Blair visit a big publicity boost for Schwarzenegger in election year

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 7/30/6 | Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross

[SmithL]

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's visit to California was quite an election-year coup for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Schwarzenegger is expected to get a big photo op with Blair today when he introduces the prime minister at that star-studded corporate conference down in Pebble Beach. It's hosted by News Corp. publishing mogul Rupert Murdoch and features the likes of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, U2's Bono and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Everything from the environment to poverty to AIDS will be addressed.

The even-bigger show comes Monday in Long Beach. That's when Arnold, who has been trying to buff up his eco-credentials, will join Blair and the likes of British Petroleum chief Lord John Browne and Virgin Group CEO Sir Richard Branson to announce a new agreement to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions involving British and California businesses.

Speaking of green, Blair's visit is certain to cost San Francisco taxpayers plenty for all the police protection -- especially after the feds warned the department of a "high threat level'' and strong possibility of demonstrations.

"They've really ramped up the security,'' said one station captain, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the visit.

The department has mustered the full complement of 25 motorcycle cops to usher Blair around town -- the standard treatment for a U.S. president or visiting head of state.

[SmithL]

Meanwhile, Angelides is hoping to play host to Hugo Chavez.

[HarleyLady27]

Isn't this something...Arnold will have Tony Blair greet him, but Arnold won't have President Bush greet him, and remember a few weeks ago, the headlines read that Arnold had to 'sneak' into Washington D.C. for an event of his mother-in-law....

Sad sack of poop....

[freekitty]

They really do like themsevles, don't they? LOL

[USMC Veteran]

Arnold lost my vote when he made a comment about "Never seeing so much prejudice" after being questioned by a bunch of Republicans at a Town Hall meeting in La Mesa, California this past Tuesday. All they wanted to know was why he wasn't helping to secure our borders and he kept deflecting blame to the federal level. In my book, the desire to protect the sovereignty of your country cannot be equated with prejudice.

[Thombo2]

I remember that quote.Arnolds stock realy dropped in my book.Sounds like something that would come out of the mouth of a Michael Moore or Howard Dean.

[kellynla]

Tony Blair?
I wouldn't care if Moses showed up for RINOld.
I'm voting for McClintock for Lt. Gov. and let RINOld get elected on illegal alien votes.

And BP & Virgin could be doing something constructive if they were announcing on Monday in Long Beach that they were constructing new refineries instead of "reducing greenhouse gases."

Like "reducing greenhouse gasses" is gonna reduce the price of gasoline.
gezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[SmithL]

OK, you don't like Arnold.

But McClintock stands a much better chance of being elected Governor next time if Arnold and McClintock are both elected this time.

[red flanker]

Yahhhh, reading this thread shows how two-faced freepers talk when it concerns Gov Arnold and his actions in a left leaning state (with just about all state seats controlled by Dems).

Now when the same two-faced freepers talk about how Pres Bush acts as in the case of supporting Specter in Pennsylvania or even in the general case of fiscal responsiblity (when your party controls the US house and senate) is all the proof anyone needs about how silly they look shooting their mouth off towards a convenient political target.

[onedoug]

I'll vote McClintock LG, but Arnold can eat....

[Amerigomag]

But McClintock stands a much better chance of being elected Governor next time if Arnold and McClintock are both elected this time.

Given what you know about the electorate's fondness for the last Democrat elected, the apparent willingness of Angelides to push the frontiers of the far left and the Austrian's Democrat like approach to governance, do you really think that a second Wilsonegger administration will help set the mood for,or even allow, a conservative to be elected in Novemebr 2010?

A prudent, informed guess is that quite the opposite is true.

[USMC Veteran]

I voted for McClintock in '03. I will vote for him again this year, but Arnold is on his own. Respect is earned, not given and I can't vote for someone I don't respect.

[Defiant]

Arnold lost my vote even before he called the Minutemen racist, and called Republican voters who want control of the border "prejudiced". I have not decided whether to vote for a third party or not vote at all, but a vote for the lesser socialist is still a vote for a socialist.

A couple days ago, the John Ziegler show on KFI in LA examined this dilemma. He is also feeling like he cannot support Arnold and is looking for an alternative. He had as a guest the Libertarian candidate, Art Olivier, former mayor of the LA suburb of Bellflower. Ziegler ended up endorsing this guy. I went to this website for more information about Olivier. I disagree with Libertarians on drugs and most of what they say on social policies, but I must say, I agree with this guy on about 95 percent of what he has to say. He's very strong on immigration, the budget and smaller government, the most important state issues.

I'm not endorsing this guy just yet--I don't know much about him, and he may turn out to be a whacko like Ron Paul--but so far it looks interesting. I know that Arnold has lost me.

[Defiant]

I agree with you that a McClintock governorship is more likely if conservatives are not complicit in a leftist stewardship of the state. If Arnold is elected by his left of center coalition, or if Angelides is elected by his far far left supporters, conservatives can rightly argue, "now try it our way". We had a long debate on this topic in the earlier thread here. As we approach the November elections, the debate over tactics will undoubtedly inspire hundreds of such heated battles here.

[kellynla]

I agree with you that a McClintock governorship is more likely if conservatives are not complicit in a leftist stewardship of the state. If Arnold is elected by his left of center coalition, or if Angelides is elected by his far far left supporters, conservatives can rightly argue, "now try it our way".

I concur!

[USMC Veteran]

I would like to see this guy speak in person. He seems more like a small 'l' Libertarian and actually bucks the party platform on a few issues.

At this point, I would rather abstain from voting for a person rather than compromise my values.

[Ninian Dryhope]

British Petroleum chief Lord John Browne should stop killing folks at the BP Texas City plant. BP's ECO preaching rings hollow as their incompetence and indifference has led to the killing and maiming of so many at Texas City.

[editor-surveyor]

"Meanwhile, Angelides is hoping to play host to Hugo Chavez."

In an attempt to make his platform appear more moderate ;o)

[Canard]

So Schwarzaneggar has Blair and the other guy wants Chavez? Foreign socialists the musthave accessory for a California election campaign, it seems.

[FairOpinion]

"I can't vote for someone I don't respect."


===

And as a conservative YOU RESPECT ANGELIDES?

If you don't vote for Arnold you ARE voting for Angelides.

[FairOpinion]

Sure, and Angelides is such a great alternative, right? (/sarcasm)