Dear Big Daddy:
I’d like to be in the political world, but I have a problem: I stutter. Is this an insurmountable handicap? Can I run for office or be a Capitol staff member and still stutter? How ’bout a lobbyist?
–Concerned in Milpitas

Dear Big Daddy:
Is there anything you can do from your current position–either a lightning bolt from the heavens or a ball of fire from you and your many colleagues down below, whichever the case may be–to punish the next person who says “Kumbaya” during a political discussion?
Seriously, it’s time to retire the bit about Democrats and Republicans “sitting around singing Kumbaya.” Joan Baez is now 65 years old, fer chrissakes! Somebody out there should be able to come up with a more modern, less clich

Dear Big Daddy,I’m a female lobbyist, and already an Assembly freshman has hit on me. This could get difficult. What do I do?–Annoyed in AntelopeDear Annoyed,With apologies to Peter, Paul, and Mary: “Where has all the chivalry gone?”It used to be that a man would wait until he was sworn into office before he started

Hey, B.D.:I just took a job with a returning legislator as a legislative director. The job is a good one, and my new boss is a decent guy. But I just got a call from an incoming freshman who said he wants me to be his chief of staff. What should I do?–Conflicted in CarmichaelDear

The world is full of potential pitfalls, both personal and political. To help Capitol denizens through their travails, Capitol Weekly has summoned the spectre of the late Jesse “Big Daddy” Unruh, the masterful former Speaker of the Assembly, whose ghostly presence permeates the halls of the Capitol.

Dear Loyal Readers,

It’s good to see that while you’re waiting for the sultry, well-proportionedpin girl to re-rack lane 12 at Kings County Bowl, where the bar andsnack-bar capacity is a whopping 50 people, you brought your Blackberriesalong so you could multi-task out on the campaign trail. In my day,multi-tasking involved a little JWR and

The response to my first six Lobbying 101 columns has been quite gratifying.

I have covered a lot of ground, and many readers have asked for a review ofsome of the most important principles. Here is an overview of some of thebasics we have discussed:

I. The effective lobbyist must be a good:1. Diagnostician. Ascertain

Dear Loyal Readers,

The Legislature has been out of session for six weeks and, judging from BigDaddy’s mail bag, it’s clear that folks already are restless andinquisitive. Apparently, there’s only so much time anyone can spend walkingthe K Street Mall or doing lunch, so let’s get right to your questions.

Dear Big Daddy,

This town

Dear Big Daddy,

How come Sacramento never has any good sex scandals? Seems like somethingalways is going on in D.C., but here in the California capital, it’sdullsville. Are Capitol denizens less sexy than their Washingtoncounterparts, or are reporters here just lazier?

–Concerned

Dear Concerned,

Oh, I don’t know if I’d pick on the fourth estate

Hey Big Daddy,

I’m a young Republican staffer and I work in a tiny office on the fifthfloor of the annex. The other day I went to visit a friend, a Democrat, andhe has lavish digs, even though his boss has been here less time than mine.How come Republicans get the short end of the