Posted on 01/14/2007 4:52:14 PM PST by SmithL
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger opened his second term by declaring this the era of "post-partisanship," but Democrats sounded a lot like Democrats and Republicans sounded a lot like Republicans in the week that followed.
Even if Schwarzenegger wants to work both sides of the aisle, both sides seem reluctant to work with one another, a potential roadblock for the governor's agenda.
His big-ticket proposals will require two-thirds support in the Legislature, which means he can't rely solely on majority Democrats as he did last year on many of his high-profile bills. Schwarzenegger needs Republican votes on the budget, $43 billion in public works bonds and -- quite possibly -- on a sweeping health care plan.
Republican leaders so far have been diplomatic, pointing out that they like the governor's proposals to expand prisons and build new dams.
But some GOP members are venting openly about other parts of the governor's agenda. In one of the most severe early rebukes, Schwarzenegger's 2006 running mate suggested the governor deceived voters last year, particularly Republicans.
"Phil Angelides said he would raise taxes for a health care plan, and Arnold Schwarzenegger ruthlessly attacked Angelides for that proposal and made it the centerpiece of his campaign," said Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, who unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor. "Now Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing the same thing. As much as I disagreed with Phil Angelides, at least he was honest about what he intended to do."
Schwarzenegger communications director Adam Mendelsohn replied that "the governor has reached out to Republicans and Democrats to have a serious debate about how to fix a seriously broken health care system."
"The important thing is to debate the health care problem," he said, "not reduce it into unfair rhetoric."
Republican lawmakers dispute Schwarzenegger's notion of 2006 as a bipartisan year because
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Arnold, did you MEAN what you said at the 2004 RNC Convention? You sounded like you loved what America stood for--that's why you came here. Is there no fight in you, Sir?
"post-partisanship" = yield to the Democratic position
You mean Arnie's trying to get Repuplicans in his tent? Those would be the only political "enemies" he could possibly have in Kali.
LOL! I guess I'm pretty much the butt of your joke since I'm always late to the new tech.
Tom McClintock is 1000% correct, Arnie lied in his campaign. There wasn't a word about giving free insurance to illegals aliens until he became Gov again.
The California Assembly consists of certifiable idiots that should be out looking for some menial job on the streets.
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