Posted on 02/12/2005 3:54:58 PM PST by FairOpinion
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb 12 (Reuters) - California's Republican loyalists said on Saturday they are ready to rally behind Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's ambitious political agenda that includes ballot measures Democrats vow to defeat.
Republicans meeting at the party's state convention in Sacramento said they will eagerly fight by Schwarzenegger's side if he asks voters to support this year's agenda through ballot measures, a sharp contrast to a September convention when party officials feared key conservative members would not embrace the socially moderate Hollywood icon.
But Schwarzenegger has in recent public appearances rarely missed an opportunity to stress he stands with conservatives on fiscal matters and that he has ruled out tax increases to balance the state's budget. California faces a $9.1 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year starting in July.
"When he first came onto the scene, I was skeptical ... but I think he's proven himself," said R.Q. Williams of Napa County's Republican Central Committee. "He hit the nail on the head, pointing out that what we need to do is rein in spending, not worry about how to figure out taxes and new fees."
At a dinner on Friday night, Schwarzenegger launched into a blistering attack on California's Democrat-led legislature to get rank-and-file Republicans to support potential ballot measures to overhaul the state government.
Democrats, he said, are "spending addicts" who are standing in the way of his agenda, which includes a plan to partially privatize the state's public pension funds. The largest and third-largest U.S. pensions funds are in the state.
PUT IT TO VOTERS
His plan mirrors White House aims for the Social Security system.
Democrats, public employee unions and pension fund officials oppose the plan, which Schwarzenegger says is needed so the state can rid itself of costly financial obligations to the funds. Schwarzenegger has threatened to put the plan to voters if lawmakers do not seriously consider it.
The plan would strike at the heart of one of the state Democratic Party's most significant sources of support.
"The train has left the station and there's three things they can do," Schwarzenegger said. "One is they can join and jump on the train. Number two, they can go and stay behind and just wave and be left behind, or number three, they get in front of the train and you know what happens then."
Republicans gave Schwarzenegger raucous cheers, reflecting a new confidence after years of being shut out in California's political wilderness.
"There's a euphoria that we're relevant again," said U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa. "The Republican party was doing very well in Washington, and was irrelevant in California for a number of years. It was also divided and leaderless. Now they are united with a tremendous leader."
Issa is right.
Go Arnold, go Issa!
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to delegates at the California Republican Convention in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Feb. 11, 2005. Calling the upcoming special election a 'great battle,' Schwarzenegger promised a victory over unions, special interests and Democrats. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)
Relevant again Bump
(Does that include Tom McClintock too? seeing as how he has been pushing for many of these same reforms for years.)
Progress not perfection........but of course I'm sure I'll be flamed for that.....doing nothing or leaving it in the hands of the Dems could hardly be better......
He could've been relevant at any point by getting these initiatives on the ballot.
But he punted.
"Does that include Tom McClintock too? seeing as how he has been pushing for many of these same reforms for years."
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Does that mean that McClintock will enthusiastically support Arnold and his reforms? Last I heard McC is planning to run for the Lt. Governorship as the "anti-
Arnold", promising that he will oppose everything that Arnold will try to do.
Wonder how much Indian tribal gaming money he'll scarf up THIS time. He says the tribes are sovereign nations. Didn't we get really hacked off about Clinton accepting foreign campaign donations, once upon a time?
I think what Arnold said to the Democrats, applies to everyone else, including McC:
"The train has left the station and there's three things they can do," Schwarzenegger said. "One is they can join and jump on the train. Number two, they can go and stay behind and just wave and be left behind, or number three, they get in front of the train and you know what happens then."
Questions is, whether McC will get on the train, since he is claiming that Arnold is implementing his (McC's) ideas -- as if ideas were patented, and McC had been the first one, to have those conservative ideas in the history of the US.
GO, ARNOLD!!!
How come Arnie hasn't given Tom a prime position ? Rinold would have lost without Tom in the race. Davis would still be governor.
And you would be a bold faced liar to say such a thing.
Show me any evidence that Tom is fighting the Governor in any way.
If that means he can not talk and raise his concerns , then I guess we may as well jusy put the Cuban flag up over the Capitol.
"Rinold would have lost without Tom in the race."
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Arnold almost lost, and Bustamante almost won, BECAUSE Tom was in the race.
It is typical for you and others to drag the Indians into this mess. almost laughable.
I would expect more from you , but I am not surpised you are turning as vicious as some others here.
If the vote against the recall would have won it wouldn't have mattered. Tom kept the base in the race to vote no.
It was in some of the articles the McC fans posted. I am not going to dig them out.
While I occasionally point out, that the information posted by some McC supporters in misleading, I don't call them liars.
Why are you so angry? Could it be because truth and facts are on my side?
The Christy Whitman Chapter of the CA GOP has arrived and is demanding tribute.
all bow to their eminences.
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