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!

[ambrose]

The Indians are making an independent expenditure to promote him. As far as I am aware, various tribes have donated only about 100k to Tom directly.

It is worthy of noting that Tom has been an advocate of Indian rights for many many many years now. Long before they had lucrative casinos on every corner, and long before tribes had the ability do dish out millions in donations. His stance towards them has remained consistent over the years. The stance may be wrong, but he has not done any sudden 360 flips to rake in the dough...

[Dog Gone]

No, he's gay. No straight male would even make such an observation, much less think it worthy of putting into print. Who cares what color of tie Schwarzenegger is wearing, except some guy who should have been an interior decorator?

[PhiKapMom]

Same tribe that contributed to Cruz! Makes you wonder what is going on with those contributions!

[annyokie]

If you say so. I know plenty of men who remark on how good-looking another man is and they are all straight as an arrow.

[ambrose]

And McClintock isn't throwing in anything with Cruz. He's pursuing his own campaign to be elected governor.

I think the idea of stiffing Arnold on the last debate is brilliant. He stiffed them on all the previous debates so he could waltz in to the final debate like the big man he thinks he is. He's basically playing right out of the same playbook he used in his body building days. Well maybe this time his opponents aren't going to play his little game.

I just find it incredibly amusing that you Arnold supporters thought it perfectly okay for him to flip the bird to the first three debates, but then become livid with rage that McClintock might do that for the last of the debates.

[ambrose]

All of you seem to assume that we're going to even have an election...

[onyx]

Two of the Indian "gifters" are tribes right here in my own backyard: Sycuan and Viejas. Neither tribe likes McTicktock, they're playing him for a useful idiot and he's happily obliging them!

[PhiKapMom]

You answer doesn't fly! These are contributions from Indian Gambling Interests. You should know as well as anyone without gambling that Indian Tribes do not have this kind of money.

In 2000, the Cherokee's took money they got from the Feds and donated to the RATs and everyone was up in arms.

Taking money from Indian gambling interest should be a big fat "NO" from any Republican and especiallly a "principled" conservative when the same people are donating to Cruz. I happen to have volunteered countless hours for a Chickasaw who is now our Congressman so don't spin to me about why McC accepted the contributions from Tribal Gambling interests because he supports the Indians!

If McC were truly "principled," he would NEVER accepted money from Tribal or any other gambling interest. This is money they got from people who gamble and some of those folks do not have the money to waste.

BTW -- the term "principled" conservative is what the McC supporters have been tossing around for days and days! "Principled" isn't a word I would use for someone who accepts a donation from gambling interest!

[onyx]

I applaud Arnold for disassociating himself from the clowns who participated in the debates. Why stand on the same stage with the likes of Arianna and the Greenie?

As for McTicktock, he's running AGAINST Arnold and helping Cruz, so a debate with McEgo is utter stupidity and Arnold has proved he's NOT stupid.

Let them refuse to attend the final debate! Handing the stage over to Arnold is a brilliant idea. I LOVE it.

[EllaMinnow]

You're welcome.

Ping me to anything new, please?

It's bed-time in Florida...

[PhiKapMom]

Neither tribe likes McTicktock, they're playing him for a useful idiot and he's happily obliging them!

That speaks volumes but it seems McC and his supporters cannot see the forest for the trees or they would not have accepted the campaign contributions from the Tribal Gambling Interests! Seems it is more important that he get the campaign contribution then any principles!

[annyokie]

Will do! I have a great let's bash Wesley Clark article I'll find for your FReep mail!

Sleep tight!

[joesnuffy]

Good -cause his last opine was that he was gonna get the feds (US taxpayers) to bail them out...

[Reagan Man]

>>>I just find it incredibly amusing that you Arnold supporters thought it perfectly okay for him to flip the bird to the first three debates, but then become livid with rage that McClintock might do that for the last of the debates.

The Arnoldnauts here on FreeRepublic, are the some of the most unprincipled people I've seen in the many years I've worked in the GOP trenches and the conservative movement.

And they still don't understand. Arnold does absolutely nothing to advance the conservative agenda, the Republican Party platform and only damages the conservative credentials of the GOP.

[joesnuffy]

If McClintock took money from the Indians....
he is not the man conservatives think he is -imo
If he did that was really dumb...and then what the heck is the difference they are all crooked so you may as well vote for Ahnold

[onyx]

But,...., but,....., but,....., McEgo needs money to remain in the race. Without McEgo, Arnold is a certain, LANDSLIDE winner and McEgo can't stand that reality.

[isthisnickcool]

The stance may be wrong, but he has not done any sudden 360 flips to rake in the dough...

If he did a "360" he'd be where he started. Which is where he is. Which doesn't matter because he is unelectable. If the fags from "Queer Eyes for The Straight Guy" did McClintock a total makeover he'd still lose.

As far as Arnold, he at least has a chance. I'd rather see someone that is connected to the Republican party as gov. of CA than a guy like Bustamante. Who is someone you could swap with Vicente Fox and nobody wuld notice.

[PhiKapMom]

All of you seem to assume that we're going to even have an election...

Well the CA SoS has told everyone to treat this Recall like it is going to happen in October but do you know something the CA SoS doesn't know?

BTW, did it ever get cleared up if you were a lawyer for the ACLU that filed the lawsuit to stop this election? If you answered, I am sorry that I missed it, but could you answer it again since you seem to convinced this election might not happen.

Something that bothers me about your statement on the election -- if McC is gaining so fast in the polls and has so much support, why wouldn't you want an election in October?

[PhiKapMom]

I'd rather see someone that is connected to the Republican party as gov. of CA than a guy like Bustamante. Who is someone you could swap with Vicente Fox and nobody wuld notice.

Exactly my feelings. Hard for me to believe that "any" Republican would prefer Cruz to Arnold!

[Victoria Delsoul]

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."

OK, let me get this straight. McClintock has lied when he said, "he had won a convert" referring to Congressman Burton, and that he told him he should remain a candidate and "was doing the right thing." However, "Burton said he had been unwavering in urging McClintock to step aside so that a Republican would stand the best chance of winning the Oct. 7 election. He said he had not left any misimpressions that he wanted McClintock to stay in the race."

And now, there are allegations that McClintock is taking money from Indian tribes just like Bustamante. I guess, the old saying is true… eyes don't lie.