SACRAMENTO — How many governors endorse one candidate for president and then even before the election leave the door open to working in his opponent’s administration? One so far: Arnold Schwarzenegger…

The middle-of-the-road Republican uses his willingness to cross party lines as a way to connect with the state’s Democratic-leaning electorate. But the presidential race between John McCain and Barack Obama is putting this ideological squishiness to the test.

Schwarzenegger endorsed McCain, his friend and fellow Republican, and will appear on the Arizona senator’s behalf at the Republican National Convention this summer…

Earlier this month, Schwarzenegger responded to a hypothetical question by saying he wouldn’t rule out a job in an Obama administration. This prompted a furious backlash from conservative bloggers.

“I would take his call now, I will take his call when he’s president — any time. Remember, no matter who is president, I don’t see this as a political thing. I see this as we always have to help, no matter what the administration is,” he said…

Schwarzenegger has portrayed Obama’s campaign theme of change as a political opportunity for him. In June, he said it could help him win votes for a redistricting initiative he supports on California’s November ballot.

“If Obama is running around talking about change, … maybe this is the year of change,” he told the San Francisco Chronicle. “This is our opportunity. Let’s take the word, change. Yes, let’s change the system in California because there needs to be change.”

That sort of talk rankles Republicans like Mike Spence, president of the conservative California Republican Assembly, who has accused Schwarzenegger of ruining the GOP brand in California.

“He’s never been afraid to throw nominees under the bus,” Spence said. “In his own election in ‘06, you know, he abandoned every Republican on the ticket, so the fact that he’s wishy-washy in his comments now is nothing new for him.”…

Read More: NewsMax

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today ordered his administration to lay off thousands of part-time state workers and to work with the state controller to temporarily slash the pay of most full-time employees to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour.

Schwarzenegger administration officials said the move will help give the state enough cash to get by until a state budget is signed. The budget was due July 1 but is still being negotiated by the governor and legislative leaders.

“It is a terrible situation to be in,” Schwarzenegger said after signing an executive order. “I don’t think any governor wants to be in this situation.”

About 10,300 part-time employees will receive pink slips starting today, the governor’s aides said.

Schwarzenegger says a 2003 State Supreme Court decision requires the pay cuts for most of the 200,000 full-time state employees in the absence of a budget. He wants the cuts to take effect immediately; they would show up in pay checks at the end of August…

Read More: Los Angeles Times

From the Office of the Governor:

Implements Health Plan Design Changes and Employee Co-Pays

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today issued an Executive Order authorizing that all employees represented by unions that have not ratified the co-share and plan design changes outlined in the Memorandum of Settlement shall enjoy the same health, vision, and dental plan benefits, as non-union Executive branch employees and as employees whose unions have negotiated and ratified agreements containing these cost-savings and will be contributing accordingly
“I have a constitutional and statutory obligation to balance the budget,” said Governor Carcieri. “If I don’t take this action, I will be neglecting my primary duty to balance the budget on behalf of all our citizens.”

“My administration spent six months and hundreds of hours negotiating the terms of this agreement with representatives of Council 94. Those representatives agreed to the terms that were finally negotiated. There were numerous concessions from the state, including not going forward with the layoff of hundreds of employees and guaranteed wage increases of 8.5% over the four year contract.”

“It was my hope that Council 94 and the other unions would have recognized the severity of the State’s fiscal crisis and seized the opportunity to be part of the solution, as have more than two-thirds of the other unions who participated in the collective negotiations. Instead, the action by these unions to reject the agreement has only weakened the State’s fiscal situation, requiring this unilateral action to balance the budget.”

By the authority of the Executive Order, the Governor directed that all eligible employees shall contribute toward the cost of health care coverage based on a percentage of premiums for either the individual or family plan as set forth below for medical insurance, dental benefits and/or vision/optical benefits. Said co-share percentages shall apply based on the employee’s annualized total rate and shall be via payroll deductions. The Executive Order also authorized employee co-shares for dental coverage and employee co-pays for medical services and pharmaceuticals.

“The implementation of the plan design changes and the co-pays will allow the State to realize some of the budget savings expected by the ratification of the settlement, and will help prevent, for the time being, more aggressive personnel actions including layoffs and shut down days.”

“This action is unprecedented in Rhode Island,” continued Carcieri. “But, these are unprecedented times that require decisive action that is in the best interest of all Rhode Islanders. I would like to personally thank the union leaders and members who voted in favor of the new contract. I would also like to thank the General Officers - the Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, and General Treasurer - for their commitment to implementing the salary and benefits changes in concert with this Executive Order. Your leadership and willingness to work together is commendable.”

