Sometimes I refer to State Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth as the "Accidental Leader" because of the circumstances which lead to his ascention to his current post. As California politicos know, Hollingsworth was elected leader in the wee hours, after the previous occupant of the Senate GOP’s top post, Dave Cogdill, was rather unceremoniously (and appropriately) removed from his post 
after pledging his personal support for a budget plan that included massive tax increases, rather than representing the views of his caucus, the vast majority of whom saw that February budget deal as being fatally flawed. From many accounts, Cogdill’s conveyance of information from the Big 5 meetings was less than stellar, adding a "shock value" to the news he brought his caucus of his support for higher incomes, sales and car taxes.
You’ve heard that saying, "what a difference a day makes?" Well, what a difference a few months make. In talking with many of Senator Hollingsworth’s GOP colleagues, it is very clear that his style of open, direct and inclusive leadership through this budget crisis has really solidified his position as leader.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Dennis Hollingsworth for nearly two decades, going back to the days when he and I were both GOP activists in the California Republican Assembly — and in all of the time I have known him, Hollingsworth has exhibited the kinds of traits for which he is praised by those around him today.
Hollingsworth’s conservatism is not knee-jerk, but rather it is well thought out and Hollingsworth relishes the opportunity to walk people through why the practical policies associated with the ideas of limited government, and individual liberty not only work — but are the best solutions for the challenges facing California today.
A hallmark of Hollingsworth has been his relatively calm demeanor — which some have mistaken (to their disadvantage) as a lack of passion or drive. Hollingsworth, since I have known him, has been a strong, forceful advocate for his beliefs, for his constituents, and for the Republican Party.
As a leader of a caucus, Hollingsworth has put a great deal of time and energy into fluid and effective communications with his colleagues, not only keeping them all informed, but leaning heavily on them for policy and political input. Building a team this way is a signed of strong leadership.
When I look at the latest budget deal that is out there on the table, I certainly give a lot of credit to the "wins" in the deal to circumstances (you have to cut spending if you don’t have the money to spend) — and certainly the populist Governor, fresh off the latest survey of voters (the May Special Election), has returned as a solid Republican these last few months. And of course Assembly Republican Leader Sam Blakeslee has been a forceful advocate for GOpers in the lower house. But it is Hollingsworth who I believe has brought an amazing amount of political skill to the table, working to achieve every victory possible — and minimize every loss at the negotiating table. I beleive that the close working relationship that Hollingsworth has established with Governor Schwarzenegger during this budget process has been a key component to a lot of our conservative policy victories.
Many people are unhappy with the budget deal that is out there — and there is a lot in it not to like. If I were going to rate the deal on scale of one to ten, for Republicans and taxpayers, this deal would get a six. Not that impressive of a score until you compare it to all of the other budget deals I can remember from recent years, and would all be ones or twos.
With yesterday’s news that State Democrats may try to scuttle the budget deal by pushing bill language that would impose specific cuts on the Corrections budget that would result in over 30,000 inmates getting some lesser level of incarceration or punishment than they would be getting otherwise, the challenges facing the successful passage of this deal are steep. Both Hollingsworth and Blakeslee have made it clear that this plan by the Democrats is a deal-killer.
So the nogiations will continue. And as State Senator Mimi Walters, the Assistant Republican Leader of Senate Republicans told me, "We couldn’t have a better person at the table to represent our interests than Dennis Hollingsworth."
I completely agree.
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