Posted on 03/15/2005 8:38:04 AM PST by NormsRevenge
President Bush's point man in California, Rancho Santa Fe investor Gerald Parsky, yesterday shot down his own trial balloon that he might run for governor next year if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't.
"I have no intention to run for any public office, even if Schwarzenegger doesn't run for re-election," Parsky, chairman of the University of California Board of Regents, said in an interview yesterday.
Last week, California Republican Party activist Dora Kingley made a scouting trip to Washington to talk up a Parsky candidacy as a fallback position. Schwarzenegger, who was elected governor in the 2003 recall election of Democrat Gray Davis, says he has not decided whether to run for a full term in 2006.
On Friday, Kingsley, who opposed the party's recent endorsement of Schwarzenegger's re-election, issued a statement to The Sacramento Bee in which Parsky suggested he was open to a candidacy.
"Should either President Bush or Governor Schwarzenegger again call on me to consider additional public service in another capacity, I would seriously consider the honor," Parsky said in the statement.
Parsky has been a polarizing figure among California Republican insiders ever since he commandeered the financial reins of the state party at the behest of the Bush White House.
"The only significant success the Republican Party has had during the time he's been in the political picture was the recall, which he opposed," said former state Republican Chairman Mike Schroeder. "I'm sure he'll bring the same magic to his gubernatorial race that he brought to the Republican Party."
Schroeder has been a Parsky critic for years. But even the current state party officialdom, normally publicly deferential to prospective Republican candidates, was openly critical of the Parsky overture.
"Governor Schwarzenegger campaigned for President Bush in Ohio, helped him win that state and was an integral part of the Bush re-election and all Gerry Parsky can do is ask himself what's in it for me, rather than helping the governor push through a reform agenda that would benefit California," said Karen Hanretty, communications director for the California Republican Party.
Two weeks ago, Parsky testified against Schwarzenegger's plan to convert California's public pension systems into a 401(k)-style system, saying it would undermine the University of California's ability to attract top-notch professors.
"The only significant success the Republican Party has had during the time he's been in the political picture was the recall, which he opposed," said former state Republican Chairman Mike Schroeder. "I'm sure he'll bring the same magic to his gubernatorial race that he brought to the Republican Party."
Morning folks..
Some good news.. :)
CA: UC official decides not to make run for governor (Gerald Parsky) ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1363245/posts
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaaaa!
Good riddance
Wow. That was quick.
Well, if ya want the straight poop on a potential candidate, where else but FR to launch a trial balloon and get quick feedback? ;-)
The Bush White House must be sorely disappointed.
But just watch and see. I think 2010 has been Parsky's goal all along.
and the other old thread...
President Bush's Campaign Chief Explores Run For Governor (March 12, 2005)
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We have WAY more influence here than one could imagine, IMHO!!! (and thank God for Mr. Robinson's fantastic forum!)
too quick -- I didn't even have time to whip my friends into a frenzy -- reminiscing about past encounters with Dora.
>>too quick --
I know! VAgirliegirl promised to tell me why Parsky would be a great candidate and where he stood on all the issues. I was looking forward to it. Now I think she might be out of work!
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