Simultaneously, the Governor directed the Administration to notify the specific unions that have not agreed to the settlement of the intention to move swiftly to conciliation and arbitration in an attempt to finalize a new contract if possible. “I want to make this very clear. We have no intention of offering more than what was already negotiated and agreed to. That was our best and final offer.”

The cat’s out of the bag! Bet you thought he was going to wait until Friday afternoon, right? Wrong. Fasten your seat belts, buckos!

MEDIA ADVISORY — Governor Donald L. Carcieri will hold a press conference to announce the Administration’s course of action related to the Council 94 vote not to ratify the agreement.

The press conference will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the State Room [at the State House] on Thursday, July 31, 2008.

Source: Office of the Governor

What do Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Barack Obama have in common? Plenty!

(Hot Air) — This is the third ad in nine days to spoof the cult of Obama but the first one to employ it to any useful end, pairing it with the shots of celebutante nitwits to make [Obama] look like a “famous for being famous” lightweight…

I think it’s a smart idea for McCain’s campaign to start chipping away at Obama this early in the election season. What they are trying to do is to take what is perceived by many in the media to be an asset and turn it into a liability to the voting public. I think if they repeatedly pound away at him and show that Obama’s “all sizzle and no steak,” thus reinforcing the idea that he’s not remotely qualified to be president, it will be a big help to McCain in the fall, especially with late-deciding voters.

I’m not saying we’ll be seeing a local repeat of PATCO this week (for the simple reason that there is no strike), but it’s always good to dream. However, we should be seeing some “outside the box” action out of the governor’s office very shortly.

Psst! You should have taken the deal!

August 3, 1981- the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) declared a strike, seeking better working conditions, better pay, and a 32-hour workweek. In doing so, the union violated a law that banned strikes by government unions.

Ronald Reagan, however, declared the PATCO strike a “peril to national safety” and ordered them back to work under the terms of the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947. Only 1,500 of the more than 13,000 controllers returned to work. PATCO thought it could cause the national air system to grind to a halt and use that as a bargaining tool. Reagan gave union members 48 hours to return, knowing that Transportation Secretary Drew Lewis had secretly trained replacements and the airplanes kept flying at 80% of normal.

On August 5, following their refusal, Reagan fired the 11,359 striking air traffic controllers who had ignored the order, and permanently banned them from federal service. It proved the most stunning defeat for unions in 60 years.

The East Providence Board of Canvassers held a public “hearing” on Tuesday, June 29th at 7:00 p.m., to consider any evidence regarding the various complaints which were filed last week. The room was packed, the voices were loud, and there was a lot of evidence presented.

The first complaint was brought against Brian Coogan (candidate for city council) by the East Providence Democratic City Committee. After 2 1/2 hours of testimony and deliberation, there was “no action” on the challenge. In other words, because of a complete deadlock of the board (1 in favor, 1 opposed, and 1 who wanted to defer it), the challenge ended up failing. Brian “won” his case, albeit somewhat messily. He will remain a candidate on the ballot.

I really have to hand it to Brian’s legal counsel for doing an absolutely masterful job defending him (and for making fools out of the plaintiffs). Ironically enough (considering the complaint was brought by the city’s Democratic committee), Brian’s lawyer was John Harwood — yeah, that John Harwood, former Speaker of the House. One can only guess why John wasted his time in the legislature, because he clearly has talent as an attorney. He ran rings around the plaintiffs counsel.

I still don’t know the resolution of the other matters before the board at this time, because I left at about 10:30 p.m., just after they disposed of the first complaint. It looked like it was going to be a very long night. There was some press there, so I’ll leave it to them to fill in the blanks.

PS As I mentioned previously, there was also a meeting of the RIGOP Executive Committee tonight at 7:00 p.m. Despite the simultaneous timing, I did manage to make both meetings. If I may say somewhat cryptically, it should be a very active week ahead. You know what I’m talking about.

The East Providence Board of Canvassers will be holding a public “hearing” on Tuesday, June 29th at 7:00 p.m. at East Providence City Hall, to consider any evidence regarding the various complaints which were filed last week.

That being said, nothing that the BOC is planning to do going forward, should actually affect the candidacy status of the two major candidates who have received publicity as of late, Brian Coogan (city council) and Shannon Barbosa (school committee), both of whom received enough “certified” signatures to remain on the ballot for the upcoming elections, regardless of the eventual status of any signatures which were previously ruled to be invalid for several reasons previously covered in the newspapers.

