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March 15, 2007 5:00 AM
Arnold Signs Early Presidential Primary Bill This Morning
The bill passed the state Senate on a bipartisan vote of 31 to 5. It passed the Democratic majority Assembly last week on a party-line vote of 46 to 29. This will be the earliest California Presidential primary ever held. On the Democratic side, California will follow only Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. On the Republican side, California will follow only Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. The combined population of all those states is less than one-third that of California. California possesses one-fifth of the Electoral College votes needed to select the next occupant of the White House. As Don Henley and the Eagles put it: You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. At first, the event was set for the West Steps of the State Capitol. Which was fitting, in a sense, given the motto engraved on a giant logo nearby: “Bring me men to match my mountains.” But of course, there’s a woman coming, too — in the form of U.S. Senator and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton — and in some respects she is the frontrunner. Now the signing event will be at the Leland Stanford Mansion. Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez have released some of their remarks in advance. Says the former action superstar: “Making California important again in presidential nominating politics is an important step toward restoring voters’ confidence in government. And it means our issues will get their due respect along the campaign trail, and then in Washington. “Let me add that we should reimburse our counties for their election costs just as this bill intends. “Now it’s time to build on this momentum and move ahead with other important political reforms. We need an independent body to draw legislative and Congressional districts so voters can have real choices in their elections. “This bill is a fantastic step forward for our state, and I am confident that by working together with my partners in the Legislature we will soon be taking more great action for the people of California.” And Speaker Nunez chimes in: “It’s rare to have a bill already start working before it’s even signed into law. But that’s what happened with the early primary bill. Comments (46)Jonas Blane :kevin :Is California going to move the Presidential debate hard left? Bill Bradley :We'll see. But don't you think those Eagles live harmonies are a bit off? Ann :Capitol Boy :I hate the Eagles. Sacramento Solon :Ann :Nobody hates the Eagles. lol Jonathan Hemlock :Some hate the Eagles. More, I suspect, hate "Starship Troopers." Bill Bradley :If you don't like Starship Troopers, it is a satire. :) If you don't like the satire, it was a maelstrom. Very long story. Ann :I don't like Starship Troopers. Ann :But I like Gary Hart. lol Jonathan Hemlock :Bill Bradley :That's a joke, right? Ask me in a few months. Capitol Boy :Where is Perata? Capitol Boy :Where is Perata? Bill Bradley :I got a press release from Perata's office this morning saying he will be at the signing ceremony. kevin :Doesn't this really just help the politicians? Bill Bradley :California issues addressed as never before. The answer would be no. Juan Cortines :From yesterday's LA Times: "Presidential candidates, they just don't show up in Fresno," Villines said. "It's clear we are driving those candidates here early…. Clearly they are going to places in the state they haven't been before. I really like that." Assembly Republican's weren't whistling this tune when they voted against the bill. I wonder if they will show up at the bill signing to celebrate. Juan Cortina :i misspelled my own name... damn! Bill Bradley :Well, that's a drag when that happens ... >Juan Cortina : Ann :Whatever happened to Joe Walsh? Capitol Boy :Was Perata at the ceremony? Bill Bradley :Perata's office said he would be there. I skipped the event. The venue had bad parking and Arnold's events have become increasingly boring. Jonas Blane :Schwarzenegger's events are boring in what way? Sacramento Solon :Bill, Bad parking? Weak, very weak! However, just like this post, I'll buy boring!!!! Bill Bradley :Bad parking for a meaningless, overthought venue = no coverage. Sacramento Solon :You could have parked down here, it's a three block walk to the event. You therefore would have combined work with exercise. It would have been good for you and you wouldn't be so damn grumpy! The fact that you failed to provide us coverage makes it a non-event. Meaningless to the world. And I'm not sure Western Civilization is not somehow damaged because of it. Okay, perhaps that's a little strong, but I am trying to be nice. :-) RM 'Auros' Harman :Ann: "Wow, who can still grow