Storm’s A Brewin’

WARNING - That isn’t Hurricane Beta blowing down L Street. That bluster is coming from the Governor’s political machine in full spin mode. With a new poll out showing his entire agenda going down in flames, the Governor’s team summoned the keeper of the polls to hold court.

In addition to the smell of B.S. emanating from the “Tower of Truth”, you can also smell a hint of desperation in the air. Since Californians have once again panned an onscreen performance by the Governor, forcing his team to replace his “trust me” ads with a new “mea culpa” spots, Team Schwarzenegger is now begging TV stations around the state to allow this “new and improved” Arnold to participate in another “town hall” style forum – but PLEASE, just don’t call these things debates.

Just like every campaign stunt the Governor’s office has unveiled this year, this attempt to reverse the downward spiral of the Gov’s initiatives comes with a list of demands:

1) He can’t lower himself to share the stage with the opposition, because as one of his many advisors states: "there's no one that has as much at stake. No one has as much to lose politically as the governor." (Sac Bee, October 26, 2005). That’s interesting. Just last week this election “wasn’t about the Governor” it was about making “sure the public understand how critical these four measures are in reforming California.”

2) No union members in the crowd. Why? Is he afraid to face questions from working Californians who are on the front lines?

3) Handpicking the journalists who can participate. They’ve been bullying media outlets over which journalists can and cannot serve as moderators…and no direct questions, please. So much for that good ol’ freedom of the press.

It only took the Governor’s team six months to realize that those stale town halls filled with cardboard cutouts of “real” people weren’t working. But we’re sure they’ll try to spin this as just part of their “Master Strategy.”