Sacramento Power Struggle

[ilbegone]

Opinion by Rick Orlov, Staff Writer for the LA Daily News

Power struggle under way in Assembly

Rick Orlov
Updated: 11/30/2009 07:16:40 AM PST

The biggest insider game being played in Sacramento these days is over who will succeed Assembly Speaker Karen Bass.

Bass wants to follow the procedure she agreed with in taking over from former Speaker Fabian Nunez, with a lengthy transition period, beginning in January when she hopes the Democratic caucus will agree with her.

But, two members, Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes of Van Nuys and Kevin De Leon of Hollywood, are aggressively trying to get commitments to back them as the next speaker.

So far, the two are going along with Bass' request, but observers say that is because neither one has the 26 votes needed to get over the top.

If they had the votes, most believe, they would force an early vote by the caucus, possibly in early December, to take over the job.

"Neither one has it, even though they are telling members - trying to get their votes - that they have it locked up," said one official who has seen the vote counting.

The problem both have is they have a core group of committed supporters.

Fuentes' team will refuse to vote for De Leon and De Leon's backers refuse to vote for Fuentes.

The result: Democratic caucus members have been looking at a third choice, Assemblyman John Perez, D-Los Angeles.

Perez, who is a cousin of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, would be the first openly gay member to serve as speaker.

Also out there is uncertainty over what Bass will do next politically.

Those close to her say she is looking at options, but has ruled out taking on any incumbents.



Well, there are three people happy about the selection of interim lieutenant governor: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, state Sen. Abel Maldonado and Councilwoman Janice Hahn.

Schwarzenegger's choice of Maldonado, a Republican from Santa Maria, is to replace John Garamendi, who gave up the job when he won a seat in Congress.

Maldonado will have to run for the post in 2010, and Hahn hopes to be his Democratic challenger.

Maldonado is a moderate, who angered many in his party when he provided a key vote on the governor's budget plan this year.

Not only did the choice anger others in the party who are running for the lieutenant governor job next year, it has drawn opposition from Democrats who are complaining over the cost of another special election in the state.

Hahn, who has been quietly raising money and picking up endorsements around the state, is happy with what she sees.

"All this helps me," Hahn said. "Just another state legislator being handpicked for the job."

Maldonado also has not helped himself.

Last week, at an appearance in East Los Angeles with the governor, he offered two different messages.

In English, he talked about the appointment being an example of the American dream. But, in Spanish, according to those at the event, he tailored his remarks to be more reflective of a Democratic message and the need to get more Latinos elected to statewide office.

[Ayatollahgondola]

Last week, at an appearance in East Los Angeles with the governor, he offered two different messages.

In English, he talked about the appointment being an example of the American dream. But, in Spanish, according to those at the event, he tailored his remarks to be more reflective of a Democratic message and the need to get more Latinos elected to statewide office.

They sure are in love with themselves over their race