Following up on this bizarre appointment of Susan Kennedy to the COS position (is it just that Arnold can't stay away from Kennedy women? You gotta wonder...) Predictably, California's right wing (about the size of a buffalo wing, but it's there) is hammering away at Schwarzenegger. The California Republican Assembly, led by Mike Spence, is calling on the California Republican Party to withdraw their nomination of Schwarzenegger in the primary! The blogosphere is piling it on, as Fleischman's FlashReport calls this, "the big kiss-off to the GOP base." Stay tuned as the California Republican Party continues the implosion process...

This from Straitshooter, currently in an undisclosed location:

Ok. I am a Democrat -- the secret is out. But when do you put your Party aside to tackle real issues affecting people? Well Susan Kennedy, former top staffer of the California Democratic Party in 1992 and Cabinet Secretary for Gray Davis has decided that the chance to be at the helm of the Governor's Office is worth it -- regardless of what name is on the letterhead.

So, yes, I applaud Kennedy for putting partisanship aside in order to take charge of the mess the Republican Governor and his Wilson cronies have unleashed on California. She is going to do great things for this state, period.

But (and it's a big but)...on the other hand, as a party activist, I am hurt. This is the woman who said that she gets off sticking to insurance companies -- and now she is working for the insurance company hatchet man? This is the woman who watched her boss get kicked out of office by the very man she is now working for. This is the woman who worked with Phil Angelides on getting California to its "bluest" point and now she is going to be helping to keep him out of office...

I know -- I am a Democrat because we "do what's right." But sometimes it would be nice to win!

Laura Booth, Sven Hurty and other UCSC College Dems are working on a noble charge for accountaiblity in the UC system (and I say for the CSU system as well). Seems like some UC Executives may be losing site of what "public service" means.

I just love how if taxes are "misused" for things like food for seeing eye dogs Republicans go crazy, but no Republican seems to mind hiking taxes on college students and families or mind when we learn that these taxes are being used to dole out closed-door deals to top school officials...hopefully we can some "adults" to pay attention!

Okay, okay, we buy that it was a computer glitch that stuck a fat black X on Cheney's face during CNN's coverage of his speech earlier this week. But it doesn't make the visual any less amusing.

Show me good Vice President! Survey Says . . . .

A few days ago, Representative Jean Schmidt of Ohio called Jack Murtha a "coward" because of his criticism of the Iraq war (see our post 'Courage Under Fire'). Now Schmidt, without even a hint of irony, doesn't seem to understand why she, a freshman congresswoman who has never served in the military, can't go around calling a veteran of two wars a coward. Responding to the national backlash to her slanderous comments, she said with a straight face: "'I am amazed at what a national story this has become,' she said in a statement. 'I have been attacked very personally, continuously since Friday evening.'" (Washington Post, November 23) What, you mean freshman congresswomen can't go around throwing insults at a senior congressman who fought in two wars and is widely considered an expert on military issues?

Luckily, the good people of Ohio (from whence that piece of Schmidt hails) have responded appropriately, as the Post has it: "but the Ohio Republican's comments landed with a splat in her own Cincinnati district, where some supporters are backing away as she scrambles to explain what she meant."

Congresswoman Schmidt has tried to spin herself as the victim of misunderstanding in this debacle, but the truth is that the American people are getting tired of absurd and insulting Republican smear tactics ... stay tuned for 2006.

After Schwarzenegger got back from China, one of the first things he did was to attend the funeral of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. I'd like to take this opportunity to remember how he really feels about police officers.

He tried to privatize their pension system, which would have ended death and disability benefits. He tried to do it through an initiative and also by firing people from the CalPERS board who disagreed with him. (Check it out here) What happened in response to this lunacy? "Fire chiefs, police chiefs as well as widows of public safety officers killed in the line of duty have recently become more vocal in criticizing one of the main tenets of Schwarzenegger's agenda to shake up government this year. Even organizations representing cities and counties, which have struggled with rising pension obligation costs, oppose the move." (Sacramento Bee, November 13, 2005)

But hey, at least he showed up for a photo op at a funeral. That's plenty of support for the brave men and women who keep our streets safe ... right?

Our own Crystal Strait joined other political bloggers on Capital Public Radio's "Insight," today. You can listen to the program here.

Recently Assemblymember Ray Haynes (R- Riverside) gave out "Nosey" Awards to legislators that "exercised" power in "intrusive" ways.

