CA: Gov.'s Top Aide to Woo Donors

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 12, 2006 | Robert Salladay

[calcowgirl]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is dispatching his newly appointed chief of staff to woo wealthy Republican donors for his reelection effort, injecting his most influential policy advisor into the job of collecting money for his campaign.

(snip)

Campaign finance experts and legislative Democrats questioned why Kennedy — the lead negotiator on major decisions in the Schwarzenegger administration — would be allowed to attend private meetings with donors when many have business before the administration.

Paul S. Ryan, associate legal counsel at the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C., said allowing donors access to Kennedy creates "the appearance of corruption in California. If you are fortunate to afford the price of admission, then you automatically gain access that the vast majority of Californians do not have."

(snip)

The "Join Arnold 2006" briefings with Kennedy are being hosted by the top tier of the Schwarzenegger money machine. The memo was sent to potential donors by a group of 30 major supporters, such as former U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz and California Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg.

The hosts of the gatherings include some of California's biggest developers, who could benefit from Schwarzenegger's $222-billion proposal to rebuild the state's overburdened freeways, schools, ports and waterways.

The Jan. 18 meeting is scheduled for the Island Hotel in Newport Beach and will be co-hosted by George L. Argyros and William Lyon, both major housing developers. Argyros is the former U.S. ambassador to Spain and a major donor to President Bush and the Republican Party.

The campaign has also arranged a Feb. 1 meeting at the Regency Club in Los Angeles, co-hosted by real estate developer Rick Caruso. Developer Alex Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers, is hosting a fundraising meeting the next day at the Sutter Club in Sacramento.

[calcowgirl]

The memo shows that Schwarzenegger is linking his legislative agenda to the reelection effort this year. It mentions the rebuilding plan, which is now before the Legislature. Kennedy is leading negotiations to get the package through the Assembly and Senate, both controlled by Democrats.

"As the governor is fond of saying, he cannot do this job alone," the campaign memo tells potential donors. "He is looking to us, California's business leaders and the leaders in the communities where we live, work and raise our families to help him communicate his message to the voters during the 2006 election campaign."

[Carry_Okie]

To assume, that "anything is better than this," is a false choice.

My second law of politics: It can ALWAYS get worse.

[Andy from Beaverton]

David's donors don't need any help.

[NormsRevenge]

To assume, that "anything is better than this," is a false choice.

My second law of politics: It can ALWAYS get worse.

--

and of late, usually does in California, it seems.

[NormsRevenge]

Git yur FRont row seats at FR for the Gold 'Bond" Rush of '06-'07.

Don't be a Piker and miss out on the fun.:-}

[Amerigomag]

Susan Kennedy is being paid campaign funds in addition to her $131,000 government salary.

A new twist on an old profession. Salary plus commissions. Political prostitution pays well with the right pimp.

Bet the johns aren't that happy about it