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Friday, Oct. 24, 2008

Loose Lips: The incredible disappearing issues

My friends -- and you are my friends -- in case you haven't noticed, Lips has a bad case of electionitis, an insatiable urge to know and lampoon every maneuver as The Big Day nears.

Awhile back, Lips mentioned that Assembly aspirant Jack Mobley was making this election about The Issues.

Well, as anyone with eyes, ears or a television knows, The Biggest Issue is the presidency.

But after that, and down the aisle, waltzes gay marriage, known so simply as Proposition 8.

Turns out, my friends -- and you are my friends -- that Mobley is against gay marriage and for the proposition.

He called on his "radical liberal" opponent Cathleen Galgiani to say "I do" or "I don't." There's that L-word again.

"I agree that there is strength in values," Mobley said in a statement. "However, it is time to find out what Assemblywoman Galgiani's values are."

Brilliant! Just brilliant! Even though the issue is before the voters and her vote is just one of millions of Californians, he's trying to make it a wedge. A political Hail Mary, if you will.

Oh ... but wait. Few people have seemed to take notice. We got a letter to the editor about it, a blog mentioned it and now Lips.

If a politician tries to cut down an opponent and no ones pays attention, does it make a difference? Lips thinks not.

A state political blog ran a short story on it and couldn't get ahold of Galgiani to comment.

Lips tried too, with no success. This groom's waiting at the altar ...

Mobley tried a couple weeks back to get Cagey Cathleen to take a stand on another issue, one far less sexy. Redistricting.

My friends -- and you are my friends -- he's for it, the Guv supports it, the League of Women Voters thinks it's a good idea. Lips even read up on it and figures it's worthwhile even though it's more complicated than trying to figure out than where the assemblywoman stands on an issue.

Cathleen said she supports it in theory, but hasn't had time to study it. WHAT!?!? My friends, isn't that what legislators do for a living?

Oh -- and you are my friends.

Sigh.

Lawman to lawmaker?

While we're on Assembly antics, Lips heard that District Attorney Larry Morse II said recently that his chief investigator Pat Lunney may be clearing the field for the state office.

In case you don't have your elected office flowchart handy, state Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, is termed out in 2010, when he's expected to make a run for lieutenant governor. Galgiani will then go for Jeff's old seat and then her seat will be up grabs.

Then, perhaps, Mobley won't need propositions to prop up his campaign.

Loose Lips sinks ships and political campaigns. Take aim by e-mailing editor@merced

sun-star.com.