It's good to know the Lt. Gov. has a real job now.

It's nice to see encouragement of a fellow human being hasn't truly died out.

Oh, wait...

I say congratulations for the weight loss. It helps draw attention to a very serious growing problem. As long as it doesn't interfere with his duties, I say Good Luck.

What duties?

Duties would include...

1.) President of the State Senate

Under Article 5, Section 9 of the California State Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor is also authorized to preside over the business of the State Senate. In the event of a tie, the Lieutenant Governor must cast the deciding vote.

2.) Regent of the University of California and Trustee of the California State University System

The Lieutenant Governor sits on the Board of Regents and is acting chairman of the Trustees of CSUS.

Together these two groups govern all public higher education in the state.

Lieutenant Governor Bustamante proposed the formation of a "Red Team" to streamline the planning process,

3.) Chair of the Commission for Economic Development

The Lieutenant Governor oversees and directs the Commission for Economic Development. This organization is responsible for fostering economic growth in California. The Lieutenant Governor helps develop and implement strategies for attracting new business to the state, increasing state exports, creating new jobs, and stimulating manufacturing industries statewide.

4.) Member of the California World Trade Commission

The Lieutenant Governor is a member of the California World Trade Commission. The commission is responsible for evaluating policies and programs designed to help California companies penetrate foreign markets and attract foreign investment. The commission uses its research and findings to advise the International Trade and Investment Division of the California Trade and Commerce Agency.

5.) Vice Chair of the Commission on the Californias

The Lieutenant Governor is a vice chair of the Commission on the Californias. This commission seeks to develop favorable economic, educational, and cultural relations with Baja California, Baja California Sur and other states and territories within the Republic of Mexico.

6.) Member of the California Rural Policy Task Force

The Lieutenant Governor is one of seven members of this task force that oversees the mobilization and effective delivery of the State's resources to rural California, including community development block grant funds. This panel was created by Assembly Bill 1564 (Ch. 596, Statutes of 1999).

7.) Member of the State Lands Commission

The Lieutenant Governor is a member of the State Lands Commission. This group issues permits for, monitors and regulates all California state land holdings and navigable waterways.

8.) Chair of the Governor's Commission on Building for the 21st Century

The Lieutenant Governor is the Co-Chair of the Governor's Commission on Building for the 21st Century. This group has been directed to study the building needs of California for the next decade.

9. Member of the California Emergency Council

The Lieutenant Governor serves as a member of the California Emergency Council, which is briefed on all current matters and needs related to emergency preparedness and administrative matters requiring action by the Governor.

10.) Chair of the Governor's Emergency Freeze Assistance Task Force

The Lieutenant Governor is the chair of the Emergency Freeze Assistance Task Force. This group coordinates the efforts of various agencies, such as the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the Health and Human Services Agency, the Employment Development Department, and the Department of Social Services, in relief efforts for the citrus-growing areas of the Central Valley hit by the December 1998 freeze.

11.) Member of the Governor's Agriculture-Water Transition Task Force

The Lieutenant Governor was a member of Governor Davis' Agriculture-Water Transition Task Force. This group was directed to develop policy recommendations and proposals for the Governor to advance in office.

12.) Chair of the Commission for One California

The Lieutenant Governor created the Commission for One California, a blue-ribbon commission of community, academic, religious, law enforcement and corporate leaders, to establish a statewide forum for understanding diversity and combating intolerance of every kind.

13.) Member of the United States Census Monitoring Board

Lieutenant Governor Bustamante was appointed by President Clinton on January 4, 2000, to serve as a member of the U.S. Census Monitoring Board. This bipartisan board is responsible for monitoring all aspects of the Census Bureau's preparations for the 2000 decennial census, as well as its implementation. The Board consists of four members selected by the President and four selected by the leadership in Congress. It issues reports every six months on its findings and recommendations.

14.) Member of the California Complete Count Committee

Established by Governor Davis in Executive Order 11-99, this task force was created to see that as many Californians are counted in the 2000 decennial census. The Lieutenant Governor is one of the seventeen members of this panel.

...and finally...

15.) Acting Governor

Under Article 5, Section 10 of the California State Constitution, any time that the Governor is absent from the state or is unable to perform the duties of office, the Lieutenant Governor assumes the full powers and responsibilities of the Chief Executive.

Wow!! And with all those duties, a short guy like him was up to 278lbs? Where does he perform all these duties? At McDonalds?

Hmm...

As for duties of any given Lt. Governor of CA, you can refer to the website, http://www.ltg.ca.gov, since it would seem that you may want to have a better understanding of the job he has been elected to perform.

As to his weight, weight is not truly indicative of lethargy or laziness. He perhaps could also have a hormonal imbalance, pre-existing health condition, and family genes that contain a propensity towards a larger size.

I prefer to give anyone the benefit of the doubt, and hope they can overcome any obstacle.

So, perhaps a little sensitivity is in order. You may not be overweight, but that does not mean you are fully capable of judging someone with a larger frame.

I don't have to give him the benefit of the doubt. It's not a crime to be fat. No question about it; I am insensitive to the American obsession of stuffing themselves from childhood to middle age and then getting saved by Oprah and Dr. Phil. If he wants to campaign on obesity, more power to him, but it's really silly.