Posted on 11/30/2005 3:39:13 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday took the first step to shaking up his administration after his resounding special election failure, appointing a longtime Democratic activist as his chief of staff.
The move to replace Patricia Clarey had been widely expected since voters defeated all four of the governor's "year of reform" measures Nov. 8. Clary was campaign manager for the effort. But the announcement of state Public Utilities Commissioner Susan Kennedy as Clarey's replacement caught many Republicans and Democrats off guard.
Kennedy was Cabinet secretary to former Gov. Gray Davis, who was ousted in the 2003 recall election that brought Schwarzenegger to power. She also is a former director of an abortion rights group and one of the highest-profile gays in state politics, making her appointment a risky one for the Republican governor.
"She's a woman that is known as being a hardworking woman, dedicated, and is willing to work whatever it takes to get the job done," Schwarzenegger said at a news conference. "She's willing to set her Democratic philosophy aside and do the job and do my vision - to be able to work together with Democrats and Republicans."
Kennedy's appointment could help regain the support of Democrats and independents the governor lost over the last year, but it also jeopardizes his standing among conservatives, his only reliable supporters.
"This makes Schwarzenegger a man without a country," said GOP strategist Dave Gilliard, who helped run the campaign to recall Davis. "The Democrats will never accept him or embrace him, and now he's breaking with his base. I don't understand it."
Even some leading Democrats appeared puzzled by the appointment.
"Any move by the governor to embrace Democratic values is good news for the state," said Steve Maviglio, spokesman for Democratic Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. "However, it leaves many Democrats, as well as Republicans, wondering if he has any core values at all."
At Schwarzenegger's side Wednesday, Kennedy sought to downplay the partisan labels, seeing her appointment as a historic opportunity to end the political gridlock in Sacramento.
"I believe in this man, and I believe in what he's trying to do for this state and where he's trying to take California," she said. "I think a moderate Democrat and a moderate Republican - there is not a lot of light between us."
Kennedy said she voted for all four of Schwarzenegger's ballot measures this month. They would have capped state spending, changed the way legislative districts are drawn, reformed teacher tenure rules and restricted public employee unions in raising money for political purposes.
Clarey said in a letter sent Wednesday to Schwarzenegger that she would resign at the end of the year.
"It's been quite a ride," she said in the letter, which was released by the governor's staff. "While much remains to be done, I am gratified at the success we have realized."
Kennedy will join a Schwarzenegger inner circle that already contains Democrats in key positions. Among them are senior aide Bonnie Reiss, Cabinet Secretary Terry Tamminen and Daniel Zingale, another former Davis aide who now serves as chief of staff to first lady Maria Shriver.
Kennedy, appointed to the PUC in 2003, has served as executive director of the California Democratic Party and executive director of the California Abortion Rights Action League.
Like we care any more. This place is a cesspool.
Kennedy will join a Schwarzenegger inner circle that already contains Democrats in key positions. Among them are senior aide Bonnie Reiss, Cabinet Secretary Terry Tamminen and Daniel Zingale, another former Davis aide who now serves as chief of staff to first lady Maria Shriver.
same Tom Chorneau article also posted on wire as
Schwarzenegger names Democrat chief of staff amid broader shakeup
and
Schwarzenegger replaces chief of staff with Democratic activist
Arnold doesn't get it
I am going to admit my ignorance here: how important is a governor's chief of staff?
Arnie, Arnie, Arnie... What are you doing?
Think how crazy this is? This is like Karl Rove being replaced by Hillary.
What is it with Republicans that make them want to court their enemies? Dems are never going to "accept" Republicans no matter how nice they are to them.
To think I voted for this clown in the recall! Never again!
Probably more involved and in the know on the day to day happenings in the Capitol than anyone else, including the Gub.
Essentially acts as a clearinghouse for everything in and out of the Gub's office.
article also posted on some sites as
Schwarzenegger shakes up staff
This would mean that Chiefs of Staff to both the Gub and First Lady would be "former" gay activists.
Unions are not the only power brokers in the state Capitol nor the only one with an agenda.
Don't blame me ... I voted for McClintock
Kalifornia - FUBAR
Is Ah-nold truly that anxious to lose reelection ? He continues to embrace those that opposed his recent reforms and spit in the face of his supporters. Can he even make an argument FOR reelection ? We're better off with a 'Rat and cut this dead weight loose.
Not only has Arnie thrown in the towel, but I still have no idea who the Repubs are running in 2006 against Feinstein. I guess we will hand the RATS another election.
I. Just. Don't. Get. It.
As soon as you understand how RINOs operate, you'll understand it all.
To all those Ah-noldtistas, from a McClintock supporter, WE WERE RIGHT.
In this case, irrelevant. Arnold is history (probably won't run for re election. If he does, he won't win) as is any republican candidate in the next gubernatorial election.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzengger and California Public Utilities Commissioner Susan Kennedy, walk to a news conference where he named her to be his new chief of staff in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 30. 2005. Kennedy, a Democrat and cabinet secretary to former Gov. Gray Davis, will replace Schwarzenegger's former chief of staff Patricia Clarey. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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