Kindergarten Cop 2: Arnold's Budget

Here's the foot the Republican's want to put forward at the convention this fall:

Government finance experts say [California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's] proposed budget borrows too much money, postpones difficult decisions and looks strikingly similar to Gov. Gray Davis' final budgets, which were derided by Senate President John Burton as "get-out-of-town-alive'' plans.

Surely it's a partisan issue, right? Something the Democrats came up with to make him look bad?

Democrats complain that he has failed to stand up to the ideologues in his party and demand some form of new taxes. Republicans note that the governor has done very little to really cut spending in a $77.6 billion budget because it relies on about $3 billion in borrowing.

And flip-flopping and name calling? California has that, too!

On the first day of the new fiscal year, Republicans held up negotiations by fighting the governor's gambling deals with Indian tribes and forced Schwarzenegger to publicly distance himself from pro-union language in the agreements.

The next day, they rebelled when Schwarzenegger indicated he was willing to revise his deal with local government that would enshrine constitutional protections against further state raids on cities and counties.

As outrage over the compromise grew, the administration appeared uncertain how to react. Schwarzenegger quickly distanced himself from a Democratic alternative and tried to push his original plan through the Legislature.

When it became clear that Democrats would kill Schwarzenegger's proposal, the administration privately asked Senate leaders to cancel a committee hearing on the bill. But, hours later, the governor's communications director denounced lawmakers for refusing to vote on the measure, declared an impasse and threatened to halt talks until the Legislature took action.

With Democrats literally cursing in the Capitol halls, the administration hastily scheduled rallies, ending with an appearance at a Central Valley restaurant where the governor again compared the Legislature to children. But Democrats sloughed it off and stood firm.

When lawmakers returned from their Independence Day break, Schwarzenegger scrapped his demand for a vote and returned to the bargaining table.

For those not in the know, Arnie made a deal to borrow about three billion dollars from city and county funds over the next two years in exchange for a promise not to raid their funding again. Some in the legislature felt the plan was too risky as it locked down to much money in the future. Schwarzenegger agreed to compromise with lawmakers, which enraged the leaders he had just negotiated with. Not the best of tactics to take.

During the whole ordeal, Arnold has constantly referred to the legislature as "kids" and said he is being forced to play the role of "Kindergarten Cop" once again.

Normally Arnold has overcome opposition by taking his proposals to the voters. This time there is no such recourse, and it seems Schwarzenegger is getting his first taste of real politics. Of course California budgets typically come in late, but Arnold made it very clear initially that he would not let it happen under his watch. It remains to be seen what kind of impact this will have on his popularity.