Posted on 04/23/2006 9:18:53 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
April 23, 2006 — - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., celebrated Earth Day by issuing a global warming warning, extolling the virtues of fuel-efficient vehicles and blasting "outrageous" oil prices at the pumps in an exclusive interview on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."
"The science is in," the actor-turned-politician claimed. "The facts are there that we have created, man has, a self-inflicted wound that man has created through global warming."
As to the government's role in combating global warming, Schwarzenegger continued, "I think that the federal government is doing things. But I think that they are not aggressive enough. And I think that the whole world is not aggressive enough."
Schwarzenegger encouraged buying fuel-efficient vehicles and pointed to California's policies as an example for the nation, saying, "We want to inspire people that desire cars that are fuel efficient and also drive less, do more carpooling and so on. Because remember, the oil price is all based on supply and demand."
Regarding the issue of rising gas prices at the pump, Schwarzenegger said, "I think that's absolutely outrageous. And believe me, I am all for profit. I love when businesses are booming. But there is a certain point when you have a product that everyone needs and that everyone is relying on because of the situation that you have created. … We've got to protect the people."
Schwarzenegger did not overtly support a windfall profit tax, but did not rule it out entirely, choosing instead to focus first on combating "gouging" at the pumps.
In a wide-ranging interview with ABC News chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos, the governor rebuked some of his fellow Republicans for their stance on immigration reform. Schwarzenegger strongly rejected the idea of building a "wall" along 700 miles of the U.S.-Mexican border, an idea advocated by a number of prominent House Republicans.
"I think that it will be ludicrous to limit yourself to just building a wall," he said. "We're going back to the stone ages here. I mean, we are landing men on the moon and in outer space using all these great things. I think that other technology really can secure the borders.
"If I say, 'Yes, let's build the wall,' what would prevent you from building a tunnel?" he added. "How many tunnels have been built in the last ten years? I mean, we've detected tunnels left and right that people can drive trucks through. And they have air conditioning systems in these tunnels and water flowing and fuel supply and everything. I think that it is crazy to think that a wall alone will do it."
Schwarzenegger embraced "earned citizenship", a position espoused by numerous Senate Republicans, and dismissed any suggestion of amnesty. He also pushed back calls for mass deportation.
"How do you do this logistically?" he asked. "How does that work? You send 12 million people back. It would cost $500 billion. Who's going to pay for that? I mean, this is ludicrous to think this way."
On another federal-state issue, Schwarzenegger also had tough words on protecting California's levees in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
"I think the federal government has not learned these lessons," he said. "I think that they have failed terribly with Katrina. And I think there is a great potential there that they make the same mistake with California. I've been asking the federal government. I said, 'Look at the levees. They are soaked right now. They are so vulnerable. The only thing that keeps us from disaster right now are sandbags.' "
Schwarzenegger left no doubt as to whether the government is responsible for protecting the levees and, through them, the people and property in the state he governs.
"I think it is the number one responsibility of government … to protect the people," he said. "We have an earthquake-prone state. We have a state that is prone to all kinds of disasters. We have had the hugest fires, mud slides, rains, earthquakes. We have everything, levee breaks we've had in the past. We've got to protect the people."
But, come November, the people of California may no longer desire Schwarzenegger's protection. As both the governor and President Bush experience personal record lows in their approval ratings, Schwarzenegger told Stephanopoulos that he doubts the president would seek his advice. But the red Governor in a decidedly blue state refused to distance himself from the Republican president.
"He is making decisions based on what he thinks is best for the country," Schwarzenegger said of Bush. "That doesn't mean that it is in sync with my opinion. That doesn't mean it's in sync with your opinion or with someone else's. But I am sure he is doing his best job."
As for his own fate, the first-term governor expressed confidence and rejected the polls.
"You know something?" he said. "I don't really care about that at all. I don't look at it where a president's approval ratings are when I meet with a president and also, you know, when I lead. I mean, the people will judge me in November based on what is my performance, what I have done."
At the moment, a recurring role in Sacramento may be a tough sell even in Schwarzenegger's own home. The governor dismissed the notion that Maria Schriver, his wife and a member of the famed Kennedy political family, would ever run for office and admitted his Democratic partner might not love his current job.
"She grew up in a political family," he said. "I think that she is not as much into this whole thing. She loves serving the people. She loves being first lady. But for her, the most important thing is to raise the children and for us to be together as a family. She doesn't like the job that I have now. She doesn't like the idea that I'm running again. [But] she's supportive."
When asked by Stephanopoulos whether or not Schriver had asked him not to run again in 2006, the former actor cautiously chose his lines.
"I wouldn't say that she said I shouldn't run," Schwarzenegger said. "I think that she maybe is very clear that she would rather have me at home. She didn't say, 'Don't run'. She puts it in a different way. She would just say, 'I need you to be at home. I love you to be at home.'"
But, Schwarzenegger explained, duty calls.
"I told her I cannot walk away from this job," he said, "not because I need the job, but I am a person that likes when I start something, I want to finish it."
