Chad brings up a very important point concerning the California Legislature when he says that sometimes the government needs accountability — or at least the threat of it — in order to get things done. But, Chad misses an even more important point.

Gov. Schwarzenegger has realized that it’s not enough to simply force the Legislature into a position where they may be held accountable for holding up the progress of the state. By forcing many related issues to the forefront, Schwarzenegger is able to divide special interest groups that dominate the political scene.

In the case of the California State Budget, the main special interest group is the California Teachers Assn. who refuses to allow spending cuts for education. But, by threatening a special election that would address, among other things, teacher tenure, the Governor was able to force a concession by the evil empire.

Was the move planned? Hard to say. But, in the chess match that is politics, you’ve gotta have a gambit to succeed.

Checkmate, CTA!