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Posted on 09/16/2003 10:53:32 AM PDT by AVNative
Arnold wows fairground crowd
More than 1,300 show up to hear GOP candidate speak
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Tuesday, September 16, 2003.
By HEATHER LAKE Valley Press Staff Writer
LANCASTER - More than 1,300 politically starstruck people stood and cheered at the new Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Monday night as they heard GOP candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger tell them how he, as the next Governor of California, plans to take back the Golden State.
Conjuring memories of one of his "Terminator" action films, the actor called October 7 "Judgement day" to begin the turnaround of California's battered political and economic fortunes. To do that, change at the top is necessary for a powerhouse state that has lost its way during a power crisis, he said.
"We've got all the basics," he said. "All but one thing - leadership."
Comparing embattled Gov. Gray Davis to a disoriented ship's captain, he said, "You can have the best ship in the world, but if you don't know how to drive it you end up in the wrong place."
He excoriated the Legislature, saying most politicians suffer a "spending addiction."
Schwarzenegger moved through his stump speech quickly, taking no notice of Monday's 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to delay the recall election. Like the other leaders in the field of 135 candidates, Schwarzenegger acted as if Election Day will in fact proceed in three weeks.
As governor, he said he could make changes that would overhaul a broken worker's compensation system that is making business flee California and arrest spiraling government costs that are taxing the average wage earner to the limit while killing jobs.
"Worker's Compensation. . . it's driving us nuts. It takes all the profit margin," he said, urging an audit of state spending. "Let's let the sunshine in. There's a lot of waste and a lot of fraud."
The candidate said he holds out the best hope for Republicans, Democrats and independents.
"I can go to Sacramento and do all those things because I'm not beholden to anyone," he said.
Schwarzenegger thanked his Antelope Valley supporters for the $325,000 raised by the $250-a-plate dinner. He said the money was needed to fuel a $22 million campaign.
Calling himself an "optimist," Schwarzenegger addressed a mixed crowd that included Republicans and Democrats, saying they enjoyed the blessings of liberty by birthright.
"In Austria, where I was born, we were surrounded by communist countries - Yugoslavia to the south, Hungary to the east, Czechoslovakia. . . none of them could vote."
The dinner was organized by leading Valley GOP stalwarts, including former state GOP chairman Frank Visco, former Assemblyman George Runner, attorney R. Rex Parris and roofing contractor Johnny Zamrzla.
A legion of volunteers labored to prepare the new Poppy Building at the new fairgrounds and ushered in guests into the building. Schwarzenegger arrived to greet schoolchildren, who have been the focus of his attention with after-school programs.
Young people figured in the night's entertainment, with mariachi diva Elizabethe Gonzalez singing and music provided by the Palmdale High School Dixieland and jazz bands.
Robbie Britt, who delivered the national anthem at the GOP convention in Philadelphia, reprised his performance and then kept the crowd on its feet with his rendition of "Proud to Be an American."
The dinner also honored special guest Sgt. Jose Coby of Lancaster, a National Guard soldier on emergency leave from duty in Iraq.
Many at the dinner already were determined to see Schwarzenegger take over the governership, and others were curious to hear exactly how he plans to turn the state around.
The candidate repeated his campaign pledge not to raise taxes, not to cut education and to repeal the vehicle license fee tax, which will triple for many Californians in October.
"It's ridiculous," he said of the car tax. "What about the people who have to put food on the table? What about the people who can barely make ends meet?"
California has deteriorated from being an idyll and a destination for dreamers to being the signature example of a dysfunctional economy and political system.
"When I came to California 35 years ago this was a place of great dreams. . . . What has happened, what have they done?" Schwarzenegger said.
Not everyone was there to applaud.
The candidate's plan to reroute control of education back to local governments drew criticism from one local Democrat who said he supports the recall but is convinced more than ever that Schwarzenegger isn't the man for the job.
Alex Gutierrez, a Palmdale resident and Democrat, said he was not impressed with the GOP hopeful's position on education. Still, he credited the actor and businessman with knowledge of how to assess talent.
"I know he is smart enough to surround himself with a very good Cabinet," Gutierrez said.
Before the actor arrived, a small crowd of local Democrats picketed in front of the fairgrounds in support of Davis.
Most at Monday night's dinner applauded Schwarzenegger's transition from actor to politician.
Judy Deeley, wife of Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Carl Deeley, said she will vote for Schwarzenegger "because he's for the people and the special interest people don't own him."
"He's looking after all of us. I think he generally does care," Deeley said.
Schwarzenegger opened his short speech Monday by saying he does in fact care.
"I wouldn't have anything if it wasn't for California," the native of Austria said. He credited the Golden State for providing his opportunities in career and marriage and business.
His newcomer status didn't faze Donna Spangler, who characterized herself as a "neighbor" of Schwarzenegger and a supporter.
"I think people are tired of politics," she said.
She believes that could make him appealing to Democrats and Republicans looking for a fresh start.
I am all for ending the car tax but most of it is going to cities and counties. Where are the candidates going to find money for local law enforcement, fire protection and other essential services...
bump
I was at the SFO international terminal today to pick someone up and as I was waiting and watching all these people from another country come through Customs, I couldn't help but think - "Welcome to our messed up State - no more California Dreamin', its now California Screamin'. Hope you are here to contribute, cuz we can't take care of you - we're broke."
Arnold is absolutely right on this. He gets it.
Cheers, CC :)
When we can afford CHP officers to sit on empty desert highways with radar giving speeding tickets and paramedics to respond to every accident and heart attack within 3 minutes and still have enough police and fire fighters to go to the schools to teach drug classes and show off their trucks and cars, we have way more than we need to fight fires and catch criminals.
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