Here is the next fiasco....John Campbell and Arnold Rino (D)
Posted on 11/29/2005 9:35:25 PM PST by churchillbuff
Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has hired Susan Kennedy, a top aide to former Gov. Gray Davis, as his new chief of staff, Capitol sources in both major parties said. The chief of staff's position is considered the most powerful administrative position in state government, with broad authority over policy-making and the sprawling bureaucracy.
The decision was made following two days of intense, closed-door meetings that included negotiating sessions across the street from the Capitol in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where Schwarzenegger stays while in Sacramento. Kennedy's hiring was the culmination of a five-hour meeting, sources said, at which Kennedy demanded--and got--sole authority over hiring and firing the executive staff. That provision spread anger among Republican insiders, who said they feared a major purge of GOP staffers among the governor's inner circle.
Republicans said Kennedy's hiring had been pushed by Democrats close to the governor--including his wife, Maria Shriver, and advisers Bonnie Reiss and Daniel Zingale. Democrats, meanwhile, said Schwarzenegger's decision was based more on his personal nonpartisan nature, rather than from succumbing to persuasive Democrats.
Whatever the reason, the governor's choice is the most dramatic in the Capitol since former Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, chose the late B.T. Collins, a maimed Republican Vietnam war veteran, as his chief of staff.
Kennedy's hiring signals a dramatic shakeup in the inner circle around Gov. Schwarzenegger, who suffered a major political defeat on Nov. 8, when his attempts to overhaul government--including spending limits and the creation of a retired judges' panel to supervise reapportionment--were rejected by voters.
Kennedy decided to accept the chief of staff's position following lengthy meetings at the Hyatt, but she had been approached earlier by the governor recently in Los Angeles to take the job--but turned it down.
She changed her mind after Schwarzenegger, who approached her anew to accept the post, agreed to give her broad authority over the staff. Schwarzenegger also had approached others to take the post, including former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, who turned him down.
The current chief of staff, Patricia Clarey, who joined Schwarzenegger early in his administration, was scheduled to leave by the end of year. Also leaving was Rob Stutzman, the governor's communications director, who was leaving to handle the governor's re-election campaign next year. Stutzman's departure was not officially announced, nor was his replacement. But one Capitol source familiar with Stutzman's situation said flatly: "He left to join the campaign. He left voluntarily."
The selection of Kennedy angered many Republicans--and some Democrats. Both sides noted that she had served Davis--who Schwarzenegger booted from office in the 2003 historic recall--as Cabinet Secretary. How could Schwarzenegger, who publicly criticized Davis as an incompetent governor, hire one of Davis' key players?
"It's unreal. She served the governor that voters kicked out. She was executive director of the Democratic Party. She's a Democrat through and through. What is he (Schwarzenegger) thinking?" one Republican said.
"Republicans spent years battling Susan Kennedy when she worked for the recalled Gov. Davis. It's unfathomable that one of the central figures of the Davis administration and Oracle scandal would be put back in charge of the governor's office," said another Republican, referring to the state's signing of a flawed, $95 million software contract that roiled Davis' tenure.
Democrats were equally nonplussed.
"She negotiated workers' comp. She was the executive director of the Democratic Party. She is everything he (Schwarzenegger) isn't. What's going on here?" a Democrat said.
Really? Has it been announced yet?? Nothing on the Sacramento TV as of yet!!! (only that protestors are gathering on his behalf)
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=special_coverage&id=3538279
good pursuit here...some of Tookies friends have escaped CHP four times so far...!
Bustamecha would have won....the numbers prove it.
Have they started running again? The engine looked pretty fried to me!
Still, 20/20 hindsight reveals that it was a mistake to take on the entire labor movement in the election. They should have worked harder to split them and isolate the radicals like the CNA.
The Sheeple still do not fathom that 14% of the labor force rules the state. Unless the economy tanks, they probably won't either.
No they don't. The numbers have been posted here so many times I can't believe you would say that or even believe that.
Here is the next fiasco....John Campbell and Arnold Rino (D)
i suspect i will be joining black tooth soon....in the penalty box
You had BETTER not!!!
Californians, sign the petition against this outrageous appointment: www.stopsusankennedy.com
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