In many respects, “Things Can Only Get Better.” But is that true of
the California budget stall?
** BLAIR REPORT. After his initial five-day trip to the Middle East as the new envoy of the Mideast Quartet (US, Russia, European Union, UN), during which he met with top leaders in Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, Tony Blair reports that he will have offices secured in Jerusalem and return to the region for two weeks in September before meeting again with the Quartet’s foreign ministers. After that, he should be in the region for a week each month.
** NEW NATIONAL BATTLEGROUND POLL: CLINTON TRAILS GIULIANI. OBAMA LEADS GIULIANI. The Battleground Poll conducted by the Republican Tarrance Group and the Democratic Lake Research has Hillary Clinton running much worse against the leading Republicans than Barack Obama.
Here are the numbers: Clinton 44%, Giuliani 50%. Clinton 47%, Thompson 45%. Obama 52%, Giuliani 43%. Obama 56%, Thompson 36%.
** CALIFORNIA BUDGET UPDATE: Nothing to report. Other than delayed transportation projects.
The California Transportation Commission has delayed $800 million in projects around the state until the Legislature passes a budget.
** SCHWARZENEGGER TO ADDRESS THE UNITED NATIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE. Earlier this morning on his webcast from Echelon Corp. in San Jose, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger accepted the personal invitation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to address a special session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The session, which will focus on climate change, which the UN chief describes as his top priority, will take place on September 24th. The gathering is in preparation for a beginning round of negotiations in December in Bali, Indonesia for a post-Kyoto set of accords on reining in the greenhouse effect.
Ban and Schwarzenegger made brief speeches and entertained some questions from the press — getting entangled at the beginning by the eternal question of Taiwan’s lack of membership in the UN — after touring Echelon. The company makes sensors that monitor energy usage, enabling automatic switch-offs when the power is not needed and allowing users to shift power usage to off-peak times when possible.
Schwarzenegger spoke enthusiastically of the world entering a new era, one that is no longer “carbon-based” but “carbon-free,” of moving “from the Industrial Age to the GreenTech Age.” For his part, Ban, a one-time California exchange student who was foreign minister of South Korea before the US, Britain, and others helped engineer his election as secretary-general, praised Schwarzenegger for his “visionary leadership.” He called the emerging moves of California in combating the greenhouse effect a model for the world. At which point it became fairly obvious he would be inviting Schwarzenegger to play a starring role at the UN meeting in September.
Schwarzenegger was asked by one reporter if he doesn’t emphasize technology too much as a fix for the greenhouse effect, which he has a tendency to do, with people “still driving around in their SUVs,” which didn’t seem to please the former action superstar all that much. The governor allowed as how it is certainly not simply a question of technology, but of conservation as well. And that the two go hand in hand, as is the case of the company they had just toured.
“I don’t think you dislike the SUV,” said Schwarzenegger. “You dislike the engine that is in that SUV.” He went on to say that the key is to change engines and fuels, noting that a California-based company, Tesla Motors, is producing a very desirable all-electric sports car and that “Detroit is still on its butt.”
After questions from the press, Ban asked Schwarzenegger to appear at the UN meeting in September. Not surprisingly, the former Mr. Universe agreed, saying he is “honored.”
** U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS CLIMATE CHANGE HIS TOP PRIORITY. Last night at a World Affairs Council event in San Francisco, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that climate change is his top priority. He’s visiting California now to learn about the state’s plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In September, he hosts a UN conference on climate change and wants President Bush to attend. That’s a meeting in preparation for a December conference in Bali to beginn planning for a new version of the Kyoto Accords.
** CALIFORNIA AIR BOARD ADOPTS TOUGH DIESEL REGULATIONS. In what should answer some questions about the direction of the Air Resources Board in the wake of its management shake-up, the board, under the leadership of new chair Mary Nichols — who chaired the air board under then Governor Jerry Brown in the late ’70s and early ’80s — yesterday adopted the toughest diesel regulations in the country. The regulations affect off-road diesel vehicles used in construction, at airports, and so forth. About 180,000 vehicles will need to be retrofit or replaced to come into compliance.
