Nah-nah! Obama gives California more flu-fighting bucks than anyone

Kathleen Sebelius -- the Obama administration's secretary of Health and Human Services nominee who did not have big back-tax problems -- announced this afternoon that she's sending $30,516,050 to California immediately to fight flu.

That's nothing to sneeze at. In fact, it's nearly 10% of all the flu money that HHS is distributing nationwide to those other puny states. See, there is a reason for having Nancy Pelosi. And Oprah, though she's only a California part-timer. Payback for those 55 juicy electoral votes last Nov. 4? And keep those Golden Staters healthy and alive.

(Or as loyal Ticket reader Kenneth tweets: "That leaves only 90% for the other 56 states.")

We weren't going to bother writing about such piddling chump change as millions, given the trillions we've moved up to discussing since January.

But that extra 50 bucks at the end pushed it over the top and clearly showed the transparent commitment to public health of both the Democratic president and Sebelius (shown above demonstrating how to spread a flu virus as quickly as possible).

In an additional multimedia sign of Obama's commitment to public health, Sebelius notes she's launched a contest for ordinary germy citizens to make their own anti-flu public service videos. After all these public health grants, however, there's only $2,500 left for a prize; talk about chump change. (And no prize for pro-flu videos.)

We were just enjoying the middle of summer when Sebelius warns, "With flu season around the corner, we must remain vigilant and do all we can to prepare our nation and protect public health. These grants will give states valuable resources to step up their flu-preparedness efforts.”

All right, it is chump change for the most populous state, given California's gabillions of dollars in red budget ink. But you'd think 30 mil would pretty much guarantee good health around California for everyone as long as we seal the border with Oregon. And maybe Arizona.

Perhaps some other less-important states would be willing to forfeit some or all of their federal flu-fighting funds so that Californians could avoid sneezing and continue to enjoy the sunshine that makes its way through the smog.

There's way too many numbers in the announcement to really bother with. Suffice to say, there are grants for public health -- L.A. alone is getting $8,510,041.

But, disturbingly, there are also immense grants for hospital preparedness. This would seem to indicate that the feds are not really counting on total prevention of the various flus that, according to media reports only a couple of months ago, threatened the human race with extinction.

Never mind washing your hands frequently. The only answer is obviously more money.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Associated Press

Budget keeps Schwarzenegger in California--and away from Vegas

Sigh -- another California tourist lost.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggerwas scheduled to appear in Nevada today to celebrate the extension of the California High Speed Rail Corridor to Las Vegas. But there were 29,000 IOUs between him and a Sin City trip.

Instead, Caltrans Director Will Kemptonexplained Schwarzenegger’s absence to a group sweating under a white canopy downtown. "There’s something about a budget crisis in Sacramento. ... Believe me, he’d rather be in Las Vegas," Kempton said.

Wondering what he missed? Here’s a rundown: The corridor extension should help Southern California-to-Vegas rail projects secure government loans. Two have been competing for, in particular, the backing of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid(D-Nev.): a somewhat troubled project, which would link to Anaheim, and the DesertXpress, a high-speed train to Victorville. (Yes, that’s the housing-crunched Inland Empire city where a developer recently bulldozed homes.)

Today, Reid -- joined by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood-- reiterated his support for DesertXpress, which is privately financed, closer to breaking ground and backed by Sig Rogich, a Republican heavyweight who’s supporting Reid’s reelection efforts.

California’s Governator also missed the view from downtown Vegas: a concrete truck, homes with barred windows, a rent-by-the-month motel and a bail bonds shop. Almost made Sacramento seem delightful. Almost.

-- Ashley Powers

In death, Michael Jackson gets politicians' (cautious) admiration

The sudden, so far unexplained death of pop singer Michael Jackson at age 50 this week prompted an immense outpouring of grief and curiosity and, among politicians at least, caution.

While expressing admiration for his musical and dancing skills, these elected officials were careful to distance themselves from the pop icon's troubled personal life. President Obama did it only secondhand through a spokesman.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, while praising Jackson as "one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry," was also careful to mention "serious questions about his personal life."

Obama, a noted music fan who's had entertainers such as Stevie Wonder perform at the White House, was noticeably absent from any public statement. Knowing questions would come up at the daily news  briefing, it was left to spokesman Robert Gibbs to provide a low-key, arms-distance description of the president's feelings.

We'll publish the entire White House exchange concerning Jackson below. What Gibbs basically said was the president saw Jackson as "a spectacular performer" but there were aspects of his life that were "sad and tragic."

Friday the House of Representatives paused briefly for a tribute moment of silence.

There also reemerged, thanks to the Associated Press, a 1980s memo written during the presidency of Ronald Reagan by a then-young White House attorney named John G. Roberts Jr., now chief justice of the Supreme Court. The issue was . . .