PS As was mentioned in the previous post, there will also be a meeting of the RIGOP Executive Committee tonight at 7:00 p.m., as well. Ignoring the laws of physics, I plan to be in both locations simultaneously (or something close to it)!

There is a scheduled meeting of the Rhode Island Republican Party Executive Committee on Tuesday, July 29th at 7:00 p.m., which will be held at the headquarters of Warwick Mayor Scott Avedesian, located at the corner of Post and Airport Roads (behind Walt’s Roast Beef, next to the liquor store … c’mon, the rent was cheap).

While only elected or appointed members of the RIGOP Executive Committee can actually participate in any discussions or voting which may occur, any member of the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee is welcome to observe.

For more information, contact RIGOP HQ at (401)732-8282 or contact [at] rigop [dot] org.

Governor Carcieri said in a statement today that Slocum “was an extraordinary woman. She could share stories of her travels abroad with her [late] husband John with as much ease as she could debate political ideals. She was the consummate hostess, sharing her knowledge of politics and public policy with all those she so graciously opened her home to.”

“Sue and I are honored and blessed to have known Eileen,” the governor said. “She was a dear friend, and I am forever grateful for the advice and support she gave over the years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.”

Arrangements

Among Slocum’s wishes was for mourners to view her in her house at 459 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Two viewings for family and friends are scheduled: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Her funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport. Burial at Island Cemetery will follow.

Eileen Slocum passed away on Sunday. I’ve been told that her funeral will be on Saturday, August 2nd. More to come.

(Projo) Eileen Slocum, 30-year advocate and political fundraiser, died yesterday at Newport Hospital, according to her son. She was 92.

Slocum, who hosted fundraisers in her Bellevue Avenue mansion and opened her gardens — designed by Frederick Law Olmstead — to the public, was a doyenne of both Newport social life and the National Republican Party.

“I think she was a great supporter of Rhode Island,” her son, Jerry Slocum said. “And a great promoter of Rhode Island.”

Slocum has worked for the GOP on many different levels, from presiding over the Newport Women’s Republican Club to being the the party’s national committeewoman until her resignation earlier this summer.

She regularly attended the Republican National Convention.

And even in her 93rd year, he said, “she had been planning earlier this year … looking forward to going to Minnesota.”

One sign of a great person, especially if that person happens to be a politician, is the ability to laugh at yourself. Inviting people to laugh along with you while you are laughing at yourself is even better. Ronald Reagan probably realized this more than most. You really have to look hard to find a photo of him where he’s not smiling or laughing. I bring this up, since that healthy belief seems to be under attack as of late by some humorless disciples of The Obamessiah.

Sometime back in the early 1970s, while Ronald Reagan was still Governor of California, he participated in one of those [in]famous “Man of the Week” televised celebrity roasts (which you can still see advertised for sale on TV to this day). This particular roast was hosted by comedian Don Rickles. Don is still with us and going strong (and recently authored “Rickles’ Book”). However, pretty much everyone else sharing the stage has long since departed.

Watch (and learn) how Ronald Reagan reacts to the jokes — ALL of which are made at his expense. He reacts by … laughing! Life’s a lot more enjoyable for everyone when you don’t spend it trying to force people not to laugh at the obvious.

The anointed one’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a miracle in action - and a blessing to all his faithful followers

And it came to pass, in the eighth year of the reign of the evil Bush the Younger (The Ignorant), when the whole land from the Arabian desert to the shores of the Great Lakes had been laid barren, that a Child appeared in the wilderness.

The Child was blessed in looks and intellect. Scion of a simple family, offspring of a miraculous union, grandson of a typical white person and an African peasant. And yea, as he grew, the Child walked in the path of righteousness, with only the occasional detour into the odd weed and a little blow.

When he was twelve years old, they found him in the temple in the City of Chicago, arguing the finer points of community organisation with the Prophet Jeremiah and the Elders. And the Elders were astonished at what they heard and said among themselves: “Verily, who is this Child that he opens our hearts and minds to the audacity of hope?”

In the great Battles of Caucus and Primary he smote the conniving Hillary, wife of the deposed King Bill the Priapic and their barbarian hordes of Working Class Whites.

And so it was, in the fullness of time, before the harvest month of the appointed year, the Child ventured forth - for the first time - to bring the light unto all the world.

