Gov. Brown's climate change deal was a lesson in compromise that should be studied in the White House (latimes.com)

One particular message to the agriculture industry was simple: You want Gov. Jerry Brownto be a friend or an enemy the rest of his term?

To business leaders: This legislation provides tax and regulatory breaks that you've long sought. Grab them now or forget it.

To agriculture and business: You don't like this cap-and-trade program? Wait until you see what replaces it if it's not extended.

Brown's hardball messages, his willingness to compromise and personal dealings with lawmakers were persuasive enough for him to win arguably his biggest legislative victory as governor.

It was a model of how to finesse controversial bills through a Legislature.

To read more of George Skelton's article, please click here.