Today's Fresh Meat

August 15, 2007 @ 8:00 AM

It's good to be a Californian—we're always ahead of the curve. According to today's Sacramento Bee, President Bush's approval rating has been consistently lower in the Golden State than the rest of the country. But others are beginning to catch on and our "lead" has now narrowed. If only other states voted a little more like us too.

Californians are also at the tip of public opinion on Iraq, with 6 out of 10 state voters saying they favor a deadline for withdrawing U.S. troops by next spring, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's coverage of a new Field Poll. Surprisingly, 40 percent of Californian Republicans favor a deadline, with 30 percent in support of binding Congressional action to put one in place.

The state Board of Equalization voted 3-2 (along party lines) to raise taxes on alcopops, in an effort to curb teenage drinking, the Chronicle reports. Not that that's going to stop a lot of people. Republicans on the board, interestingly, argued that the higher price would drive more teens to beer and wine.

Treasurer Bill Lockyer wants a bond measure in November to fund green building practices for the state government, the Bee reports. This would be a great way for the public sector to walk its walk on energy efficiency and global warming. Lockyer, a perennial gubernatorial candidate, also seemed to rule out a 2010 bid, although it's clear he's still interested.

UC President Robert Dynes, who announced his resignation yesterday in the wake of a months-long scandal over executive pay, was pushed out, according to Matier and Ross in today's Chronicle. In fact, they write, day-to-day operations of the UC system have already been assumed by Provost Wyatt Hume, according to Regents Chair Richard Blum, the husband of Dianne Feinstein.

Senator Jeff Denham has steadfastly refused to support the budget, even as the secretary of state's office verified more than enough signatures in a effort to recall him from office, the Modesto Bee reports. Denham is responding with $150,000 in television and radio ads meant to assuage his constituents.

Even libertarian Orange County Register columnist Steven Greenhut concedes that GOP Senate Leader Dick Ackerman has put pandering over principle in this year's budget fight. Greenhut says Ackerman is holding the budget hostage so the Republicans can get attention, and take a swipe at Jerry Brown while they're at it.

Public employees benefits are an enormous expense for California, but a proposed initiative reported by the San Jose Mercury News that would slash payments arbitrarily is not the solution. We value our civil servants greatly and want to protect them, but Democrats have to find a way to pay the bill. Many local governments are struggling with this.

Mike Holmes, an Auburn City Councilmember, will challenge troubled Congressman John Doolittle, in next year's Republican primary, the Bee reports. Doolittle is known for his boneheaded partisanship and ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Doolittle nearly lost his conservative mountain district last year to veteran Charlie Brown, who has been running hard ever since.

Backbencher Assemblymember Guy Houston, the last Republican legislator in the Bay Area, is challenging an incumbent for a seat on the Contra Costa County of Supervisors, the CC Times writes. Houston, who lives in San Ramon, has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Congressman Jerry McNerney, until Houston's father got in trouble for defrauding seniors.

Perhaps the true legacy of White House "boy genius" Karl Rove is one of great strategy but poor tactics, writes Richard Brownstein in today's Los Angeles Times. Rove sure knew how to ram things through in 50 percent plus one mindset, but he fundamentally missed the importance of swing voters, and last November taught us what happens when they turn on the GOP.

If the future of the Democratic Party lies in the West, John Edwards is not the man for the job, as the Associated Press reports he is cutting back on staff in neighboring Nevada. The calculus of an Edwards victory is looking even steeper—he hardly has a presence in California at all.

Hillary Clinton's recent spats with Barack Obama over meeting with enemies and using nukes in Pakistan is an example of mindless mitlitatism and triangulation, writes Robert Scheer in today's Chronicle. Clearly, Hillary wants to look tough, and one could argue a female candidate has a natural deficit on the security front. But what are the implications of her remarks? And shouldn't we be worried that the Weekly Standard, National Review and other right-wing outlets are praising her?