The furor over Susan Kennedy shows no signs of dying down, but this morning’s San Jose Mercury News reports on what may be another Democratic staffer-incuded headache for Schwarzenegger. Terry Tamminen, the governor’s cabinet secretary and top environmental advisor, opened for Al Gore at a Stanford event yesterday, in which the former VP spoke out against global warming. No problems there, as Schwarzenegger has already signed on to a host of pro-green legislation since taking office.
But the San Jose Mercury News reported that Tamminen delivered the "most politically biting jokes" of the day. And guess who Tamminen bit?
"Tamminen began his remarks by reading from a piece of paper he said was given to him by TV producer and environmental activist Laurie David: “The top five things President Bush says he will do to address global warming.” Among the satirical suggestions made by Tamminen: switching the power on Vice President Dick Cheney’s pacemaker to nuclear power, and invading Silicon Valley to secure more solar panels.
“The No. 1 thing President Bush says he will do to address global warming?” Tamminen asked as the audience roared. “Wait two years. President Al Gore will fix it."
The full Mercury News story is here.
Tamminen is a Democrat, and his role in the Schwarzenegger Administration is nothing new, nor is the governor’s commitment to environmental protection. Rumor has it that he’s on the way out to be replaced by a Republican policy type anyway. But the last thing Arnold needs right now is a top-level advisor suggesting that the country would benefit from Al Gore replacing George Bush in the White House.