CA: Schwarzenegger Is Forced Into a Political Tightrope Act

New York Times ^ | February 26, 2006 | Randal C. Archibold

[calcowgirl]

His action-hero aura remained intact, with young Republicans dashing to pose with him, party faithful dropping any hint of disagreement for a hearty hallway handshake and delegates cheering loudly when he took the stage for a speech promising bold leadership.

But despite appearances, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California strode into the state Republican Party's winter convention on Friday night politically wounded and searching for support even among the normally reliable base of backers at these functions. (snip)

Mr. Schwarzenegger defended his plan to spend $222 billion on public works, including highways and schools, as an example of bold leadership.

But conservatives have criticized the plan as costly spending, and Jon Fleishman, a former state Republican Party executive director and editor of the widely read Flashreport blog, said, "I thought the speech was a safe double when he could have hit a home run." Mr. Fleishman called it short on specifics and a missed opportunity to say he would fire the chief of staff, Susan Kennedy, and roll back his public works plan.

(snip)

A poll by the Public Policy Institute of California this week showed that only 40 percent of voters approved of Mr. Schwarzenegger's performance as governor... More troubling for his campaign, the poll showed that one of three Republicans held negative views of him, a sign that his most loyal voters may not come out for him in the Democratic-majority state.

"I really don't expect there is going to be some mass defection to the Democratic candidate," said Mark Baldassare, the director of the poll. "But the real question is if he is going to be able to get out a large Republican vote if substantial numbers of conservatives and Republicans say they don't approve of him."

[Amerigomag]

Wait until the faithful read about the Sundheim/Kinsley stunt this afternoon at the Resolutions Committee. Now ,not only the gang, but also the CAGOP leadership is willing to lie to achieve their ends. Lie to their own.

The end may be near for the Grand Old Party in California.

[Galveston Grl]

**AHNOLD IS COMING!**

He's commin' down baby. He is on a tightrope between Maria and his voters. Maria wins! AHNOLD burns!

[calcowgirl]

Quelling A Rebellion (Sundheim/Kingsley mug conservatives at convention)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1585660/posts

[Cicero]

I thought maybe Arnold would be a cut above Richard Riordan, but it seems to me that he has turned out much worse.

Karl Rove and his agent Gerald Parsky have killed the Republican party in California. That's a lot of electoral votes to kick down the drain.

[newfrpr04]

I thought maybe Arnold would be a cut above Richard Riordan, but it seems to me that he has turned out much worse. Karl Rove and his agent Gerald Parsky have killed the Republican party in California. That's a lot of electoral votes to kick down the drain.

Some of us like Digger who replies here have said this for many months. I agree. AS has been the downfall of the republicans for many years in California. We should nominate McClintock next time.