I’ll admit I’m a little incredulous, but Media News has Sen. Abel Maldonado as the Governor’s pick to replace John Garamendi as Lt. Governor.
The choices seem endless as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ponders his pick to fill the now-vacant lieutenant governor’s job. But the path that many expect the governor to take invariably leads back to one person: Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria.
Several sources close to the administration said privately that Maldonado is the likely choice for two reasons: He has bailed out the governor with a number of critical votes – on budgets and taxes, for which the governor may feel some debt – and would sail through the Democratic-controlled Legislature for confirmation.
“Schwarzenegger has settled on Maldonado. I’m hearing it’s him,” one person close to the administration said, asking not to be identified. (CoCo Times 11/6/09)
The relationship between Maldonado and Arnold really is a complicated one. Arnold didn’t endorse Abel back in his statewide primary for Controller, which he eventually lost to Asm. Keith Richman. However, a day after the primary, Abel attacked Arnold for not doing enough for him, saying “When he needs Latinos, Latinos are always there for him … when Latinos need him, the answer’s been no.”. And then a day later he apologized. It was all very dramatic.
But since that time, Maldo has done everything he can to get back in the Governor’s good graces. Going so far as to basically being his bad cop on negotiations to get the Top-2 primary system that will end up being a waste of Democratic resources.
And from a standpoint of getting this through, it seems to have less enemies throwing roadblocks. In the senate you will have the 4 LG candidates opposed, but whether they can muster the votes to block confirmation is an open question. It seems the only way to get a Republican LG, and for the Dems it gives them a shot at Maldo’s senate district. Can anybody say Sen. John Laird?
If Arnold is really serious about this, I think he just keeps Bob Hertzberg as Plan B or perhaps just leaves the office empty.
Please pick Maldonado. Arnold will find no greater champion of Maldonado for the Lt Gov office than yours truly.
I am sick to death of being represented by that slimy bastard. Not only can I say “Senator John Laird” I salivate at the opportunity to put him in office.
I have to admit, I was not an immediate fan of Maldo becoming LG. There are worse Republicans in California but why wouldn’t the Gov try to get a strong policy person in there who could really help. Tom Campbell would be constructive. Cassandra Pye would be constructive. Anthony Adams? Well, that would be ironic.
But when you mentioned the possibility of moving John Laird into the Senate seat, now I’m a HUGE Maldo for LG fan. To go from Maldo to Laird in the State Senate — what a great improvement.
Please, please, please.
The only seat I’d rather have vacant is Sam Blakeslee’s. But I will work to put a Democrat in Maldonado’s with great glee. If John Laird wants it, nothing would make me happier.
I wonder if our Gov will try to restore some of that $ after he appoints a Republican replacement.
Yeah, this seems clever. Maldonado had no future in his seat, so this works as a dignified exit, but he might work statewide and this is a good position to start lining up county party heads. Plus the legislature gets reminded that Arnold still does have some capacity to reward his allies, and the special election will give the Republican base an opportunity to direct their energies towards purifying a “RINO” seat, and learn what lessons they will from the attempt.
I heard a newcomer to the pick today, Stan Statham, the current President of the California Broadcasters and a retired Assemblyman. He’d be the perfect pick. He knows the media and already has close ties to the Governor.