He travelled fleet of foot and light of camel, with a small retinue that consisted only of his loyal disciples from the tribe of the Media…

Read More: Times Online (UK)

P.S. For our humor impaired liberal friends, yes, this is satire.

John McCain’s campaign on Saturday sharply criticized Democratic rival Barack Obama for canceling a visit to wounded troops in Germany, contending Obama chose foreign leaders and cheering Europeans over “injured American heroes.” The Arizona senator also slams his rival over the issue in a new attack ad.

The new McCain ad that began airing Saturday in selected markets also chides Obama as disrespectful for making “time to go to the gym” during his European visit while at the same time canceling the visit with wounded troops.

“Seems the Pentagon wouldn’t allow him to bring cameras,” according to the ad, which is being televised in Colorado, Pennsylvania and the Washington D.C. area. “John McCain is always there for our troops.”

McCain himself joined in the rebuke, saying in an interview to be aired Sunday by ABC’s “This Week” that “if I had been told by the Pentagon that I couldn’t visit those troops, and I was there and wanted to be there, I guarantee you, there would have been a seismic event.”

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Obama would have been required to conform to the Defense Department prohibition of political activity, but that the senator was never told he couldn’t visit the hospital.

A message from RIGOP Chairman Gio:

I am writing to make a personal appeal for your help in a critical time for the Rhode Island Republican Party and for the success of the 2008 campaign season. As you know, we had an incredible candidate recruiting season and were able to field 75 good candidates by the nomination deadline. This is a solid increase from past years numbers, and includes many new faces challenging incumbent democrats.

As usual, our success is driving the liberals crazy, and they’re fighting back with every dirty trick they can think of.

I’m sure you have seen the many news reports describing our ongoing battle to keep 5 of our candidates on the ballots for their state house and senate districts. The democrats are trying to use a technicality to disqualify these good people, and to deny them their 1st amendment right to run for office. Despite the fact that the State Board of Election’s own attorney said that we were in the right on the issue, the Democrats on the Board towed the Democrat Party line and voted to keep our candidates off the ballot!

I need your support RIGHT NOW to take this fight to the Rhode Island Supreme Court!

These five candidates are already going to be off to a late start on their campaigns, but democracy only works when people have a choice. As I’ve said in the press in past weeks,

“People always say that if you don’t like a politician you can vote them out of office in the next election. Well, in Rhode Island, the Democrat Party Machine doesn’t even want you to have that option!”

And these are key races that we must fight, including an open house seat and senate races against the king of the back room ‘rub and tug’ Steve Alves, and ultra-liberal Rhoda Perry.

We have volunteer attorneys fighting this battle, but the court fees and other costs of this lawsuit are adding up. The Rhode Island GOP doesn’t have deep pockets to fund this kind of litigation, but if we don’t take on these battles then why bother fighting at all? If we just let them force good republican candidates off the ballot, and deny the voters a choice in November, then what’s the point of a two party system?

THIS IS WHERE WE MUST MAKE OUR STAND!

The Rhode Island Republican Party is done with getting pushed around. When the Democrats call in their trial lawyer buddies to disenfranchise our candidates, as they did last week at the Board of Election hearing, it’s about time they faced strong resistance. We have the team in place to fight – the legal support to level the playing field – but we need your immediate financial help to start hammering back. Read the rest of this entry »

Fully expecting Sen. Clinton to be the Democratic presidential nominee, the conservative advocacy group Citizens United spent 18 months and millions of dollars making “Hillary: The Movie.” But as the saying goes, God gave them lemons and they made “Hype: The Obama Effect.”

“Hype” is a full-length feature documentary that will be released on DVD Sept. 1 and will be playing in select theaters across the country.

The trailer has been released online and advertising on FOX began this week. Citizens United hopes the timing is right to impact the election.

“Hype” is described as a critique of the mainstream media’s love affair with Sen. Barack Obama. It features interviews with political leaders and media experts, and includes discussion of Michelle Obama, Tony Rezko and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

The main idea of the documentary is supported by a recent poll.

According to Rasmussen Reports, 49 percent of voters believe that most reporters will try to help Obama with their coverage, compared to only 14 percent for McCain.

Just 24 percent of voters believe that most reporters try to offer unbiased coverage.

The polling results showed divisions along party lines. We spoke with Jason Weingartner, the Executive Director of the NY Republican County Committee. He thinks the press has been treating the senator like he is already the president…

Read More: The New York Post