Dems downplay Arnold's role on bonds

Alameda Times-Star ^ | 10/21/2006 | Josh Richman

[calcowgirl]

SAN FRANCISCO — Five months ago, state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata had called November's infrastructure bond package "a textbook example of bipartisan cooperation."

Perata, D-Oakland, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that day on the Oakland International Airport tarmac. Perata said lawmakers "weren't sent to Sacramento to be stalking horses for anybody running for office," and Nunez said, "Don't underestimate the role that the governor played."

But the governor's name barely was mentioned Friday as prominent Democrats, union members and others rallied for the bond package at Pier 30, just south of the Bay Bridge.

"People like Phil Angelides ... have really written the script and people like me are just reading the lines," Perata said Friday. "Phil Angelides has been doing this a long time — not talking about it, but doing it."

Angelides, the state treasurer and Democratic gubernatorial nominee, said he's proud to be with fellow Democrats "speaking with one voice" in support of an investment vital to California "regardless of party."

"These bond measures represent the best of who we can be," he said, harking back to the 1960s' wave of infrastructure investments. "We were smart in the way we used our wealth."

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, although noting the event was meant to be largely nonpartisan, clearly was referring to Schwarzenegger when he warned of the election-year tactic of "co-opting initiatives," and noted Angelides and Perata have advocated infrastructure investment for many years.

And Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, minced words least: "This is a Democratic package of bonds," he said, and Republicans and independents should join in supporting it in the best interest of the state.

Schwarzenegger campaign spokeswoman Amanda Fulkerson later Friday replied that the governor "successfully worked with the Legislature to place this historic bond package on the November ballot. Gov. Schwarzenegger is committed to campaigning with leaders from both parties to make sure Californians understand the importance of voting to improve our schools, roads and levees."

Proposition 1A prevents gas taxes from being diverted from transportation projects. Proposition 1B is a $20 billion transportation infrastructure bond meant to relieve highway congestion, improve public transit and reduce air pollution. Proposition 1C is a $3 billion affordable-housing bond. Proposition 1D is a $10 billion school construction and renovation bond. Proposition 1E is a $4 billion levee and flood-control bond.

Also speaking in the package's favor Friday were U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the Democratic nominee for state Insurance Commissioner; and state Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch.

Angelides afterward told reporters he has "every faith and confidence I'll be the next governor of California" despite polls that show him trailing: "This race is changing very quickly."

He also discounted Schwarzenegger's recent endorsements by most of the state's major newspapers: "Those are all corporate editorial boards. I care about voters. ... I'm going to win this thing."

And Angelides sidestepped a question about attacks he made this week on Schwarzenegger's appearance and character — that the governor's hair looked as if it was "dipped in Tang" and that the governor allegedly once voiced support for South African apartheid.

"The issue is, the governor has shown he doesn't have the values and character to lead California," he said Friday, citing the governor's broken promises on education funding and other policy issues. "He's broken every single promise he's made ... You can't trust his word."

[Dog Gone]

Angelides is toast. Get out the jelly.

[Amerigomag]

Let's see. About 4 hours later and one reply.

Can we conclude that Freepers don't generally care how the Austrian's Democrat handlers either employ or minimize his considerable contributions to their cause?

[calcowgirl]

don't generally care

Or don't want to acknowledge it. It certainly doesn't fit the "fiscal conservative" image that many still try to sell.