Posted on 08/31/2006 3:55:50 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to cap California's greenhouse gas emissions is just the latest in a string of recent deals with the Democrats that could help him win back the moderate voters so vital to his re-election bid this fall.
The deal announced Wednesday between the Republican governor and leaders of the Democratic-controlled Legislature would make California the first state to limit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases from factories and other industrial sites.
Earlier in the week, the two sides agreed to raise the state's minimum wage and create a prescription drug discount program.
Democrats have been playing ball with Schwarzenegger since they passed a $37.3 billion bond package in May that the governor had sought. The money would go toward transportation, levee repairs, school buildings and affordable housing.
The deals have opened up Schwarzenegger to charges that he is jettisoning his Republican principles as he seeks re-election. But they are political treasure for Schwarzenegger because they appeal to the moderates who dominate the state.
Schwarzenegger alienated them last year with his polarizing special election in which he clashed with the state's powerful teachers union.
At a news conference Wednesday to announce the global warming deal, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a Democrat from Los Angeles, pronounced it "a huge victory for the governor."
Democrats are eagerly working with the governor, despite the potential political damage to their own candidate for governor, state Treasurer Phil Angelides.
"For Democrats, if you're here to do public policy and the governor is offering a deal, you have to take a look at it," said Assemblyman Dario Frommer, a Los Angeles Democrat.
The Democrats' willingness to strike deals that hurt Angelides could mean they do not believe he can win in November, said Democratic strategist Chris Lehane, who is not affiliated with the Angelides campaign.
"Their interest and desire to pursue these subjects is an indication of how strong a campaign they think Angelides is running," Lehane said.
And they are more than willing to take advantage of the governor's political need to compromise. "Arnold has been willing to literally give everyone in Sacramento their particular Christmas gift early this year," Lehane said.
In pursuing some of the legislation that could endear him to moderates, Schwarzenegger clearly risks alienating conservatives and business leaders.
Business leaders warned that the greenhouse gas measure could drive away business and kill jobs.
As for the minimum wage deal, Schwarzenegger opposed any increase when he was elected. But this time he agreed to raise it by $1.25 an hour.
On the prescription drug deal, the governor's election-year turnaround was even more dramatic. He agreed to impose sanctions on drug companies that do not offer discounts to people who otherwise have to pay full retail price, a position he flatly rejected two years ago.
Schwarzenegger's compromises leave him open to charges he is flip-flopping to win support beyond his Republican base, which makes up just 38 percent of the electorate.
"He's absolutely willing to prostitute himself on anything," said Angelides adviser Bill Carrick. "How humiliating it must be to be a Republican in this state."
Schwarzenegger press secretary Margita Thompson said Schwarzenegger was influenced only by the improved economy.
"The governor has been consistent in fighting to bring affordability of health care to consumers," she said. "And now that he's gotten the budget on a better footing, we can sustain an increase in the minimum wage, ensuring that workers share in the economic expansion."
Mark Baldassare a pollster for the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California, said Democrats would lose credibility if they refused to work with the governor on issues that are important to their constituencies.
"Global warming, raising the minimum wage — these are pretty popular things in California right now," Baldassare said.
But, he said, handing the governor victories on key Democratic issues can't help Angelides.
"It takes away one of the most potent messages for a Democratic candidate, which is Republicans don't care about working people and the environment," he said.
Democrats are eagerly working with the governor, despite the potential political damage to their own candidate for governor, state Treasurer Phil Angelides.
--
Ouch.
Arnold has proven that he swings both ways.
Wonder why my hind quarter hurts???
Arnold can't win without conservatives, and he is rapidly losing them. Why should I vote for a Democrat who happens to call himself a Republican?
I am as angry as anyone can be at Ahnuld, but Angelides is worse. That is the only argument.
Because, sadly, the alternative is a Socialist.
If he signs the legislatures Hillary Care health bill, he IS a Socialist.
'Cuz if you don't, you'll make Fair Opinion cry.
I will be doing something I've never done before this fall in the governor's race, I'm going to vote Libertarian. We all need to call his office and demand he veto SB160, a bill just past that will give college financial aid to illegal aliens. Why the hell do people who don't pay taxes and aren't obeying our nation's laws entitled to financial aid? And what's to keep these people from skipping town with the money or sending it back to Mexico, or using it to buy beer? For student loans, they have no Social Security number, so how do you track their credit or ding their credit when they don't repay? Notice I don't say if.
Call the governor's office and demand a veto of this slap in the face to California taxpayers: 916-445-2841
Please call!
I will be doing something I've never done before this fall in the governor's race, and mainly because of his going along with this global warming vomit, I'm going to vote Libertarian.
We all need to call his office and demand he veto SB160, a bill just past that will give college financial aid to illegal aliens. Why the hell do people who don't pay taxes and aren't obeying our nation's laws entitled to financial aid? And what's to keep these people from skipping town with the money or sending it back to Mexico, or using it to buy beer? For student loans, they have no Social Security number, so how do you track their credit or ding their credit when they don't repay? Notice I don't say if.
Call the governor's office and demand a veto of this slap in the face to California taxpayers: 916-445-2841
Please call!
Good idea. And be sure to remind him that college is free in mexico.
"Democrats have been playing ball with Schwarzenegger since they......
turned him into a democrat.
I just gave his office an earful on this one too. They say he's not signed it yet. Call the number I posted above and tell him not to ruin our state's economy or make it like Europe's!
obviously Mr. Schmidt disagrees with you and statistics would tend to support his conclusions.
As of 2003, about 13% of the electorate that bothered to vote was conservative. The remaining 87% of the electorate that voted was either partisan or independent.
The obvious game plan is to ignore conservatives, feed the frenzy of Republican partisans with bogeyman stories, entice independents with progressive pronouncements and attract soft Democrats with popular, transfer of wealth schemes .
The strategy is particularly effective when the opponent is weak and not well liked within his own partisan circle.
The Austrian can and will win without the support of conservatives and he will govern without their consent. His decision making process will involve no consideration for conservatives.
What to Austrian must have to win is the support of Republicans. That is the issue before this forum. Should Republicans vote for a liberal, even if that liberal is a registered Republican and supported by his state party?
Now we know for sure where the Arnold bashers are getting their script.
He is driving industry out of CA. Here's hoping the companies decide to move to Colorado. We need the jobs!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.