Free Republic

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger compares his governing style to hitting the "sweet spot" on a golf ball that sends it soaring through the air: negotiating contentious issues until he strikes the exact compromise that brings opposing groups together. But past the midway point in his tenure, Schwarzenegger's penchant for shifting ground has left him with a record of self-contradiction and a reputation among California's polarized constituencies as a leader whose bold pronouncements may quickly be forgotten.

LOS ANGELES - Republican John McCain on Wednesday called anew for the United States to work more collegially with democratic allies and live up to its duties as a world leader, drawing a sharp contrast to the past eight years under President Bush. "Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed," the likely presidential nominee said in a speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. "We need to listen to the views and respect the collective will of...

Americans and Europeans share a common goal – to build an enduring peace based on free­dom. Our democracies today are strong and vibrant. Together we can tackle the diverse challenges we face, whether radical religious fanatics who use terror as their weapon of choice, the disturbing turn towards autocracy in Russia or the looming threats of climate change and the degradation of our planet. But the key word is “together”. We need to renew and revitalise our democratic solidarity. We need to strengthen our transatlantic alliance as the core of a new global compact – a League of Democracies –...

MIAMI (FBW) – Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush could barely contain his amusement at the Democrat Party’s Florida and Michigan delegate dilemma in its tightly contested presidential race, saying it’s “ironic beyond belief” that the party which accused him and other Republicans of suppressing the vote in the 2000 Florida presidential election re-count now “got themselves in a hole” of “their own doing.” “My thoughts are filled with irony that every vote should count,” Bush said with a broad smile. “I mean this brings back memories of hyperbole and anger, mock anger …. It was a political circus for several...

WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain suggested Friday that the trans-Atlantic alliance join with democracies around the world to forge “a New Global Order of peace” that would last throughout the 21st century. The Republican candidate for the U.S. presidency said the process should begin at the alliance's April summit meeting in Bucharest, Romania. Stepping up the NATO commitment to Afghanistan is one priority, he said, but that must lead to greater change around the world. McCain expressed his views in a statement distributed by his campaign on the occasion of the 44th annual Munich Conference on Security Policy in Germany....

"Mom and Dad" as well as "husband and wife" have been banned from California schools under a bill signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who with his signature also ordered public schools to allow boys to use girls restrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa, if they choose. "We are shocked and appalled that the governor has blatantly attacked traditional family values in California," said Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute. "With this decision, Gov. Schwarzenegger has told parents that their values are irrelevant. Many parents will have no choice but to pull their children out of the public...

LOS ANGELES - California Republicans are headed for a showdown over the direction of the party that could highlight national schisms over gay rights, gun control and abortion. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants the state GOP platform — the party's statement of core values — boiled down to as little as a single page focusing on lowering taxes, limiting the size of government and building a strong national defense. A centrist, the actor-governor describes himself as a "post-partisan" who wants to bridge the political divide that often leaves the state capital of Sacramento gridlocked. But some conservatives see his move as...

Schwarzenegger keeps high opinion of Mayor Bloomberg despite party switch BLOOMBERG'S MOVE SURPRISES SCHWARZENEGGERBy Michael R. Blood Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday predicted New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg would be "an excellent" presidential candidate. He stuck by the statement even after learning a few hours later that the mayor had withdrawn from the Republican Party. "The governor was surprised to learn of the mayor's decision," said Schwarzenegger spokesman Adam Mendelsohn. "He looks forward to continuing their strong working relationship. The governor has always said it doesn't matter what party you are a member...

ARE Californians taxed too much, or not enough? Taxes are the central question of how to fund Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's massive $12 billion expansion of government-run health care with its 4 percent payroll tax, 4 percent hospital tax and 2 percent doctor tax. Ironically, Schwarzenegger lambasted Phil Angelides during last year's gubernatorial campaign for wanting to raise taxes by $7 billion to create a new government health care entitlement. Angelides argued mightily that his proposal amounted to fees, not taxes. But the governor called Angelides' "fee" a "tax," so a "tax" it was. Now that Schwarzenegger is proposing a government...

Yesterday Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a number of changes in key senior positions in his administrations. A number of them represent great moves, and a few of them are, frankly very disturbing. Let's start with the great news! First and foremost, the Governor's elevation of conservative Dan Dunmoyer to the position of Cabinet Secretary is outstanding news for all of us. Dan is capable, smart and effective. In this key position which acts as a liaison and coordinator between the Governor and all of the Agency heads will be in good hands. Undoubtedly this will be a big relief for former...

What happens in Washington, D.C., can affect state and local elections. That's what happened on Election Day, when Republican voters stayed home in droves, discouraged from turning out to vote by media reports that the Congress was going Democrat, said Stephen Kinney, a partner with Public Opinion Strategy, a Republican polling company. "The Republicans stayed home because the election was nationalized," Kinney told a breakfast meeting of the San Gabriel Valley chapter of the Los Angles County Lincoln Clubs on Friday. Kinney said many statewide Republicans - from lieutenant governor candidate Tom McClintock to Secretary of State Bruce McPherson -...

Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, drawing on his beliefs about fitness and personal responsibility, will make breaking the poor health habits of Californians a component of his much-anticipated health care agenda. From too much junk food and too little exercise to missed doctor visits, Schwarzenegger wants to get serious about shaping up California. Although debate continues internally about how the administration would encourage participation, officials said Friday that Schwarzenegger wants his health care agenda to address not just cost and coverage issues but also disease prevention. "The governor has always been a firm believer that at the core of solving...