[FairOpinion]

Ironically, it was in June that Schwarzenegger was the keynote speaker at a 25th anniversary celebration of Prop. 13. Schwarzenegger praised the measure, which sharply curtails yearly increases in property taxes.

This shows Arnold always supported Prop 13.

[FairOpinion]

Considering the media attention Buffett's original comment caused, I thought this deserves to be Front Page News

[So Cal Rocket]

Mr. Buffett doesn't speak for Mr. Schwarzenegger," said Rob Stutzman,

Ok... then who does speak for Arnold? I haven't heard anything from him in a week. What DOES he stand for? What IS his platform? He's dropped from 48% to 22% in a week by keeping his mouth shut... it's time to lay out your plan, Arnie.

[SandRat]

Even more intersting is that I just had the Tube on and all the alpoMedia Talking-Heads were talking about was Buffet's statement on how this was the third-rail of CA politics after PROP 13 passed.

NOT ONE of them even mentioned that Ah-Nold had re-buffed Buffet. All they could seem to talk about was that fact that this was diminishing his chances to win and that Bust-the-Money was ahead in the latest polls 28% to Ah-Nold's 21%.

[nickcarraway]

Can you say ``trial ballon?'' He can wait until after the election to bring this one out again.

[The Other Harry]

I have to agree with George Will's recent column. I hope everyone who is involved in the California recall comes out a loser. All of them.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

calgov2002:

Gray Must Pay
Cruz Must Lose

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[concentric circles]

Arnold nixes Buffett advice over Prop. 13
By George Avalos
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

The Oracle of Omaha may need a new crystal ball after Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday rejected comments by his adviser Warren Buffett that California property taxes should be increased.

The suggestions from billionaire Buffett that Proposition 13 may need to be scrapped unleashed a political firestorm, since the initiative is revered by California voters. Buffett provided Schwarzenegger's opponents with political ammunition, raised questions about the actor's solutions for California's financial disasters, and forced Schwarzenegger's campaign into damage control mode. The comments also opened the door for a renewed debate on the role property taxes should play in the state's revenues.

Backers of Prop. 13, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and People's Advocate, lambasted the suggestions from Buffett, the nation's second-richest person and the chairman of conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

"Buffett and Schwarzenegger need a new script," said Ted Costa, chief executive officer of People's Advocate. "This is not going to play very well in California. I suspect they will make a complete retraction before long."

Indeed, within hours of Costa's suggestion, top aides to Schwarzenegger moved to distance the actor from Buffett's comments. Buffett was named earlier this week to be Schwarzenegger's financial adviser for his campaign to replace Gray Davis if the governor is recalled in October.

"Mr. Buffett doesn't speak for Mr. Schwarzenegger," said Rob Stutzman, spokesman for Schwarzenegger's campaign. "Arnold Schwarzenegger has supported Prop. 13 for 25 years. ... Arnold is an admirer of Howard Jarvis and has referred to him as the original tax terminator." Jarvis and Paul Gann were the prime movers behind Prop. 13, the tax-slashing initiative approved overwhelmingly in 1978.

Ironically, it was in June that Schwarzenegger was the keynote speaker at a 25th anniversary celebration of Prop. 13. Schwarzenegger praised the measure, which sharply curtails yearly increases in property taxes.

"Arnold gave a wonderful talk on Proposition 13, and his own life," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "He has never made any comments in the past that worry us about his stance on Prop. 13."

Buffett, in a Wall Street Journal interview, noted that the property taxes on his Laguna Beach home in Southern California are far lower than the taxes he pays on his residence in Omaha, Neb. Buffett said his California home is worth $4 million, but its property taxes are only $2,264. His Nebraska house is worth $500,000, with a property tax bill of about $14,000. And Buffett's Nebraska property taxes jumped $1,900, compared with an increase of $23 on the California home.

"This property-tax illustration, that tells you, you can draw certain conclusions from that," Buffett said in the Journal interview. "In effect, it makes no sense." Buffett also noted that he was only providing advice.

One group used the comments as an opportunity to rekindle discussion about possibly raising property taxes.

"Property taxes in California are lower than the national average," said Kim Rueben, a research fellow with the Public Policy Institute.

About 22 percent of California's revenue comes from property taxes, compared with 29 percent in the country as a whole.

"We're more dependent in California on income taxes, which are volatile and go up and down with the economy," Rueben said. "If we substitute a more stable tax like property taxes, we could be more insulated from the economic cycle we're in."

