Governor's kingmaker role lauded, challenged

Sacramento Bee ^ | 11/3/4 | Margaret Talev

[SmithL]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was seeking to cement his reputation Tuesday as the kingmaker of California politics after putting his credibility and at least $11 million of supporters' money on the line to sway ballot measures and legislative races through road shows, ads and voters guides.

Voters were siding with the governor to defeat two measures that posed a threat to his ability to control casino-style gambling, and to approve a $3 billion in taxpayer-backed bond measure for corporate stem cell research.

It was unclear, though, whether Schwarzenegger's late effort to crush Proposition 66, a bid to relax the state's "three-strikes" sentencing law, would be enough to change Californians' minds. With 31 percent of precincts reporting, the measure was leading, 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent.

[SmithL]

He defeated Prop 66 mentioned above. He also defeated Prop 72 (mandatory health insurance) as well as both Indian Gaming Props.

[DM1]

how were your state legislative races? any wittling of the D majority at all?

[GOP_1900AD]

If only he had also been more vocal here in CA about supporting Bush. There are many cross over Dems who are big fans of Arnie. But sadly I reckon they all voted the party line for sKerry....