their hair like that?" Me? If you mean, long wavy hair in general, at least... Though it's no longer dyed wine-red. Need to re-dye at some point. That way it matches the shirt I usually wear with my spiffy blue suit. Paul Burton :I think Joe Walsh went on to be a sometime member of the Ringo Starr Allstar band, but I may be mixing him up with Jeff 'skunk' Baxter. Walsh's work with the James Gang puts him way above Felder as a guitar picker. Don Henley donated campaign cash to both Al Gore and Ralph Nader in 2000. The candidates will check in, pay lip service to California issues, check out, and leave with money in hand. I don't believe California will benefit from the early primary and attention from the big money Republicrat players. Ad agencies, TV stations, campaign consultants, and PR firms might profit but Counties will be burdened with the costs of a third election. The advantage of an early primary is that once the two corporate parties wrap up the nomination early, voters will get sick of them and the long campaign and may be willing to listen to an independent or Green candidate. If Nader jumps in to challenge Clinton and Cynthia McKinney dumps the Dems and runs as a Green or Reconstruction Party (which grassroots activists in New Orleans are proposing) candidate or if Bloomberg or Hagel go independent, the election might turn out to be fun after all. Bill Bradley :Arnold's nice new crew has been doing a number of boring events for a while now. Rather than spend a lot of time making the video look interesting, tomorrow's column will explain his very limited endorsement options. Bill Bradley :Well, Paul, having actual knowledge of California primaries, not to mention having done them, I can tell you that you are quite wrong. Uh, Ralph Nader? Cynthia McKinney? You must be kidding on the last one. With regard to Nader, I was recruited to work on Nader's last presidential extravaganza -- the one that ended with Bush in the White House. That is at least a column in itself. Brasky :Jonas Blane :Who of us over 40 doesn't love the Eagles? Ann :There is a lot of bad parking in Sacramento. Sacramento Solon :That's because we are a cow town. Bill Bradley :Where are the cows? Jonathan Hemlock :Good on Gov. Schwarzenegger and Senate Republicans. I don't understand why assembly Republicans are off on a tangent again on something so obvious. Sacramento Solon :We keep most of the cattle herded up in the barn at the main ranch located between 10th & 15th and N & L Streets. You might have seen it...white building with a gold dome. We allow them out to feed in the evenings on the grass surrounding the barn and removed them to various parts of the state during the late summer and fall. Most of them have large appetites and it requires are huge amount of green to keep them content. A huge amount. Bill Bradley :Is that where the cows are? Good thing there are big lawns around. Sacramento Solon :Yes, that's where they are. Smart herd. They have been taugh how to graze indoors. The barns, which are disguised to deter cattle rustlers, have such cleaver names as Chops, Esquire Grille, and Frank Fat's. They graze often. Very often. Ann :Frank Fats? I 've heard of that. lol Sacramento Solon :Ann, Great joint with a wonderful story behind it. Frank Fat opened the place in the late 30's. At the time there was a fairly large amount of bigotry toward Asians. His friends toward him that Caucasians would never frequent a Chinese restaurant. To cover all sides, Fat decided that he would also offer steak. As history has shown, both the restaurant and steak were a huge success. It's probably the most popular dish in an established that has lasted almost 70 years. Old Solon will confess to munching on more than one in my time in this fine city. Served up sliced, to allow for easy use of chop sticks, topped with oyster sauce and onions and a cup of rice. Wonderful. Be warned, however, that it must be finished off with either banana or chocolate cream pie...simply the best around. Bill Bradley :Frank Fats is a great joint. Great to hang out in if you want to get a heart attack! Sacramento Solon :Just a stop along the highway. I'm sure you recall the days of your youth when L Street was the place to be. In the days of David's, The Senator Hotel, Lobby, Ellis', Fat's and the Torch Club. And you tried to hit the all...each and every night of the week. Harken back, Mr. Bradley. You survived those days without the old ticker going on the fritz, didn't you? RM 'Auros' Harman :Ever get the feeling that some of that stuff that's bad for you, was less bad for you when you didn't know it was? *g* Comments have been archived for this page. |
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Who's the best rock guitarist, Joe Walsh or Don Felder? I pick Felder.
Mar 15, 2007 05:24 AM