Posted on 06/06/2005 6:00:04 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - Democratic leaders and union officials on Monday condemned a plan by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's political team to create a "phenomenon of anger" against public employee unions leading up to an expected special election.
Some critics said the disclosure of the strategy is shocking but consistent with the increasingly bitter fight over Schwarzenegger's ballot proposals.
"The idea of creating anger is so offensive," said Barbara Kerr, president of the California Teachers Association. "It's the worst kind of politics. I believe the people of California are smarter than the governor is giving them credit for and they will see through this."
The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that its reporters had listened to a conference call between the governor's political team and top contributors. The group discussed how to persuade voters that unions are the cause of many of California's problems.
"When you get to the point of 'These people are on your payroll and they are out to roll you every day,' that creates a kind of phenomenon of anger," Don Sipple, Schwarzenegger's media adviser, said during the call. "But it takes a long time to get there. As the campaign goes on, we have to articulate that."
Schwarzenegger is expected in the next week to call for a special fall election to pursue his agenda to impose a new state spending cap, redraw legislative and congressional districts and lengthen the time it takes school teachers to earn tenure.
Many of the governor's supporters are pressing a separate measure that would restrict the use of union dues for political purposes.
Democrats and their supporters claim those measures are aimed at them. They are promoting a platform that includes a new energy deregulation proposal and prescription drug discounts while also mounting a campaign against the governor and the business interests backing the anti-union measure.
Nurse and teachers unions have loudly protested at the governor's public appearances. On Monday, labor leaders took issue with the newly revealed campaign strategy.
"Reports about Gov. Schwarzenegger's strategy of demonizing public employees should come as no surprise," said J.J. Jelincic, president of the 140,000-member California State Employees Association. "Ever since he dropped his 'moderate' facade earlier this year, he has been blaming government employees for the inability of his administration to meet the real needs of Californians."
Lance Corcoran, executive vice president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, said that the governor's agenda will backfire because it goes beyond unions and targets all working people.
Treasurer Phil Angelides, who declared he will run against Schwarzenegger next year, delivered 50,000 petition signatures to the governor's office Monday calling for Schwarzenegger to drop his plans for the election expected to cost $80 million.
He said if the governor needs to manufacture animosity to achieve his goals then there's no need for an election because voters aren't truly discontent about the things he wants changed.
"The governor's so-called reforms will take California in the wrong direction while doing nothing to address the real issues facing our state," he said.
Schwarzenegger, appearing on a Sacramento radio talk show Monday, said the biggest reason for the election is to pass his spending cap. He said he expects the unions to continue fighting his agenda, pointing out that he believes that labor groups are happy with the status quo.
"They like it the way things are, but I believe very strongly that the way things are will bankrupt the state," Schwarzenegger told an afternoon audience of KFBK-AM.
The governor was not asked about the comments of his political adviser. His spokeswoman referred calls to Marty Wilson, a senior campaign consultant, who didn't immediately return phone calls from The Associated Press.
Anger Works for me, .. especially when..
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"They like it the way things are, but I believe very strongly that the way things are will bankrupt the state," Schwarzenegger told an afternoon audience of KFBK-AM.
Liberal teachers in my estimation, do more to foster class envy and anger than any other group, even including journalists.
Geez...no wonder these people are in the political tar pits...
She's a Democrat. What a hypocrit! For heaven's sake, get angry for the sake of the chidren!
"The degree of a country's freedom is the degree of its prosperity." This quote is from the book CAPITALISM: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand. I think this book is a MUST READ for everyone.
Boy, Howdy, the shoe is on the other foot.
"You're mean", the new liberal mantra.
They realize that Arnold is stating the truth about the unions and people are fed up with paying 6 figure incomes to thugs who promote dependence on a union or group that robs them of money to put into their pockets!
Oh how the libs squeal like the piggies they are, when what goes around, comes around. Choke on it you liberal maggots!!
*** HASTA LA VISTA BABY!!! ***
Wow! Let's just hope Arnold doesn't cave again.
What is a REPUBLICAN supposed to do?
The purpose of belonging to a political party IS NOT to be bi-partisan...
quote "The idea of creating anger is so offensive"
ROFL !!
...
ROFL !!!
you've GOT to be kidding me !!! a democrat said that ?!?!
ROFL !!!!
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Screw the commies and what they say. They are destroying not only California, but the Country. I don't give a whit what they think or say. It makes about as much sense as a 2 year old, and has the same amount of intelligence to boot.
Maybe they should have a talk with John Dean he has been spouting anger at Bush since the beginning.
"The idea of creating anger is so offensive," said Barbara Kerr, president of the California Teachers Association. "It's the worst kind of politics. I believe the people of California are smarter than the governor is giving them credit for and they will see through this."
Oh, REALLY!
So what emotions do you think Hillary was trying to raise with these statements today?
"There has never been an administration, I don't believe in our history, more intent upon consolidating and abusing power to further their own agenda," Mrs. Clinton told the audience at a "Women for Hillary" gathering in Midtown Manhattan this morning.
"I know it's frustrating for many of you; it's frustrating for me: Why can't the Democrats do more to stop them?" she continued to growing applause and cheers. "I can tell you this: It's very hard to stop people who have no shame about what they're doing. It is very hard to tell people that they are making decisions that will undermine our checks and balances and constitutional system of government who don't care. It is very hard to stop people who have never been acquainted with the truth."
Are these the words of someone trying to encourage everyone to hold hands and sing Kumbayah?
God, Democrat hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me.
Qwinn
As the union thugs and Rats are well versed in creating anger and hate, they would know.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
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