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California: Attorney General Lockyer calls women 'cranky'
Los Angeles Daily News ^ | January 17, 2004 | Harrison Sheppard

Posted on 01/18/2004 11:04:56 AM PST by John Jorsett

Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the only top Democrat to admit he voted for Arnold Schwarzenegger in the recall election, felt the wrath of party members this weekend at its state convention -- and it just might dim his hopes of becoming California's next governor.

Lockyer, once seen as a top prospect for 2006, was booed at more than one appearance at the convention because of his admission he voted for a Republican and his dismissal of the groping charges against Schwarzenegger as simple "frat-boy" antics.

He particularly angered the women's caucus Friday night when, after getting a hostile reaction from some in the crowd, he referred to them as "cranky" -- a term seen as sexist.

"That absolutely set off a mob anger," said Roberta Lewis, a member of the state party's executive board from Woodland Hills. "Women see that word as derogatory. It's not a word that you would use to a men's group. You use that to a baby -- a child is cranky."

She and some other grass-roots activists -- both men and women -- interviewed at the convention said they previously had a good impression of Lockyer but after hearing he voted for Schwarzenegger are far less likely to support him if he runs for governor in 2006.

Although no Democrats have officially declared their candidacies for governor, Lockyer was the most obvious of those positioning themselves for a run, by distributing for the first time memorabilia at the convention that read "Lockyer for governor of California."

Other Democrats eyeing that race include Treasurer Phil Angelides, Controller Steve Westly and Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi. All of them maintained a relatively high profile during the convention, with activities that included parties and speeches to the convention floor, booths and memorabilia promoting unspecified 2006 campaigns.

Lockyer's comment came as he was addressing about 400 people in the women's caucus, the party's largest. He had requested to speak to them last week after receiving a letter from caucus chair Lyn Hilfenhaus expressing "extreme displeasure" with his comments defending Schwarzenegger's alleged groping and harassing of women.

When he spoke to the caucus, he tried to explain the comments and his vote for Schwarzenegger, but the response from some of the women present grew more hostile.

"There were a few jeers, a few boos, some grumblings and he said something to the effect of 'You have a right to be cranky,"' Hilfenhaus said. "It was a rather insulting term."

Many women, she said, saw the comment as a reference to premenstrual syndrome.

At that point, several members of the audience stood up and turned their backs to him, even as he continued speaking.

She added that Lockyer's apology for his comment about frat-boy behavior "might have been too late to win back some of his friends."

Several women present later described Lockyer's attitude as "condescending" and "patronizing" despite his apology for the frat-boy comment.

Lockyer said in a later interview that when he used the word cranky, he wasn't referring specifically to the women in the room but to people in general who are upset with him over that issue.

"I can understand why people would be cranky," Lockyer said. "What they don't understand is that's the word I use for every upset, whether it's my baby, me (or others). It's not the right word with some."

Lockyer explained he voted for Schwarzenegger instead of Cruz Bustamante because he felt the Democratic lieutenant governor had broken ranks with other prominent Democrats who promised not to run in order to support former Gov. Gray Davis.

"I, like the other statewide Democrats, promised not to run -- that we were going to focus solely on the vote no on the recall effort. I kept my word. Cruz didn't."

He picked Schwarzenegger even though he didn't agree with all of his policies, he said, because the actor was moderate on social issues and seemed interested in working on problems in a bipartisan fashion.

As Lockyer was explaining himself on the convention concourse, a woman approached him and said: "I'm very disappointed in you." She then walked away. He shrugged.

By contrast, Angelides and Westly received warm receptions.

Angelides has positioned himself in the last two months as the extreme anti-Schwarzenegger, opposing the governor's proposed $15 billion bond measure and criticizing most of his policies.

Westly, by contrast, is co-chairing the campaign committee to pass the bond.

Many Democratic delegates at the convention said they don't mind Westly cooperating with Schwarzenegger because the state needs the bond to help its finances.

But Angelides took a subtle swipe at Westly, not mentioning him by name, but criticizing any Democrat who has allied himself with the Republican governor.

"The election of an attractive, seemingly popular Hollywood star has already sent some Democrats scurrying for cover, bending to the politics of the moment rather than doing what is right for California," Angelides said.

Angelides also joked that he took issue with those who called him the anti-Schwarzenegger, saying he has a few things in common with the Republican governor.

"We have both found ourselves looking at a sitting governor and saying to ourselves, Hey, I could do a better job than that guy."


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: caldemconvention; calgov2002
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1 posted on 01/18/2004 11:04:57 AM PST by John Jorsett
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To: John Jorsett
Many women, she said, saw the comment as a reference to premenstrual syndrome.

At that point, several members of the audience stood up and turned their backs to him, even as he continued speaking.

Gee, they do sound pretty cranky.

