Day: July 14, 2008

Schwarzenegger won’t be headed to D.C. just yet

Joe Mathews believes, based on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s comments on ABC’s “This Week” with George Stephanopoulous, that the governor might consider accepting a position as energy-environment czar in an Obama administration and leave the governorship early.

I don’t think Lt. Gov. John Garamendi should be packing boxes just yet.

Governor Schwarzenegger would be abandoning his supporters in the business community who have worked tirelessly for him if he makes such a move. Often, the Schwarzenegger veto pen is the only thing that stands between the liberal California Legislature and new regulations and fees hoisted on business. A Governor Garamendi would be more accepting of new requirements on business.

Paging Gov. Garamendi, Or Arnold’s Severe Case Of Potomac Fever

Gov. Schwarzenegger used an appearance on ABC’s "This Week" Sunday morning to hint that he has interest in leaving his current job to serve in Barack Obama’s cabinet as some sort of energy-environment czar. The McCain-endorsing governor also talked about an Obama presidency as a fait accompli–he referred to "when," not "if," the Illinois senator is president. I suspect you’ll see an effort in the hours and days ahead by the governor and his aides to try to back away from what he told interviewer George Stephanopoulous and talk about his commitment to Californians. They’ll note that he called the discussion "hypothetical" and was merely explaining his desire to serve American governments of either party. But I defy anyone to watch the show or read the transcript and tell me with any confidence that this governor intends to serve out the rest of his term, which runs through the end of 2010.

Here’s the exchange. Stephanopoulous showed a clip of Obama praising the governor’s environmental "leadership."

One for the Students

Sometimes all the attention to inaction overwhelms news of very important actions. With all the clamor over last week’s non-progress on the state budget, you may have missed an important decision by the State Board of Education supporting high standards for student proficiency.

For years, the state has had a two-track system for proficiency in 8th grade math – one for Algebra 1 and one for General Math, which tests 6th and 7th grade math standards. Governor Schwarzenegger and education reformers, including business, civil rights groups, and higher education, advocated a single standard of Algebra 1, phased in over three years, to set high expectations, eliminate an invidious two-track system, and ensure students were on track to have skills they need to thrive in the 21st century workforce.

Senate Democrats’ Epiphany on Oil Drilling

On June 18, 2008 Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, Democratic Party Whip in the U.S. Senate, told Chicago Public Radio, “Our energy policy is not going to be solved by drilling”.

Upon returning from his Fourth of July holiday he told the media, "I’m open to drilling and responsible production," Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin told The Wall Street Journal, adding that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could also support the move.

Freshman Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri must have fallen off her Democratic donkey and had a conversion as well on her way to the Drilling Damascus, when she said last week that she too could now support new drilling. Only weeks before she had denounced it.

Democrats in the U.S. Senate must have gotten an earful from their angry constituents over the holiday weekend regarding the price of gasoline. What else would cause Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois, Harry Reid of Nevada, and Claire McCaskill of Missouri to have the epiphany they seem to have had on supporting new oil and natural gas exploration here at home.