John Benoit seems to be having a hard time with the fact that Senator Jim Battin is backing Russ Bogh as his successor in the State Senate.

Benoit came off baffled on KESQ on Monday regarding Battin's choice.  "His motives are - I can't explain. He endorsed me and supported me for the State Assembly five years ago. Something's changed in his mind."

KESQ: Passed Over: Bogh, Not Benoit Gets Battin's Blessing

Benoit's right.  Something did change.  It was John Benoit when he betrayed the conservative principles of the Republican Party when he helped the Democrats pass Gray Davis' last fiscally irresponsible budget in 2003.  The 2003-2004 State Budget tripled the Car Tax, stole Gas Tax money that should only be spent on transportation projects, and left California with an ongoing structural deficit that is still haunting the Golden State today.

But just like a politician who can not accept blame for his failings and shortcomings, Benoit now wants voters to believe that the problem is Senator Battin, not Benoit's own voting record.    

Benoit tried to spin Battin's motives to KESQ by saying friction arose between them during  "The Prop 93 debate, where he wanted to extend his term through the term limits -- I was out in front opposing that as being a 'self-serving initiative.' That may have something to do with this announcement, just days later."

So Benoit was against the passage of Proposition 93?  That's odd since he was in the press saying he'd run for the Assembly again if it passed.  

Sorry, but that doesn't sound like someone who supports Term Limits.  That sounds like a typical politician trying to have it both ways.  But isn't that the real John Benoit?  A typical politician who says one thing but does another and refuses to take responsibility for his actions?

Just take a look at what Benoit told the Desert Sun yesterday about his vote for the last Gray Davis Budget.

The Desert Sun: Battin Backs Bogh In Campaign For Senate Seat

"That budget was very difficult, hard-fought budget, and at the end of the day we won," Benoit said.

We did?  Not according to Senator Tom McClintock, who (just like Russ Bogh, Jim Battin, Bonnie Garcia, Dennis Hollingsworth, and Ray Haynes) voted against the 2003 Gray Davis Budget.   McClintock told the California Taxpayers Association that summer that "This budget solves nothing.  The day it is signed will mark the first day of the budget crisis of 2004."  And everyone knows McClintock was right --- especially Gray Davis who got recalled after signing that horrible budget.

When John Benoit says "we won" when he voted for a Democratic Budget that tripled the Car Tax, stole Gax Tax money from transportation, and left the state with a horrific structural deficit, the reason becomes perfectly clear as to why Senator Battin in supporting Russ Bogh in the 37th Senate District.

The Desert Sun reported Battin's reasons the best yesterday:  "I know Russ;  I trust him,"  Battin said.  "I know that he is going to be a strong, consistent vote on the conservative principles that I believe in."

While John Benoit may not like these apples, its clear that Senator Battin wants a consistent conservative to replace him, not a Gray Davis Republican who sells out his party and his constituents when it's convenient. The Republican voters of the 37th Senate District are most likely to agree with Battin.