Schwarzenegger opposed (ILLEGAL) immigrant services

AP | 8/11/03 | SANDRA MARQUEZ

[kattracks]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger voted for a 1994 ballot measure to deny social services to illegal immigrants, his campaign said Sunday — offering the first glimpse of the actor's stand on a major policy issue.

The Republican has promoted himself as the candidate in California's gubernatorial recall who can best appeal to the state's politically and ethnically diverse electorate.

But Democrats were quick to jump on the disclosure as a chink in the action hero's armor.

The GOP-backed Proposition 187 to deny health care and public education to illegal immigrants was passed by a wide margin, although it was eventually ruled unconstitutional. It remains a contentious issue and a litmus test for some voters, particularly Hispanics, to gauge whether a candidate is immigrant-friendly.

Schwarzenegger campaign manager George Gorton said the Austrian-born actor's vote for the measure would not prevent him from reaching out to all voters.

"He has a lot of empathy for people who have come here for a better way of living, whether they have gotten here legally or illegally," Gorton said. "But he definitely feels that people should get here legally."

Gorton said Hispanics were among the strongest supporters of Proposition 49, a ballot measure Schwarzenegger successfully campaigned for last year aimed at dedicating as much as $550 million annually to before- and after-school programs.

Speaking on ABC's "This Week," Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party, slammed Schwarzenegger for his decision to appoint former Gov. Pete Wilson, the architect of Proposition 187, as chairman of his new campaign.

"There's a famous phrase in our community, and that is, judge a person by the friends that he keeps," Torres said. "And unfortunately, his new chairman, Governor Wilson, supported 187 furiously against immigrants and Latinos."

The issue was one of the first Schwarzenegger's campaign has publicly addressed, discussing the vote in response to a reporter's inquiry.

Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, who is trying to survive the recall, and Schwarzenegger's Republican rivals have criticized him for speaking mostly in generalities since announcing his candidacy Wednesday.

Davis opposed Proposition 187.

[BlackElk]

By the time that this campaign of Schwarzenkennedy is over and he has dropped quarts of blood on the pavement, he will be groveling and claiming to be a Bircher and the answer is STILL NO!

As the Old Hoosier said: we are talking politics here. I would add: Gee, what reason has droidboy got to lie about something that cannot be confirmed?

[BlackElk]

Life is short and no one advised by the likes of RINO Riordan and RINO Wilson has any business being elected as a Republican. That's why and you won't live long enough to see me STFU or Kellynla in all likelihood either. No RINO hijackings of the GOP!

[kellynla]

McClintock actually received over 100K more votes than Simon in the last election. Regarding the electrical contracts: Davis had his chief negotiator, a consultant for the energy companies, negotiate with those energy companies and sign $42 billion dollars in massively overpriced energy contracts.

Senator McClintock has pledged to immediately sign a stipulation for the court case seeking to void those contracts, admitting that Governor Davis' negotiator had a conflict of interest, allowing the court to void those contracts and save the people of California a small fortune.


“Those contracts were negotiated under a clear legal conflict of interest by Davis' chief negotiator. This governor won't stipulate to these simple facts because it would require him to admit wrongdoing. I'll certainly admit Davis has done some things wrong!”

At the height of California’s electricity purchases in March 2001, the Wall Street Journal quoted a trading floor manager for the Bonneville Power Administration. The expert was incredulous as he watched California traders bid on electricity, “at times offer(ing) to pay $50 to $100 per megawatt hour more than the available market price.” He said, “They agree to prices that make you wonder. You’d at least think they’d check to see what the prevailing price is before throwing out their offer.”
At the same time, California officials were also committing consumers to long-term energy contracts at unprecedented prices. Californians are now paying an estimated $14 billion above the market price for this power – unnecessarily adding about $1,400 to an average consumer’s electricity bill.

How could the interests of California consumers be so completely compromised? The answer to that question may free them from the contracts.

In the winter of 2000-01, Southern California Edison and other utility monopolies tottered on brink of bankruptcy. Caught in a vortex of bad policy, they were losing billions of dollars – and were desperate to be relieved of their burdens.

In January, the Governor declared that a cornerstone of his energy policy was to prevent utility bankruptcies. To do so, he substituted taxpayer funds for the utilities’ capital – plunging the state into the power-buying business on behalf of those utilities.

