A complaint from Jewish comedian Jackie Mason reminded me once again that the holiday season can be a political briar patch for candidates. After all, a politician can’t utter the phrase “happy holidays” without being attacked as anti-Christmas.
We really ought to let campaigns raise the money they need and just get rid of these super PACs.
GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney, trying to distance himself from a super PAC founded by his former aides to support his bid for the GOP nomination.
On Monday, Secretary of State Debra Bowen officially certified Americans Elect to appear on California's ballots for the 2012 elections. The addition brings the number of qualified political parties in the state to seven, including the American Independent, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Peace and Freedom and Republican parties. It is the first time a new political entity has been certified by the state since 1995.
The Republican Party may be dying a slow and painful death in California, but that shouldn’t necessarily be welcome news for its Democratic counterpart. While recent news coverage highlights the Republican demise, the consequent pressure on state Democrats to produce actual results is an important aspect of the story not being explored.
Pardon my cynicism, but California has been here before. Balancing the budget seems insoluble. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, money drops from the heavens. Entire new sources of revenue are discovered! Sacramento rejoices. The budget will be balanced after all and there is much festivity. But then the Grinch sneaks in. The expected revenue vanishes or is way under expectations. Lamentations are heard among the land. The budget crisis yet again seems insoluble.
The California Air Resources Board has proposed major changes in regulating vehicle emissions in hopes of improving California's air quality, which is the worst in the nation. The plan combines four sets of standards into the Advanced Clean Cars program. The changes would be sweeping and all-inclusive.
