It comes as no big surprise that California Democrats are sore at Governor Schwarzenegger. But the SF Gate reports that they are cutting of their own noses, so to speak. Democrats are backing away from a $12 Billion education bond that had been a cornerstone of the Democrat agenda. $12 Billion was enough for Arnold to get support from the teacher's unions, but key Democrats are opposed to the idea, even though it was their idea to begin with.

"They're just being ornery because now it's 'Arnold's bond,' '' said one Democratic pollster -- in other words, it's a "Republican'' bond.

Another sore point with Democrats: Arnold's rollback of the vehicle license fee. Not only did it add $4 billion to the state's budget deficit, but he kicked the Democrats around when he did it.

Oh to understand the mind of a liberal Democrat. Gray Davis tripled the car tax by bureaucratic fiat. Schwarzenegger repeals his executive decision a few months later, and all of a sudden it's Arnold's fault for adding $4 Billion to the budget deficit.

This is just another case of politicians playing politics; something that George W. Bush is finding out the hard way. You can advance your opponent's agenda, and you can champion their ideas; but they still aren't going to like you. They ask for $12 Billion, so you give it to them. Next thing you know, they refuse to vote for it while blaming you for not giving them $20 Billion. (Does the Medicare expansion ring a bell?)

Why do these "compassionate conservatives" give them anything to begin with? It's turning out to be bad for everybody.