** BROWN MOVING ON GREENHOUSE GASES. Very interesting article in today’s Sacramento Bee on how it’s turning out to be Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown who is having the first actual impact on greenhouse gas emissions in California. That’s because the state’s two big new laws on climate change haven’t gone into effect yet.
The former Oakland mayor and two-time runner-up for the Democratic presidential nomination is using a lawsuit against sprawling San Bernardino County and possible suits against other localities to start getting climate change included in the planning process. Key Brown quote: “We are looking for cooperative agreements with local government to get moving now on reducing greenhouse gas emissions where practical.”
The attorney generalship is an extraordinarily powerful office, the second most powerful in California. Brown got a good look at it as a boy when his father, the late Governor Pat Brown, was attorney general for eight years in the 1950s.
** NEW NATIONAL POLL. CLINTONS LEADS AMONG DEMOCRATS, GIULIANI AND THOMPSON TIED AMONG REPUBLICANS. A new Diageo/The Hotline poll has Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama, 39% to 30% nationally among Democrats, with John Edwards a distant third at 11%. On the Republican side, it’s Rudy Giuliani 20%, Fred Thompson 19%, John McCain 17%, and Mitt Romney 8%.
** SCHWARZENEGGER WEBCAST THIS MORNING WITH U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger meets with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this morning in Silicon Valley. The two will tour Echelon Corporation, a San Jose company making sensor equipment that may help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Third World and elsewhere. A live webcast of their press conference takes place at 10:30 AM. Perhaps the secretary-general can mediate the California budget impasse.
It turns out, incidentally, that Schwarzenegger’s blind trust has invested in a huge investment fund that owns a share of the company. Conflict of interest? Coincidence? Unfortunate situation? No big deal? What do you think?
** REPUBLICANS AND THE CNN/YOUTUBE DEBATE: SO THEY DON’T LIKE VIDEO SNOWMEN. Top-level Republican participation in September 17th’s scheduled CNN/YouTube GOP presidential debate in Florida looks dicey. Mitt Romney says he doesn’t want to take questions from a snowman. And Rudy Giuliani’s staff reportedly says he’ll have a scheduling conflict.
Hey, I found it fairly inane, too. But let’s not pass up the chance for another exciting debate. Hmm. On second thought …
** AL QAEDA’S AMERICAN PRISONERS STILL NOT LOCATED. American troops are now in the midst of a 75th day of searching for the remaining two US soldiers captured by Al Qaeda in an ambush south of Baghdad. They have had no luck so far. A video put out by Al Qaeda forces in Iraq claims that all three men were executed after being captured. But, with the exception of the Californian found floating in the Euphrates River, that claim can’t be confirmed. The US high command in Baghdad has revealed that ID cards for the other two American prisoners were found in an Al Qaeda safehouse on June 9th.
** Track global and national energy prices in near real time via Bloomberg. Most crude oil prices are around $76 per barrel.
Your posts are welcome in the Forum.
Read 
| Comments (0) |
NWN: It turns out, incidentally, that Schwarzenegger’s blind trust has invested in a huge investment fund that owns a share of the company.
I can never quite understand how you can call these “blind trusts” if it is known what they’re invested in. Wuzzup wit dat?
NWN: It turns out, incidentally, that Schwarzenegger’s blind trust has invested in a huge investment fund that owns a share of the company.
I can never quite understand how you can call these “blind trusts” if it is known what they’re invested in. Wuzzup wit dat?
What happened to Giuliani’s lead?
You got me there, Wilbur. I don’t really know.
>I can never quite understand how you can call these “blind trusts” if it is known what they’re invested in. Wuzzup wit dat?
Jul 27, 2007 08:18 AM
I’m putting a link on to the SF Chronicle story. They spent yesterday working on this. But my skim of the story still doesn’t have me understanding that point.
Well, at least in that poll, it’s doing as well as a snowman.
>Jonas Blane :
What happened to Giuliani’s lead?
Jul 27, 2007 08:20 AM
Mitt Romney says he doesn’t want to take questions from a snowman.
President Bush, icon of tolerance that he is, bravely fielded questions from a gay whore fronting a bogus right wing “news service.” Is Romney an anti-snow bigot? Can he not match The Decider’s high standards?
