# California Democrats: It's best not to broadcast your cynical machinations. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 23, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379 "2003-07-23T14:54:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/1 "2003-07-23T14:54:47Z")
[Open microphone catches California Democrats talking about prolonging budget crisis](http://www.sfgate.com//cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/07/22/national1417EDT0629.DTL) > [@](#): > > Unaware that a live microphone was broadcasting their words around the Capitol, Assembly Democrats meeting behind closed doors debated prolonging California’s budget crisis for political gain. > > Members of the coalition of liberal Democrats talked about slowing progress on the budget as a means of increasing pressure on Republicans. > > A microphone had been left on during the closed meeting Monday, and the conversation was transmitted to about 500 “squawk boxes” that enable staff members, lobbyists and reporters to listen in on legislative meetings. Dear California Democrats: Look, we all know that you do this, and that the Republicans do it, too. But it’s exceedingly bad form to broadcast this kind of scheming to the world. In the future, please do a better job of covering your tracks. A plan isn’t truly Machiavellan if it’s laid bare to all the world. Please learn from your Republican brethren. When they screw up in front of open mikes, it’s just to insult New York Times reporters or to joke about nuking the Soviet Union – both of which probably serve to _increase_ the speaker’s standing among the electorate. If you’re going to have an open mike gaffe, make it a productive one. Keep up this level of ineptitude and you’ll lose the governorship. Oh, wait… Sincerely, Uncle Screwtape ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/2 "2003-07-23T15:24:50Z")
I read that. It’s hysterical. Now they have egg all over their faces. And it couldn’t have happened to a better bunch of guys. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/3 "2003-07-23T15:33:05Z")
It wasn’t the entire California Democrats. It was a “liberal” coalition (i.e., far left) whose cynical machinations got broadcast. These are the people who claim to be acting from the utmost in morality and public benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/4 "2003-07-23T15:41:05Z")
Pretty low. But while this story happens to be about Democrtas, let’s not for a moment believe that their Republican brethern would have equally cynical discussions about equally cynical tactics. What bugs me more than anything is the friggin’ hypocrisy. I note the California Republicans were shocked, SHOCKED, to hear that the Dems would use the budget crisis in this way. Yeah, right. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/5 "2003-07-23T15:44:06Z")
What a bunch of losers. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/6 "2003-07-23T16:29:48Z")
Oh, and in the interests of fairness, let me remind everyone that Reagan, that paragon of Republicans everywhere, once [said](http://www.xent.com/pipermail/fork/2001-July/001759.html): > [@](#): > > Alright. My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes. So no, Republicans are as prone to lunacy as everyone else. But, California’s budget is in far worse shape than even the federal budget, and these guys are strategizing about how to fuck it over some more? At least Reagan’s comment was a joke. Nope. I will laugh until I’m blue in the face over their sheer, unadulterated stupidity. As if Gray Davis didn’t have enough trouble trying to keep his job, these guys are trying to seal his fate for him. You just gotta love it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/7 "2003-07-23T17:07:29Z")
[Here’s a followup](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/07/23/BA296433.DTL) to the “open microphone” story. Look for this lovely paragraph in the article: > [@](#): > > The Republicans also used their news conference to announce that they have never discussed politics at their own private meetings in the Capitol. Why, those poor innocent Republican lambs. How will they survive the machinations of those cynical Demos? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/8 "2003-07-23T17:21:35Z")
This lesson is for the Pubbies (an oldie but goodie, surprising they forgot): When your opponents are busily shooting themselves in the foot, then stand back, shut up, and let them. ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/9 "2003-07-23T17:25:15Z")
Let’s not forget the “major-league asshole” bit either. Now we can all laugh and say “what a bunch of jerks republicans/democrats are!” and be on our merry way. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/10 "2003-07-23T17:53:52Z")
Funny story, but I don’t think it’ll hurt the Dems too much. After all, it’s not like anyone in California votes anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/11 "2003-07-23T18:11:15Z")
I bleieve the Republicans are channeling… [Capt. Louis Renault] I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here![/Capt. Louis Renault] ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/12 "2003-07-23T18:55:55Z")
Politics is a dirty game. You play, you get dirty, or you lose. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/13 "2003-07-23T19:04:58Z")
Wait, did the “major league asshole” gaffe really embarass Bush? I doubt it cost him a single vote, in fact it probably was a net benefit. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/14 "2003-07-23T19:30:42Z")
See, _this_ is why the Democrats are getting their asses kicked by the Republicans… (And I’m also _completely shocked_ at the suggestion that the Grey Davis recall effort might be motivated by partisan politics!) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/15 "2003-07-23T19:33:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lemur866 \* > \*\*Wait, did the “major league asshole” gaffe really embarass Bush? I doubt it cost him a single vote, in fact it probably was a net benefit. \*\* Heck, like I said in my OP, I don’t think the Bush “asshole” gaffe nor the Reagan “we begin bombing” gaffe cost either of them votes or public support, and if anything probably _won_ them affection. Bush because nobody likes reporters, Reagan because the whole Soviets-are-an-evil-empire thing was part of his schtick. I’ve even heard it argued that the Reagan gaffe was intentional, designed to knock the Soviets off-balance by making them think Reagan was a crazy bastard who just might say “fuck it” and push the button. Like I said, if you’re going to be stupid, at least be stupid in a way you can spin into a net positive. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dead0man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dead0man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dead0man)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/16 "2003-07-23T19:39:49Z")
Hardly suprising, but still very funny. And as **Amn Doors** said, “it couldn’t have happened to a better bunch of guys”. ---
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/17 "2003-07-24T02:02:45Z")
Do we know the names of which Democrats were in that meeting? ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/18 "2003-07-24T02:46:15Z")
Democrats who attended the caucus session included Patti Berg, Eureka; Judy Chu, Monterey Park; Mervyn Dymally, Compton; Loni Hancock, Berkeley; Hannah-Beth Jackson, Santa Barbara; John Laird, Santa Cruz; John Longville, Rialto; Alan Lowenthal, Long Beach; and Patricia Wiggins, Santa Rosa. See [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget22jul22,1,3160607.story?coll=la-home-headlines](http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget22jul22,1,3160607.story?coll=la-home-headlines) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/19 "2003-07-24T03:08:47Z")
Yeah. Sure. Right. The party that wants to nominate Arnold Blackhead wants to talk “cynical manipulation” with all the chaste dismay of 50 year old street hooker. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379/20 "2003-07-24T03:14:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Let’s not forget the “major-league asshole” bit either. _Forget_ it? Hell no! We should bronze it and put it on the wall! One of the greater moments in American politics, in my opinion… because it was honest! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-democrats-its-best-not-to-broadcast-your-cynical-machinations/190379.md?page=2)