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Next, they'll sing "Kumbaya"
While we're on the subject of reconciliation, we'd be remiss not to mention the affection between Schwarzenegger, Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, and state Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced.
Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II was spotted Monday snagging a signature from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after the City Hall news conference about new foreclosure laws.
Who knew the leading local law-and-order man could be so star-struck? Especially by a B-rated actor-turned-Republican politician? Turns out, Morse said the old weightlifting tome wasn't his book.
Morse told Lips a friend asked him to get it signed for her. Being such a nice guy, he obliged. We'd like to believe Morse, but it wasn't said under oath.
Arnie was pleased to see his 30-year-old bodybuilding book was still around and gladly signed it.
Morse asked him whether he'd be able to look like the pumped-up Arnold on the cover if he spent a little time at the gym.
"Not likely," the guv retorted. Ouch.
Morse said Arnold -- always willing to sign autographs and pose for photos -- is one of the most patient guys he's met. "He never seems to get agitated by it," Morse said.
That explains why he can put up with Sacramento politicians.
At the beginning of the press event, Galgiani gave the guv a kiss on the cheek. As Arnold went to shake Denham's hand, the state senator leaned in for a kiss.
Maybe it's the precursor to an Ahnold endorsement in his bid for lieutenant governor. Of course in a primary contest based on who's the most conservative, that may be the kiss of death.
View the video here:
We'll be missin' you
Lips welcomes Merced County's next CEO, Larry "L-Diddy" Combs, who'll take the reins from Dee "Boss" Tatum at the end of November.
Combs hails from Sutter County where he's taken orders from a Board of Supervisors for nearly 26 years, which is almost unheard of for a government man.
We can't help but notice the parallels between Sutter and Merced counties.
They're both agricultural counties. Citizens accuse the government of wasting tax dollars on top brass. Top leadership and the auditor-controller have publicly battled. Hmmm. No wonder the supes picked him.
In researching Combs, we learned that he and Sutter County supes don't use voicemail because they believe residents should talk to humans, not robots.
Fortunately, he won't have to worry about learning Merced County's voicemail system. He'll have a county spokeswoman to handle inquiries.
Loose Lips can be reached at editor@mercedsun-star.com.
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