Posted on 09/08/2006 9:11:49 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
On a tape of a closed-door meeting with advisers, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says that Cubans and Puerto Ricans are naturally feisty and temperamental because of their combination of "black blood" and "Latino blood."
"I mean Cuban, Puerto-Rican, they are all very hot," the governor says on the recording obtained by the Los Angeles Times and made available on its Web site Friday. "They have the, you know, part of the black blood in them and part of the Latino blood in them that together makes it."
The six-minute tape was made earlier this year. On it, Schwarzenegger and Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy speak affectionately of Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City, and speculate about her nationality.
Garcia, who is Puerto Rican and the legislature's only Latina Republican, told the Times the governor's remarks did not bother her.
"I love the governor because he is a straight talker just like I am," she said. "Very often I tell him, 'Look, I am a hot-blooded Latina.' I label myself a hot-blooded Latina that is very passionate about the issues, and this is kind of an inside joke that I have with the governor."
Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson said in a statement the remarks were "a small part of a long conversation that is taken totally out of context."
"The governor respects every member of the Legislature and holds them in the highest regard," Thompson said. "It is not uncommon for him to have fun and joke with the members while they're working, especially during very tense negotiations."
The recording is full of frank and comic assessments of fellow Republicans from Schwarzenegger and his staff.
Kennedy, a Democrat who also worked for former governor Gray Davis, says Republican Assembly leader George Plescia of La Jolla looks like a "startled deer," and the governor calls Republican legislators a "wild bunch" and a "unique, unruly group."
The remarks came in the spring as the governor was in negotiations with Republican lawmakers over his plan to place several bond issues on the November ballot.
It was not known why the session was taped, but the Times said Schwarzenegger sometimes records private meetings so that speechwriters can keep a record of his thoughts and speaking patterns.
The newspaper did not say how the tape was obtained. The participants suggest during the meeting that they know they are being recorded.
Plescia Responds To Governor's Taped Remarks
“The Governor has called to personally apologize and I accepted. He has reiterated his respect for our entire caucus. Politics is a contact sport, and we look forward to continued civility from all sides as we move toward the November elections.”
Whoever authorized the taping and allowed those tapes to be transcribed by a independent, commercial operator, has responsibility for this embarrassing moment.
I agree with Hanretty. Both Schwarzenegger and Kennedy were aware of the taping and the blame rests there. Both should be fired.
Fortunately for the governor, this episode hit the fan on Friday night and apparently was not part of a greater plan to peak minority distrust of a white European 4 days before an election.
My guess is that the Tribune Company management insisted the material be released today, after the flak they took for similar activities launched during the 11th hour of the the 2003 recall.
Listening to Roger Hedgecock on Firday - Arnold and the lady he was talking about - this is their private joke - and she has made a comment to the media saying this.
As usual .. it's the media making a mountain out of a mole hill!
I am also married to a Latina. She is hot and hot tempered. One wrong word and she’s like a rocket into outer space.
My wife is one of those hot latinas. She takes great pics when she’s not all fired up about something.
bonnie garcia talks baby talk.
and it drives some men wild.
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.