CA: Special Election Defeat May Prompt Administration Upheaval

Star Tribune/LA Times ^ | November 10, 2005 | Peter Nicholas,

[calcowgirl]

In a day of fierce recriminations, Republican allies and friends of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday appeared shaken by the collapse of his agenda in this week's special election, saying he needs to recapture the confidence of voters by jettisoning some of his political advisers.

Among those distressed by the direction of the governor's administration is first lady Maria Shriver, who is interviewing potential candidates for senior staff jobs in the governor's office, according to people familiar with the matter.

As rumors swirled, names surfaced of people who might be asked to join Schwarzenegger in high-level jobs. They included Democrats; one was Susan Kennedy, a California Public Utilities Commission member who had been a top aide to Gov. Gray Davis. Kennedy declined to comment.

(snip)

Schwarzenegger conferred privately with close associates the day after his election debacle, plotting his next steps with U.S. Rep. David Dreier, a Republican from San Dimas. Dreier said the two did not talk explicitly about a housecleaning.

(snip)

People close to the administration said they anticipate the departure of some top aides and members of the governor's expensive team of outside political consultants after the State-of-the-State speech in January.

An aide to Shriver, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "It's premature to say at this point in time what the next step might be for" senior members of the governor's staff. "You just have to stay tuned."

Of Shriver's influence in such moves, the aide said: "It's naive to think that Maria doesn't talk to Arnold in the privacy of their home."

Shriver recently hired a veteran of the Davis era as her chief of staff: Daniel Zingale.

[calcowgirl]

A longer version of this article is available at the LA Times site:

Results Unsettle Gov.'s Supporters

[kellynla]

moving the chairs on the Titanic...

RINOld blew his chance the first few months of his administration...
had he used McClintock's "13 Percent Solution" while he had popularity numbers in the stratosphere he could have turned this whole mess around...now his numbers are in the tank and nobody...I mean nobody in Sacramento is even returning his friggin' calls!

You can put a fork in RINOld!

Happy Birthday, Marines!

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[NormsRevenge]

Maria , just as Hillary ran the WH, runs things.. who'da thunk.

consulting with Dreier and considering another Kennedy.

Uh,, excuse me.. Is that a locomotive I hear in the distance coming down the tunnel? I see a very bright light.


Never mind, it's a bunch of peasants with pitchforks and torches. ;-)

[My2Cents]

Voters rejected his bids to acquire new powers to restrain state spending and change school funding guarantees, to bar labor unions from spending political cash without the approval of members, to strip lawmakers of the power to draw their own district lines

I think the loss of all four measures is an indication of how far down the dumper the voters of California have slid. The collective stupidity of the voters in this state is staggering.

I listened to some of the spin on the talk shows yesterday, trying to downplay the meaning of the loss of Arnold's "reform" plans, but there's not denying that this whole thing was devastating. First, as "reforms," these measures weren't much. All this effort for what essentially were minor reforms. Secondly, from the time he announced the special election, Arnold's been pummeled by public employee unions, and Arnold did nothing for months to counteract their attacks, resulting in his popularity going into free-fall. Thirdly, this whole debacle indicates that Arnold, despite his ambition and inherent intelligence, is a rank amateur when it comes to politics.

From the advice that his wife is apparently giving him, I wouldn't be surprised if in an attempt to salvage his political career, he re-registers as a Democrat.

[goldstategop]

The Administration is moving Left. Not a good sign. Can't wait for the Era Of Reiner next November!

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[goldstategop]

Since he's already naming Democrats to his Administration, yeah he might as well change parties. He doesn't appear interested in reaching out to the base. Well the estrangement is mutual.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Amerigomag]

Since he's already naming Democrats to his Administration, yeah he might as well change parties,

Be careful what you suggest.

If Schwarzenegger changes party affiliation you won't be able to stop him.

If you think his record spending, record borrowing and cross party appointments are a disgrace, just imagine him as a Democrat.

[My2Cents]

And yet, I'm not ready to join "Republicans for Angelides."