LA Times: Tensions on Governor's Staff

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-arnold4dec04,1,4057612.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Tensions have begun to emerge between two camps within the administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, threatening to complicate his efforts to win over state lawmakers who are considering his controversial budget recovery plan.

An especially revealing episode occurred in recent days when an aide's routine effort to build support for the governor's financial package grew into something else: an aggressive series of statewide campaign rallies that appeared to target wavering lawmakers.

Schwarzenegger's legislative secretary, Richard Costigan, had drawn up a list of Democratic lawmakers whose backing could decide the fate of the governor's plan. The idea was for Schwarzenegger to court these legislators in hopes of getting the votes to put his spending cap and bond measure of up to $15 billion on the March ballot. Schwarzenegger is pressing the Legislature to act by Friday.

Two people who have spoken to Costigan about the matter said they were told the governor's political team had used the list to arrange rallies that stoked fears of Schwarzenegger's wielding his celebrity to intimidate legislators into voting for his plan.

Reposted cause I forgot the link first time - before my morning coffee.

[theivoryqueen]

1. I can't tell from reading the papers

but is there any sense in Cali that the gube will implement good policies? Anybody of the opinion that any good can come of this admin?

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. No, it's the usual Borrow and Spend Cheap Labor Republican stuff

And Arnold is going to drop the $9 billion lawsuit in favor of issuing bonds and putting the state even more in debt. Cutbacks in essential services all over the place, except on luxury vehicles, and all the usual Republican trappings.

FUCK BUSH Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[LeftCoast]

2. Last night I was shocked to see a political advertisement AGAINST

the bond measure. Basically the ad stated that Ahnuld was mortgaging our childrens future with his irresponsible bond. I'm so glad early opposition to this scheme is already developing!!!

[Tempest]

6. You can thank Democrat state Treasurer Phil Angelides

He's spearheading and funding the ads.

[LeftCoast]

7. Yes! I'd forgotten who was spearheading that ad! Thanks!

Looks like the opening salvo of the next election. I wonder if that will be a recall or a standard election?

[Shakespeare]

8. Phil Angelides is an outstanding man and public servant.

And a rising star in our party. He's already known in Washington as a person of intelligence and character (which makes him an endangered species).

If we're very, very lucky, he'll run for higher office. I wished like crazy he'd run against the gubernator instead of Bustamante.

[chaumont58]

4. Buyer's remorse

Not mine, I didn't vote for this son of a bitch, but I know otherwise halfway intelligent people who did.
I think the situation in California is going to get worse. I look on Swarzengroper as the enabler for the third Wilson term. I also hold in my heart genuine hatred for the god damn Kennedys that came out here and campaigned for this piece of shit. Maria may have had to do so as his wife, but Eunice didn't have to, and neither did Sargent Shriver. I hope they rot in hell.

[joefree1]

5. How soon will we see the Gropenator grimace

This guy waltzed in to office because a lot of California's were star struck. Funny how quickly stars fade.

"It's not over 'till Arnold gropes the fat lady" —Bill Press, on MSNBC

http://www.recallarnoldwatch.org