California: The Stuart Smalley Of Politics

The California Senate this afternoon approved legislation that would move the California presidential primary to the first Tuesday in February. The vote was 31-5.

The Senate did it because we're important. We're good enough. We're smart enough. And doggone it, people like us.

"California is the biggest and most influential state in the union," said Sen. Ron. S. Calderon, who is carrying the bill, and yet has little influence over the presidential election. "We're the road to the White House."

"We are the biggest state, and we will have the biggest impact," said state Sen. Jim Battin. "We will have a big impact in both our parties. There is nothing wrong with that."

Party-pooper Sen. Dave Cox told the Senate that California is already really popular and doesn't need a self-esteem boost.  "We simply are relevant simply because we are a great and diverse state."

Senate leader Don Perata said, "Why would anybody go to Iowa in January if you could go to California in January?" He said the vote would make California "as important nationally as it is to us."

We're so great.

The legislation, SB 113, is being fast-tracked for approval in the Assembly and by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and would install the earliest presidential primary in California history. The state's previous attempt to jump-start the primary - in March 2000 and 2004 - ended up a failure. In 2004, for example, 20 states beat California in picking their presidential delegates and nine other states held their nominations on the same day.

Now, as California rushes to a February primary, New Jersey, Florida and other large states could follow with their own front-loaded elections - once again ruining California's attempt at self-fulfillment.

But, speaking at the Sacramento Press Club today, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez said the early primary would force presidential candidates to focus on our issues (immigration, offshore oil drilling, federal funds) "sooner rather than later." Nunez also said he spoke with U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, (pictured above, campaigning in New Hampshire), and "she seemed to think it was a good idea."

Saigon Bob says the whole thing is a big waste.