CA: Perata planning agenda despite FBI investigation (PeRataGate)

SFGate.com ^ | 12/6/04 | Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross - SF Chronicle

[NormsRevenge]

He may be under the cloud of an FBI investigation, but incoming state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata is not being at all shy about his feelings regarding Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, his fellow Democrats or his plans for this year's legislative session.

We sat down for an interview with Perata on the eve of the Oakland Democrat's ascension to what is often described as the state's second-most- powerful job. Some of the highlights:

M&R: One recent poll commissioned by your own caucus showed that Gov. Schwarzenegger's popularity is still at a sky-high 62 percent among voters.

Perata: That's right. We even took it a step further and compared him to the Democrats talking about running against him -- (Attorney General) Bill Lockyer, (Controller) Steve Westly and (Treasurer) Phil Angelides.

M&R: And?

Perata: He beat them all by something like 25 points. Worse yet, even Democrats were split.

We even did a matchup between Arnold and Dianne Feinstein.

M&R: And?

Perata: She beat him, 47 to 46.

M&R: What does that tell you?

Perata: That Arnold will probably run for re-election, but he can forget about walking in and taking on Dianne for the Senate.

[calcowgirl]

We even did a matchup between Arnold and Dianne Feinstein.
M&R: And?
Perata: She beat him, 47 to 46.

So... in a head to head with California's most popular democrat, Arnie goes neck and neck. Arnold has great support among democrats; not surprising as he implements their agenda and appoints lefties to important posts. Why does he even bother putting an (R) next to his name?