Peter Nicholas
puts the governor on the psychologist's couch. "In public, the governor often resembles the one-dimensional characters he played in his movies. Immaculately dressed. Punctual. Relying on the prepared script."
"But a look at Schwarzenegger in unguarded moments reveals a governing style more freewheeling and improvisational. Interviews with three dozen aides, advisors and former staff members
portray a man whose moves are often difficult to predict, who likes to keep people off balance. Mercurial in temperament, he can be by turns disarming and fun, demanding and brusque."
Try putting that in a 30-second ad.
"He works hard. Schwarzenegger can spend days poring over color-coded spreadsheets to prepare for tough negotiations. And he has devoted himself to befriending, wheedling, charming and baiting lawmakers in hopes of cementing alliances."
"And long past the point where it might have wilted,
Schwarzenegger's romance with the cranky former Senate Democratic leader, John Burton, continues to flower. Burton, retired from the Legislature, can't do much for Schwarzenegger at this point.
But on Valentine's Day the governor sent him a big box of chocolates. He tossed in a photo of himself planting a kiss on Burton's cheek. The picture came in a heart-shaped frame."
We're, uh, feeling a bit verklempt.
"Burton had been visiting First Lady
Maria Shriver in the Capitol when she suggested they go see her husband. Pleased to see his friend, the governor told Burton, "Darling, I've missed you. It's been too long.' Then: smooch."
"'It was Arnold being Arnold,' said Burton, 73. He explained the relationship: 'We would talk about movies, talk about Warren [Beatty], we talk about nothing. It was one of the reasons he clearly enjoyed talking to me. I don't think the other guys who go in talk to him about Austria, or whether a schnitzel is good here or good there.'"
Dan Walters
looks at politics, 2006 style. "Every decade or so, California experiences a watershed election year which realigns the state's cast of politicians - bringing some careers to an end and jump-starting others - and 2006 could be one of those events."
...and every two years, pundits write columns claiming that big changes are ahead after the year's election.
The Stockton Record's Hank Shaw looks at the
lack of small contributions in this year's campaigns. "Mom-and-pop contributions are too small to fuel campaigns that can top $10 million, but their nearly total absence is peculiar to California, suggesting both a lack of outreach by politicians and a deep public disengagement from state government, critics say."
"A Record analysis of the candidates for the Central Valley's 22 legislative seats as well as for statewide office shows that most collect more checks with four figures than two."
Shocking...
"For example, more than 120 $1,000 checks have fueled Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi's re-election campaign. The Lodi Republican's tally in increments smaller than a Benjamin: $234."
"This phenomenon is markedly different from the situation in states with smaller districts and no term limits."
With mom-and-pop sitting out of elections, who will pay for the pretty signs and confetti? The Register's Martin Wisckol looks at the
independent spending in Senate District 35. "The cavalry's not coming to
Tom Harman's rescue - but the American Indians are."
"The candidate in the April 11
special state Senate election is being outspent by a 2-1 ratio, with opponent
Diane Harkey pouring at least $525,000 of her own money into her campaign."
"But last week, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians - yes, of course they have a casino - sent out a mailer on behalf of Harman. That helps even the money game a bit, although we still have another week and untold additional independent expenditures to go in the race to fill the 35th Senate District vacancy."
Meanwhile, "[t[he race for the north San Fernando Valley's
38th Assembly seat may seem lopsided in terms of fundraising and party registration, but with no incumbent in the mix, the
candidates see it as a wide-open field," writes Harrison Sheppard in the Daily-News.
"Four Democrats, two Republicans and one Libertarian are vying in the June primary for the post now held by Assemblyman
Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, who is termed-out and running for state treasurer."
"Santa Clarita Councilman
Cameron Smyth, a Republican who has raised more money than the six other candidates combined, is perceived as the candidate to beat, both in June and November.
George Skelton looks back on
last week's immigration protests. "Except for the foreign flags, the commuter harassment, the school ditching, these have been inspiring protests."
"Problem is, pictures convey the message."
"They crowd out the intended message and blur the purpose of the demonstrations (besides serving as organizing tools for Latino, labor and Democratic groups): protesting legislation that deserves to be protested."
Since today is
opening day and since there is a
college basketball game of great interest to some of our loyal readers tonight, we figured today we'd close with a story from the world of sports.
The Nigerian soccer federation is asking officials to
be fair, even though they may be on the take. "Football referees in Nigeria can take bribes from clubs but should not allow them to influence their decisions on the pitch, a football official said.
"'"Referees should only pretend to fall for the bait, but make sure the result doesn't favor those offering the bribe,' he said."
Maybe we should ask the same of our politicians...