Pelosi, Democrats Flock to Chair Schwarzenegger Inaugural

After leading the Democratic takeover of Congress, incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco has agreed to serve as co-chair of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's inaugural. The governor is making a strenuous effort, despite complaints from Republicans, to include Democrats throughout his new administration. Former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, another Dem, has been asked to emcee the ceremonies Jan. 5 in Sacramento.

In October, Pelosi showed up at the debate between Schwarzenegger and Democrat Phil Angelides and attempted to show the "close connection" between the governor to the unpopular GOP president. Now, "bipartisanship" is the buzzword. In fact, seemingly the entire California Democratic Party power structure is joining Schwarzenegger. The list of inaugural co-chairs is neatly divided between Republicans and Democrats. A (partial) list of the well-known figures:

• Barbara Boxer, U.S. Senator (Democrat)
• Gray Davis, 37th Governor of California (Democrat)
• George Deukmejian, 35th Governor of California
• Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator (Democrat)
• Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco (Democrat)
• Fabian Nuñez, Speaker of the California State Assembly (Democrat)
• Pelosi (Democrat)
• Don Perata, President pro tem of the California State Senate (Democrat)
• Nancy Reagan, former First Lady of the U.S. and California
• George Shultz, former U.S. Secretary of State
• Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles (Democrat)
• Pete Wilson, 36th Governor of California

(Photo: Matthew Cavanaugh /  EPA)