Posted on 12/14/2005 6:24:26 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO — Republican lawmakers scolded Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday, telling him in a closed-door meeting how seriously his support among party stalwarts is wavering.
--snip--
The Republican loyalists cast the hiring of Susan Kennedy, a top advisor to former Gov. Gray Davis, as a betrayal that raises a fundamental question about Schwarzenegger: Is he a Republican, or isn't he?
"When my quarterback throws the ball to the other team, I've got worries," said Assemblyman Ray Haynes (R-Murrieta), in an interview after the meeting.
Some of the lawmakers told the governor that unhappiness over the Kennedy appointment is widespread. There are no guarantees, some said, that as the 2006 reelection campaign intensifies party activists will rally behind Schwarzenegger.
"The people who are our backbone are all saying, 'That's it. We're done,' " said Haynes.
"We were trying to communicate to him that these are the people who man the phones in our headquarters and walk the precincts. They're the army we have and they are very unhappy. We've been getting calls saying, 'Sorry, you're on your own.' "
Schwarzenegger appointed Kennedy in an attempt to reshape his administration after the defeat of the four major initiatives he endorsed in the Nov. 8 special election.
The hiring is part of a broader staff shake-up still in progress.
--snip--
"We don't know where this governor comes from and is going sometimes," he said. "I think Susan Kennedy knows what she believes more than the governor knows what he believes."
Kennedy's views could become "the dominant philosophy of the administration," Haynes said. "That's what our concerns are."
Walking out of the meeting, Schwarzenegger offered a one-word assessment of how it went: "Terrific." Then he got into an elevator and left.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
"Terrific."
What were his options? It might not say much for republican leaders in Cali, possibly.
Articles of this nature, by these publishers, are intended to plant a seed of doubt about the governor among the Republican masses. They have credibility because they are based on actual circumstance, not an editorial contrivance.
Those on the right in California have a tremendous arsenal of published opinion from recognized sources with which to illustrate and condemn the governor's actions but care should be taken to separate fact from manufactured skew.
Repetative postings from left wing rags could eventually convince this audience that since their published reports were reasonably factual on the performance of Schwarzenegger, they therefore might be considered reasonably credible during future attacks on conservative politicians and ideas. The widely accepted treatise: "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" has a sage but unspoken prologue: At this time.
To ignore all the articles and reports and rely on the candidate and his staff seems somewhat troubling as well.
Especially when he ran as one thing and delivered a lot of stuff for the other side and then rolls for them as well. Was that manufactured?
I wish we had more conservative newsrags etc. to get info from. sadly, we don't.
Obviously some radio talk show hosts are suspect as well when it comes to judgment capabilities.
Your point on further damage being done to the party downstream is noteworthy , but frankly, this party is on its last legs anyway, imo.
That is if those currently calling the shots are left to continue their agenda that has little to do with building the party based on solid principles and not drifting to the middle and losing any distinction from the other side of the spectrum in so doing.
Republicans in CA are so screwed. Y'all got nothing. Time to cut bait and find a better fishing hole.
What choice did he have? You've got to be kidding. Hugh Hewitt said what he did would be like the President hiring Paul Begala as Chief of Staff.
There are few and you've have an excellent track record of citing them when appropriate (2 just today). Thanks.
I agee. Scraping the bottom of the barrel. Doesnt say much for who is available out there. Thats my point.
I can't believe that in all of California there was no one better than this socialist butch.
Again, I agree. But I have not read anything that suggests the Gov's options, so thats what I was asking initially.
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