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.

[CarmelValleyite]

Since life in CA troubles you so much, perhaps it's time you moved on -- say to Nevada or Arizona where so many ready-to-retire CA residents are heading..............

[CarmelValleyite]

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been a Republican since becoming eligible to vote in this country decades ago.

Bloomberg turned Rep. what, 10 minutes before the election?

[kellynla]

No, what I expect is those of you who don't already know the positions of the candidates and their qualifications get involved and informed. http://www.tommcclintock.com I would give you Aunold's website but he is too busy running around promoting his taxpayer paid "programs" and visiting New York to have one. Waiting for you to debate, Aunold...

[kattracks]

Hmmm.. check out #80.

Now I'm sure we have a troll among us.

[cyncooper]

Could you get a grip on your language while you spout your silly self-congratulatory garbage?

I refer, of course, to your crass and vulgar post #80.

Real "conservative".

[kellynla]

"Since life in CA troubles you so much" Don't misquote me! I proudly fought for my country and will continue to fight for the conservative pro-life candidates and the lives of the unborn unlike your boy Aunold.

[Catalonia]

We can even less afford three years under Bustamante, who actually is more liberal than Davis.

You can say that again. Check this out:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=9325

Bustamante was a member of MEChA, and he has refused to forswear his allegiance to the idea of Atzlan. Bustamante is a full-bore racist Leftist, not just a liberal. The guy is scary.

[pogo101]

Enjoy the crow!

What crow? Does that mean you think I'll be disappointed if McClintock wins? If so, you're mistaken. I'd be thrilled. But I don't think I can get that prize, so I'm preparing to take what I CAN get.

If you're saying, instead, that I'll be eating crow if Arnold wins, in that you believe he will pass all sorts of lefty programs, well, I disagree, but certainly he's preferable to the certainty of leftward movement under your man Bustamante.

[CarmelValleyite]

I'm not misquoting you. Do you ever read what you've written? You are obviously aggrieved at paying CA's "highest taxes in the country" and having to "live and work in CA." Sure sounds like you're pretty damned unhappy to me! I suggested a chance of scenery might make you feel better.

McClintock is a well qualified candidate but you and your ilk are not doing him any favors, vote-wise, when you spew hatred at other candidates and carry on histrionically.

[kellynla]

"Reported to Admin for abuse"...I am crushed! You insult me and I am suppose to just sit here and take it? I don't think so... You don't have a problem voting for a pro-abortionist but you fake outrage at colorful language. Yea right...

[Regulator]

Schwarzenegger opposed (ILLEGAL) immigrant services

Good!

[pogo101]

I am crushed! You insult me and I am suppose to just sit here and take it?

What I said was that you were "some conservative" (sarcastically) if you prefer Gov. Bustamante to Gov. Schwarzenegger.

You may not like it, but it's not really an insult, and certainly in no way opens the door to rule-breaking, crude sexual remarks.

[Dave S]

Debates are needed! And the campaign is in CA not NY. So let me know when Aunold will be available to debate!

As long as Arnold continues to tower over the remaining dwarfs, do you really think he will get on a stage with four or five others? I could see him debating Davis or Bustamante but not the others. And thats assuming one of the other eighty or so candidates doesnt file suit to get on the stage too.

We only have 57 days so if Aunold is a serious candidate for governor of CA and not some actor just getting free publicity then I suggest he rush back to CA ASAP.

Serious people keep their commitments. Arnold had a commitment that he had made prior to his becoming a candidate... and it had nothing to do with promoting a movie and you know that. That said he can get more publicity taking care of his commitment to kids in NY than any of the dwarfs will get by barnstorming California. Life aint fair, especially if your only claim to fame is as a governmental apartachuk.

[Dave S]

And if you are going to bash Arnold for something other than issues, how about telling McClintock that he ought to blink once in a while? Its very disconcerting to voters to have a candidate stare at them constantly without ever blinking. It's epecially so on TV.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"How dare you have a real conviction! In 20 years there will be no conservatives left, only "Winners" It's not worth it."

If I'm reading your post right, you are saying that conservatives are losers?

[Luis Gonzalez]

"And if you are going to bash Arnold for something other than issues, how about telling McClintock that he ought to blink once in a while?"

Reptiles don't have eyelids.

[Dave S]

Look! It's fairly obvious those you name have no chance so why waste broadband. Arnold is the bigger "danger".

Not a chance. Save bandwith by getting rid of all the hot air about Simon and McClintock. If they could combine their vote they probably couldnt beat Bustamante much less Arnold.

You wing nuts who keep talking about how California wants a real Republican and then list as proof things such as Prop 187 and Prop 13, etc. You seem to fail to see that those relate to ECONOMIC issues, not social issues. Even the prop about using ENglish is class is an economic issue in that paying all those special teachers to teach in another language was costing the already strapped school system money. Republicans cant get to 50% these days preaching morals in Hollyweird.

[.cnI redruM]

Arnold favors enforcing the law. Definately a vast, Right-Wing conspiracy.