Oh, I think it's simpler than that.
Posted on 02/14/2004 1:39:40 PM PST by calcowgirl
SACRAMENTO -- As one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors, Arnold Schwarzenegger needed little financial help three years ago to get his political ambitions off the ground.
But now as California governor, after the expensive recall campaign and commitments to push two measures on the March ballot, Schwarzenegger is turning increasingly to a core group of 10 old friends and business associates to help bankroll his campaigns.
They're led by Paul Folino, head of an Orange County high tech firm, who has given nearly $1.4 million beginning with Proposition 49, a 2002 ballot measure that Schwarzenegger sponsored to benefit after-school programs. That race is also considered as the start of his political career.
The list also includes Jerry Perenchio, head of Univision, the nation's largest Spanish language television network; financiers Robert Day, Timothy Draper and Lawrence Dodge; developers Alex Spanos and William Lyon; dot-com entrepreneur Todd Wagner; Howard Lester of Williams-Sonoma and William Cronk of Dreyer's Ice Cream.
The new Republican governor is attracting big donations from other supporters, and he's scheduled to appear at a New York fund-raiser later this month where donors can give up to $500,000. But while new donors may rewrite the list of top contributors, these 10 businessmen are among Schwarzenegger's closest political supporters and those analysts said are likely to have the most influence.
"When you marry someone, you marry their family too," said Charles Lewis, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Public Integrity and author of a best-selling book on the political patrons of presidential candidates. "And when we elect someone, we elect their patrons as well."
Like Schwarzenegger, most of the 10 major patrons are moderate Republicans more concerned about California's economic health than social issues. They support his stand against new taxes and his efforts to reform the workers' compensation system, but mostly they share his goal of restoring the state's golden image.
"This is a pivotal time in history," said Cronk, who built Dreyer's Ice Cream into the nation's largest ice cream manufacturer before selling it for $2.8 billion last year. "I think Arnold has a vision."
Most of the businessmen in the group were also members of an economic advisory panel Schwarzenegger put together last summer at the outset of the recall campaign - an effort led by billionaire investor Warren Buffett and former U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz.
While they have diverse interests, several said they meet occasionally to discuss politics and the future. While most have business issues that intersect with state government, records show none has had active lobbying activities in the Capitol for the past three years.
"These guys are traditional Republican donors," said Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican consultant based in Los Angeles. "I would not be surprised to see them giving money to any number of candidates. These are classic moderates, interested in pro-business and anti-regulation."
Folino, for instance, is chairman and CEO of Emulex Corp. of Costa Mesa, which manufactures computer memory devises and other hardware. While he sought legislation two years ago to provide his company with a tax break, Folino said most of his business is outside of California and asks nothing in return for the donations.
"I really believe that the state of California is in trouble and we need to fix that," he said. "Arnold has a game plan. We're the sixth-largest economy in the world and if we falter, we could bring the whole country down."
In addition to the money Folino has given directly, he is also a member of The New Majority Committee, a moderate GOP group based in Orange County that has given more than $400,000 in the past two years to Schwarzenegger's campaigns.
The group also backed former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan's unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination for governor in 2002; Riordan is now Schwarzenegger's education secretary. Another group member, A.G. Kawamura, is an Orange County grower and Schwarzenegger's newly appointed food and agriculture secretary.
With a personal wealth estimated at more than $100 million, Schwarzenegger has cultivated an image as a candidate that does not need special-interest money. But a close review of his campaign finance records shows that he has also borrowed millions of dollars, which he lent to his political committees and then later repaid with money raised from private contributors - a practice that has been called into question by the courts.
Political watchdogs say Schwarzenegger's fund-raising habits are not unlike any other politician's and he's accepting more and more money from the same interest groups that have always funded campaigns.
"There's a range of motivation for major donors," said Jim Knox, executive director of California Common Cause. "Some have clearly defined business interests, some have political interests. Some are just attracted to power."
Schwarzenegger's celebrity status greatly enhances his attractiveness to contributors and may explain why some have given generously, Knox said.
"Clearly he's an additional draw," Knox said. "I think he would tend to attract the super rich who are looking to participate in politics as sport. It's a lot more appealing when the governor is someone like Schwarzenegger - it makes him that much formidable a fund-raiser."
Oh, I think it's simpler than that.
"Schwarzenegger Ready To license Illegal Aliens (Driver's Licenses)"
Probably just a coinkydink.
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