Republicans Get Behind Schwarzenegger in Calif. Race(Dave Cox endorses Arnold)

Reuters ^ | Sept. 29, 2003 | Adam Tanner

[FairOpinion]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Republicans rallied behind gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday as his leading Democratic rival's chances appeared to be rapidly fading along with hopes that incumbent California Gov. Gray Davis can avoid being recalled from office.

The Austrian-born actor picked up an endorsement from state Assembly Republican leader Dave Cox and the California Republican party's executive board said it would make an unprecedented endorsement of a candidate in the governor's race later in the day -- with that person widely expected to be Schwarzenegger.

The executive board has previously avoided endorsing a candidate because two prominent Republicans are vying against each other -- Schwarzenegger and State Sen. Tom McClintock.

Democrats have a strong majority in California and hold all major statewide offices. Yet latest polls suggest voters will oust Democrat Davis on Oct. 7, and give Schwarzenegger victory over Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the only major Democrat replacement candidate on the ballot.

In endorsing Schwarzenegger, Cox said; "He is the only candidate for governor who can defeat the Davis-Bustamante machine, which having riddled our state with wasteful spending and imperialistically exiled hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to other states, must be defeated."

Experts say Bustamante stumbled badly by accepting millions of dollars of contributions from Indian gaming interests into an old campaign fund not subject to present limits. A court last week ruled the move a violation of campaign finance laws.

"It was a big mistake for Bustamante, or more accurately, for Richie Ross, to do that Indian money shift," said Dan Walters, a veteran political columnist and co-author of an upcoming book on money and power in Sacramento.

Ross is Bustamante's chief political consultant who is also a lobbyist for Indian tribes with casinos.

"Not only did it come across as being sneaky per se, but he lost the court decision, he fumbled around on explaining it, and it killed him," Walters said.

AIMING FOR SCHWARZENEGGER

The Oct. 7 ballot asks voters whether they want to recall a governor -- Davis -- for the first time in state history. Should the recall succeed, a second question lists 135 replacement candidates, of whom Bustamante and Schwarzenegger are the most prominent.

Davis, unpopular for his handling of state finances and his reserved personal style, is taking increasingly bitter aim at the Austrian-born star of the "Terminator" films.

"If Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to hide behind slick ads and staged forums to launch false attacks against the governor, we're going to let Californian know that he's unwilling to discuss these issues face to face with the governor, " said Larry Grisolano, Davis's campaign manager.

Recent polls show a majority of voters do want to unseat Davis. A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll released Sunday found 63 percent of 787 registered voters want to recall Davis. The same poll found 40 percent backing Schwarzenegger, with Bustamante at 25 percent.

"Davis feels increasingly imperiled and the 20 or 25 percent of the Democratic voters who are ready to vote for the recall, he's got to get them off of that somehow if he is going to have any chance at all," Walters said. "The only traction he can make is on Schwarzenegger, because he is the commanding figure on the other side of the ballot."

Bustamante spokesman Luis Vizcaino said their internal polls also showed Davis losing the recall but also show the lieutenant governor with a one point edge over Schwarzenegger.

"Our polls show that we are still in this race," he said. "He's been attacked by his opponents and by the Republicans for weeks now but he (Bustamante) is still in the lead in internal polls."

[FairOpinion]

In endorsing Schwarzenegger, Cox said; "He is the only candidate for governor who can defeat the Davis-Bustamante machine, which having riddled our state with wasteful spending and imperialistically exiled hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to other states, must be defeated."

[FairOpinion]

ping

[ambrose]

This is starting to look like Argentina and Bolivia declaring war on Germany in April of 1945...

[DoughtyOne]

I have a good idea. This is a perfect time for Tom to challenge a person to a debate, that he has been mathimaticly eliminated from replacing. That will help focus people on the only person who can beat Davis/Butamante. (NOT!)

[EggsAckley]

Such good news, FairOpinion, deserves even BIGGER fonts:

In endorsing Schwarzenegger, Cox said; "He is the only candidate for governor who can defeat the Davis-Bustamante machine, which having riddled our state with wasteful spending and imperialistically exiled hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to other states, must be defeated."

[ElkGroveDan]

[My2Cents]

All of these conservative Republican lawmakers endorsing Arnold...I guess they didn't get the memo that Arnold "isn't a conservative."

[ServesURight]

In endorsing Schwarzenegger, Cox said; "He is the only candidate for governor who will continue to run California into the ground by fracturing the CA GOP once and for all with his stupid environmental proposals, gay marriage, abortion, no specifics on tax policy can defeat the Davis-Bustamante machine, which having riddled our state with wasteful spending and imperialistically exiled jobs will still leave under (R)nold, immigration will continue he'll be voted out of Sacramento in 2006 anyway by the Rats in the legislature hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to other states, must be defeated."

[BonnieJ]

That photo offends me. Ronald Reagan can't speak for himself now. How dare you try to speak for the great man. Please quit running it, that one goes too far.

[DoctorZIn]

Join Us…Your One Thread To All The California Recall News Threads!

