WSJ: Arnold Goes for Broke

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Arnold Goes for Broke

Speculation that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will seek to cancel the special election he called for November has been rampant in Sacramento after last week's decision by a judge that the centerpiece of his reform agenda had to be thrown off the ballot. His key measure to turn redistricting power over to a panel of retired judges instead of the legislature was ruled invalid because of small discrepancies in the language that was submitted to the state's attorney general and the language in the petition signed by voters.

Don't bet on a cancellation of the election. First, there is a good chance the California Supreme Court will rule that the wishes of the million-plus voters who signed petitions outweigh any technical violations. Secondly, the governor could probably only cancel the election if legislators passed emergency legislation to do so. Last Friday, Democratic Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez told reporters during a conference call that he wouldn't consider canceling the special election unless the governor's office pledged in the future not to back any attempts to reform the state's budget process or restrict the right of public employee unions to spend member dues on political causes without written permission. If the election were canceled at the governor's request, Mr. Nunez added, he would then support the governor placing another redistricting measure on a 2006 ballot.

GOP legislators say accepting such conditions would amount to a virtual policy surrender to Democrats by Arnold. "Look for him to push even more chips into the center of the political table and force the Democrats to raise the stakes," one legislator told me. "He knows this game isn't over until the voters decide."

-- John Fund

http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110007013

[autorank]

1. Consider the source: John Fund (smokin' the wacky weed again).

The Republicans are inventing a new gambit the ultimate spin!!!

When you're cornered, you go for the ultimate spin: Arnie S is at 32% approval in CA, his special election is about to become his political Waterloo, he got caught accepting a $5.0 million consulting fee from a "health" and fitness magazine which advertises "natural" growth/strength supplements just before he vetoed a bill mandating that high school athletes be tested for, you guessed, steroids and growth enhancements. He's screwed in other words.

But wait, it's ultimate spin time. John Fund, you're a winner.

Rove started it all, however, when he introduced the first, and likely greatest, enduring ultimate spin: I never gave the secret agents real name, I just called her a 'wife'." Karl Rove, come on down, you're a winner.

spin away all you want. It's so weak it's becoming pathetic to even * voters.

[Carla in Ca]

2. Autorank, I think YOU are a winner!

And let's don't forget to give Arnold some nice parting gifts when he goes!:hi:

[autorank]

3. Well, you're a bigger winner (sounds like Dr. Strangelove doesn't it.

Why? Because THE REVOLUTION STARTS IN CALIFORNIA. OMG, are you guys kicking Arnold's big fat you know what. The special election is just a treat...haha, he can't win it, and he can't even hold it now. Boo hoo...you guys are too mean. Maybe he could go to "NeverLand" and Michael Jackson and he could have a "NeverLand" wide vote on a "very special electing" for "our friend Arnold."

Arnold needs to learn humility. Keep up the outstanding work out there.

:yourock: