“The governor plans a trade mission to China and, possibly, to Russia, too. Valuable trips for California or lame-duck junkets?”
It’s hard to picture a smart foreign businessperson thinking, “Gee, a former movie star turned lame-duck governor briefly visited our country, so that’s why we should make a high-stakes decision to do business in California.”
“A Chinese company is bankrolling the governor’s “trade mission” to Asia. He says its better to do it this way than use taxpayers’ money. What do you think?”
He will get criticized either way. If he uses taxpayer money, it’s a boondoggle. If he allows someone to “bankroll” it, it’s undue influence. If he can
“On to November: Brown vs. Whitman, Fiorina vs. Boxer. Who wins what – and why?”
Whitman and Fiorina because it’s the year of the woman – and voters are ready for a change.
Brown and Boxer – call them the B Team – win. Mainly because Republicans just always seem to think they’re talking
“Bills held in both Appropriations Committees, rival interests headed to the number ballot, no money, a lame-duck governor and, in the background, statewide political campaigns. Is the state budget facing Armageddon?”
A sure sign of the meltdown would have been Paul Hegyi winning the World Series of Poker, but luckily he lost on the river.
“In its latest disagreement with the governor, the LAO says the state needs new money from targeted tax hikes to balance its books. Will it happen, or will this recommendation get lost in the partisan wars?”
Does anyone even see a remote possibility of a two-thirds vote for any increase in any tax?
The budget
“The Whitman-Poizner contest for governor: Is the race narrowing? What’s your sense of how far apart these candidates really are?”
Yes, the race is absolutely narrowing. It will be neck and neck all the way to Election Day. The winner by a nose is…
I’ve seen three private polls in the last week. This race
“In 1994, with Pete Wilson and Prop 187, immigration was a hot issue in California’s political races. Will 2010 be a repeat, given the Arizona law? If so, what impact will it have?”
The Arizona law will drive the political mobilization of Latinos this fall, helping CA Democrats offset Meg’s Mega Millions.
This year’s ballot
“Regarding the new anti-illegal immigration law: Is boycotting Arizona really anything more than political posturing?”
Actually, it makes political posturing seem statesmanlike in comparison. Just curious: Are the inmates in the private prisons owned by a non-Arizona based company being bussed to Scottsdale Friday and Saturday nights to hit the swanky bars, restaurants and malls
Dear Big Daddy,Is the budget in trouble because of that Maldonado special-election flap? Can you believe that politics plays such a role in our state budget? –Jim in San Diego
Dear Jim,Of course, it’s in trouble and, of course, politics plays a role. A good thing, too: Take politics and trouble out of the budget,
“Polls show some tightening in the GOP race for governor. Is there time for Poizner to make this a serious contest?”
No, he waited wait too long.
Why make it a serious contest when he can continue to keep it humorous?
Any person willing to spend $20 million on a political campaign can make a