San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, fighting scandal, says he’s going to enter a treatment program for alcohol abuse. What impact will this have on his political career?

“Should California move its 2008 presidential primary to February 5? Who benefits from such a move?”

Pleasing Dems, the governor proposes a plan to insure the uninsured and fight greenhouse-gas emissions. Pleasing Reeps, he proposes cutting support for the poor by nearly $500 million and building new prisons. Is this smart centrist politics, or is he scrambling to be all things to all people?

Arnold Schwarzenegger is spending millions of dollars, raised from wealthy interests, to pay for his inaugural festivities. What do you think? Should a public official lavishly celebrate his swearing-in with private money?

Politically speaking, who’s been naughty and who’s been nice? Who should get a lump of coal? Who should get the Red Ryder BB gun?

“In your view, who is the most powerful, non-elected person in California?”

On the Dem side, the reigning power broker is Gale Kaufman. On the Republican side, it’s Maria Shriver. Oh wait, she’s not a Reep. Let’s see

“How will the decision to make Mike Villines leader of the Assembly Republicans change that house?”

The governor said on national television that he plans to extend health coverage to some 6.7 million uninsured Californians. His aides immediately said that the governor’s statement reflected only a “goal,” not a commitment. So, is a major state health-insurance program looming or not?

“What do we have the most to be thankful for this year in Sacramento?”

With 37 million people and growing, California has about 12 percent of the nation’s population. Will the recently approved bonds really help California’s overburdened infrastructure, or is it too little, too late?

Too little too late–no choice.

Since these projects will take years to complete, taxpayers won’t be able to notice any improvements–and then it