Gov. Schwarzenegger: Michael Jackson "great entertainer" despite...

Following is a statement issued minutes ago by the office of California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger regarding the death of pop star Michael Jackson:

“Today, the world has lost one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry. From his performances with the Jackson 5, to the premiere of the ‘moonwalk’ and ‘Thriller,’ Michael was a pop phenomenon who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity.

"Though there were serious questions about his personal life, Michael was undoubtedly a great entertainer and his popularity spanned generations and the globe. Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our shock and sadness over his death and our hearts go out the Jackson family, Michael’s children and to his fans worldwide.”

-- Andrew Malcolm

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L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa opts out of California governor race

Antonio Villaraigosaof Los Angeles, mayor of the United States' second-most-populous city, has decided not to seek the Democratic Party nomination for governor of California in next year's election.

Villaraigosa's local popularity has slipped to 55% in recent months, following his divorce and revelations of his romantic affair with a second female television reporter. That's about the same tepid percentage as he got in the mayoral election against political nobodies. A recent Times poll indicated 47% did not want the mayor to run for governor.

The Democrat's decision would have added to a competitive, crowded field containing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and expected to include state Atty Gen. Jerry Brown, seeking a replay of his Moonbeam gubernatorial days from a generation ago, as the former Oakland mayor continues his effort to be elected to evbery office in California. .

In a somewhat awkward and goofy setting this afternoon, CNN's Wolf Blitzer, while describing stories such as Iran's ongoing protests, kept teasing to the mayor's upcoming announcement on "The Situation Room" and flashing to the mayor sitting alone in front of an L.A. camera with one of this year's most forced grins.

The Democratic primary winner will likely face one of two Republicans. Businesswoman Meg Whitman, who lead EBay to such success, is already lining up numerous GOP endorsements across the state and from such national party luminaries as John McCain and Mitt Romney.

The other prominent GOP candidate is Steve Poizner, the state insurance commissioner and also wealthy, as is required in the Golden State. His supporters point out that he's collected endorsements from 70% of the state's minority Republican legislators, as well as numerous state chairs and local officials.

The winner will succeed Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, who ousted Democrat Gray Davis in a recall effort.

Villaraigosa, the former speaker of the California Assembly, said he felt compelled to stay and didn't want to walk away from the city's pressing issues. He was not asked about his romantic affairs but did cite his desire to spend time with his teenage daughter as she completes high school. We have the interview's full transcript below.

-- Andrew Malcolm

The Ticket will be covering the race, even without Villaraigosa. Click here for Twitter alerts on each new item. Or follow us @latimestot

Gov. Arnold to state Legislature: Our wallet is empty, credit dried up

Following is the complete text of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget speech to the Legislature this week, which his office also released as weekly remarks. An obvious attempt to save money:

Thank you. Thank you very much, Speaker Bass, Senate Leader Steinberg, Assemblyman Blakeslee, Sen. Hollingsworth, my fellow constitutional officers and my fellow servants of the people.

First of all, I want to thank you for the gracious invitation to address you here today and to address the people of California.

Today I want to talk about financial crisis. Three months ago the members of this body came together to set aside their ideological differences and did what they believed was best for California. We solved $36 billion of a $42-billion deficit.

But as you know, part of our budget agreement required us, by law, to go back to the people for approval, right at a time when the people wanted to send Sacramento a powerful message. And that message was clear: Do your job. Don’t come to us with those complex issues. Live within your means. Get rid of the waste and inefficiencies and don't raise taxes.

Now, as I stand here today, we are in the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. In the past 18 months one-third of the world's wealth has vanished. And because of that and because of California's outdated and volatile tax system, our revenues have dropped 27% from last year. And you can see this right here on the charts next to me; it's very clear.

We are now back to the same level of revenues we had in 2003, and when you adjust for inflation and population, we are back to the level of the late '90s.

Today, just three months after our February budget, we once again face a $24-billion deficit. California's day of reckoning is here. In order to deal with our....

Obama's admission, Sonia's 35 minutes, Specter's specter, Arnold's hogs

Notes for a summer Friday:

Or Try a Cold Shower

If you experience an election lasting more than four hours -- or even four months -- seek medical attention immediately. Ask your physician if you are healthy enough for legal activity.

If so, just go to court, the way they did up in Minnesota, where they are still in court over the battle between Republican Norm "I Used to Be Mayor of St. Paul, You Know" Coleman and Democrat Al "I'm Not a Big Fat Idiot" Franken.

Minnesota's Supreme Court is now mulling (a favorite word) the case fully seven months and an additional $13 million in legal fees and salaries after the $37-million campaigns ended Nov. 3.

