"Welcome to debt-fully lowland".
Posted on 03/01/2012 10:43:08 AM PST by Kaslin
California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom began a San Francisco Chronicle editorial board meeting last week by complaining about his job. In states such as Texas and Maryland, gubernatorial nominees choose their lieutenant governors. Those officers, Newsom argued, are "empowered," as each is "truly a lieutenant." Under the status quo with Gov. Jerry Brown, Newsom said, "we're at each other's throats; nothing gets done." But: "If they run together, then they have a team. Otherwise, get rid of the position."
Well, OK. Get rid of the position. The Strapped-But-Golden State doesn't need to spend $1 million to maintain a make-believe governor.
It's not as if California has a shortage of politicians who live by the pandering press release. (Most recently, Newsom called on the California Fish and Game Commission chief to resign because he killed a mountain lion in Idaho. "I do appreciate that you did nothing illegal in Idaho," Newsom wrote, "but it is clear that your actions do not reflect the values of the people of California.")
Newsom's problem: He couldn't beat Brown in the 2010 Democratic primary, so he dropped out of the top race to run for junior governor. He trounced Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn in June and then beat Republican Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado (who loved the job) in November.
Then Newsom quit a real job, San Francisco mayor, a year early to assume this window-shopping position. And he's down to a staff of three.
Newsom sure has an odd way of showing he wants to be on Brown's team. He's been all over the state disagreeing with Brown's budget cuts. On KQED radio recently, Newsom suggested Brown lacks a "vision for greatness."
"I said some negative things," Newsom admitted Wednesday. He also argued that his same-ticket suggestion was about not his boss, but "structural reform."
Maldonado agrees with the Newsom suggestion but chided, "Gavin is the No. 2. He should be on the team."
Newsom has his defenders, folks who look at the lieutenant guv's 2011 Economic Growth and Competitiveness Agenda for California and believe that Brown should give his lieutenant a platform. Newsom's former political consultant Garry South argued that, as a one-time big-city mayor, policy wonk and successful businessman, Newsom is "legitimately frustrated because he's got a lot of policy depth and executive experience" -- but Brown has frozen out Newsom.
Except: Newsom makes himself look irrelevant by pushing to change the state constitution to make the false front that his office is important.
And for what? South has worked for two lieutenant governors who became governors. When governors pick their running mates, South believes, they choose people who can help them win -- and then ignore them.
Besides, to get a constitutional change on the ballot, there first must be a big-money campaign or a legislative vote. "There's a significant reason why the Legislature won't do it," noted South, "because it's a statewide office for which they all can run."
Brown's people can't even be bothered to comment. "I haven't spoken to Jerry about it, so there's nothing I can really say," said adviser Steve Glazer.
That's what you get when you run for lieutenant governor and win -- whether you like it or not.
Shouldn’t this lisping Nancy be picking out curtains, or accessorizing his outfit instead of destroying further the already terminal, former Golden State?
Wasn’t he the captain on the Love Boat? ;)
WRONG! In Texas, Lt. Governor’s are elected separately from the Governor.
Lt.? The arrogant SOB should be a corpse, man.
“In states such as Texas...gubernatorial nominees choose their lieutenant governors.”
Um, that would be a Texas-sized “NO”. Idiots. Don’t they know how to look this stuff up before they report it?
I respect Kimberly Guilfoyle for divorcing that cretin.
There are oh so many reasons to respect Kimberly.
Give the devil his due. I disagree with this guy on everything under the sun except two things, baseball and women. This so called lisping Nancy has had wives you can only call HOT. He was a pretty good D1 ballplayer in his day. Everything else, he’s dead wrong. If anyone has pictures to post please do. Start with Kimberly Guilefoyle.
Jerry Brown really has problems with Lt Gov’s. Anyone remember when Mike Curb took over Jerry’s job, lock stock and barrel, when he went to run for Pres in 1980? I always found that story hilarious. Moonbeam is such an incompetent boob. He and Gavin Nuisance deserve each other.
I did it before, but I'll gladly do it again. This could be a new rule every time something about this loser is posted. Much like the MoDo threads and Cathrine Zeta Jones.
Jerry is just waiting for the ring.
As in California.
The difference is in the quality of men, not the office.
I'd trade you our for yours sight unseen, but I know a Texan wouldn't touch that deal with a bullwhip.
Says the man who was having an affair with his best friend's wife. Are those the California values he's referring to?
She divorced her second husband as well. This may be your chance to be The Third Man.
Actually, there is quite a difference. In Texas the Lt. Governor is primarily a legislative official. He is the leader of the State Senate and, in many ways, has more power than the Governor. The state has a unique governmental structure reflecting the deliberate effort to prevent concentration of power in any one position.
“Nancy” comment withdrawn.
Guess I thought he was another sick narciccistic homo, not just a backstabbing, serial adulterer, enabler of both public perversion against the wishes of the citizenry, and government coerced theft from private citizens.
I wonder if he’s screwing his new best friend’s wife yet?
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