Posted on 11/08/2006 8:00:33 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's comeback coup wasn't all bad for state Democrats.
As the Republican governor cruised to victory on a largely Democratic platform Tuesday, he set the stage for some of the Democratic Party's rising stars who aspire to the job themselves.
Many were positioning themselves for the 2010 gubernatorial contest - when Schwarzenegger will be termed out - even as they campaigned for their lackluster candidate, Phil Angelides.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a charismatic personality markedly different from Angelides, tops the list. He already has demonstrated his own brand of partisanship, working with the governor and state Legislature this year to take over the troubled Los Angeles Unified School District.
Other possibles include popular San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who garnered national attention when he allowed gay marriages in his city, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, a party stalwart known for compromise before it became fashionable in a state Capitol controlled by Democrats.
Many of the state's most prominent Democrats used Schwarzenegger's generous election year mood to secure their own deals on everything from prescription drugs to cutting greenhouse gases. They also basked in his celebrity glow at high-profile bill signings and campaign events in support of a $37 billion bipartisan bond package.
Unlike the Democrats, Republicans don't appear to have any leaders hovering backstage. Schwarzenegger's success on a centrist message in the Democrat-leaning state could spell trouble for the GOP.
Conservative Sen. Tom McClintock was edged out by a moderate Democrat, Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, in his bid for lieutenant governor Tuesday. In the state Legislature, most GOP members are typical conservatives - nearly all voted against the landmark global warming bill he campaigned on this fall.
But Duf Sundheim, chairman of the California Republican party, said his party had no problem with its base Tuesday, and downplayed the possibility of GOP discontent with Schwarzenegger's middle-of-the-road approach.
"Just look at where we were four years ago as a party. We were broke, we lost every statewide office. People were writing that this was a blue state and could never go red," he said. "Who will emerge as the leaders over the next four years is impossible for me to say right now."
Appearing Wednesday with Garamendi and other Democrats who successfully capitalized on a national Democratic trend Tuesday, Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres denied that Democrats took any joy from Schwarzenegger's win. He remained loyal to Angelides, saying he'd done an "incredible job against all odds."
Angelides, meanwhile, took credit for forcing Schwarzenegger's political shift to the center, even if it allowed Schwarzenegger to co-opt his own platform.
"What I fervently hope how is that this Democratic agenda is pursued over the next four years," he said.
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Associated Press Writer Juliana Barbassa in Oakland also contributed to this report.
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Congratulations to all the DemocRats, liberals and Progressives in the CaGOP, the Third Way crew and the Gubinor and staff.
Yes, together we can rebuild California and make a buck or two at the same time and build up political capital for the next election and the next round of fleecing of the sheople.
Enjoy the new looming massive debt and social spending, California, You earned it!
Now go out there and prepare to pay thru the nose for it.
Enjoy the new looming massive debt and social spending, California, You earned it!
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Yes, just wait for the next round of increases in our already confiscatory taxation in California....moron voters. You are going to get EXACTLY WHAT YOU VOTED FOR.
More debt and MORE TAXATION.
Demoralized? Hell, they should be flat out thrilled. This was the straw election to end all straw elections. The democrats couldn't have lost if their or our candidate went toes up before the election.
thirty-seven billion in new bonds from what I hear, and the payoff will be about double that
next election, there'll be another thirty-seven billion on the ballot, I guarantee it
next election, there'll be another thirty-seven billion on the ballot, I guarantee it...
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Frankly, I don't think the idiots that voted this horrendous debt in, even realize that THEY are the ones going to pay it back, in spades. They are that stupid, complacent and ignorant.
I was shocked I tell ya that Cruz Bustamante lost for Insurance Commissioner. Just shocked. The State Board of Equalization went R too. But everything else D.
And a lot more IMO. We're in agreement here.
That's good but I was hoping McClintock would win. I thought he was looking pretty good, but it didn't pan out. That's too bad. \\
Now Gerimandi is poised to make a run in 2010 too. Dang it!
Now, Governator won the Recall as a special election, right!? Not an regular election I might add;
Isn't he not entitled by the law to two consecutive "real" elections for the Governorship despite the special election?
Nope , he finished over half of a full term of the recalled Gub.. and thus was ineligible to receive 2 full terms per statute.
As posted by SoCalRocket earlier today:
The GOP GOTV effort, especially in Southern California, was simply a train wreck: Turnout in Donk Strongholds: Alameda County - 45.0% Contra Costa County - 53.5% Los Angeles County - 45.0% Marin County - 51.8% San Francisco County - 40.7% Santa Clara County - 48.8% Turnout in GOP Strongholds in So Cal: Orange County - 36.7% Riverside County - 34.5% San Bernardino County - 36.8% San Diego County - 43.9% Ventura County - 36.8% Statewide Turnout = 43.8%
No problem at all, huh Duf? Except it seems that the big whizbang GOTV effort was a total failure. Was that the way it was planned? Kinda makes you wonder exactly who they "microtargeted" in their GOTV effort. Perhaps the moderates who would approve the Big-Bang-Bond? It sure didn't do anything to help conservatives. In fact, I didn't get one call from the CRP when I usually get at least 10-20 the final week before the election. I got a call for Prop 90 and a couple for Prop 87 (NO), both funded by groups unaffiliated with the CRP.
Campaign officials noted later the governor has endorsed the entire statewide ticket -- with the exception of Mountjoy -- and that he'll be responsible for the largest GOTV effort in GOP history. They said that he also values "his excellent working relationship with Dianne Feinstein."
Oh, that's right... Dufus is the one with The Purple State Dream ('a melding of red and blue')
You have to keep in mind whom the Ca GOP leadership works for,, and ,, hint,, it ain't the regular Joe Schmoes of California..
One of the major points about the election in Ca and CT proves that personality trumps party.
Thank You!
Also keep in mind where CT ranks versus Ca on the public education ratings.
No kidding! That's quite obvious!
Phil is still living in fantasy land. To the center? ROFL. He just gave Arnold an excuse to follow his naturally liberal instincts.
Angelides, meanwhile, took credit for forcing Schwarzenegger's political shift to the center, even if it allowed Schwarzenegger to co-opt his own platform. "What I fervently hope how is that this Democratic agenda is pursued over the next four years," he said.
BTW, the article calls Garamendi "moderate." What is "moderate about him?
I'll be bacccch,, time for a dip..
I just took my McClintock sign down today. My daughter, who drives my car, asks "Mom, can I take that McClintock sticker off your car"? I said sure, it's been on there for months. McClintock didn't lose by as much as the other Rs in the races.
McClintock is the only one I really wanted to win. All the other Rs I didn't really know. I'm in Riverside County and we are still RED.
Jerry Brown?? WTF????
I just don't get that Jerry Brown vote. Don't even ask me...
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