Writing at the very progressive Calitics blog, Robert Cruickshank calls the Obama administration "clueless" when it comes to California and makes the case for federal loan guarantees for the state. Expect to hear more anger from the left if Obama leaves California to twist in the wind.

I believe that the state should get those guarantees. They come at very low risk (and no cost) to the Treasury. In fact, the state is likely to pay a substantial fee for the guarantees. But as I argue in today's New York Times, the Obama folks should -- for political and policy reasons -- attach serious strings to the guarantees, which would help the state with cash flow problems this summer and fall. Essentially, the administration (and Congress for that matter) should only help California with its cash flow if the state puts forward a real plan to fix its long-term structural budget problems. Such a deal would be good for the state and for the country.