Free Republic

In a television commercial airing in major California media markets, state Controller Steve Westly evokes former President Carter to boost his conservationist credentials. NARRATOR: He's practical ... a problem solver with experience that sets him apart. Under President Carter, he worked on solar energy and conservation. Pro-choice. Defender of the environment. Committed to education. Steve Westly. Democrat. A different kind of governor. .... Analysis: ...... But while the ad shows a young Westly shaking Carter's hand, the former president hasn't endorsed his candidacy. Deanna Congileo, a spokeswoman for the Carter Center in Atlanta, said he makes no endorsements in primary...

"I'll be back." That pledge from the Terminator traditionally has had special meaning in Arnold Schwarzenegger's hometown. But now — after the California governor refused to spare two convicted murderers in a row from their death sentences and showed no signs of relenting in another case up next month — the romance is over between Schwarzenegger and Graz, Austria's second-largest city. Acting on Schwarzenegger's orders two weeks after the Dec. 13 execution of former Crips gang leader Stanley Tookie Williams, city leaders Tuesday deleted all references to the bodybuilder-turned-governor on Web sites linked to Graz. Over the weekend, they also...

State lawmakers will not return to the issue of gay marriage next year, when Democrats hope to retake the governorship and many legislators are up for re-election. Instead, any attempts to pass marriage equality bill in the statehouse will not come until 2007, said the leader of the assembly. Speaker Fabian Numez (D-Los Angeles) confirmed during an interview with the Bay Area Reporter Friday, October 14 that gay marriage will not be a part of the Democrats' legislative agenda when lawmakers return in january to begin a new session. "2007 is what we are looking at right now on reintroducing...