The New York Times Sunday magazine had a pretty good story on the upcoming California governors race, looking at all of the candidates as well as Governor Schwarzenegger, and wondering why anyone would really want the job. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome got prominent play, as did the dysfunctional system that is California government. And with a $26 billion dollar deficit to close and the State issuing IOUs instead of cash California has reached a new level of governmental dysfunction. It is going to be a great political race, with some truly interesting characters likely to create reams of great copy. And with Arnold still around there is always going to be some great interactions that can make us smile. And he does not fail to amuse in this story. With the two sides locked in a bitter partisan struggle over closing the enormous budget gap Governor Schwarzenegger thought a “gift” to the Democratic leader of the State Senate might help move things along.
Even in the most desperate circumstances, when you might expect the two sides to make common cause, their attempts at working together are comical, or sad. In the middle of June, Schwarzenegger sent a melon-size sculpture of bull testicles to the leader of the Democratic-controlled senate, Darrell Steinberg, to encourage lawmakers to find the requisite fortitude to close the budget deficit. Not amused, Steinberg returned the “gift” to the governor.
Great stuff from the Governator. A race to watch, and a pretty good read from the Times!
Read the Sunday Magazine story here.
Bill Manzi.com 
Your Honor,
My money is on Gavin Newsome, the Mayor of that real American town, San Fransisco (Motto: No Soldiers need apply) This uber Mayor thinks money is no object and even went as far as setting up a city health care plan (my son headed up the medical software implementation) open to all needy citizen, including Illegal aliens.
Can you imagine what he can do with when he has the fourth largest world economy, or what is left of it, in his hands?
Another Democrat designed economic success story. Don’t give the Republican Governor thing. It is a powerful and corrupt Democratic lead legislature, as it’s been for years.
Are we far behind, your honor.
Hope you had an enjoyable fourth.
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I bet Grey Davis is having a good laugh about all of this. How about we recall Arnold!
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Mary K.
It is a decades long transformation of California by a Democratic legislature and Republican Governors to the point of complete overspending. Kind of like what we in Massachusetts are going through.
A new Governor can’t save the day unless he raises taxes-Nixed by the citizens in resolutions; cut spending by eliminating many programs–forget that; the federal government does a bailout-good probability.
Good theater.
Jules
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Jules,
I know from a previous post that you are familiar with Newsome, but I tend to think Jerry Brown can win this thing.
Bill
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Your Honor,
If he does what does he do with it? Is it like the dog who chased the train and finally caught it?
He will still have a spendthrift legislature. Although he may be a better beggar than Arnold and get a federal bailout.
Jules
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