On May 13th, former South L.A. grassroots leader, Karen Bass will officially assumer her duties as Speaker of the California Assembly. While she is only eligible to serve as Speaker for two years because of term limits, the budget woes in Sacramento should provide Bass a great audition for the governor’s office. Her success as Speaker could shake up the governor’s race in 2010.
In Today’s Sacramento Bee Bass described her new job as the “biggest challenge I’ve had to face in my life.”
I think Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger feels the exact same way right now as our state has relives budget woes he was elected to fix.
When Bass becomes Speaker, she’ll sit opposite of Schwarzenegger at the negotiating table, possibly deciding the fate of public education in California as we know it. Other basic state services face certain spending cuts. She’ll also be faced with a looming redistricting battle headed towards the ballot box which may pit traditional allies against one another in a bitter expression of frustration with government’s performance.
As Speaker, she becomes the chief fundraiser for her members facing re-election as well as for the state Democratic Party. I have no concerns or doubts about her ability to not get caught up in the lavish lifestyle which accompanies money and fame.
Still, lets hope she prefers California vintage over French wine.
If Bass is successful over the next two years, she would help save California from going over the brink and would easily put herself in position to become the Democratic candidate for governor in 2010.
Think about it, none of the current crop of potential candidates can put themselves in the position she can reach. Mayors Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa will be dealing with the impact of being short-changed by the state; Attorney General Jerry Brown can only offer maturation and enviro street credibility; former Controller Steve Westly will sadly have to remind us he lost the 2006 nomination to Phil Angelides; and current State Treasurer will have to prove he’s done something in that post since leaving the AG office.
I hope the audition goes well, for our state’s sake anyway. Besides, Californians may very well be in the mood for that Barack Obama type of change.
cross-posted at Courage Campaign