Free Republic

PHOENIX – Before resting from the grueling presidential race, John McCain began discussing with senior aides what role he will play in the Senate now that he has promised to work with the man who defeated him for president. One obvious focus will be the war in Iraq. After two years spent more on the campaign than in the Senate, McCain will return as the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee. That will put the four-term Arizona senator in a position to influence Democrat Barack Obama's plan to set a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops from combat in Iraq....

SACRAMENTO - With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's promotion of his environmental secretary, a retiring state senator from Santa Cruz is trying to line up support to assume that key Cabinet-level post. An aide to Sen. Bruce McPherson, a moderate Republican known for his support of open-space and coastal protection, has contacted environmental leaders, quietly gauging their backing now that Schwarzenegger has named California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Terry Tamminen his new Cabinet secretary. Tamminen is slated to leave the California EPA on Dec. 1. Because of term limits, McPherson must depart the state Senate the following week. McPherson said no one...

<p>Sacramento -- He posed for nude photos. He skipped his father's funeral to attend a bodybuilding competition. He smoked pot. He killed nearly 300 people on film. Not to mention the alleged boorish behavior with women.</p> <p>Who could be a better candidate for California governor?</p>