Posted on 09/27/2006 7:58:25 PM PDT by calcowgirl
SACRAMENTO -- The Terminator has rescued himself from political ruin by reinventing his approach to government, thus demonstrating in the most dramatic way possible the value of political independence.
Instead of the partisan assault on public employee unions and Democratic legislators (a.k.a. "girlie men") that marked his rhetoric in 2005, Schwarzenegger has negotiated agreements this year on a minimum-wage increase, higher school spending, curbing air pollution and a mega-bond sale designed to meet overdue highway, flood-control and school-construction needs.
Democratic leaders of the legislature, who a year ago were ready to cut Schwarzenegger's throat politically, now sing his praises and join him on the platform at bill-signing ceremonies, while the unions debate whether it is worthwhile to put money into the rival campaign of the struggling Democratic nominee, state Treasurer Phil Angelides.
He signaled the change by hiring as his new chief of staff Susan Kennedy, a lifelong Democrat who had served as executive director of the state party and a key aide to former governor Gray Davis, the man Schwarzenegger beat in the recall election of 2003. The other day, puffing a cigar in the smoking tent Schwarzenegger built in the courtyard of the smoke-free capitol, Kennedy talked about the new regime.
The governor still has very large goals, she said, citing the billions in construction bonds he has placed on the ballot in November. Those goals, she said, proved irresistible to the Democrats, "who salivate at the thought of spending $50 billion." But they also represent a political risk -- it will be a struggle to pass even one or two, polls show -- by a man "who is not afraid to fail, because he picks himself right up and goes back for more."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Sounds more like capitulation than "independence."
A GOP Governor finds the key... to becoming a Dimocrat!
I'll bet Maria gives him more than just a backrub when stories like this come out in the Washington ComPost!
Are either of you happy with all these moves?...and dodged twice.
It seems to me that a truly courageous man would run as an actual Independent, rather than as an Independent camouflaged as a Republican.
If we're to take Broder at his word, he's endorsing running under whatever party banner will get you elected, and then switch to whatever you really feel like inside afterwards.
-PJ
Arnold has governed to the left of Gray Davis (D). He not only signed legislation that Davis vetoed, but promoted it. He pushed unconstitutional borrowing that Davis had attempted (which was being blocked by Republicans) and has proposed and approved larger increases in spending than Davis. Our current deficit spending is the highest in history, greater than Davis. He has increased fees (instead of taxes) and raided local government funding requiring local tax increases. And now we have him joining in legislation that has been opposed by 100% of the Republican legislators--get that? 100%! The media and the left love this--they call it "bipartisan". The author calls it "independence." If the man wanted to govern as a democrat (D) or independent (I), he should have ran as one, not as a Republican.
You may call all this "pragmatic", I call it big-government borrow-and-spend liberalism.
I just want to know who we should vote for, I'm not interested in even reading the article much less getting dragged into a long discussion, or even an argument, that I am not in the mood for.
Sorry, can't help you there. That's an individual decision. As to me, I won't be voting for Angelides and I'll be voting for Mountjoy, McClintock, Poochigian, and the rest of the downticket candidates. As to the top of the ballot--I haven't decided.
I'm not interested in even reading the article much less getting dragged into a long discussion, or even an argument, that I am not in the mood for.
Shucks... and here I thought you were interested in discussing the article. Didn't you say:
it would be nice to hear your opinion on the articles you consider important enough to post.
Maybe. The bill signings he completes over the next several days will be key, including the financial aid for illegals.
That's a deal breaker.
Lies...calling Arnold a "GOP governor" is really stretching it.
He still has 600+ bills on his desk. Lots of veto bait:
• Drivers Licenses for Illegal Aliens (SB 1162)
• Student financial aid for Illegal Aliens (SB 160)
• Public Benefits for Illegal Aliens (SB 1534)
• Bilingual Education (SB 1769)
• Popular Vote - Electoral College Compact (AB 2948)
• California Discount Prescription Drug Program (AB 2911)
• Homosexual Agenda (AB 606, AB 1207, SB 1827, AB 1056, AB 2800, AB 1160, AB 2051, AB 2920.)
The key he has found is that to get re-elected in a moonbat state he better act more like the moonbats.
"Arnold greased up and bent over for the Dems."
Yep, sometimes. But still far preferred to the extreme Angelides. I hope Arnold will go more to the right after the election. He is running his admin like his career. Winning is clearly what matters most to him.
By reinventing they mean arnold has essentially become a democrat. I can't think of a republican thing he's done lately.
Not completely happy but...
As the only major Republican elected in this Democratic capitol, he stands as the barrier to higher taxes and more stringent regulation of business.
I'm waiting in fear and trembling to see if he signs any of the illegal alien bills.
If he does, I have nowhere to go (except to the Constitution Party).
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
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