CA: Schwarzenegger's star falls with Hispanics

AP on Yahoo ^ | 7/22/06 | Laura Kurtzman - ap

[NormsRevenge]

NORWALK, Calif. - Ask Arely Gonzales about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the 27-year-old nurse sums him up in a word: "Awful."

"He cut the budget for the schools," Gonzales said. Her answer is not unusual in this heavily Hispanic section of Los Angeles County. Mentioning the Republican governor elicits an almost invariably negative opinion about him.

The harsh views illustrate how far Schwarzenegger's star has fallen among Hispanics since the heady days of the 2003 recall election, when he won 32 percent of their vote. That accomplishment was magnified because his main Democratic opponent was Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, a Hispanic.

Today, polls indicate Schwarzenegger's support among Hispanic voters is much lower as he seeks re-election. A recent survey by San Jose State University found 58 percent supported his Democratic rival, state Treasurer Phil Angelides, while just 12 percent supported the governor.

Other polls put his support higher, but not to his 2003 levels. The Field Poll had it at 23 percent in April and the Public Policy Institute of California put it at 26 percent in May.

Schwarzenegger strategist Matthew Dowd said Hispanics are a key part of the coalition the governor needs to win re-election. Dowd said the governor will recover the support he had among Hispanics in the recall on the basis of issues that also appeal to other voters: education and the strong economy.

This week, Schwarzenegger began courting Hispanics with a show of support at a Mexican restaurant in Lynwood, south of Los Angeles.

But even there, he stepped on his own message by repeating his support for the Minutemen, a volunteer militia that has patrolled the Arizona border with Mexico, infuriating many Hispanic leaders.

The governor's slide among Hispanics has been tied in part to his support of the group a year ago on a Los Angeles talk radio station. It was widely repeated in the Spanish-language media, and his advisers said they have had trouble getting beyond it to draw attention to what he has done to improve the lives of Hispanics.

But in this working class neighborhood, where many residents own modest homes, rely on the public school system and are beginning to send a first generation of children to college, voters often did not remember the Minutemen episode.

They were focused almost singly on education, blaming him for cutting money to schools, repeating the California Teachers Association's arguments.

The union lashed out at him last year after he reneged on a promise to pay public schools money they temporarily gave up to help with the state budget deficit. Although the governor has since restored the money, almost no one interviewed gave him credit for doing it.

Instead, they said he could not be counted on to support education — typically the top issue for Hispanic voters, followed closely by health care.

Gonzales, the nurse, said the governor's decision to repay schools this year was "just a trick he has up his sleeve, so he can get the voters to vote for him, especially the Spanish population."

Hispanics make up just 14 percent of the California electorate, but they are the fastest growing group and in recent years have tipped elections toward Democrats. While white voters have more or less split their support between the two major parties, Hispanics have voted overwhelmingly Democratic.

Dowd said Hispanic opinions about Schwarzenegger are improving along with those of other voters, despite what the San Jose State poll found.

The governor's advisers say that for a Republican to win in Democratic-leaning California, he still needs a third of Hispanics along with a majority of white votes. To that end, Schwarzenegger has embarked on a series of campaign and state-sponsored events designed to win coverage in the Spanish-language media. He also has hired Hispanics in his state office as well as his campaign.

In Norwalk, where the governor's stock is so low, some Hispanic voters have come back to his side.

Fernando Vasquez, 52, a groundskeeper for the city of South Gate, voted for Schwarzenegger during the recall but got turned off by last year's special election because he believed that propositions the governor sponsored would have hurt schools. Vasquez has since forgiven him.

"Probably I'm going to vote for him — if he doesn't do anything crazy again," he said.

