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Governor on stage in burbs
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 10/25/5 | C.W. Nevius

Posted on 10/25/2005 7:39:34 AM PDT by SmithL

Was this the revenge of the suburbs? When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced plans to take unscripted questions from a random group of voters out in Walnut Creek, there was a hint of a smile from the burbs.

This was the flyover governor, the guy who announced his candidacy on "The Tonight Show," and who spent more time on "Larry King" than out in the hustings. And now, last night, there he was, in tree-lined Walnut Creek, right across from Cheap Pete's framing store, just down the street from Crogan's Sports Bar, meeting with the real people.

Was this a sea change? Kind of.

"To some degree, it represents a kind of head-snapping change of direction," says Phil Trounstine, director of the Survey and Policy Institute at San Jose State, and former communications director for former Gov. Gray Davis. "But it cannot be disconnected from the fact that his approval ratings are in the mid-30s."

So, a school of thought had it, just the fact that he appeared was significant enough. He came, he was seen, but did he carry the day? The topics, the four measures he is supporting in the special election in two weeks, also had opposing views. State Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland, and California Nurses Association Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro appeared before him. Perata, in particular, provided a folksy opening act, getting off a few good lines and generally seeming like an everyday guy.

But then Schwarzenegger hit the stage. Although there was a chair, he declined to use it, commanding the center of the spotlight, ramrod straight and, except for some incongruous brown shoes, looking as telegenic and comfortable as any movie star could wish.

"There are two things I would not want to engage Arnold Schwarzenegger in: arm wrestling and a TV appearance,"

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: calconversations; girlyment; governator; specialelection; unionthugs

1 posted on 10/25/2005 7:39:35 AM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

Big kudos to the Gov. At least he has the cajones to stand up for what he believes and going before the "common people" is a really smart move. Talk to them honestly, and you will never have to worry. Good on Arnold!!


2 posted on 10/25/2005 8:26:47 AM PDT by geezerwheezer (get up boys, we're burnin' daylight!!!)
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To: geezerwheezer

Didn't he sign the ban on 50 Cal. rifles?


3 posted on 10/25/2005 8:33:49 AM PDT by sheik yerbouty ( Make America and the world a jihad free zone!)
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To: geezerwheezer

He musy have repeated that he wants to return "power to the people" a hundred times or more.


4 posted on 10/25/2005 9:08:24 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Monthly Donor spoken Here. Go to ... https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: sheik yerbouty

I do not know if he did, or didn't. He is too liberal for me, but I still admire anyone who stands up for his beliefs, even if they are wrong!


5 posted on 10/25/2005 10:53:45 AM PDT by geezerwheezer (get up boys, we're burnin' daylight!!!)
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To: NormsRevenge

Thay can get kind of "old" really quick, maybe he needs better writers on his staff, at least in his movies he had decent writers...if you like his movies anyway!


6 posted on 10/25/2005 10:55:35 AM PDT by geezerwheezer (get up boys, we're burnin' daylight!!!)
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To: sheik yerbouty
Didn't he sign the ban on 50 Cal. rifles?

You tell us. Did he or didn't he? And what exactly does that have to do with this thread?

If you want to argue like a lying commie puke, there's always DU.

7 posted on 10/25/2005 3:11:35 PM PDT by rogue yam
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To: rogue yam

Yeah, he did. Stuff your yam.


8 posted on 10/25/2005 5:34:22 PM PDT by sheik yerbouty ( Make America and the world a jihad free zone!)
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