Comments on: We have a new lieutenant governor

By: AllenPayton

AllenPayton — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:06:42 +0000

I believe it would be better if the Gov & Lt Gov candidates ran on a ticket. That way there’d be more coordination between the two in implementing the governor’s agenda with the legislature, etc.
When they’re from different parties, they work against each other’s interests.
Good luck to Sen. Maldonado in the confirmation process. But, not much of a surprise. He’s the only Rep who voted with the Dems to raise taxes by over $12 billion, this year.
This is a clear example of the Governator rewarding the one who made his budget deal a reality.

By: John W

John W — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:13:35 +0000

The only reason to have a Lt. Governor is to have a line of succession in case of the Governor leaving office due to death, getting elected or appointed to a higher office, impeachment or whatever. But we don’t need a position with a bunch of support staff, waiting around for one of those events. Just designate another constitutional office as the automatic successor if the governor’s position becomes vacant.

By: Tom K

Tom K — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:54:06 +0000

Well, the Lt. Gov role has a spotty history. Who can forget the wonderous Mike Curb or the even more charming Ed Reinecke? However, lest we forget that Gray “Mr. Warmth” Davis was Lt. Governor when he first won the governorship in 1998.

Goody Knight ascended to the Governor’s chair when Bill “perhaps I should put this gun away” Knowland went on to the US Senate.

Yet, we’ve had really decent people such as Leo McCarthy, Merv Dymally and John Harmer.

For those who think that doing away with the office is a good idea, I direct your attention to the hapless state of New Jersey which recently chose to CREATE the position because of the turmoil caused without one.

By: Tom Benigno

Tom Benigno — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:25:19 +0000

Concerned:
Cruz Bustamontie was not able to do much while he was, Lieutenant Governor, I don’t think Abel Maldonado will either. That job is a dead end for most politicians, that’s why Garamendi got out.

By: John W

John W — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:06:08 +0000

Great choice, in my opinion. Still, this seems hardly worth the effort, considering the uncertainty and timeline for getting him or anybody else confirmed. At most, there would be only a few months left to actually hold the office. In the meantime, we have more important things to do than get bogged down in the politics of this. Now is a good opportunity to let the voters decide if we should even have a Lt. Gov.

By: Ulno

Ulno — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:18:15 +0000

Hey David, thanks for spelling out the Democrat platform: “big business” = “bad”. “high unemploment = unrelated to attacks on business”

By: Edi Birsan

Edi Birsan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:40:20 +0000

By appointing him Lt. Gov. it allows for the mainstream right wing of the GOP to replace him in his seat, which they will see as a victory.

By: David

David — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:24:33 +0000

Horrible choice. Maldonado has no principles. He’s just another big business, George Bush Republican that will push the GOP into further irrelevance.

By: Tom K

Tom K — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:46:51 +0000

Excellent choice. Easy confirmation and finally some outreach to the hispanic community from the Reeps. Winnable special election seat for the Dems.