[NormsRevenge]

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce's annual convention in this Aug. 25, 2005 file photo, in Oakland, Calif. The governor's advisers say that for a Republican to win in Democratic-leaning California, he still needs a third of Hispanics along with a majority of white votes. To that end, Schwarzenegger has embarked on a series of campaign and state-sponsored events designed to win coverage in the Spanish-language media. He also has hired Hispanics in his state office as well as his campaign. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

[NormsRevenge]

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announces his plan for the formation of 'Hispanic Families for Arnold,' during a news conference in Lynwood, Calif., Tuesday, July 11, 2006. 'Hispanic Families for Arnold,' is group of Hispanic community leaders who support Schwarzenegger's re-election. (AP Photo/Oscar Hidalgo)

[NormsRevenge]

He ain't the only one reaching out lately, or "Hispandering".

Karl Rove, White House deputy chief of staff, addresses the National Council of La Raza in Los Angeles July 11, 2006. Rove spoke on the Bush administration's plans for immigration reform. Rove's speech was disrupted twice by protestors. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES)

[Uncle Hal]

I do not see this as being a great drop. I would guess when the votes are counted in November Arnold will get around a third of the votes again.

[DuxFan4ever]

The media and the unions repeat lies and mischaracterizations until the perception becomes reality.

[diverteach]

BINGO!

[NormsRevenge]

What isn't mentioned is that amongst those who went thru the system and came here legally or have assimilated and become US citizens thru the process, many of those would support him but are as put off by the pandering as the rest of us.

[68 grunt]

The media and the unions repeat lies and mischaracterizations until the perception becomes reality.

Add the California Ilk Herd to the list.

[NormsRevenge]

We'll see soon enough if his moving to the middle, even trying to gain favor with the illegals crowd is worth the effort.

[SmoothTalker]

The only way we could ever win the hispanic vote is to out do the Dems when it comes to handouts. And that is something I never want to see us do.

[FairOpinion]

"even trying to gain favor with the illegals crowd "


You must not be aware that Arnold reiterated his support for the minutemen.

[NormsRevenge]

"He cut the budget for the schools," Gonzales said. Her answer is not unusual in this heavily Hispanic section of Los Angeles County. Mentioning the Republican governor elicits an almost invariably negative opinion about him.

Starting off with a comment from someone who apparently either isn't aware of how much more is being spent on education than ever before, or is out and out lying or could be a product of the California public school system , was not a good opening. Pretty blatant indeed, both reflecting ignorance of theat potential voter and that it was an ap piece, well very predictable unfortunately.

-- and then..

But in this working class neighborhood, where many residents own modest homes, rely on the public school system and are beginning to send a first generation of children to college, voters often did not remember the Minutemen episode.

-- Those who are already here illegally etc, wouldn't likely be overly concerned about the Minuteman phenomenon if you will.. unless they have to cross the border. ;-)

[freedumb2003]

As long as he/she has an (R) after his/her name, any candidate will not get the Black or Latino vote.

[FairOpinion]

"They were focused almost singly on education, blaming him for cutting money to schools, repeating the California Teachers Association's arguments. "

[NormsRevenge]

Add the California Ilk Herd to the list.

What's the bag limit on them these days anyway? I know you been trying to thin that herd out for years.. lol

Here's hoping the power stays online the next few days,,

[NormsRevenge]

Are they flat out lying or a product and parcel of the system they now rail against.

Re' the Minuteman, you got any shots of the GUb hugging Jim Gilchrist or his appearance at the La Raza convention, some sites seem to have conveniently misplaced them. Thanks!

Stay cool!

[claudiustg]

Like California Hispanics were going to vote for a Republican, anyway...

[FairOpinion]

THere were also some great pictures of Arnold and Tom McC campaigning together a while ago, on Yahoo news pictures, but those were pulled also.

[pterional]

The politicians realize that it is easier to "Hispander" and give welfare to the illegals than it is to enforce the laws of this country and to build a wall.

The goal of our politicians have been perverted. Instead of representing their constituents and doing what is right to preserve to sovereignty of the US. They focus on actions of least resistance to maintain their power. They will give away this country to stay in power. We need term limits to eliminate these career politicians.

[calcowgirl]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1664575/posts?page=21#21