Assembly Member Mike Villines, who leaves his GOP leadership post on June 1, is now talking about running for state insurance commissioner. He told a Fresno Chamber of Commerce meeting recently that he was interested in the insurance post.
The question is whether Villines has enough Republican backing to win a GOP primary election. He was forced out of his leadership job because of his vote to support tax increases in the February budget compromise.
Will Republican voters forgive him? And possibly more importantly, will he get the campaign contributions from Republicans to be able to run a statewide race?
And the game of Musical Chairs continues. What shall Governor Schwarzenegger be next? Secretary of California Morale and Political Ethics?
What qualifies him for this position?...paying premiums?...Why do we think these guys are schooled in anything other than getting elected and re-elected?...(D)s and (R)s alike.
It's "(D)s and (R)s alike" because they are well schooled in the un-willingness of the people to be participants in WE THE PEOPLE. Each of us need to be a Government Watchdog. But take my word for it. It is not fun. Because those who do make the effort, more often than not are having the pack yelping at the heels.
You are both right on guys. A common answer as to why this game of musical chairs is played is because they know "the ins and outs of government" or "they have the right contacts and supporters to get things done". Their experience should be in what they are running for. I'd much rather have someone who has worked in, with or even against the insurance industry and knows the "ins and outs of it." It seems who you know is more important than what you know. Just look where it has gotten us.