CA: Governor may be selling an illusion of unity

LA Times ^ | 3/11/07 | Peter Nicholas

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has plunged into the debate over the nation's future with his call for a new, "post-partisan" governing style aimed at ending political gridlock.

But the Republican governor, who intends to take his message to Iowa, New Hampshire and other critical states as the presidential campaign proceeds, is selling something that may be illusory.

Schwarzenegger used raw political muscle to forge the big legislative victories of his first term, allying with the Democrats, who dominate California's Capitol. Along the way, Republicans felt quashed.

Post-partisanship, said a rueful state Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) "is the process by which Arnold sits down with Democratic leaders and gets them to do exactly what they wanted to do all along."

Schwarzenegger repeatedly cites three achievements on his watch: a multibillion-dollar public works project, a plan for cutting prescription drug prices and a program to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

"We did this working together," he said in a speech last month to the National Press Club in Washington.

What he doesn't say is that Republican opposition was nearly unanimous on the prescription drug and environmental bills. Democrats didn't need GOP votes for either and passed both without them.

On the public works plan, lawmakers reached a deal only when Schwarzenegger withdrew from negotiations that had collapsed. And the final borrowing package was about half the size the governor had wanted.

"A lot of the large goals accomplished last year didn't feel bipartisan to us," said Michael Villines (R-Clovis), leader of the Assembly's Republicans. "It just felt like we got steamrolled."

--snip--

"I will travel around the country with our message: working together and being inclusive; serving the people and not party or ideology," Schwarzenegger told reporters in Washington.

[NormsRevenge]

Post-partisanship, said a rueful state Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) "is the process by which Arnold sits down with Democratic leaders and gets them to do exactly what they wanted to do all along."

Schwarzenegger repeatedly cites three achievements on his watch: a multibillion-dollar public works project, a plan for cutting prescription drug prices and a program to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

[NormsRevenge]

The article by line

ANALYSIS: Schwarzenegger touts his 'post-partisan' style, but GOP critics say there's no magic: He just joined the other side.

--


arms the Progressive Pom Pom Intrusion Detection System..


awaits the TWirPs rebuttal...

[dr_who_2]

Indeed. That was Vidkun Quisling's job description when he served as governor of Norway when it was part of, um, "Greater Germania".

[Cicero]

But the Republican governor, who intends to take his message to Iowa, New Hampshire and other critical states as the presidential campaign proceeds, is selling something that may be illusory.

What the hell is this about? This S.O.B. has done NOTHING since the 2004 convention to help the national Republican Party. Is he hoping to get a constitutional amendment passed allow him to run for president?

The writer of this story put up this teaser near the head of the article, but there is no other explanation why Arnold should be traveling the primary circuit. To what end?

[NormsRevenge]

He's working for Third Way candidates,some who are still in the closet, and a Progressive / Social Democrat agenda.


He and his cohorts on the global stage are nothing more than socialists in different party costumes.. You see them out there at the forefront of the Climate Change and Gloabal Warming crowd..

They are working overtime to create a corporately controlled socialist government ( a business&gubamint hybrid if you will) and also stand to make a lot of dough while they try and pull it off.

jmo

[ElkGroveDan]

arms the Progressive Pom Pom Intrusion Detection System..

We love Arnold
He's our man
Surrender, surrender
Yes we can!
We are the Fifth Column
Go team go!

</FairOpinion >

[NormsRevenge]

'3PIDS' is activated. :-)

[sheana]

Arnold is a Democrat with an R by his name. Post-partisanship.....hahahahahahahaha

[claudiustg]

---What the hell is this about? ---

In Arnold's own eyes, he is of course a big success, a mover and shaker. There is no stage big enough for him. He wants a national stage, an international stage! He's using the Party that he's burying in California, the Party to which he is an absolute traitor, to promote his ambitions. Look at his recent pronouncements on foreign policy. What did he call California, a nation-state?

He is a narcissist and demagogue. He is no friend of the Republican Party.

[lowbridge]

bump

[SierraWasp]

"He is no friend of the Republican Party."

And... Truth be told, he is no friend to CA's rural or mountain counties!!! Gray Davis was better at leaving us alone!!!

[Carry_Okie]

Post-partisanship, said a rueful state Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) "is the process by which Arnold sits down with Democratic leaders and gets them to do exactly what they wanted to do all along."

I dare say Tom is growing a sense of humor!

At this rate, he's soon going to be as PO'd as me. :-)

[calcowgirl]

UNITY!!! Kaleefornia and then THE WORLD!