The flap could ratchet up the pressure on Schwarzenegger to provide specifics about his economic program to extricate California from its budget mess, including spending, revenue and economic growth proposals. So far, besides supporting Prop. 13, Schwarzenegger has done no more than state he would repeal Davis' recent increase in vehicle license fees.

Two Republican rivals also running for governor demanded that Schwarzenegger take even stronger steps to disavow Buffett's comments.

"Arnold should sack Buffett immediately," said John Feliz, campaign director for Sen. Tom McClintock.

Bill Simon spokesman K.B. Forbes said Schwarzenegger should offer an unambiguous stance on taxes.

"Schwarzenegger should take a pledge that he will not raise taxes as governor, period," Forbes said. "He has to come out from behind the curtains and answer the tax question, yes or no."

Davis also pilloried Buffett's comments. "I could not disagree more," the governor said. "I'm very proud that property-tax levels in California are lower than the rest of the country."

One California political strategist, Arnold Steinberg, believes the Schwarzenegger campaign may be able to weather the fallout from Buffett's comments.

"Buffett has proved he's a real loose cannon with these comments, and in a regular campaign, this would be a real blunder," Steinberg said. "But with the recall, the opposing campaigns don't seem geared up to exploit these comments."

[Common Tator]

This shows Arnold always supported Prop 13.

What it shows is he is an amateur trying to play with the pros and is going to get his a$$ beat.

No one steps into politics and makes the grade with no experience and training. Arnie thinks he can just run and do ok. They are going to clean his clock. He will be constantly blindsided. Arnold is more of an amateur than Bill Simon. Arnie is doing his very best to make Bill Simon look like an effective candidate.

Announcing advisers IS DUMB. The voters go for a candidate who knows what he is doing. They will not vote for a candidate who needs advisers to tell him what to do. And a man who announces advisers is saying he needs someone to tell him what to do.

Arnold is too inexperienced to know that. He also is using handlers to distance himself from the advisors opinions. That says he is being run by handlers. Candidates who need advisers to tell them what to do and who speak to the media through handlers rarely get elected.

Arnold's actions are screaming that he does not know what he is doing.

[firewalk]

bttt

[Enough is ENOUGH]

If he wants credibility Arnold should dump Warren Buffet immediately and put his money where his mouth is by choosing a fiscal conservative (as he claims to be) as his financial advisor instead of a democrat pro tax advocate.

Buffet's remarks about California property taxes being too low will haunt Arnold's campaign. Big credibility problem here. Why have an economic advisor you supposedly disagree with? There are too many important economic decisions to be made. Let's see now, Buffet is against the federal tax cut and now his anti Prop 13 views. I've seen enough. No thanks.

[LibKill]

Arnold's a little bit more conservative than some people think. And he's a lock for the next governer of kali.

[RightOnline]

Two words, Arnold.

Cut..........spending.

[Dane]

The Oracle of Omaha may need a new crystal ball after Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday rejected comments by his adviser Warren Buffett that California property taxes should be increased.

Indeed, within hours of Costa's suggestion, top aides to Schwarzenegger moved to distance the actor from Buffett's comments.

Mr. Buffett doesn't speak for Mr. Schwarzenegger," said Rob Stutzman, spokesman for Schwarzenegger's campaign. "Arnold Schwarzenegger has supported Prop. 13 for 25 years. ... Arnold is an admirer of Howard Jarvis and has referred to him as the original tax terminator." Jarvis and Paul Gann were the prime movers behind Prop. 13, the tax-slashing initiative approved overwhelmingly in 1978

A huzzah for Arnold. Good going.

[afraidfortherepublic]

How come I haven't read this anywhere else? I'm sure that this WSJ article touting Buffett's advice is the reason Arnold slipped so badly in the polls. Californians that I know are outraged.

[harpo11]

I find it refreshing to read how Arnold is shaping and building his campaign to win the CA Govenorship Title. If anything, he is determined, and although, it's too early to tell, he sure seems like he is pumping himself into the Uni-Candidate...something fits for everyone, talk about diversity.

[Ann Archy]

Hey Arnold....you hired a Democrat....that's what they DO....raising taxes and hating Christians and tearing down normal marriages.....it's why they are Democrats.

[DoctorZIn]

Join Us for a Complete Listing of All The Recall Threads.

[illumini]

Arnold's bringing ROB LOWE into the campaign made me rethink his being in politics at all.