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Matier & Ross: Political jockeying heats up as wildfires rage
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 10/28/7 | Phillip Matier,Andrew Ross

Posted on 10/28/2007 2:00:54 PM PDT by SmithL

Nothing like a disaster to bring politicians together - or turn them into punching bags.

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, never one to shy away from the cameras, was told by his advisers to keep his eyes open when he arrived in Southern California for last week's wildfires, and if he saw a shot to take it.

And that's just what Garamendi did upon learning that President Bush was winging it out to San Diego to tour the fire damage Thursday.

"It's public relations," Garamendi said on MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews." "We'll be polite. But frankly that's not the solution. How about sending our National Guard back from Iraq so that we have those people here to help us?"

On another show, Garamendi opined, "The record of this administration on dealing with disasters is disastrous. So we hope that they have improved. ... How many times did he go to New Orleans and still made promises, but hasn't delivered?"

It was a message the lieutenant governor repeated for the rest of the week.

"If I were to say exactly what was on my mind, I'd be deemed impolite," Garamendi told us Friday.

"He came out and had his photo op - fine. Promises to help - good. We want to make him accountable."

Besides, you can't go wrong bashing Bush in California.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: garamendi; presidentbush; wildfires
Hot air from Sacramento, fanning the flames.
1 posted on 10/28/2007 2:00:55 PM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

Garamendi came off as a nutjob and the people of CA didn’t appreciate it. I doubt that he did himself any favors. There were a lot of calls to his office and the governor’s office. Just another Liberal fool proving what a moron he is.


2 posted on 10/28/2007 2:34:59 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: SmithL

What a scumbag.

And if Arnie hadn’t stabbed McClintock in the back during the campaign,
Garamendi-the-nutcase wouldn’t be LtGov, McClintock would.


3 posted on 10/28/2007 2:54:43 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: SmithL

Katrina, the MN bridge, the Cali fires...Why are disasters always politicized? You’d think the first thing on their minds would be how to help the victims, not how to blame this on their political enemies and make talking points out of it.


4 posted on 10/28/2007 3:27:32 PM PDT by G8 Diplomat (Star Wars teaches us a foreboding lesson--evil emperors start out as Senators)
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To: SmithL
"He came out and had his photo op - fine. Promises to help - good. We want to make him accountable."

Hold him accountable for what, exactly? Did Bush start the fires, is it somehow the feds job to bail out every state that has some financial hardship. I am trying to figure out what Bush should be accountable for in this particular incident. I am not really in love with GW Bush, mainly because of illegals, but to blame him for every crisis in the country is just lunacy.

To hear the Dems tell it there has never been a hurrican, fire, earthquake, snow storm, tornado during any other Presidents time in office. ( I missed a few disasters, but you can fill in the blanks)

5 posted on 10/28/2007 3:41:11 PM PDT by calex59
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