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.
(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.")
What's their screennames? I've seen a lot of doofus-es, though.
(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.")
Hey gsg! What happened to Boston Legal and Denny Crane last night? I had withdrawals!!! It was awful!!!
(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.")
It just dawned on me while reading:"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."
(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.")
Don't forget Taxachusetts. That is the state that is the penultimate end result of the liberal RINO reign of terror. The remaining party officials there can caucus in an f'ing phone booth. Not even the 'Rats could harm us that badly.
The more logical it becomes over time that Ah-nold's mission was to destroy some of the last vestiges of the Republican party in California. He's doing a bang-up job.
Yeah... That's enough ta make ya shiver, alright!!!
(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.")
The only thing better than an Ah-nold/McClintock ticket is an Angelides/McClintock one. Better the Socialist 'Rat who stays in his own party with McClintock playing the Mike Curb to Jerry Brown than this Austrian apostate abomination Welderizing the state while defecating on the party label. Hasta la vista, you misogynistic turd.
This one kind of says it all from the press release..
----
Ignoring party labels has been a hallmark of the Schwarzenegger administration.
----
Like the fact he ran as an R but has made no bones about it not being his job to grow the GOP in California should then be any surprise here.
Romney's problem is that he, as a Republican, cannot legally accomplish anything. As I said the other day, a Democrat janitor in the state house has more political power and authority than a Republican Governor. Whether or not the state has a GOP Governor is moot, the 'Rats can legislate WITHOUT his consent.
We can thank Slick Willie Weld for making that a reality.
He's tryin a Clintonesque "Triangulation" strategery!!!
That was Richard Rairdon's Army job too, triangulating as an Artillery Officer,, he did a lot of it and look where it got him.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men vote for RINOs.
(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.")
(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.")
Being a good administrator is one thing, but he's only a powerless figurehead. It's little wonder why he's looking to run for something else... but, President ? C'mon, now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.