Ray, thanks so much for telling us about pieces of legislation proposed throughout the year that you consider to be a waste of our time—way to look out for the general public. I'm very glad you brought these to our attention, because now I know that you fought hard to make sure that among other things: (1) prisoners could continue to transmit deadly diseases amongst one another and cost the taxpayers more money when they are sick, (2) people are free to smoke directly in front of small children and leave their leftover ashes and cigarette butts on the beach for someone else to clean up (who will pick them up, I don’t know since you promote budget cutbacks in every department), and (3) the governor is free to take a break on the taxpayers' watch to go out and smoke a cigar in the middle of the day (which is such a great use of time).

And YOU say that these sponsors are an "insolated capitol establishment". Maybe yes, but don’t be so HUMBLE, Ray! You deserve a “Nosey”, too. Don’t let your work go unnoticed.

I noticed that you did not list your sponsoring of ACA 3 - the Marriage Constitutional Amendment on the award list. You know, the one that will "Limit the rights, responsibilities, benefits, and obligations" of marriage to heterosexuals. First, I don’t know how you cannot give a Nosey about a law that is regulating the bedrooms and second, I don't recall limiting anyone's rights to really be a good thing or something that is the purpose of our constitution, so thanks for really taking the bull by the horns on that one. At least I know that you hold marriage (and I assume your own) to be sacred... which I'm sure that you could tell me all about the next time I see you and your mistress enjoying cocktails. I really appreciate your diligence on this matter.

And, by the way Ray, you ask "Just what is a dental dam?" I can understand why a true conservative might be a little confused by the concept since most Republicans continue to push abstinence only education. I really suggest you check out Advocates for Youth which has some great facts or Wikipedia—which also has a great description of outercourse—something the Gov. is quite familiar with, but I have a feeling you aren’t.

Last week, the article, "Turnout rate of young voters better than thought" got a lot of talk time. I hope you take a second to look it over. In 2004 YD turnout rose 11 points--the largest jump of any age group. We still have work to do, but maybe this will help show people that if young voters are talked to--surprise, surprise--they might actually vote!

For some time now, it's been fairly obvious that Governor Schwarzenegger lives in the land of pretend. The evidence speaks for itself: during his special election campaign, he pretended that his pre-scripted "town halls" were authentic; he pretended that his campaign was going well despite overwhelming polling evidence to the contrary, even boasting that he would win all four of his propositions; and he consistenly pretended to speak for the people of California, ignoring the fact that a vast majority did not want the special election. It has become increasingly clear that Arnold would rather pretend than govern. Personally, I was prepared (even looking forward to) a pretend apology after the special. But instead of the apology that he owes to every single Californian for the colossal waste of time and money that he called "reform," we get this, courtesy of the Sacramento Bee: "As [Schwarzenegger] casually declared in one of his postelection statements, when one movie goes in the toilet, there's always another" (Sacramento Bee, November 16, 2005). This guy just oozes humility. After Californians stood up with one voice and shouted in his face that we won't tolerate attacks on our nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, and working families, he suggests that he'll just attack us again the next chance he gets. This guy was an actor, and he couldn't even pretend to be sorry? But then again, I guess action stars never have to apologize. They just blow stuff up. Apparently, Arnold's range as a Governor and his range as an actor are equally limited -- he only knows how to attack.

Well, it's happening again - are we surprised? The Grand Old Party maintains high standards for judging someone patriotic. Max Cleland kept one limb too many to escape charges of being soft on national defense. John Kerry apparently needed to earn a few more Purple Hearts or exercise the right of free speech for which he fought a little less often. And now, a Congressman who usually sided with the Bush Administration has used his experience and judgment to come to the conclusion that the Iraq war has gone awry, and predictably, the Administration is smearing his service and questioning his courage.

Senator Kerry, no stranger to these nonsensical attacks, spoke out against these tired tactics. Below are Senator Kerry’s remarks, as prepared:

“Mr. President, yesterday, Jack Murtha, a respected congressman on military matters, and former Marine Drill Sergeant and decorated Vietnam veteran, spoke out on our policy in Iraq. He didn’t come to that moment lightly. He spoke his mind and spoke his heart out of love for his country and support for our troops. I am not going to stand for a swift boat attack strategy against Jack Murtha.

“It disgusts me that a bunch of guys who have never put on the uniform of their country venomously turn their guns on a marine who served his country heroically in Vietnam and has been serving heroically in Congress ever since.

“No matter what J.D. Hayworth says, there is no sterner stuff than the backbone and courage that defines Jack Murtha’s character and conscience.

“Dennis Hastert - the Speaker of the House who never served - called Jack Murtha a coward and accused him of wanting to cut and run. Well let me tell you, Jack Murtha wasn’t a coward when he put himself in harm’s way for his country in Vietnam and earned two purple hearts - he was a patriot then, and he is a patriot today. Jack Murtha didn’t cut and run when his courage in combat earned him a Bronze Star, and his voice should be heard, not silenced by those who still today cut and run from the truth.

