Dogs and cats living together

Mercury Public Affairs, LLC needed a lobbyist in California. Fabien Nunez needed a job. Now they both have what they want.

Nunez, former speaker of the California Assembly, will become a partner and co-chair in Mercury. He'll work in the company's California office alongside Steve Schmidt, former campaign manager for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and John McCain's fall presidential bid, and Adam Mendelsohn, former spokesman for Schwarzenegger.

Schmidt and Mendelsohn continue to advise the governor. Nunez, a Democrat, will be a helpful link to the California Legislature, which may not be able to resolve the budget crisis but will continue to have a Democratic majority for years to come.