The California Republican Assembly
backed off its ultimatum to
Arnold Schwarzenegger that he either dump
Susan Kennedy or face the threat of losing his endorsement at the GOP convention next week, writes Laura Kurtzman in the Merc News.
"
Mike Schroeder, the conservative activist who wrote the resolution to withdraw the pre-primary endorsement of the governor unless he fired Kennedy, said he agreed to table his resolution in a committee so there would be an open debate about the governor's recent policies."
"'I think it was a good spirit of compromise and allows policy issues that have been concerning Republicans in the state to be considered and aired.'"
The official Roundup decoder ring translates that to "We clearly didn't have enough votes."
"He added that he expects the four policy resolutions to pass. They criticize the governor on his budget, bond proposal, support for a minimum wage increase and judicial appointments."
Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson
gets the quote from GOP chair Duf Sundheim in the Register "'We are going to be entering the convention united behind our ticket,' Sundheim said. '
We'll be spending our time at the convention discussing how to get more Republicans elected.'"
California Republican Assembly president
Mike Spence sends a Valentine to the governor on the op-ed page of the LA Times. "Instead of attempting to appease his insatiable tax-and-spend opponents,
Schwarzenegger should stay true to his 'Austrian oak' nickname on the principles he articulated just a few short months ago, rather than build a legacy as the French willow that bent as soon as a breeze blew in another direction."
Even
Darrell Issa got in on the lovefest, though
he may have ulterior motives, according to The Hill.
"Rep. Darrell Issa (R) is calling on California conservatives to unite behind embattled Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) as the congressman lays the groundwork, Republicans say, for a future statewide race of his own.
In
a letter sent earlier this month to party activists, Issa asks Republicans not to violate Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment, forbidding Republicans from attacking Republicans. And he voices strong opposition to efforts to rescind the state party’s endorsement of Schwarzenegger at its Feb. 26 convention in San Jose."
Phil Angelides is picking out his best suit, combing his hair and is prepared for a very special day. At 9:30 a.m., he's "formally launching his campaign" by filing his declaration of candidacy at the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections office.
You thought you were having a bad Valentine's Day? How'd you like to be on death row and have your lawyers
withdraw materials supporting their motion for clemency? "Attorneys for death row inmate
Michael Morales on Monday withdrew affidavits from jurors urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to stop the defendant's execution amid allegations that the defense documents were forgeries."
Dan Weintraub
explains the relationship between Don Perata and the governor on the infrastructure bonds. "People keep asking him, Perata says, whether he is working with the governor on Schwarzenegger's proposal to spend billions to rebuild and repair California's aging public works."
"'He's working with me,' Perata replies, with the emphasis on 'me.'"
"The analogy: Perata and Schwarzenegger are driving a car. Perata is behind the wheel. The governor is in the passenger seat. Sure, when they arrive at their destination, Schwarzenegger will jump out and the crowd will mob him. He's the celebrity."
"'I go park the car,' Perata says, sounding self-deprecating. Then he adds: 'But I am driving the car.'"
"It goes without saying that he does not see himself as a chauffeur.
In his view, he is the navigator as well as the driver."
We don't care who's driving, as long as you have the car back by November 7.
Meanwhile, we're learning what happened in the failed relationship between
Barry Munitz and the Getty. "A month before he resigned as chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, Barry Munitz angered some board members by
promising his controversial chief of staff a severance payment in excess of $350,000 without first informing the board, trustees said Monday," write Jason Felch and Ralph Frammolino in the Times.
"Munitz promised
Jill Murphy severance worth twice her annual salary at a time when he was under investigation by both the state attorney general and the Getty board, and despite a clear warning from the board that he should seek prior approval for any controversial moves, several trustees said."
Funny, even though his background is at CSU, Munitz was acting just like a UC official.
The Bee reports today that a former Sac State student leader "
has been charged with embezzling more than $18,000 from Associated Students Inc., the student government."
"
Julio A. Velazquez was arraigned on the 16-count felony complaint earlier this month in Sacramento Superior Court."
Hey, we'll still take a 16-count felony charge any day over
justice Dick Cheney style.
Finally, a UK tabloid reports the guv will team up with
Sylvester Stallone on
a new action movie after the governor leaves office.
"The film - entitled 'Brutal Deluxe' - will be the first time the legendary stars have appeared together on screen."
Sounds like it's based on the governor's first two years in office.