Arnold Gives RINO the Boot (Maurice Johannessen Turncoat Squeals Upon Being Fired)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 11/20/03 | Carl Ingram

[goldstategop]

SACRAMENTO — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Maurice Johannessen, who as a state senator angered fellow Republicans by twice voting for Democrat Gov. Gray Davis' budgets, said Wednesday that he had been fired by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The governor appointed Leo Tuttle, a retired Air Force colonel and former deputy secretary of the veterans department in the Pete Wilson administration, as the interim head of the agency.

Johannessen charged that his removal Monday night was a payback by influential GOP senators because he broke ranks with them on the 2001 and 2002 budgets.

"I was told that I was the No. 1 target of a couple of senators in the Republican Caucus to get rid of," Johannessen said.

He asserted that veteran Republican Sens. Ross Johnson of Irvine and William "Pete" Knight of Palmdale used their influence with the new GOP administration to secure his dismissal.

Johannessen said he knew that it was traditional for appointees of a former governor to voluntarily step down when a new governor takes office. He said he was prepared to do so, but complained that his treatment was "very distasteful and schlocky."

[goldstategop]

RINO crybaby and turncoat Maurice Johannessen got the boot from Arnold. I've been waiting for this day. He got what he deserved for licking Gray Davis' boots and deserting the party. GO ARNOLD!!! The house cleaning is just getting under way in Sacramento...

[ambrose]

Cry me a friggin' river. Starbucks is hiring, RINO boy...

[goldstategop]

He can work for like Paul Horcher did, as a paid consultant to the Democrats. So what's his beef? Sheesh, this scumbag needs to go get a life!

[ambrose]

The squealin' like a pig is the worst part of it. Have at least a little bit of dignity, man. Look at the example set by Davis.

[Prime Choice]

"Sweeeeeeeet!"

[goldstategop]

I guess he figured Arnold was enough of a RINO to give him a pass so he could remain in his post. He figured wrong.

[JohnHuang2]

Bump!

[clee1]

I guess he wasn't very good at figuring.

[Simmy2.5]

Whoohoo! Days in California are getting brighter and brighter.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

The best so far is the sacking of DMV Director Steven "Nobody told us" Gourley. Within minutes of repealing the car tax Gourley was told not to show up for work the next day, Tuesday 18 Nov. Local talk show host Mark Williams received a call from Gourley Monday night claiming that DMV could take two months to get it done, after the new administration told them what to do. No one told us what the repeal means, said Gourley. He also said he'd been advised that he was fired.

With that kind of encouragement from Arnold the remaining DMV employees had the solution the next morning.

[UCANSEE2]

You know, we may end up keeping California, instead of giving it back to Mexico.

[daviddennis]

Don't be so harsh.

The teachers' unions hate him, because he fought them when he was Mayor of LA.

If Riordan can do any good, it's in education.

Personally, I think Arnold's a Republican in RINO's clothing. Protective coloration and all that.

D

[Rabid Dog]

OK - Arnold got his first brownie point from me! Hope he cans a whole bunch of other people.

[djreece]

Go Arnold! Standing ovation from this FReeper!

As a representative in my area, Maurice Johannessen and his knife-in-the-back sellout was personal.

Glad to see you got what you deserved, MoJo. Elephants have veerrrryyy long memories. I hope this message comes through loud and clear to any other potential turncoats.

[Incorrigible]

Hasta la vista baby!

[Poohbah]

No one told us what the repeal means, said Gourley.

This is why Arnold didn't want a Gourley-man at the DMV.

[ShandaLear]

This is interesting. A very liberal friend of mine works as head of Communications for Education down there. I wonder what will become of him.

[BibChr]

You have GOT to love this.

Makes me glad all over again for my vote.

Dan

[Southack]

"...received a call from Gourley Monday night claiming that DMV could take two months to get it done, after the new administration told them what to do. No one told us what the repeal means, said Gourley. He also said he'd been advised that he was fired. With that kind of encouragement from Arnold the remaining DMV employees had the solution the next morning."

Oh my, what's this?!

Do I hear the distinct sounds of...gasp...HOUSECLEANING?!