(Schwarzenegger) Donations show liberal family ties

LA Daily News ^ | August 13, 2003 - 8:37:28 PM PST | Lisa Friedman

[ElkGroveDan]

By Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Arnold Schwarzenegger has given Democrats thousands of dollars in political donations over the past two decades, including $1,000 to Massachusetts senator and liberal lightning rod Ted Kennedy.

At the same time, campaign reports show, the GOP actor and gubernatorial hopeful has been a lukewarm financial supporter of Republican candidates.

Ultimately, say political observers, Schwarzenegger's history of political giving indicates little beyond what already is known -- that he is a moderate Republican who married into the Democratic Kennedy clan via NBC news correspondent Maria Shriver.

But conservative activists argue the pattern underscores a questionable political allegiance.

"Certainly, he has not proven to be a dedicated Republican. Where is his loyalty going to be?" asked Celeste Greig, a longtime Republican activist from Northridge who is supporting Schwarzenegger's rival, Bill Simon.

According to Federal Election Commission reports, Schwarzenegger gave $7,500 to Democrats since 1980 -- all of them Kennedys -- and $12,500 to Republicans and GOP committees.

Schwarzenegger aides and supporters called the donations to Democrats a non-issue.

"It's blood. It's family. He wasn't supporting Democrats, he was supporting family," said Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora.

"The fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger passionately embraces Republican views on fiscal responsibility and economic growth is enough for me and enough for most Republicans," Dreier said.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Rob Stutzman called criticizing the actor for his Kennedy donations "foolish."

"It's just silly to suggest that Arnold Schwarzenegger can't be a good Republican while still supporting his family by marriage," he said.

Even some Democrats said they don't read much into the Kennedy donations. "He wants to stay married," said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks.

But Sherman also slammed the campaign contributions as "thoughtless."

"I don't think he's thought about anything in politics," Sherman said. "These political contributions are thoughtless gestures because he doesn't vote."

Sherman was referring to a published report that Schwarzenegger may not have voted in as many as five of the last 11 statewide elections, although the candidate's staff questioned whether all of his absentee ballots were counted.

In addition to Ted Kennedy, Schwarzenegger gave about $3,500 over the years to his wife's cousins, former Massachusetts congressman Joe Kennedy and Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend; and $2,000 to his brother-in-law, Mark Shriver, who last year ran a losing congressional race.

Among Republicans, Schwarzenegger gave $1,000 to losing Senate candidate Bruce Herschensohn in 1992; $1,000 to former Gov. Pete Wilson; and $1,000 to also-ran Senate candidate Ed Zschau. The rest of his GOP giving went to either state or national party committees.

Maria Shriver, meanwhile, has donated $2,000 to Mark Shriver; $4,000 to her cousin, Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy; $2,500 to Joe Kennedy; $1,000 to Townsend; and $3,000 to Ted Kennedy over the past two decades.

Schwarzenegger also has given a total of $3,000 in local races to Democratic Mayor James Hahn and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.

In addition, he gave Republican Richard Riordan $50,000 to help the former Los Angeles mayor in his run for governor last year. Riordan himself ran into trouble during that race for having donated to Democrats like Sen. Dianne Feinstein and even Gov. Gray Davis.

California political analysts said they doubt Schwarzenegger will face the same problem.

For one thing, analysts said, Republican anger over bipartisan campaign donations would be more likely to boil over in a closed party primary. For another, they said, Republicans who are bothered by Schwarzenegger's Kennedy ties will probably vote for conservatives like Simon or state Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, anyway out of ideological reasons.

Said Dan Schnur, a longtime California campaign strategist now working for Schwarzenegger rival Peter Ueberroth, "Dick Riordan hadn't married into Gray Davis' family. I think Republican voters will see the difference."

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Lisa Friedman can be reached at (202) 662-8731 and lisa.friedman@langnews.com.

[kellynla]

Yea well the election is 54 days away...and 54 days is a lifetime in politics...just ask Bush Sr...

[ElkGroveDan]

Re-elect Davis. Good point.

No. You missed the point. I am opposed to liberals like Davis and Arnold.

We need to elect a C O N S E R V A T I V E...un-der-stand??? Shall I draw pictures for you?

[BlackElk]

What is your evidence that he isn't all those things (other than maybe black catering)? There sure is plenty of evidence that he is. Next we will be hearing that Maxine Waters is just misunderstood. After all she got money from RINO Riordan so she must be a secret Republican. RINOS, all together now: Let's run Maxine for Governor: She's one of us!!!!!!

[ElkGroveDan]

Some people would rather lose to a completely unacceptable Democrat than win with a moderately acceptable Republican.

Well send us a moderately acceptable Republican and we'll talk about it. Right now though, the debate is over Liberal Arnold.

