CA: Looking outside for inner circle (aRnie's dem affinity)

Sac Bee ^ | 10/16/05 | Daniel Weintraub

[NormsRevenge]

Given the polarized tenor of politics these days, you would think that being a Democrat, or even an independent, in the inner sanctum of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Republican administration would feel like sneaking behind enemy lines in war or, worse, working for the other side.

But a funny thing keeps happening as California moves closer to the Nov. 8 special election and Democrats seek to characterize Schwarzenegger as a right-wing partisan trying to impose the Bush agenda on the Golden State. The more Democrats accuse the governor of veering to the right, the more he keeps hiring, and promoting, Democrats and independents within his closest circle of advisers.

The latest to join the team was Daniel Zingale, a liberal Democrat, gay rights activist and one-time key aide to former Gov. Gray Davis.

Zingale, who had been a member of the state's farm labor board, has signed on as Maria Shriver's chief of staff, a position that will put him on Schwarzenegger's senior staff and potentially make him a major player within the administration.

"It's unprecedented," Zingale said of the ideological diversity surrounding Schwarzenegger. "Part of what interested me in the job is a chance to be part of something that represents a first: Republicans, independents and Democrats putting our heads together toward solving the same problems."

--snip--

The governor's Cabinet secretary, the man whose job is to coordinate all the actions of the executive branch, is Terry Tamminen, a left-leaning independent and former environmental activist who was Schwarzenegger's first secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency.

And Schwarzenegger's senior adviser is Bonnie Reiss, a liberal Democratic lawyer and longtime family friend who first met Schwarzenegger when Reiss was working with Shriver in 1980 trying to elect Sen. Ted Kennedy president.

[GVnana]

Reads like another "damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't" hit. I'd love to see a full court of conservatives in every corner of Sacramento, but Schwarzenegger has teamed with members of both parties from the get go, so this is nothing new, and should come as no suprise.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

RINO period

[John Jorsett]

Maybe his philosophy is, "keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." Or maybe it's, "Maria will make my life a living hell if I hire too many Republicans."

[NormsRevenge]

I hear that refrain a lot from some folks here.. makes me wonder what else they will tolerate.

McCain in '08

Just win, Baby!

Have a pleasant day.

[GVnana]

Ah, Norm. You're so hospitable!

[NormsRevenge]

We all have our flaws. :-}

[Amerigomag]

Schwarzenegger has teamed with members of both parties from the get go, so this is nothing new, and should come as no suprise.

To my recollection the only California Freepers who were/are surprised are those that believed the Republican Party gobbledygook when the party jumped on the Austrian's bandwagon during the 11th hour after attempting and failing to derail him.

[calcowgirl]

The governor's Cabinet secretary, the man whose job is to coordinate all the actions of the executive branch, is Terry Tamminen, a left-leaning independent and former environmental activist

"Left-Leaning"? He's RFKjrs buddie and a self-described Tree-Hugger! See:

From Pool Guy to the Halls of Power

And then there is Bonnie Reiss. See:

Another ‘red flag’ for GOP voters?: Hollywood ‘green’ activist is top Schwarzenegger aide