Schwarzenegger claims 'people power' in final election push

Associated Press ^ | November 7, 2005 | Staff

[La Enchiladita]

Exuding optimism to a skeptical electorate, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger jetted across California on Monday in a final attempt to promote his "year of reform" agenda, telling enthusiastic crowds that he had "the people power" on the eve of his special election.

"We have great momentum," he said during a stop at a Del Webb retirement community in suburban Sacramento. "I'm never going to give up because I have the people power."

Schwarzenegger's whirlwind day of campaigning followed a weekend in which he was dogged on a Southern California bus tour by opponents that included director Warren Beatty and tried to persuade votes during a final election forum in Los Angeles.

The Democrats and labor unions that oppose Schwarzenegger have spent more than $100 million to defeat the four initiatives he is promoting on Tuesday's ballot. Their campaign appears to have worked so far. Several recent polls show none of Schwarzenegger's proposal with majority support among likely California voters, and two of them running well behind.

[La Enchiladita]

The anti-union TV ads have been terrific. We'll see what happens . . .

[kerryusama04]

Arnold has the right idea but too many R's have left CA for anything this bold to ever pass. I betcha the electorate looks really different next census...

[Jim W N]

Wished I'd seen more anti-union adds and sharper rebukes from Arnold regarding the no-answer/status-quo/keep-it-broken-stance of the unions/liberals. Where's the Ronald Reagan School of Skewering Liberals? Arnold's great but even he could use a few tips. Republicans and conservatives need refresher courses.

[Names Ash Housewares]

If even two of the four pass. That is huge for California. And the rest of the nation. Unions all over the nation are watching what happens.

[La Enchiladita]

YES on 74, especially, and
YES on 75 would be revolutionary.

As it is, the Berkeley commies are raking in big time revenues via union dues.

[Amerigomag]

Republicans and conservatives need refresher courses.

California's conservatives aren't in need of a refresher course. California's CAGOP (Republicans) are.

The California CAGOP has hitched itself to a moderate/liberal star and is desperately trying to win crossover votes by increasing government spending, enlarging social programs and minimizing direct confrontations with the liberal, Democrat power structure in the legislature and the popular culture.

Aggravating the situation for the Republicans, ex governor Pete Wilson, once the fair haired boy of the party but then exiled in disgrace, hijacked the recent recall election from the CAGOP, placing his stalking horse, Schwarzenegger, into the governor's chair. The CAGOP was forced to capitulate and has been trying to spin the results of Schwarzenegger's brief tenor in office which has been marked by large budget increases propelled by huge borrowing with no substantial improvement in the state's financial health to show for these liberal meanderings.

[Jim W N]

You got it right. This biggest problem in our state and country isn't the bad guys, because there'll always be bad guys (within and without) trying to extinguish the light & freedom of our country. The biggest problem we have is with the supposed good guys, the Republican Party, the RINO's. The answer is for conservatives not to leave the party in droves, but to overrun the party in droves, take it over and turn the lights back on in our country.

[birbear]

I've already voted yes on everything but 79 and 80.

Here's hoping everybody else will too... or at least a majority.

But I really think Arnold and his campaign made too late of a push. The anti-Arnold ads have been playing all summer.