Schwarzenegger unveils political reform plan

Reuters ^ | Sep 18, 2003 | Adam Tanner

[PhiKapMom]

Schwarzenegger unveils political reform plan

By Adam Tanner, Reuters

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - As a court across town examined his main Democratic rival's campaign finances, California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger called for reforms Thursday that could put politicians in jail for currently acceptable campaign finance practices. "The people of this state do not trust their government," he said in front of a 19th century locomotive in the state railroad museum. "They feel it is corrupted by dirty money, closed doors and backroom deals." "They see contributions go in, the favors go out, and the people are punished with wasteful spending and high taxes." At the same time as his press conference, a Sacramento court heard a lawsuit charging that Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, who leads Schwarzenegger in recent polls, had improperly placed money into an old campaign fund to skirt current limits ahead of an Oct. 7 gubernatorial recall election. Publicity about six-figure contributions to Bustamante's old campaign fund from Indian gaming interests and unions have dogged the candidate's campaign in recent days. Meanwhile, the future of the Oct. 7 election to recall Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and choose a replacement remained uncertain, pending a decision by a U.S. appeals court on whether to review its decision on Monday delaying balloting until March.

Davis campaigned in Los Angeles with civil rights activist Jesse Jackson. Davis, borrowing a phrase from Jackson, urged voters to "make it nice, vote no twice" by casting ballots against the recall and against a controversial measure that would stop the state collecting racially based data.

Schwarzenegger, tanned and wearing a three-button gray suit jacket and light purple tie, said the law should be changed to make political funding tricks felonies.

"As governor, I will propose legislation to make the willful violation of campaign finance laws a felony punishable by up to one year in prison," he said. Schwarzenegger declined to say whether he thought Bustamante had skirted present campaign finance laws.

NO COMMENT ON CRUZ

"That is something for the experts to decide. I do not pay so much attention to such things," he said. "Everything that I have said just now relates to future events. We want to prevent all of those things from happening."

The multi-millionaire actor -- whose past openness about sex and drugs have raised questions on the campaign trail -- , also proposed making more functions of the government open to the public, including internal e mails. He also called for a ban on campaign fund-raising during the months the state budget is under discussion.

As Bustamante campaigned in a different part of the state, a Sacramento County Superior Court Judge tried to cut through the complexities of California's campaign financing laws as they apply to Bustamante's campaign.

"We're talking about six- and seven-figure contributions made many months after the relevant election," said Attorney Eric Grant, representing State Sen. Ross Johnson in arguing Bustamante had not held to $22,200 limits on contributions.

Bustamante's lawyer Deborah Caplan replied: "What the Lt. Gov has done is follow the law precisely." She also said he was using the money for ads featuring Bustamante talking about a controversial initiative banning the state's gathering of racial information. "The money is not going to be used for the gubernatorial race," she said.

Schwarzenegger also criticized conservative Republican Tom McClintock, who has enough support in polls to possibly deprive the actor victory, for also taking money from Indian tribes with casino gaming interests.

"The question I have for him is: on what side is he on?" he said. "Does he represent the Republicans or does he represent Bustamante, because he is getting money from the same Indian tribes."

Reuters/VNU

09/18/03 21:12 ET

NOTE: My bold!

[PhiKapMom]

Finally Arnold is starting to take off the gloves after been trashed for days!

[PhiKapMom]

Didn't realize that Cruz is under investigation for "illegal" campaign contributions!

[annyokie]

This is terrific! Arnold is taking on the Tammany Hall of Sacramento!

[FairOpinion]

"Finally Arnold is starting to take off the gloves after been trashed for days!"


"Schwarzenegger also criticized conservative Republican Tom McClintock, who has enough support in polls to possibly deprive the actor victory, for also taking money from Indian tribes with casino gaming interests.


"The question I have for him is: on what side is he on?" he said. "Does he represent the Republicans or does he represent Bustamante, because he is getting money from the same Indian tribes."

====

Thanks for the ping and for posting this. I am glad too that Arnold is indeed finally striking back. He tried to be the gentleman, but there is a point, when you say, "all bets are off".

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Good!

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[EllaMinnow]

I think that this

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/985194/posts

might have gotten to Arnold, too.

[PhiKapMom]

So glad to see that he is discussing Cruz's political donations. Cruz gets slimier all the time -- perfect RAT!

[ambrose]

Arnold going on the attack. Looks like he's getting desperate.

[PhiKapMom]

What a link! No wonder Arnold is taking off the gloves -- it is about time IMHO. His comments about McC are right on target.

Been wondering since I read about McC's taking a donation from Indian gambling interest how a "principled" conservative (as we keep getting told), could accept donations from any gambling entity? So far, haven't seen a good answer to that question!

[Dog Gone]

Schwarzenegger, tanned and wearing a three-button gray suit jacket and light purple tie, said the law should be changed to make political funding tricks felonies.

So, is Adam Tanner, the reporter, gay or what?

[annyokie]

Thanks for the heads up!

[annyokie]

Me, too. Cruz is a slime.

[Dog Gone]

Arnold going on the attack. Looks like he's getting desperate.

And if he doesn't attack, he has no ideas or convictions, right?

[freekitty]

These politicians really need to go to jail, and not nice ones either.

No more paying fines, slaps on the wrists or whatever.

It's jail time and may Hitlery and Bill be amoung the first.

[annyokie]

Perhaps he was merely comparing Arnold to the pasty skinned McClintock?

[Ciexyz]

The Indian tribes are contributing to McClintock? Puke alert!

[PhiKapMom]

Since you decided to show up on this thread -- can you please answer how a "principled" conservative like you all claim McClintock is can first accept donations from Indian gambling and secondly throw in with Cruz against Arnold?

Think before you answer! I happen to live in a State of "principled" conservatives and can guarantee you that not one of them would accept money from any gambling interest. In fact the "principled" conservative Republicans of my adopted State are totally opposed to the establishment of a lottery because they don't believe Education should be funded with gambling money.

In talking to some "principled" conservatives here, every last one said they would have declined any contribution from "ANY" gambling interest including the Indians. To a person they said it was improper for a "Republican conservative" to accept those donations!

[PhiKapMom]

I wondered about that when I saw the article from Reuters! BTW, this was buried in the AOL Entertainment section. I was looking for a picture for my daughter for her Sorority Date Party dress, and found this article.

Republicans really have a hard trouble getting their message out unless they agree with a DemocRAT then it makes the front page!