Posted on 11/29/2005 9:35:25 PM PST by churchillbuff
Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has hired Susan Kennedy, a top aide to former Gov. Gray Davis, as his new chief of staff, Capitol sources in both major parties said. The chief of staff's position is considered the most powerful administrative position in state government, with broad authority over policy-making and the sprawling bureaucracy.
The decision was made following two days of intense, closed-door meetings that included negotiating sessions across the street from the Capitol in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where Schwarzenegger stays while in Sacramento. Kennedy's hiring was the culmination of a five-hour meeting, sources said, at which Kennedy demanded--and got--sole authority over hiring and firing the executive staff. That provision spread anger among Republican insiders, who said they feared a major purge of GOP staffers among the governor's inner circle.
Republicans said Kennedy's hiring had been pushed by Democrats close to the governor--including his wife, Maria Shriver, and advisers Bonnie Reiss and Daniel Zingale. Democrats, meanwhile, said Schwarzenegger's decision was based more on his personal nonpartisan nature, rather than from succumbing to persuasive Democrats.
Whatever the reason, the governor's choice is the most dramatic in the Capitol since former Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, chose the late B.T. Collins, a maimed Republican Vietnam war veteran, as his chief of staff.
Kennedy's hiring signals a dramatic shakeup in the inner circle around Gov. Schwarzenegger, who suffered a major political defeat on Nov. 8, when his attempts to overhaul government--including spending limits and the creation of a retired judges' panel to supervise reapportionment--were rejected by voters.
Kennedy decided to accept the chief of staff's position following lengthy meetings at the Hyatt, but she had been approached earlier by the governor recently in Los Angeles to take the job--but turned it down.
She changed her mind after Schwarzenegger, who approached her anew to accept the post, agreed to give her broad authority over the staff. Schwarzenegger also had approached others to take the post, including former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, who turned him down.
The current chief of staff, Patricia Clarey, who joined Schwarzenegger early in his administration, was scheduled to leave by the end of year. Also leaving was Rob Stutzman, the governor's communications director, who was leaving to handle the governor's re-election campaign next year. Stutzman's departure was not officially announced, nor was his replacement. But one Capitol source familiar with Stutzman's situation said flatly: "He left to join the campaign. He left voluntarily."
The selection of Kennedy angered many Republicans--and some Democrats. Both sides noted that she had served Davis--who Schwarzenegger booted from office in the 2003 historic recall--as Cabinet Secretary. How could Schwarzenegger, who publicly criticized Davis as an incompetent governor, hire one of Davis' key players?
"It's unreal. She served the governor that voters kicked out. She was executive director of the Democratic Party. She's a Democrat through and through. What is he (Schwarzenegger) thinking?" one Republican said.
"Republicans spent years battling Susan Kennedy when she worked for the recalled Gov. Davis. It's unfathomable that one of the central figures of the Davis administration and Oracle scandal would be put back in charge of the governor's office," said another Republican, referring to the state's signing of a flawed, $95 million software contract that roiled Davis' tenure.
Democrats were equally nonplussed.
"She negotiated workers' comp. She was the executive director of the Democratic Party. She is everything he (Schwarzenegger) isn't. What's going on here?" a Democrat said.
I think Willie Brown is available too.
And Leon Panetta has been lurking in Arnold's wings... maybe give him a formal appointment too.
Wacky... Oh yeah!
Where is FO to pass out the Kool-Aide?
Can the ilk get ill yet?
Stop right there. They're morons. QED
You are so right and, I am one! No matter what one does, you just can't clean the losers out. I'm thinking of moving back to Michigan - after the winter that is.
Anyone got a plan?
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Exactly, Arnold gave us some propositions that would make a change in the state for the better and Republicans decided they were too damn busy to bother to come out and vote.
We are our own problem and until we get our act in gear, we will overrun by Democrat stupidity.
NO they were too pissed off at his liberal policies to come out and vote. His answer? Move left! Yeah, that will work.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Informing parents that their 12 year old wants and abortion?
Wanting Unions to get signed permission to spend their members money?
Breaking up comfortable districts?
Those were great ones to vote for.
Only the lazy and leftists would vote against those things IMO.
Those that didn't vote should be the last to complain though, that is for sure.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
And conservatives like me who came out and voted, voted yes on those. I was not going to vote yes to give a man more power when he doesn't even use the power he has except to pass liberal, leftist crap. Most conxervatives see no difference in policy whether they vote or not. It's still all left of center.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
You are correct, sir or madam. Now that we have actual BS to oppose, instead of insufficient zeal, the real Republicans will be angry enough to reassert a separate identity for the party. McClintock is the man to do it.
Well, even if they voted all but the budget issue and got those passed, Arnold and the state didn't get it done.
Face it, the state of California have a bunch of poor excuses for conservatives who fail to take an opportunity even when it is wiggling in their faces. Those that did not vote ARE THE PROBLEM WITH THE STATE. THEY ARE GRAY DAVIS.
I, for one, am tired of my party foisting donkeys in elephant suits on me.
No we have poor excuses for party leaders and nothing will change until madusa's head is lopped off.
That is so much crap. Arnold has pushed and passed legislation that Davis vetoed as too liberal. Spending has increased with Arnold faster than under Davis. I'd rather have Davis back, is more conservative than Arnold is.
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