Italy: Socialist Prodi defeats Berlusconi
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615511/posts
"While the left-wing candidates ran on a single ticket for the Unione, the conservative vote was split between five parties"
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Hungary's Socialists achieve historic election win
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1620121/posts
"DIVIDED OPPOSITION
Conceding defeat, opposition leader and former Prime Minister Viktor Orban told supporters: "Those who join forces win and the losers are those who are unable to cooperate."
The election commission projections put the Fidesz party led by Orban on 164 seats and the smaller right-wing Hungarian Democratic Forum, which Fidesz failed to woo, on 11 places after the two rounds of voting. "
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Not to mention the elections in the US, when the Perot voters gave us Clinton, and the "pretend conservatives" nominated fine, pure, outstanding conservatives Lundgren and Bill Simon, both going down in flames, with a Gray Davis win.
But the "fine conservatives" want to keep doing the same thing over and over again, which brings them nothing but defeat and the election of socialists.
People in a conservative forum should be supporting our best hope, Arnold, instead of doing the Dems jobs for them, of unrelentingly attacking Arnold, and thus helping the Dems defeat him.
People in a conservative forum should be supporting our best hope, Arnold, instead of doing the Dems jobs for them, of unrelentingly attacking Arnold, and thus helping the Dems defeat him.
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You just don't get it, do ya?
and likely, never will.
Politicking is a dirty business and having folks like you think that your candidate is the more noble and trustworthy is a pretty good indication of how Fair or objective you can be or could ever hope to be and how willing you are to twist, lie and toss mud at those who see thru all the gimmickry and hype being used today..
Go peddle your crap elsewhere, maybe somewhere where you might actually be able to gather a few votes for the BilderBorg coalition.. the state has a few asylums still open, check the internet, I'm sure there are a couple near you.
and stop trying to drag international elections into this, we've had to endure enough of that crap on the SCOTUS already.
What is conservative about helping socialists like Angelides or Westly get elected and handing CA irrevocably to the Democrats ??????????
No one knows this more than the California ilk herd. Tsk, tsk, pretending to be conservative while they attempt to divide the vote. Its the ilk goal to ensure all conservative defeats.
Here's the deal, vengeful one, conservatives will vote for the most conservative candidate in the primaries, and again in the general. They may not be the same person. Ilk savage all republicans in hope of division and that none have a chance. Ilk want demoncrap socialism well rooted and will embarrass any republican to prove it.
well. well well,, look who chimed in,,
Conservatism....REAL conservatism wins. We've seen that over and over again.
Oh and if you enjoy voting for moderates, be my guest,, just don't expect others to suck it up like the (M)ilk so a few can profit off all the coming bonds and borrowing that lie ahead with the BilderBorg thoroughly entrenched and in charge..
"REAL conservatism wins. We've seen that over and over again."
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Example?
As I said in my previous post, the ilk desire nothing but to disrupt the vote and ensure demoncrap/socialist/communist victory. The ilk demonstrate this with almost each of their posts.
You mean you watched that big fat head on Steponallofus today and you call THAT PRIG "our best hope?" Either git back on your meds or get a better prescription, cause what your takin ain't workin!!!
"As I said in my previous post, the ilk desire nothing but to disrupt the vote and ensure demoncrap/socialist/communist victory. The ilk demonstrate this with almost each of their posts."
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They sure do and it irritates them no end, that we point that out and they can't sell their leftist propaganda, trying to masquarade it as "conservatism", to anyone on this forum. Their masters must be furious with them by now. LOL
Oh, I see you are an Angelides/Westly voter.
You and a few others have been nothing but insultative of anyone who even dares talk about the record of your annointed one,
I just warned the AM I am prepared to rip you a new one in full view of all, but considering you're already a full blown one when it comes to Caliornia threads in general and continue to show it with your contemptible insults and accusations here,, it's your call.
I'll give you the courtesy of that , at least.
Norm,
Why don't you check out these threads? Are you going to demand that the AM ban Jim Robinson too?
Jim Robinson Post about Republicans vs. Marxist Dems, March 2, 2006
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1588228/posts?page=34#34
Just a reminder: Free Republic is a conservative site by Jim Robinson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1612942/posts
The new 'Republicans vote on Wednesday' game (FR Mentioned) (article full text)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1613957/posts?page=87#87
You miss any mention of moderates being the end game, my beef is not with jIm , it is with lackeys like you, who crow when you have little to crow about, deny and refuse to debate issues and what the record is of your illustrious one, his own staff appointments, , you really disappoint me and a lot of others here a lot.
is this the best you can do? You have to go run behind Jim and wave your flag? Sad, very sad indeed.
Let's keep it civil and nobody will get hurt.
It is sad indeed to see what the New MAJORITY and its underlings have brought to the party.
What is not sad is that the California Ilk herd has been fully exposed as fifth columnists.
The only thing that has been exposed is the hypocrisy of those who support the leftist actions of a liberal Trojan Horse governor under the guise of an "R".
Instead of striving for better, more conservative options, they attack Conservatives with childish name-calling and rhetoric.
NOTE TO CA GOP: Need new talking points! The current approach is only alienating your base.
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