Dem state controller vying for governor - Former eBay exec to face treasurer in 2006 primary

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 6/18/5 | Lynda Gledhill

[SmithL]

Sacramento -- Democrat Steve Westly, who officially jumps into the 2006 race for governor today, said in an interview Friday that his high-tech background and problem-solving skills as state controller make him most qualified to take on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Everybody understands that we have to prepare for California's future," he said. "We have to create more jobs and reform the schools. I have a track record in the high-tech world, as a classroom teacher, and as controller innovated ways to bring new money into the system."

But before Westly can take on Schwarzenegger, he must convince Democrats that he is better suited to that challenge than Treasurer Phil Angelides, a constant critic of the governor who has been actively seeking his party's 2006 nomination for several years.

Schwarzenegger hasn't said whether he will seek a second term, but his staff has said they are planning as if he will.

Westly stood with Schwarzenegger in his first months in office, campaigning with him for Propositions 57 and 58, which allowed the state to borrow $15 billion in debt recovery bonds and imposed a balanced budget requirement.

"I would never play politics with taxpayer dollars," Westly said in explaining his support of the measures. He noted that most elected Democrats, including the state's two U.S. senators, also supported the measures.

But Westly says Schwarzenegger has strayed from his bipartisan start.

[John Jorsett]

About the only problem-solving skill I've seen him exercise is to muck with the language of ballot initiatives to weaken them.

[NormsRevenge]

Gray Lite enters Gubinor race

[hauerf]

"Westly says Schwarzenegger has strayed from his bipartisan start."

Democrat politicians, on the other hand, have never wavered in their partisanship, deceit, and outrageous demagoging.

[calcowgirl]

"...I have a track record in the high-tech world, as a classroom teacher, and as controller innovated ways to bring new money into the system."

So, he figured out new ways to accelerate revenue (Go Arthur Anderson!) and tax the citizens without them realizing it. Great credentials, Westly.