Experts Expound

“The governor is meeting with Republicans inside and outside of the Capitol to sell his budget plan. What do you hear? Is he making any headway?

He is making headway. Having the Chamber endorse it didn’t hurt.

It’s hard to tell, but he better start selling this plan to the public soon, because these closed-door meetings and back-room machinations are completely invisible to the average California voter.  He’s got to be the chief salesperson for his plan, not just a vote-counter.

Does anyone have any idea what’s going on behind those closed doors? We could be annexing Tijuana or selling off the state north of Chico to raise money. Talk about back-room deals.

Of course, he’s making headway: He hasn’t been slapped down yet, which in this pundit-driven state means success.

Just wait until the John and Ken show gets done with him. Blind leading the blind.

I have spoken to many Senate and Assembly Republicans who tell me they are very impressed with his candor, directness, and openness, and the fact that he does seem interested in them personally and their views. They are actually kinda shocked by it. The truth is the Republicans don’t want to have to make K-12 education cuts and release state prison inmates early, which will likely happen if the voters don’t get to act on, and then pass, the tax extensions. So, the deal closure for some Republican votes has to be pension plan reform.

About as good a chance as Obama convincing congressional Republicans that his health care plan is worth saving.

The Guv’s budget dance is sexy and subtle. No wonder the Republicans are missing it. Unfortunately, it does not cut enough, nor address the most critical issue: public employees’ pay, benefits, and pensions.  And it is designed to impose taxes which will not help California.  

The real “headway” has nothing to do with Republican support for a key ingredient of the guv’s budget soup – letting voters decide the fate of critical tax extensions. Republicans can read a poll as well as anyone and won’t stand in front of a bus that’s gaining momentum. That said, the real “headway” is Republican support to pass those measures. To get there, GOP lawmakers need an infusion of political courage. Although the guv himself has it, courage ain’t a kidney. It can’t be transplanted into an organism that won’t accept it.

The only good thing about this year’s budget dance is that Brown is adept at the two-step. He really is a pro.

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