How state Democrats regained the driver's seat (California)

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sun, Jul. 31, 2005

How state Democrats regained the driver's seat

By Andrew LaMar
TIMES SACRAMENTO BUREAU

SACRAMENTO - They began the year in turmoil and disarray. But seven months later, Democrats have risen to the challenge thrown down by California's celebrity Republican governor, who has sought to undercut their biggest supporters -- teachers and public employee unions.
(snip)

Schwarzenegger remains the focus of this political reversal of fortune, but his undoing has been aided greatly by two longtime East Bay politicians: Bill Lockyer and Don Perata.

Lockyer, the attorney general, has undermined the governor's "Year of Reform" measures by highlighting their potentially unpopular impacts in titles and summaries his office is required to provide. Recently, he won a court challenge bouncing the governor's redistricting measure from the ballot altogether.
(snip)

Perata, the leader of the state Senate, engineered a stunning tack by Democrats. He convinced them to jettison a call for higher taxes in order to pass the state budget quickly. By doing so, Schwarzenegger was deprived of one of his best rhetorical hammers -- to blame obstructionist Democrats for a stalled budget, which might have rallied support for his ballot measure to limit spending and grant him greater authority.
(snip/...)

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/special_packages/governor_schwarzenegger/12269367.htm
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[vickie]

1. As a Southern Californian the political woes of the knuckle-

dragging Gropenator and his shrill shrew of a wife make my heart sing. Way to go California Dems!

[goclark]

2. Yes! Yes! Yes!

I would work day and night for a recall of his sorry ass.

And Maria the enabler needs to be kicked out of her CO Governor position as well.

She and FRAUD got him there.

So many want to feel sorry for her. I don't!

Even though I adore Oprah, she kissed ass to Maria and Arnold and that got him votes he did not deserve.

Oprah, of all people, should understand that Maria is a mentally battered woman. He has insulted their children and their marriage by his deeds with woman.
The LA Times had him nailed and the big Republican money and Maria and Oprah saved him and put him in OFFICE.

I loved seeing him Booed at the Mayors Swearing In! He truly deserved to be embarrassed and so did she!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. do you suggeest that she and Wacko see the same facial surgeon?

Gropenater is at what, 30% support? And this is the guuy that neoconmen wanted to run for president with a constitional change?

You realize that what happens at the coasts, eventually makes its way to the hearlands. That means the Bush's numbers will tank eventually. As people realize how harmful their policies really are, they will start to rise up and be counted. Until then, it is going to get ugly.

[xxqqqzme]

4. no, I suggested they share the same

facial re-construction surgeon. Look at their faces, they now share the same jaw-line. Shrill wife indeed. Her emergency preparedness commercials on AAR really shriek at you.

With all the propositions that have been knocked off the ballot, the 'special election' is now completely exposed for the waste of tax payer money it is. There is NOTHING on the ballot that cannot wait until June, '06. Of course there never was anything on the ballot that was in dire need of passing Xcept 2 ram re-districting down our throats B4 the 1/1/06 implementation of voter verified paper ballots.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. lucky for her that she only had one nose job

onlike wacko with his 6-8.

Hey, I just thought of something.
She cannot help it. Her family has money, yes. They have had more than their share of successes, and certainly more than their share of tragedy.
Are her looks really fair game? Is that going too far, even though she married the gropenater?

[Journeyman]

5. And this is why amateurs should not delve in politics. . .

Schwarzenegger's matinee idol appeal and mindless bluster has proved insufficient in a contest with seasoned politicians. In politics, its all about how you play the game.

[Eric J in MN]

6. It would be so cool if New York and California get Dem. governors in 2006.

nt