Posted on 03/14/2005 8:56:09 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Saying he had "no illusions" about the difficulty of unseating a popular celebrity governor, state Treasurer Phil Angelides said Monday he's confident he'll win the Democratic nomination for governor in 2006 and beat Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a head-to-head showdown.
"This isn't going to be a plain, vanilla election - we're not talking about potholes," Angelides said in an interview Monday before launching a five-day statewide campaign tour Tuesday morning. "Gov. Schwarzenegger and I have a different view of the world, two very different visions of what makes society strong."
A longtime fixture in California politics, the 51-year-old Angelides has made little secret of his intent to run for governor next year and has raised already raised about $12.5 million for the effort. But with the Democratic primary still a year away, Angelides' early campaign kickoff signaled his desire to quickly frame the race as a two-man contest between himself and Schwarzenegger.
"The reason I'm doing this early is that the threat this governor presents to California is enormous," Angelides said. "He's hurting teachers, he's hurting nurses - he's going after the very fabric of California's strengths."
Schwarzenegger has not yet announced whether he is running for re-election, but his campaign committee has raised $1 million so far with more fund-raising events planned. He spent Monday evening at a fund-raising dinner in Sacramento.
Angelides isn't the first Democrat in the race. Already, Attorney General Bill Lockyer has said he's running and has raised about $11 million for the race, although he hasn't made an official announcement. Actor-director Rob Reiner has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.
Since Schwarzenegger took office 16 months ago, Angelides has arguably been his loudest and most persistent Democratic critic. His role as state treasurer has given Angelides a platform from which to attack Schwarzenegger's fiscal policies, particularly his reliance on borrowing to balance the budget and pay off the state's debt.
In recent months, Angelides has been an outspoken critic of Schwarzenegger's proposals to change the state's government and politics, especially his plan to transform the state's public pension system into a system of 401(k) style accounts.
Responding to criticism that his cerebral style and approach to issues could prove a turnoff to voters, Angelides said he planned to use the next year of campaigning to project a more personable image.
"I hope to let Californians know that I am standing up and fighting for them," Angelides said. "My whole life has been standing up for hardworking Californians, and I'm going to expose this governor as someone who protects wealth and privilege."
Republican operatives have anticipated an Angelides announcement for months. Most say they are savoring the prospect of a matchup between the popular Schwarzenegger and a liberal Democratic Sacramento insider who has consistently favored raising taxes on the wealthy to balance the state's budget.
"Phil Angelides is a candidate who never met a tax increase he didn't like," said Karen Hanretty, a spokeswoman for the state Republican party. "Phil Angelides is setting himself up as the anti-Schwarzenegger of California, which means he's anti-reform and represents the status quo that created the problems California faces today."
>>There is no need for you to pick up arms because a group of folks want to help preserve the enviroment.
This says a lot about you.
You can't possibly be so uninformed as to not understand THAT!!! (but, then you've surprised me before...)
If memory serves, I read that Phil GIRLYMAngelides may be behind some CalPERS investments directed toward his political allies, that lost a great deal of money in the retirement fund.
Alleging that this is true, it's too big a handicap for Angelides to overcome while running against a popular Governator.
Lockyear, (again, assuming I remember correctly), was reluctant to investigate some shady goings on by alleged and former governor Davis.
Look for the Dems to shun these two as unelectable.
I predict that the Dems will nominate a Hollywood type, most probably "Meathead."
.
It is based upon seven years of research. My book was hand carried by former Senator Malcolm Wallop to every member of the US cabinet and Vice President Dick Cheney (you can read the cover letter here).
Of course, I'm sure you would attack Reagan too as being too liberal for your taste.
Reagan made a few compromises of which I was not fond, backing out of Beruit being one, the appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor being another. On balance, he was a great president, especially when considering he had to deal with a Democrat Congress for most of his tenure.
Now you can stop changing the subject and get back to defending Arnold. It's pathetic, but amusing.
LOL.. the thought of a debate between MeatHead and the Gubinator.. Priceless!
Give me a break. If socialized environmentalism is allowed to continue unabated, it will destroy Sierra mountain habitat with fire, weeds, and erosion.
Environmentalism is about money, not habitat protection.
Ya! Arnold: "Hey Meathead, since the dingbat's not here, go git me a beah, but don't git yer meathead stuck in the fridge!"
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