Davis hired Vikram Budhraja, a former senior vice president with Southern California Edison, to oversee the purchases. Budhraja and his colleagues ignored state law that requires public officials to disclose outside sources of income, and began a frenzied and reckless buying binge that stunned veteran traders.

Southern California Edison’s finances improved dramatically, with the utility posting a profit of $121 million last quarter. California’s state finances were devastated, and consumers’ electricity rates soared.

It was not until July 12, 2001 that Budhraja finally filed the required financial disclosures, revealing that he had received “over $100,000,” from Southern California Edison’s parent company while overseeing California’s negotiations. (He also purchased between $10,000 and $100,000 of Edison stocks just four days after signing his contract with the state, selling them eleven days later for a 44 percent profit.)

Shouldn’t there be a law against that kind of conflict of interest? There already is. Government Code section 1090 is unambiguous: “(State) employees shall not be financially interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity.” Specifically, if that public official has received more than five percent of his income from an entity affected by that contract, the contract is void.

The Davis administration defends Budhraja’s conduct by contending that he never negotiated directly with his financial benefactor. State Schools Superintendent Bill Honig unsuccessfully tried the same defense against conflict of interest charges in 1992. California courts have consistently ruled that the financial interest “may be direct or indirect” and even include “the contingent possibility” of benefit. In Budhraja’s case, the very purpose of the contracts was to shore up Edison’s finances.

There is no question that Budhraja was involved in the long term power contracts, that the contracts affected Edison’s finances and that Budhraja received “over $100,000” from Edison while he was involved. The only question remaining is, did Budhraja’s Edison payments exceed five percent of his total income? If they did, the contracts are void.

The two parties who know for sure – Budhraja and Edison – aren’t talking. The Davis administration isn’t asking. And the Attorney General, responsible under the state constitution for enforcing the law, isn’t acting.

Last week, a non-profit legal group, the U.S. Justice Foundation, filed suit in superior court seeking to do what the Administration hasn’t: to enforce California’s existing anti-corruption law.

Will Californians be locked into sky-high electricity prices for years to come? Without a fundamental change in California’s current regime, the law’s last line of defense is again the courts.
You're going to have to do the rest of the research on your own. I have got to get back to work here. LOL

[BlackElk]

Trust me, time will take care of any showing that Schwarzenkennedy hopes for at this stage as it did for is pal RINO Riordan last year.

[Afronaut]

sar·cas·tic

These adjectives mean having or marked by a feeling of bitterness and a biting or cutting quality. Sarcastic suggests sharp taunting and ridicule that wounds: “a deserved reputation for sarcastic, acerbic and uninhibited polemics” (Burke Marshall). Ironic implies a subtler form of mockery in which an intended meaning is conveyed obliquely: “a man of eccentric charm, ironic humor, andabove allprofound literary genius”

Rino's are the LOSERS, they feel that they can get the win THEN change the party Plank, Rino's are not conservatives.

[Dave S]

That's why and you won't live long enough to see me STFU or Kellynla in all likelihood either

You know where I picked up that expression? Here on FR from all the friendly California So called Republicans but more likely Birchers like Cyberant and a number of others. No wonder you folks can never attract a majority. Its always if you dont agree with me, then STFU. You folks are destined to continue to lose but since you love to whine more than govern, thats okay.

[mac_truck]

“Those contracts were negotiated under a clear legal conflict of interest by Davis' chief negotiator. This governor won't stipulate to these simple facts because it would require him to admit wrongdoing. I'll certainly admit Davis has done some things wrong!”

This is a nice sentiment from Tom McClintock, but its not a reason to choose him over Bill Simon. If thats all it takes to undue 43 billion dollars in long term power contracts, anyone who replaces Davis can do it. This would make a replacement candidate's electability an overriding factor don't you think?

Who's better organized and has more financial backing right now, Simon or McClintock?

[kellynla]

Burbank — Senator Tom McClintock on Sunday received the endorsement of the California Republican Assembly (CRA) for his candidacy for governor in the October 7 recall election.

The CRA is the oldest and largest Republican grassroots organization that played a key role in last year’s come from behind victory in the Republican primary. The endorsement was at a special endorsement vote of the California membership during the convention National Republican Assemblies held this past weekend at the Burbank Hilton.

"The California Republican Assembly has consistently been in the trenches working to bring California’s bureaucracies back under control, and roll back the regulations and taxes that are choking our economy," said Senator McClintock. "The endorsement of the CRA provides a great boost to my campaign. The grassroots will be instrumental in getting out the vote in the upcoming election."

