That’s Debatable

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger caused a stir in Sacramento when he vetoed a bill introduced by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, with whom the governor has had public differences. With the veto Schwarzenegger sent along a covering note, whose text contained an embedded curse word. It was widely interpreted as a cleverly written insult targeting Ammiano. However, the governor’s office insists that it was pure coincidence that the first letter of seven consecutive lines formed a two-worded profanity, beginning with the “F” word. Do you think this was a coincidence? If it was deliberate, do you think it was funny and clever, or did the governor behave inappropriately?

Whether or not the action was intentional, Schwarzenegger and Ammiano’s recent interactions are a great example of the partisan politics that is preventing us from solving the larger problems in California. The fact that the debate has eroded to name calling shows a disconnect between the leaders of California and the people of California.

Frankly, we need a lot less partisan negativity from our elected officials and a lot more cooperation and compromise.

We need representatives who understand that we will not turn this economy around with more partisan games.

We need fiscal responsibility that unshackles small businesses and working families from taxation and regulation to start creating good-paying jobs again.

Assemblyman Van Tran

(R-Costa Mesa)

Governor Schwarzenegger rarely misses an opportunity for the dramatic.

On that note, I would guess he used that dramatic side to pen the veto message.

Too many people lack basic manners.

Common courtesy was ignored in San Francisco by Ammiano.

Hopefully this will be the end of the whole affair.

After all, the governor has a state to run.

State Sen. Tom Harman

(R-Costa Mesa)

Statistical analysis suggests the coded insult in the governor’s veto message was intentional.

In this, the actions of the governor’s office were not in keeping with the comportment we expect of our elected officials.

Assemblyman Chuck DeVore

(R-Newport Beach)