“Just a day after Dick Cheney, who had 5 deferments from Vietnam, accused Democrats of being unpatriotic -the White House accused Jack Murtha of surrendering. Jack Murtha served 37 years in the Marine Corps. He doesn’t know how to surrender - not to enemy combatants, and not to politicians in Washington who say speaking his conscience is unpatriotic.

“Robert Kennedy once said, ‘The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country.’ Chuck Hagel showed he hasn’t forgotten that when he said, ‘The Bush administration must understand that each American has a right to question our policies in Iraq and should not be demonized for disagreeing with them.’ But too many in the Republican Party forgot that long ago. They forgot that asking tough questions isn’t pessimism; it’s patriotism.

“We’ve seen the politics of fear and smear too many times. Whenever challenged, Republican leaders engage in the politics of personal destruction rather than debate the issues. It doesn’t matter who you are. When they did it to John McCain, we saw it doesn’t matter what political party you’re in. When they did it to Max Cleland, we saw it doesn’t matter if your service put you in a wheelchair. And when they did it to Jack Murtha yesterday, perhaps the most respected voice on military matters in all of Congress, we saw that this administration will go to any lengths to crush any dissent.

“Once again, they’re engaged in the lowest form of smear and fear politics because they’re afraid of actually debating a senior congressman who has advised presidents of both parties on how to best defend our country. They’re afraid to debate a decorated veteran who lives and breathes the concerns of our troops, not the empty slogans of an Administration that sent our brave troops to war without body armor. They’re terrified of actually leveling with the American people about the way they misled America into war, and admitting they have no clear plan to finish the job and get our troops home. Whether you agree with Jack Murtha’s policy or not is irrelevant.

“The truth is there is a better course for our troops and for America in Iraq and I am going to keep fighting until we take that course for the good of our country.

“American families who have lost, or who fear the loss, of their loved ones deserve to know the truth about what we have asked them to do, what we are doing to complete the mission, and what we are doing to prevent our forces from being trapped in an endless quagmire. Our military families understand that open debate about what’s going on in Iraq doesn’t put our troops at risk; it’s the only way to get it right in Iraq so we can get their sons and daughters home.

“I think all of us should be mindful, as the White House yet again engages in character assassination to prevent Americans from listening to the words of military experts, of the consequences we have already endured from the failure to listen.

“When the administration could have listened to General Shinseki and put in enough troops to maintain order, they chose not to. When they could have learned from George Herbert Walker Bush and built a genuine global coalition, they chose not to. When they could have implemented a detailed State Department plan for reconstructing post-Saddam Iraq, they chose not to.

“When they could have protected American forces by guarding Saddam Hussein’s ammo dumps where there were weapons of individual destruction, they exposed our young men and women to the ammo that now maims and kills them because they chose not to act. When they could have imposed immediate order and structure in Baghdad after the fall of Saddam, Rumsfeld shrugged his shoulders, said Baghdad was safer than Washington, D.C. and chose not to act. When the Administration could have kept an Iraqi army selectively intact, they chose not to. When they could have kept an entire civil structure functioning to deliver basic services to Iraqi citizens, they chose not to.

“When they could have accepted the offers of the United Nations and individual countries to provide on the ground peacekeepers and reconstruction assistance, they chose not to. When they should have leveled with the American people that the insurgency had grown, they chose not to. Vice President Cheney even absurdly claimed that the ‘insurgency was in its last throes.’

“And now, after all these mistakes, who is the administration to accuse anyone of wanting to cut and run. We are in trouble today precisely because of a policy of cut and run. This administration made the wrong choice to cut and run from sound intelligence and good diplomacy; to cut and run from the best military advice; to cut and run from sensible war time planning; to cut and run from their responsibility to properly arm and protect our troops; to cut and run from history’s lessons about the Middle East; to cut and run from common sense. That is the debate they are afraid to have in our country. Shame on them.

“Instead of letting his cronies run their mouths, the President should finally find the courage to debate the real issue instead of destroying anyone who speaks truth to power as they see it. It’s time for Americans to stand up, fight back, and make it clear it’s unacceptable to do this to any leader of any party anywhere in our country.

“And I hope my colleagues will come down to this floor and debate the issue on its merits, instead of attacking the character of a man like Jack Murtha, because believe me - that’s a fight nobody’s going to win in our America.”

This blog is quite easy to understand.

We want this to be a forum for members of the California Young Democrats to tell it like it is, how it should be, and how we can get there together.

Now we could say we are going to be fair and balanced, but you don't believe it when Fox News says that, do you? We will however speak our minds, even if we are not towing the Party line.

This isn't your grandmother's site--this isn't for the faint of heart--this is for the youth that will be the generation to Keep California Blue.