Senator McClintock has spent 20 years in the public policy arena fighting for fiscal reform. Last fall he received more cross-over Democratic votes, more independent votes and more total votes than any other Republican on the ballot. He also received 103,000 more votes in his run for Controller in November 2002 than the Republican top of the ticket.

Senator McClintock’s campaign for Governor will focus on rescinding the tripling of the car tax, voiding the $42 billion in outrageously overpriced electricity contracts and reforming the workers’ compensation system.

[kellynla]

I have laid out many reasons to vote for McClintock. Now if you cannot or refuse to acknowledge who is best qualified then I cannot help you. Good evening!

[kellynla]

Whine?" I don't know what log in MO you crawled out of but I and many others here on FR from CA were instrumental in getting the Dimwit Davis recalled in the first place. I didn't see you out getting signatures! I have been working in the CA GOP for over 25 years and "whining" is not on my resume! You are the reason that many of us ignore the insults from out-of-staters like you who bring nothing but negativity to the forum. I suggest you educate yourself on CA and CA politics before you step in it in the future!

[Luis Gonzalez]

"RINOS are the losers."

Well, I guess you didn't get the memo from the death-before-electability headquarters. RINOS stands for Republicans In Name Only, and over at Malcontent and Whinners Central, the general feeling is that Republicans are not conservatives, so it would appear then that a RINO must be whatever it is that you call a "conservative".

Get back to me when you get your name-calling sorted out.

[Syncro]

The CRA is the oldest and largest Republican grassroots organization that played a key role in last year’s come from behind victory in the Republican primary. The endorsement was at a special endorsement vote of the California membership during the convention National Republican Assemblies held this past weekend at the Burbank Hilton

Aren't you a member of this orginization?

I think Dr. Zoo introduced some of the PTB's of this org at the Victory Brunch and Sideshow 20 years ago or so...

[FITZ]

Rino's are the LOSERS, they feel that they can get the win THEN change the party Plank, Rino's are not conservatives.

It's going to be interesting ---because RINO or Conservative, the only way to fix any of California's problems will be to do some pretty conservative things --- if that spending doesn't get cut, it's still going to be a mess. Arnold might not be a conservative ---- I don't know what his ideas for saving California are or will be ----but if he wants to succeed, he has to become a Conservative ---- more liberal spending will just destroy the state.

[Afronaut]

I have seen what you have seen so far from this guy. He is Bill Clinton with Muscles. I have really come to the conclusion that the party is what is important not any beliefs. With Mike Bloomberg and the Christie Whitman’s on my coast I have seen what has happened and can happen to the rest of the US with this "Win at all costs" philosophy.

In 20 years there will be a few left that remember what a conservative ever was. Any everyone else will think they were NAzi's. After you dilute the Republicans with leftists you will have two parties to support that have no identity but their mascots. It is happening right now.

Now none of this should matter if you had no personal convictions of your own. Then pulling the name with _R_ next to it will do just fine. You win. Yippee!!

[tubebender]

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger voted for a 1994 ballot measure to deny social services to illegal immigrants, his campaign said Sunday — offering the first glimpse of the actor's stand on a major policy issue.

I voted for it but I can't prove it either...

[FITZ]

I would feel different maybe if it was an election I could vote in ---- but I'm in another state so really you could say I have no dog in this fight. I am not sure California can be saved, it still will draw the bulk of third world immigration. I think it might take more than a governor at this point ---whoever cuts programs will bring on riots.

[Afronaut]

"whoever cuts programs will bring on riots"

Might be one time I am glad to be in NJ!

[FITZ]

And you have to admit ----this campaign could be very interesting when the liberals start piling on Arnold. They're going to line up against him ---- he may not be a conservative, but they'll be trying to paint him as one. The liberals will be desperate to save their spending programs and Arnold will have to fight them ---- even if he's just a RINO, it's going to be entertaining to see him have to take them on.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Aunold has no credentials, no experience and is ceratinly not qualified to run CA.

That sounds almost exactly like Joe Lieberman's line from Fox News Sunday yesterday...but you look nothing like Joe Lieberman! What's goin' on here?? Who ARE you, and what have you done with Joe? ; )

[kellynla]

"Just the facts ma'am..." Joe Friday. VOTE 4 MCCLINTOCK or suffer the consequences! http://www.tommcclintock.com