CA: Schwarzenegger vows to avoid raising taxes

The San Jose Mercury News ^ | Wed, Aug. 20, 2003 | Mary Anne Ostrom

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks during a meeting with his economic advisors dubbed the "California Economic Recovery Council" in Los Angeles.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican candidate in California's recall race for governor, said he would hire an outside auditor to go through the state budget and identify potential areas to cut. He also pledged to avoid raising taxes.

[Euro-American Scum]

Your response is so cool. And Tom McClintock is my choice for governor as well. And I don't care what Hugh Hewitt says about it.

[Let's Roll]

I keep hearing, 'well he's liberal because he married into that liberal family'. In real life, half the couples I know have differing political views.

[BillyBoy]

>> Registered Democrats in California: 6.7 million
Registered Republicans in California: 5.3 million <<

The ratio of Democrats-to-Republicans is even higher in states like Rhode Island and Vermont. Yet they have conservative Republican governors. Interesting, eh?

[Tempest]

Give me your source.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That is very funny!

[pogo101]

I agree wholeheartedly. Unless Arnold stumbles fatally -- in which case I'm McClintocking -- I am with him.

[Lancey Howard]

At least Arnold isn't ruling out tax increases. That's refreshing.

I agree. It is refreshing because now we know that he should never be elected to any office. And we know ahead of time that anybody who is stupid enough to vote for him but then whine when taxes get raised is a pathetic fool.

[BillyBoy]

GOVERNOR-- RHODE ISLAND:

Gov. Donald L. Carcieri (R, incumbant) Elected 2002
http://www.brownmagazine.com/printerfriendly.cfm?ID=2059
http://www.gov.state.ri.us/about.shtml
*Defeated RINO establishment candidate in primary
*In general election, won 55% of with 55 percent of the vote in a state where only 10 percent of registered voters are Republicans.
*Devout Catholic, supports vouchers and school prayer
*100% Pro-life
*Pro-2nd amendment
*Strongly opposes gay marriage
*Proponent of big tax cuts-- organized 'Capitalism Day'
*Balenced State Budget

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS-- RHODE ISLAND 2002
http://www.opensecrets.org/states/summary.asp?State=RI
MONEY SUMMARY, 2001-2002
Total Itemized Contributions † $3,192,210
Total to Democrats $2,056,198 Percent to Democrats 64.4%
Total to Republicans $1,131,662 Percent to Republicans 35.5%

PRIMARY VOTE TURNOUT - RHODE ISLAND 2002
http://www.elections.state.ri.us/2002Primary/Eligible_Turnout.htm
TOTALS
Democrats ballots cast: 240,959
Republican ballots cast: 64,016
Nonpartisan ballots cast: 360,037
Total: 665,012
Turnout average: 149,359
Percentage turnout- 22.5%
DEMOCRAT PRIMARY
Registered: 600,996
Turnout: 122,535
Average: 20.4%
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY:
Registered: 424,053
Turnout: 26,824
Average: 6.3%

[Lancey Howard]

He also pledged to avoid raising taxes.

"avoid raising taxes"

Ewww. Those weasel words are downright clintonian.
I was willing to hear Schwarzenegger out, but I am definitely not encouraged by this.

[Smogger]

This isn't Rhode Island or Vermont..

[SierraWasp]

"This has become truly insane."

"That's the way, uh huh, uh huh, the way I like it..."

As the hippie commonist at People's Park in Berserkley said: "Bring it all down, maaaaaaaaaan!"

It's kinda like Mrs. Wasp said today about the 10 Commandments... "If we all followed those, it'd sure put a lot of lawyers out of business!"

Well, this recall thingy, with no primary, sorta takes things clear out of the political party leader's and special interest lobbyist's, along with all other known "normal" political infrastructure and control and plopps it all right in the lap of the people! Sorta like the French Revolution without any messy guilitine.

People everywhere are still losing their heads over the whole episode, however. Amusing and amazing, indeed!!! I just get so tickled at what it does to the established "order" and how it's making the extremities of the political spectrum go absolutely nuts!!!

Yes, it's like all extablished political processes are on hold, while the mob gets ready to lynch somebody who undoubledly deserves it and everybody and their mother-in-law wanna get some celebrity for themselves.

Meanwhile, only the very wealthy, or very well-known have any chance whatsoever of achieving the office. Like the dog that chases cars and hasn't a clue what to to when he catches one, except to pee on the wheels... fabuluous!!!

[Tempest]

Heehee. . . So you're saying a state that has one tenth the population of California and non-of the problems that California faces. Is a good sample for the arguement.

Uhhhmmm I'd just like to point out at this time that Rhode Island largest politcal base is neither Republican nor Democrats but it's the Independents that actually hold the majority of vote in RI.

Unlike California, where as even if ALL of the minor parties (yes this includes the Green party) were to somehow miraculously side with Republicans. Guess what?!

The registered Democrats would still outnumber all of the combined parties. Get it?!

ALL of the combined parties in California do not outnumber the Democrats party in California!!!

Rhode Island is a speck in comparison with the independents as the ruling class!!!

Completely different scenario!!!!

[The Old Hoosier]

you should base your opinion of A.S. on his published policy positions

WHAT published policy positions!!!! The guy can't even promise not to raise taxes, or cut education spending. He won't go into specifics, because "the public doesn't care" about specifics.

This guy is a disaster!

[cartoonistx]

Read Warren's lips...no new talk about raising taxes!

[Tempest]

Oh and in case you wanted a source:

http://www.elections.ri.gov/2002Primary/Eligible_Turnout.htm

as you can see independents outnumber the combined totals of registered voters for both (R) and (D) in RI unlike California.

[OESY]

I beg to differ. You are assuming that there is no way to extricate California without raising taxes -- which Republicans would fight. Arnie is best situated to prevent that from happening since he is the candidate most likely to be effective in bringing businesses and jobs, including movie industry jobs, back to the state. All are aware that any governor who resorts to raising taxes risks losing much of his constituency and will be subject to recall himself.

Meanwhile, I have to ask if you were one of those Republicans who sat out the 1992 election or switched his vote to Ross Perot, thereby enabling Bill Clinton to win the presidency and the Dems to take both houses of Congress and most of the state capitals -- all because you didn't like Bush 41 reneging on his "No new taxes pledge" -- which followed his deal with Democrats to cap federal expenses?

If you think the Clinton outcome was in America's best interests, we have profound differences. Don't pull another Bob Dole (the only person on the globe who could have lost to Clinton in 1996) just to prove your point.

[TheAngryClam]

No, I'm assuming that there's no way to save California that Arnold would consider that doesn't involve raising taxes.

He won't make the cuts necessary because he loves huge social spending- it's "for the children."

[OESY]

Let's hope he doesn't stumble, though many are gunning to pick him off, as evidenced by the snide NY Times story and editorial today. I wasn't for the recall at the outset (not good for Bush if the state problems are unsolvable in the short-run -- admittedly also not very fair nor sympathetic to Californians), but once it was a foregone conclusion that Davis would be replaced, ya gotta place your bets.

[Smogger]

The guy can't even promise not to raise taxes, or cut education spending.

Did Bush II promise not to raise taxes or cut education spending? Anyhow, what do you care in Indiana?

[Gophack]

I don't believe him, either. He pledged to "avoid" raising taxes. What exactly does that mean? Avoid until he can't avoid it any more? Until he has "no choice"? Either he says he WILL NOT raise taxes--never, no how, no way--or we can't believe him.