The UN should send peacekeeping troops to Sacramento to stop this nasty talk. lol
The Republicans want to stall everything on global warming. No wonder they’re so mad at Jerry Brown.
Aside from some loose talk from Democrats about “terrorism,” which I think they’re shutting down, this isn’t a very hot state budget fight.
i like the idea of a mass descent of snowmen (and snowchildren) in to Ackerman’s office, demanding representation.
Oh, but the budget fight can get hotter. Any day now. You never know.
I am on my seconf latte watering hole…no around is discussing the budget…just the other front page story ..Wall street…i liked the snowman video when I saw it pre debate as a news item …but within the context of a debate for President of theUSA..especially considering the rest of the questions I was really turned off…the Reeps would be smart to ditch this format for debate and the Dems would be smart to do a FOX debate…however nothing changes my vote..I have already turned the page and I hope everyone else joins me…in voting for Obama!
I think conservative Republicans are going to be disappointed in how uninterested most people are in their budget stand.
On the other hand, I think Republican presidential candidates may be smart in avoiding looking like a sideshow act in that debate.
On the other hand, I think Republican presidential candidates may be smart in avoiding looking like a sideshow act in that debate.
That’s interesting the UN secretrary general is here to learn about figthing global warming. I don’t think I read that in the newspaper.s
All right, where is Schwazeneger? He’s late again.
I like his new I’m late music. lol
Schwarzeneger addresses the UN! I LOVE IT.
Schwarzenegger speaking to the UN on global warming will drive the right wing in California around the bend.
perhaps the governor should exit the world stage long enough to get the dippy senate reps to vote out a budget, then get some health care reform/relief, take care of the prison crisis and on and on.
the world and UN just might be able to get a handle on global warming despite arnold’s absence.
or maybe, he will just abdicate the throne and let garamendi sort it all out.
clearly, arnold has lost interest in the nuts and bolts of the job of governing the ungovernable state.
and so it goes…
I bet there’s a budget before September 24th. But what do I know about it?
Capitol Boy :
Schwarzenegger speaking to the UN on global warming will drive the right wing in California around the bend.
You mean there’s another bend they haven’t already gone around?
Bill Bradley : I bet there’s a budget before September 24th
I don’t know. If they can stamp their tiny little hobbit feet and insist on a budget line prohibiting Jerry from doing his job, what’s to stop them from insisting on a budget line insisting that the Guv not talk to the terrorist-loving, freedom-loathing UN? Never mind that neither prohibition is enforceable, that’s never stopped ‘em.
While we are talking about the budget. I swear if I hear of any Republicans going after Firefighters/cops or retirees health care…I am going to be very upset.
Is there any way the voters can find out what areas the Republicans are trying to cut?
I am hearing rumors the Republicans are going after the firefighters AGAIN.
…and they wonder why…Clinton/Obama have $30 Million in campaign funds and the Republicans have far less. This is war.
I think they’ll have a state budget at some point in the not terribly distant future. I can see some of those cuts making the cut. (Workfare, after all, was also a centrist Dem idea.) The anti-Brown thing won’t make it, as no one who wants to run for statewide office can have that on their resume.
Then Arnold and the Dems will work out a health care bill. Maybe there will be a side bill strictly focusing on folks with pre-existing conditions that can get some bipartisan support.
Prisons? Maybe time to play some chicken. Do judges want to release criminals because the health care system for them isn’t great? Man, I don’t think most Californians, who care less about convicts, would find that move amusing.
well bill,
i suppose if he gets a budget AND his health care reform by 9/24 maybe we should let him get his ego stroked at the UN for a day.
gotta keep him out of the shoe shops in nyc while he is there though.
You’d be happier with a governor who got little attention and spent his time in meetings which generally go nowhere, I take it.
There’s an envy factor at work here, I think.
Burton told Schwarzenegger when he came in that most Big 5 meetings are a waste of time.
I don’t know, but I’m no expert on the budget. You do realize that the reporters who are full-time on that spend hours sitting and standing around outside offices.
>carole w :
While we are talking about the budget. I swear if I hear of any Republicans going after Firefighters/cops or retirees health care…I am going to be very upset.