Coleman, who's losing by 312 votes at the moment, wants about 4,400 rejected absentee ballots counted too. And depending on the state outcome, Coleman could always appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which isn't required to take the case.

A lot of Democrats, who'd like 60 party members in the Senate, think Coleman should just give up already and accept defeat graciously the way, for instance, Al Gore did after the close 2000 presidential election night. Oh, wait. Not.

Again, Obama Agrees with Bush

One of the little-noticed tidbits out of President B. Hussein Obama's speech from the presidential minaret in Egypt this week was his brief, brushing acknowledgment that Saddam Hussein's absence from Iraq is a good thing. It was clearly yet another bold, bipartisan bid by the new chief executive to agree with George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney.

Obama famously opposed the war in Iraq, though he's keeping...

Gov. Schwarzenegger thinks Rush Limbaugh's lost a lot of weight

Maybe it was his good-natured stint on Jay Leno's show Tuesday night. And/or Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger might have been trying to dodge answering cable media's favorite contemporary gotcha question of Republicans:

What about Rush Limbaugh?

So there he was on CNN being all California-friendly and relaxed, and the ditz pops the predictable query. And the governor, who's already made many enemies on the GOP's more conservative side with his fiscal policies and buddy-buddyness with the Great Change Agent, tried to make a joke out of it.

He said many people say the most popular radio talk-show host in history is the 800-pound gorilla in the party. Ha-ha.

But then the governor couldn't resist adding that he thought Limbaugh was down to about 650 now.

In fairness, the GOP's most famous bodybuilder also went on to say the right side of his party has a very important role to play and to predict a great future for his party -- if it enlarges its ideological tent to encompass more centrists and where, presumably, cigars will be allowed. Watch this.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Schwarzenegger on Leno tonight, Leno on California and Sotomayor

Not that we have anything against Conan the Second Barbarian, but we're gonna miss Jay Leno on The Ticket. This is the last week for the jut-jawed late-night icon who's interviewed so many politicians on his show over these years.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who announced on Jay's show his candidacy to replace the soon-to-be-recalled Gray Davis, was back on tonight, for the 25th time. The gov complained that he took his family to see the new Terminator movie and his daughter thought it was the best one yet. Thanks, honey.

Maybe Jay's writers will soon join the unemployment line. Maybe not. But they're going out with a bang. In tribute to them -- and Jay -- we're running some of our favorite lines from tonight's Tonight Show monologue:

About Memorial Day: "I guess most people sat around all day doing nothing. But enough about the Lakers."

On President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court: "A Latino woman. How about that? You know what that means -- Ruth Bader Ginsburg will no longer be the hot chick on the court.

"If confirmed, she would be the country's first Hispanic justice. Her first order of business? Deporting Lou Dobbs."

"The Republicans were a little disappointed. When they heard Obama say he might appoint a minority, they said, 'Oh, great!' Then, they realized."

"The economy is so bad, Kev, I tell ya, a dog asked Michael Vick to set up some fights for him. The dog needs the money!

"The people in Beverly Hills are hurting. The guys in Beverly Hills are going to Earl Schieb to get a spray-on tan. It's cheaper.

"The economy is so bad, Gov. Schwarzenegger had to take a second job narrating Hooked on Phonics CDs. That's how bad it is.

"Gov. Schwarzenegger is our guest here tonight. Actually, he's not here as a guest. He's here to pass the hat."

Schwarzenegger from offstage: "The state is broke. Give generously."

And for cat owners, who really understand: "A new study has found that having a cat makes you 40% less likely to die of a heart attack. Not that the cat could care either way."

Hey-oh!

-- Andrew Malcolm

But seriously, folks, click here for Twitter alerts on each new Ticket item. Or follow us   @latimestot

Photo: NBC

Weekly Remarks: Schwarzenegger, Barrasso and Obama

Usually in this space at this time every week, we have the remarks of President Obama and a designated representative of the Republican Party. We still do.

But this week we're also starting off with a special Memorial Day video message from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who took time out from not yet balancing the state's stricken budget with legislative leaders to usefully remind folks about the real point of this particular holiday.

Not surprisingly, at least to start, it seems like everybody has the same speech writer. It's all Memorial Day on this Memorial Day weekend, a tradition that began after the Civil War when mothers of the fallen on both sides began placing floral tributes on the battlefields.

-- Andrew Malcolm

First up this week is the Republican speaker:

Hi, I’m Sen. John Barrasso from Wyoming.

Many Americans spend their Memorial Day weekend traveling with family to visit relatives and friends. It’s a weekend of ceremonies, parades and cookouts.

Memorial Day is a time to remember America’s fallen heroes -- men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and prosperity of our great country. This weekend we pay tribute to their courage.

Today I’d like to visit with you about the energy we use to power our nation. Republicans support ....