California’s Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger cleanly broke with the White House yesterday by reaching a broad agreement with state Dems to severely cap greenhouse gas emissions.

California sentators voted along party lines 23-14 to approve the toughest global warming legislation in the country. Democrats voted yes. Republicans voted in unison against their own governor.

Schwarzenegger’s pact is the third such major alliance he has forged with the Democrats in the past weeks. They have also agreed on a minimum wage rise as well as a deal on prescription drugs.

The Governor’s wheelings and dealings, his continuing consolidation of the political center, comes as he defends a wide lead against his re-election rival, Democrat Phil Angelides.

Angelides has failed too inspire much excitement among Democratic voters and is lagging in the polls. Though the Republicans may be facing a political waterloo in November, here in the Blue State of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger is coasting to a victory under ever bluer skies.