnold's camp to persuade actual Republicans to stomach Arnold on the false premise that he will promote McClintock. McClintock will be finished politically if he trades his integrity for any mess of pottage from Arnold even a ranking bureaucratic post.

This is all academic because Arnold isn't going to be governor in any event.

[Quix]

Fascinating,

At least!

I'd hope McClintock had a reaslitic chance to take Boxer's seat. But I fear that's too far fetched, too.

But perhaps with Arnold in office etc. Maybe there'd be more of a chance.

[Poohbah]

As I understand Calif. election law, when the office of Lt. Gov. becomes vacant for any reason

If Bustamante doesn't win this election, then he remains in office as Lt. Gooberner.