2 posted on 01/18/2004 11:06:55 AM PST by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
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To: Petronski
Cranky Alert.
3 posted on 01/18/2004 11:07:52 AM PST by dighton
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To: John Jorsett
"He particularly angered the women's caucus Friday night when, after getting a hostile reaction from some in the crowd, he referred to them as "cranky" -- a term seen as sexist."

They are cranky, but it's not really their fault. It's a hormonal thing :)

4 posted on 01/18/2004 11:11:41 AM PST by Batrachian
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To: Batrachian
It's some kind of "chick" thing...
5 posted on 01/18/2004 11:16:37 AM PST by jonascord (Don't bother to run, you'll only die tired...)
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To: xm177e2
California: Attorney General Lockyer calls women 'cranky'

Gee, they do sound pretty cranky.

Must be that time of the month?

6 posted on 01/18/2004 11:18:24 AM PST by Jim Noble
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To: John Jorsett
Hey, if it keeps Lockyear out of the governor's office, he can say all of the derogatory things he wants to. Keep on yapping, Bill!
7 posted on 01/18/2004 11:21:49 AM PST by .38sw
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To: jonascord
"It's some kind of "chick" thing..."

"Chick" is a derogatory term. Don't use it. Try "babe" or "gal" or "broad" instead. I'm so glad I'm not a Democrat. Pandering to feminists would be brutal.

8 posted on 01/18/2004 11:22:12 AM PST by Batrachian
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To: John Jorsett
LOL, here comes the LA Daily News (and, no doubt, the rest of the liberal scumbag LA newsrooms) after a Democrat who admitted he voted for a Republican. You want to be a Democrat, Bill? Have fun with the parasites, assorted goofballs, and cranky feminists who make up the base of your party.
9 posted on 01/18/2004 11:26:17 AM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: John Jorsett
[S]aid Roberta Lewis, a member of the state party's executive board from Woodland Hills. "Women see that word as derogatory. It's not a word that you would use to a men's group. You use that to a baby -- a child is cranky."

If the shoe fits Roberta, wear it!

10 posted on 01/18/2004 11:27:59 AM PST by SpyGuy
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Dang, I've been using that term regardless of sex. Now ya tell me. Yes, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. :-)
11 posted on 01/18/2004 11:28:41 AM PST by CounterCounterCulture (DEAN PEOPLE SUCK)
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To: xm177e2
"Many women, she said, saw the comment as a reference to premenstrual syndrome.
At that point, several members of the audience stood up and turned their backs to him, even as he continued speaking."

Sounds more like a hate group.

12 posted on 01/18/2004 11:31:57 AM PST by reed_inthe_wind (I reprogrammed my computer to think existentially, I get the same results only slower)
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To: John Jorsett
Doncha know, liberals don't have any specific "that time of the month". Cranky can appear at any time. It very often appears N.O.W.
13 posted on 01/18/2004 11:38:52 AM PST by fish hawk
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To: John Jorsett
he referred to them as "cranky"

Skanky is what he said...

14 posted on 01/18/2004 11:42:40 AM PST by Wheee The People (If this post doesn't make any sense, then it also doubles as a bump.)
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To: John Jorsett
The RAT feeding frenzy continues. They have a potential candidate who hasn't been constantly voting the state into debt, who is tough on crime, and can actually point to accomplishing something while in office, and they beat him up because he voted for Arnold and against the recall.

Perhaps we'll be treated to Burton running for Governor on the RAT side. Wouldn't that be entertaining? Or Barbara Boxer, if she happens to find herself out of a job this year? Or perhaps they could drag Willie Brown out of his exile and put him up as Governor.

The next few years aren't looking all so good for the RATs.
15 posted on 01/18/2004 11:45:40 AM PST by kingu (Remember: Politicians and members of the press are going to read what you write today.)
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To: fish hawk
It's a 24/7/52 thang with them. The only remedy is a brain transplant.
16 posted on 01/18/2004 11:46:08 AM PST by CounterCounterCulture (America works best without union pests --- UNION NO!)
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To: CounterCounterCulture
Can't transplant a normal brain in that small of a cavity.
17 posted on 01/18/2004 11:49:56 AM PST by fish hawk
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To: fish hawk
Well, any smaller animal species would be an improvement, Okay? ;-)
18 posted on 01/18/2004 11:52:19 AM PST by CounterCounterCulture (DEAN PEOPLE SUCK)
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To: kingu
Advantages of being a RAT: All the votes of African-Americans, feminists, most Latinos(for now), and union members.

Disadvantages of being a RAT: Having to kiss the a&^ of militant, hate-whitey African American groups, feminists, and militant Latino groups.

IS IT WORTH IT BILL?
19 posted on 01/18/2004 11:53:17 AM PST by wylenetheconservative
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To: John Jorsett
At that point, several members of the audience stood up and turned their backs to him, even as he continued speaking.

About 1/28 or 2/28 of the entire population of women in the audience, per chance?

20 posted on 01/18/2004 1:09:24 PM PST by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
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