Mike Villines Throws a Tantrum

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

One thing you can usually count on in a hostage crisis is that the hostage takers will eventually start to freak out. And so it is with Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, who let loose on Democrats in an interview with Valleyfornia. (h/t to Josiah Greene at the CMR) Some highlights, beginning with his whining on dams and environmental rules:

That's a liberal minority of people these environmentalists, who I call whackos, who are totally out of touch with reality (that) are controlling the legislative process.

Right there Villines explains why his party is viewed by even other Republicans as tainted dog meat - in a state that is so strongly environmentalist, California Republicans have deluded themselves into thinking that voters actually think the way Villines and his Rush Limbaugh-fed colleagues do.

Villines then predicted that Republicans would win seats if the redistricting measure passed - showing the "government reform" groups supporting that plan to be useful idiots - because, in his words,

They are totally out of touch with reality. Their main issues are gay marriage, no reservoirs, no taxes. This is not mainstream California. They are out of touch.

Psychologists might call that "projection" but we can just call it the last gasp of a dying party. Unfortunately that dying party has a lot of power with the 2/3 rule and they are using it for all it's worth. Villines says some progress is being made in negotiations with Speaker Bass and the Senate leadership but these comments ought to suggest they're locked inside the building for the long haul, until all their demands are met. If innocent Californians are hurt, well, tough - such is the mentality of the hostage taker.

And to think these are the guys George Skelton thinks we oughta listen to...