We can find many culprits for the current climate of uber partisanship within the capitol, but the Assembly Democrats' failure to confirm state Sen. Abel Maldonado as lieutenant governor has all the characteristics of being petty, snide and peevish.
In a rare display of bipartisanship, the Senate passed Maldonado's nomination. But some in the Assembly bemoaned his voting record in the Senate. Ironically, Maldonado is not exactly the darling of his fellow Republicans because he had the unmitigated gall to work with Democrats on a budget compromise.
We're not curing cancer. We're talking about lieutenant governor — the statewide constitutional office with the sexiest name and the fewest responsibilities.
But that was not a compelling factor as Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, proved during the floor debate in saying that, "There is a time for us to be partisan. That is during an election."
What election? Is Cedillo referring to the much-anticipated lieutenant governor's race? (Yawn.) Why is there so much partisanship for an office that in the most likely scenario is where elected officials go to die?
Was there a concern that Maldonado as lieutenant governor could break the tie on key votes on UC Board of