Want on our daily or major news ping lists? Freepmail DoctorZin

[EggsAckley]

ServesURight = Soreloserman

[FairOpinion]

More on what Cox actually said:

====
Republican Leader Dave Cox: Yes on Arnold Schwarzenegger, Yes on the Recall


SACRAMENTO - Assembly Republican Leader Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) today announced that he has endorsed Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor in the Recall Election on November 7th. Following is Cox's statement:

"Now more than ever, California needs a true leader as Governor who will make tough decisions and restore our golden state to its historic glory. I am convinced that Arnold Schwarzenegger is that leader. In fact, he is the only candidate for Governor who can defeat the Davis-Bustamante machine, which having riddled our state with wasteful spending and imperialistically exiled hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to other states must be defeated.

"California has been under siege for the last five years because of two uncontrolled forces: an extremist Legislature that has all but bankrupted our finances with their special interest pandering, and an ineffective Governor who has repeatedly failed to lead. The fact that more than two million Californians signed a petition qualifying the recall has substantially alleviated any preliminary concerns I may have had that this would become a partisan issue.

"To those who have reservations about supporting the Recall I ask one question: are you better off now than you were five years ago? State spending has increased 37%: are you seeing the benefits? Has Governor Davis created 37% more jobs? Are your schools 37% better? Are your neighborhoods 37% safer from crime? The answers, of course, are no. Gray Davis promised us he was the most experienced governor when he assumed office. Instead, he has politicized the office of Governor by making it available to the highest bidder. He failed to respond to the energy crisis despite repeated requests from the Legislature, and when he finally acted he panicked, and committed us to paying higher prices for energy than we should be. He tried to downplay the severity of the budget crisis for two years, claiming the problem was not as dire as the non-partisan Legislative Analyst and numerous economists insisted.

"In the final analysis, the stakes in next week's election are critical. Governor Davis' incompetence combined with an extremist, liberal-controlled Legislature will only further decimate California if left unchecked. I urge all Californians to support the Recall on November 7th, and I strongly urge a vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor."

http://www.joinarnold.com/en/press/pressdetail.php?id=182

[FairOpinion]

Wait until you read the rest of what Cox said!

---

Republican Leader Dave Cox: Yes on Arnold Schwarzenegger, Yes on the Recall


SACRAMENTO - Assembly Republican Leader Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) today announced that he has endorsed Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor in the Recall Election on November 7th. Following is Cox's statement:

"Now more than ever, California needs a true leader as Governor who will make tough decisions and restore our golden state to its historic glory. I am convinced that Arnold Schwarzenegger is that leader. In fact, he is the only candidate for Governor who can defeat the Davis-Bustamante machine, which having riddled our state with wasteful spending and imperialistically exiled hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to other states must be defeated.

"California has been under siege for the last five years because of two uncontrolled forces: an extremist Legislature that has all but bankrupted our finances with their special interest pandering, and an ineffective Governor who has repeatedly failed to lead. The fact that more than two million Californians signed a petition qualifying the recall has substantially alleviated any preliminary concerns I may have had that this would become a partisan issue.

"To those who have reservations about supporting the Recall I ask one question: are you better off now than you were five years ago? State spending has increased 37%: are you seeing the benefits? Has Governor Davis created 37% more jobs? Are your schools 37% better? Are your neighborhoods 37% safer from crime? The answers, of course, are no. Gray Davis promised us he was the most experienced governor when he assumed office. Instead, he has politicized the office of Governor by making it available to the highest bidder. He failed to respond to the energy crisis despite repeated requests from the Legislature, and when he finally acted he panicked, and committed us to paying higher prices for energy than we should be. He tried to downplay the severity of the budget crisis for two years, claiming the problem was not as dire as the non-partisan Legislative Analyst and numerous economists insisted.

"In the final analysis, the stakes in next week's election are critical. Governor Davis' incompetence combined with an extremist, liberal-controlled Legislature will only further decimate California if left unchecked. I urge all Californians to support the Recall on November 7th, and I strongly urge a vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor."

http://www.joinarnold.com/en/press/pressdetail.php?id=182

[FairOpinion]

Arnold Schwarzenegger Statement on Unanimous Endorsement by California Republican Party Board


Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement today after receiving the unanimous endorsement of the California Republican Party’s Board of Directors:

“I’m extremely honored and grateful to have the endorsement of the California Republican Party’s board of directors. At our party’s convention two weeks ago, I asked Republicans to unite for victory. Today’s unprecedented endorsement by the party’s board is a major step toward achieving this unity.

“As we enter the final week of this campaign, Californians are seeing that there is a clear choice in this recall election. We are continuing our campaign with a positive vision for the future, while a desperate Gray Davis continues to practice his predictable brand of negative, destructive politics.

“Our campaign is moving forward, building momentum and gaining support. And if we stay focused and united, we will recall Gray Davis and bring change to Sacramento.”

http://www.joinarnold.com/en/press/pressdetail.php?id=187

[FairOpinion]

[ambrose]

I urge all Californians to support the Recall on November 7th, and I strongly urge a vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor."

I agree... all Freepers should vote for Arnold on November 7th.

[ElkGroveDan]

This will help you understand....

[ElkGroveDan]

By the way your promoting of a Liberal Kennedy sex-pervert as a Republican here on FR really offends me. Abe Lincoln is not here to defend the party. Please stop posting pro-Schwarzenegger arguments.

[FairOpinion]

OOps! Looks like Cox misspoke, obviously everyone knows the recall is on Oct. 7th.

That little misspeak doesn't invalidate his message, which is pretty clear.

[FairOpinion]

Well, I didn't want to keep posting this, but since you insist on posting your stuff, here is a reminder for everyone.

A vote for McClintock is STILL a vote for Bustamante.