Posted on 06/29/2006 9:31:34 AM PDT by calcowgirl
HOLLYWOOD (CNS) - Undaunted by charges that he's turning the GOP in California into "a gay marriage party," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to speak tonight at a fund-raiser for a group of gay and lesbian Republicans.
Schwarzenegger is expected to attend the Log Cabin Republicans event to raise money for the organization's West Coast chapters.
"When he took the oath of office he said he'd be governor for all the people and that's what he's doing," said event organizer Ted Jackson.
"He's coming to talk to us in an effort to reach out and be inclusive. He's got a strong record of signing civil rights legislation and an even stronger record of reaching out."
Schwarzenegger vetoed a same-sex marriage bill last fall but has said he supports domestic partnerships, and, since taking office in 2003, has signed two dozen bills in support of rights for the gay and lesbian communities.
"I think that you know the way I voted, and the bills that I have signed, and the bills that I have vetoed, and this is exactly where my position is," Schwarzenegger said at a news conference Tuesday in Oakland. "I believe in domestic partnerships and all of that."
Randy Thomasson, the founder and president of the group Campaign for Children and Families, said that by attending the event, Schwarzenegger is "flip-flopping" on his position.
"He's not appearing, he's fund-raising $300,000 to transform the California Republican Party into a gay marriage party, and marriage is for a man and a woman," Thomasson said.
Tickets for tonight's event in Hollywood cost between $250 and $10,000. About 350 people are expected to attend the dinner and silent auction.
"I accepted this particular invitation just like I accept any other invitation, because I am reaching out to all Californians," said Schwarzenegger, who will be the featured speaker.
"Everyone is part of California, everyone that lives here and works here is part of California. I respect everyone and everyone gets treated equally. So, if I can help them with their fundraising I am very happy to do so."
State Treasurer Phil Angelides, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, has said he would support a same-sex marriage bill. That leaves voters with little choice between the two candidates, Thomasson said.
"What are the voters to think?" Thomasson said.
"On the one hand, Angelides is vowing to sign gay marriage into law and now Schwarzenegger is helping to raise $300,000 for people who want to do the same thing. This is not something that makes the average voter -- who believes marriage is for a man and a woman -- happy."
Ah you both came...
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Turning the GOP in California into "a gay marriage party"
Helluva legacy.
"Don't be a 'girly-man!'"
The girly men like his muscles - they want to feel them.
Schwarzenegger has been sleeping with a Kennedy too long.
Sleep with swine and you will eventually smell like one.
The choice is clear, actually -- Angelides supports homo marriage, Arnold doesn't (he vetoed a same-sex marriage bill last fall). Angelides is a fiscal liberal, Arnold is a fiscal conservative.
Arnold is a fiscal conservative..
LOLOLOL
(Uhhh, I couldn't help myself.)
Point is, despite what Thomasson said, there is a significant difference between these two candidates.
Oh, now that is rich! There ain't nuttin' conservative, fiscal or otherwise, about our current gubbie.
Lay down with a Kennedy dog and you'll get up with liberal fleas.
Oh , there are some differences, his track erecord in 3 years budget wise is hardly conservative tho, imo.
He's just trying to keep up with the rest of the
National party, that much I agree with. There is little to no restraint on either's part...and that is not good.
If Victory 06 comes to your county, you might want to ask the same question. It needs to be asked over and over again. Why should I volunteer for someone who is against nearly everything I care about?
How so?
Good morning, Norm. So Arnie is raising money for the Log Cabin group. As the reputed head of the GOP in California, the gov can rarely be bothered to do fundraisers for Republican candidates at any level, or to help rebuild the party in this state, but he runs to do one for the LCR's.
In my opinion, the recall was a DISASTER in every respect.
One big difference is that Arnold has the power to sway the GOP toward his liberal polices. Angelides doesn't.
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