[BlackElk]

That's nice. I am soooooo impressed. I think a little bit more about his description of Warren Buffett as his HERO and his MENTOR. Buffett is leaving his entire $Billion + estate to Planned Barrenhood. I suppose that Planned Barrenhood is a GOP charity????????? Those two words (HERO/MENTOR)came straight from the RINO windtunnel's mouth yesterday. As to Riordan, Wilson, and Buffett, as my Irish granny used to say: Show me your friends and I'll tell you what you are. And that goes double for relatives like Ted the Swimmer, Patches Poohbear Kennedy, Rhode Island's boy of little brain, etc., etc.

[nyconse]

Yeah, well you had your chance in 2002. Simon lost. Apparently there are not enough conservative voters in California to elect a conservative as governor.

This article is from the LA Slimes. Why are you allowing yourself to be used by the liberal media? In the end, you will help elect Busmante who is eons worse than Arnold.

[BlackElk]

Why is Simon running? On this one post, when you're right, you are right! We must give credit where it is due.

Next question: Why is Schwarzenkennedy running as a make-believe Republican when he is absolutely not a smidgeon more than Grayout Doofus in GOP drag other than a bit better physical fitness.

[nyconse]

Arnold is going for bi-partisan appeal. In a state where Repubs. control nothing, this may not be a bad idea.

[Cyber Liberty]

Here's a picture for you:

The choice is Shwarzenegger or Davis or Bustamante.

I don't see the prefect candidate, just one two who must never be trusted with power again, and a third who will ensure that outcome if the CA Republicans can ever figure out how to stop destroying their own candidates.

My point, which I could repeat a 1,000 times, complete with pictures you can color, is that the train's already left the station. A vote for any candidate other than the less-than-perfect Schwarzenegger nets the state a nice, shiny Demiocrat hack for the next three years.

Section 9 had a very good take on it yesterday that I might go dig up for you, except it has too many big words in it.

[nyconse]

Arnold wants to be governor, and he is leading the pack. He didn't lose an election in 2002. Simon is not leading the pack and is going to dilute the conservative vote. McClintock has no... chance with Simon running.

[nyconse]

This is my take on the situation too.

[BlackElk]

IF Bustamente takes office as governor, that will be the permanent solution to the California Demonrat problem. He might make Grayout Doofus or even the droid look competent. If Schwarzenkennedy is elected, that would be the permanent solution to the California "Republican" problem. Future generations of Californians would then not know how to pronounce, much less, spell: Republican.

EGD: I had not thought you were supporting Simon. Are nyconse's claims a bit exaggerated?

[nyconse]

Sorry, I misunderstood the political situation in CA. I was under the impression that the CA reps in the US House (most) and Senate (all) are Democrats, I thought the California House and Senate are controlled by Democrats. I was unaware there are so many elected Republicans in California: my mistake.

[Corin Stormhands]

including $1,000 to Massachusetts senator and liberal lightning rod Ted Kennedy.

So, let me get this straight. I'm s'posed to be upset that a millionaire gave $1,000 to his wife's uncle?

[BlackElk]

Make that multipartisan appeal and not merely bi-partisan. Schwarzenkennedy wants the votes of Demonrats, Peace and Freedom, Socialist Worker's Party, Green Party and all those parties to the LEFT of those four. He'll take as many votes from RINOs as he can achieve but no matter, he is allergic to the actual Republican Party and there is no danger he will govern as one.

BTW, would you have voted for John Lindsay as mayor of Fun City in the vain hope that he might govern as a Republican?

[kellynla]

I am still waiting for all you naysayers to explain what your boy Aunold brings to the party? He has no platform and no solutions. But you think that those of us who are the grassroots of the GOP and are responsible for getting the recall election this far should throw away our principles and convictions for a "pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, pro-gun control, pro-government program liberal" who is absolutely no different than Bubba and the Dimwit Davis except for party affiliation. Man! I am sure glad you naysayers don't live here or we wouldn't be having the election October 7. You'd be saying "you CAN'T recall Davis, CA is a Democrat state!" ROFLMAO

[nyconse]

If Busmante takes office and is wildily unpopular in 2006, the Dems will get rid of him and nominate a more popular Democrat. Thus California children will be doomed to forget how to pronounce and spell "Republican" and will need a crash course in Spanish: with Busmante's opinions/actions on immigration. LOL

[BlackElk]

Ummmmm, yes, you are supposed to be upset about $1000 to Ted the Swimmer.

[nyconse]

Arnold belongs to the party because he joined; he has an (R) after his name. I am more conservative than Arnold, but I do believe he is the only Republican that can win in California at this time. I used to live in PA; I voted for Spector (held my nose/hate this guy), but he is better than a Democrat.

[Corin Stormhands]

I know Arnold is no conservative and I'm not even sure I want him to be Governor. (not my call anyway since I'm on the Right Coast).

But, sorry. It's just not a big deal to me. And it's certainly not a surprise.