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."
That's because I and others finally wised up and stopped arguing with them -- they are looking for fresh meat.
You are being wise, to not let yourself be drawn into those arguments.
"I do not want this guy holding office for a full term after 2006. "
Yes, we know, you can hardly wait for another Davis or Bustamante, instead.
Don't worry about it -- some of our ferocious McC supporters admitted to having voted for Clinton and Boxer, and expressed that they would prefer Bustamante.
How they can run around continuing to call themselves conservatives is beyond me, but they do.
I'm foisting nothing. I was not stating an opinion, I was asking yours.
You said there was progress. I asked for examples.
Simple question. Do you have a simple answer, or will you resort to name calling again?
Insecurity? ROFL!
The system is rigged here, I say it has to get worse before it can get better. It would expose what's really going on here.
agreed........they are almost as bad as the DUmmies in some cases......pragmatism as you said is better than losing the whole thing and wondering what we did wrong....don't know why some conservatives are so extreme that they have to label everyone a RINO or traitor that doesn't agree with them.......
well sometimes I do like arguing with them....I really do but when it becomes boring and nonending then it is time to move on.......they don't realize that they are just as intolerant as liberals but they don't even hear themselves talk
I post on these thread some, so that lurkers don't think that everyone thinks, like the unrealistic (to be charitable) few. Fortunately they are in a minority.
Most conservatives are indeed also sensible, and when the chips were down, they did vote for Arnold, and are not sorry for it, watching Arnold really making major changes, a step at a time.
"A jouney of a thousand miles begins with one step."
OH MY! Now that's a keeper!
I give up........finally.....go read FairOpinion and what they have to say.....it is how I stand also on this....I said insecure because you feel the need to follow me around and expound your ideas or continue to ask for examples. You guys are so mad at someone or something that you need to take it out on anyone who will listen and react like I did......as we keep saying to the Dems and Kerry......"you lost, get over it"
Cowgirl.......what makes you so high and mighty that you think you alone are the arbitor or truth and justice? You are actually in the minority and your attempts to disrupt with your continued posts only shows your insecurity on the issue.......if you feel like you are so right, then marvel in that fact and move on
Why do you do that? No one on this forum wants that and you know it. That was below the belt and unnecessary. What is wrong with having a policy debate?
You and your ilk are nothing more than moderates trying to claim the prize and in so doing , destroying evrything and reforming it inm your own little warped ways.
You have really gone off the deep end this time, again no surprise, when you have little for accomplishments to show , blame it on somebody else.
What is the key tactic dems employ?
Delay, deny, stall, ..
Ever hear of a Trojan Horse?
lolol.. Thats a pretty good whopper...Even from you.
and so telling of how you and aRne handle pressure.
Take a break , get some air.
I followed you nowhere.
I read all of the California threads as I have an interest in this state and care about its future.
I posted to you on another thread, asking you to support your statement. You did not respond.
You made the same post on this thread, so I asked you again. Again, you have not responded, instead labeling me.
IMO (YES, now I am stating an opinion, since you won't answer), standing with F.O. on issues (as you stated) is further evidence supporting my conclusion regarding your liberalism on both social and fiscal matters.
And, as I stated before, this has nothing to do with the election. My question related to actions from November 2003 forward. Comments like "you lost, get over it" are juvenile.
Are your true colors coming out now?
Maybe you should have taken your own advise and just MovedOn.
>>That's right cowboys and cowgirls
Hey! You talkin' to me? LOL.
Good post D1. :-)
Are you catching up to my level of disgust... YET??? If not, will you hurry up???
You need to back that up with proof or retract it.
That's because I and others finally wised up and stopped arguing with them -- they are looking for fresh meat. You are being wise, to not let yourself be drawn into those arguments.
Calcowgirl does nothing but post facts but you think it is unwise to engage her in discussion? Isn't that what this forum is for? Isn't that why we are all here?
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