Posted on 04/28/2005 10:44:07 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Retreating from another proposal for swift change in California government, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday dropped his demand that the state's legislative and congressional districts be redrawn by next year.
Lawmakers and political analysts interpreted the move as a sign that the governor would back away from a planned special election this fall on a wide-ranging government overhaul. Schwarzenegger denied this.
For months, he has insisted that California needs to immediately change its method of electing politicians, calling for independent judges — rather than legislators — to draw district boundaries. In February, he and his aides said there would be no compromise on the issue.
But at a choreographed "town hall" meeting Wednesday in a Fontana steel mill, where the governor talked with a friendly audience of about 300 steelworkers, business leaders and politicians, he was much less urgent. He said he hoped that negotiations with Democratic lawmakers would "work all this out, all the dates, should it be 2006, should it be 2008, should it be 2010."
"The key thing is not what is the year that we change the system," Schwarzenegger said, "but that it will be changed."
--snip--
At a February news conference in Washington, the governor was asked if he might be willing to compromise with members of Congress, who opposed mid-decade redistricting. He cast his plan as "nonnegotiable."
--snip--
The governor has now backed off or compromised on each of the major proposals he introduced nearly four months ago in a confrontational State of the State address before the Democratic-controlled Legislature. He dubbed 2005 the "Year for Reform" and has traveled the state to hawk his plans in staged events like the Fontana meeting.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Ah, the old "hurry up and wait" approach.
I am beginning to think Arnold may not run again in 2006. He doesn't seem to have the stomach for being unpopular... and you have to be willing to be unpopular in order to get anything done in this crazy state.
To those who think I am a dem union activist or sympathizer (which I am not) and enjoy posting this kind of crap, then find some news that we can feeel good about, otherwise accept the reality that this state is so screwed, no matter how many now claim to fight for it and to save it.
It pains me to see this state tossed to and from by a biased media in cahoots with unions and leftists and 'c'Rats.
Yet it pains me even more that the CA GOP has shown it is totally inept at fighting for its causes it so loudly used to trumpet, but now only seeks to moderate its positions and work in a spirit of conciliation and compromise to make things better for all of us.
imo, We are in a cultural and spiritual war here and have allowed the heathen and loonie left to call the shots for far too long.
I dread when the Gay Marriage act goes to the Gub for signature, I don't really think the Gub will know what to do, at that point, as he already backs civil unions, and may be willing to compromise to save face or attempt to garner support for his 'agenda' from unlikely sources.
I hope I am wrong, but .. at this point,, I don't know.
W.A.S.S.
He also said they are on target for enough signatures to move ahead with all THREE (of the 4 initial) remaining ballot measures in a special election.
He also PRAISED the Minuteman project, and attacked the "Los Angeles, Mexico" billboards.
I admit, however, it's a difficult position for fans of reform to grasp whether we're winning, losing or have fallen off the cliff. The P.R. work needs to be improved.
But at a choreographed "town hall" meeting Wednesday in a Fontana steel mill, where the governor talked with a friendly audience of about 300 steelworkers, business leaders and politicians, he was much less urgent. He said he hoped that negotiations with Democratic lawmakers would "work all this out, all the dates, should it be 2006, should it be 2008, should it be 2010."
I actually attended this event as a volunteer with the Citizens to Save California, where we circulated all four petitions throughout the event. Governor Schwarzenegger did not back down from either the pension reform (made a PowerPoint lecture that showed the increase of 1600% of government obligations to pensions in the past four years) or redistricting.
I actually do not recall the Governor making this statement about redistricting reform either. Schwarzenegger stressed that, as we fight for democracy in Iraq and the Middle East, we must strive to make our elections more democratic at home (something to that effect). He also mentioned that in the past election season, none of the 150+ seats for grabs switched party hands.
I have learned a long time ago not to trust the L.A. Times' characterization of any of these events-- may the "groping allegations" before the Governor's recall election be a reminder of their anti-Scharzenegger and anti-reform positions.
Arnold seems to be doing a whole lot of "retreating", doesn't he?
I can source two other papers that say the same as the LA Times, the SD Union Tribune and SF Chronicle.
Unfortunately, they are liberal rags (come to think of it, almost all california papers are liberal rags).
and Yes he would like to do it by 2006, but nothing is written in stone.
Once the budget battle heats up, reform won't be the topic of the day, even if the initiatives are in order, imo..
re: the billboards, keep 'em up, let it be a wakeup call to all the legals and Anglos of what their little neck of the woods is perceived as by the Nationalists and La Razians
"retreating" to you,, 'reforming' to his supporters. ;-)
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