Posted on 08/22/2006 12:09:04 PM PDT by calcowgirl
One of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's closest advisors and strongest voices for cleaner energy has left the administration, a departure that environmental activists describe as a worrisome loss.
Terry Tamminen, a favorite of the governor who held some of the most powerful positions on his staff, is now working for Schwarzenegger's campaign as a volunteer and is not planning to return after the election, the governor's aides said.
Tamminen, a Democrat, was part of an inner circle with easy access to the governor, leaving him well-positioned to make the case for solar energy, alternative fuels and environmental protection. With Tamminen gone, activists say, they have lost an influential ally who was prepared to spar with industry forces leery of environmental regulation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmentalist who introduced Tamminen to the governor and who is a cousin of First Lady Maria Shriver, said that like a lot of important leaders, Schwarzenegger "listens to many people when he makes a decision. It's very important for the environmental community to have a strong advocate in the room. I worry. It's hard to find someone who's better at this than Terry."
Tamminen has taken a part-time consulting position with AbTech Pacific, West Coast distributor of storm water filtration technologies. Tamminen also has a book coming out later this year, "Lives Per Gallon: The True Cost of Our Oil Addiction"
Assemblyman Ray Haynes (R-Murrieta) said that among Republicans in the Legislature, Tamminen won't be missed. At private Republican caucus meetings, members would complain about reports that Tamminen was pushing for "more regulation and fees."
"He was a Democratic liberal environmentalist who felt it was his job to drive the administration toward bigger government, regulation and more control," Haynes said.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Me thinks arnold just figured out how far left he went with this wacko and by following his extremist lefties has lost most of his support - while hunitng new support from the left that will not be there.
"He was a Democratic liberal environmentalist who felt it was his job to drive the administration toward bigger government, regulation and more control," Haynes said.
Yup. he fit right in as part of the Gub's team.., hard to tell the PHilth from the .. uhhh... no missing this one..
Is it just me, or do we instead need a Republican Governor who DOESN'T listen to many people. Kooky enviro whackos need to be IGNORED.
You're too hopeful. If your read the whole article, Maria assures us that Tamminen will still have influence and Arnold "will always rely on Terry's guidance." And Arnold still has all the other Democrat leftists in his office to rely on.
No!
I just got back from a conference with a few folks in that area. Arnolds appoinment maker has received $8,000 in gifts such a s tickets, etc for getting in the appoinment book but says she if off the hook becuase she gave them to her husband and therefore never personally benefited from the gifts.
I understand her husband is fairly high in the Teal Data Center that does the states computer processing and he benefited.
It looks like politics as usual in Sacramento.
Seems sorta silly till they told us Maria Schriver LOVES IT!!!
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