Is there any way the voters can find out what areas the Republicans are trying to cut?
I am hearing rumors the Republicans are going after the firefighters AGAIN.
…and they wonder why…Clinton/Obama have $30 Million in campaign funds and the Republicans have far less. This is war.
This really irritates me but now Hillary (through Ann Lewis) are pissed off about the following article…http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/07/27/clinton_cashing_in_on_cleavage.html
But hey, they don’t mind when Edwards/Obama, etc. get criticized for their fashion choices…but hey, don’t DARE criticize HRC for being fashion forward…no, no, no thats sexist and wrong.
This is the problem with HRC campaign…they just can’t help appearing as holier than thou. Why couldn’t they just let this go? No, they have to make some kind of strange out-of-date, feminist point on this…how stupid.
Wow, Arnold Schwarzenegger at the United Nations, that’s wild!
CADTS, the Clintons have always liked to have things both ways. There’s not much doubt about that.
CADTS, the Clintons have always liked to have things both ways. There’s not much doubt about that.
Oh, Mitt, Mitt, Mitt…where to start?
http://tinyurl.com/2kchlz
He’s some crazy advance guy, right?
Bill,
We don’t have to wait for the governor to get off of his photo tour to get a state budget — we just need to get rid of the folks who are standing in the way.
That’s Senator Jeff Denham — soon to be former senator.
My wife’s a teacher. Last year the CTA endorsed Denham — who promised to protect school funding.
But when the budget that protected schools came up for a vote — Denham broke his promise.
We’re just getting started, but we’re serious. This guy won’t do his job — it’s time to find someone who will.
Find out more at http://WWW.DUMPDENHAM.COM
BB…you are dead-on as always. Hopefully, someday, I will stop being so unnecessarily indignant about it.
BB…you are dead-on as always. Hopefully, someday, I will stop being so unnecessarily indignant about it.
Yes, crazy advance guy who is also caught up somehow in the phony badges dealybob.
I know candidates can’t themselves screen all these lower henchmen, but they should be held accountable for failing to employ competent senior aides who can effectively police what sort of nutjobs they put on staff. the inability to do so does not augur well for how one would run a White House.
Something shiny for FlashMan:
Your beloved Orange County is outsourcing the processing of traffic tickets to Mexico. Personal information for identity theft by terrorists and all.
http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/295537.html
So “front-runner” Guiliani is tied with a guy who isn’t (yet) a candidate, and about whom the general public knows little or nothing. And the total Republican fund-raising is well below the total for Democrats. And Arnold is shunned by the party establishment as not being pure. I guess this is all bad news or all good news, depending.
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s star turn at the UN will be most interesting.
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s star turn at the UN will be most interesting.
Yes, it will be.
I hear Michelle Malkin is up in arms about that.
>wilbur :
Something shiny for FlashMan:
Your beloved Orange County is outsourcing the processing of traffic tickets to Mexico. Personal information for identity theft by terrorists and all.
http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/295537.html
Jul 27, 2007 02:24 PM
Well, the other guy is much higher up, and closer to Romney.
>wilbur :
Yes, crazy advance guy who is also caught up somehow in the phony badges dealybob.
I know candidates can’t themselves screen all these lower henchmen, but they should be held accountable for failing to employ competent senior aides who can effectively police what sort of nutjobs they put on staff. the inability to do so does not augur well for how one would run a White House.
Jul 27, 2007 01:34 PM
I don’t get a big sense of enthusiasm among Republicans for the candidates. There was a big burst for Giuliani. There was another burst for Thompson. But they both are pretty much as they were in their initial bursts. No second chapter.
>larry :
So “front-runner” Guiliani is tied with a guy who isn’t (yet) a candidate, and about whom the general public knows little or nothing. And the total Republican fund-raising is well below the total for Democrats. And Arnold is shunned by the party establishment as not being pure. I guess this is all bad news or all good news, depending.
Jul 27, 2007 02:27 PM
What was it that he did?
>But when the budget that protected schools came up for a vote — Denham broke his promise.
He voted against a budget that protected school funding.
Which budget and when?