Schwarzenegger barnstorms around California as other candidates meet

HeraldTribune ^ | 9-28 | HeraldTribune

[ambrose]

print

reply subscribe

Schwarzenegger barnstorms around California as other candidates meet

By ERICA WERNER and JIM WASSERMAN
Associated Press Writers

SANTA MARIA, Calif. --

With the campaign to recall Gov. Gray Davis entering its final full week, Arnold Schwarzenegger was barnstorming around California in a private jet on Sunday, talking to invited crowds in airport hangars.

All the other major replacement candidates were gathering at a public forum in Sacramento Sunday, and Davis unveiled another television commercial accusing Schwarzenegger of ducking tough questions and refusing to debate, despite an offer this weekend by CNN's Larry King to have them face off on King's talk show.

Meanwhile, some of California's major newspapers made their endorsements Sunday, urging voters to reject the recall on Oct. 7 and recommending nobody to replace him. "Davis is lucky: there are no replacement candidates worth a recommendation," wrote the San Jose Mercury-News.

The endorsements came out as a survey taken in the days after last week's pivotal candidates' debate showed Davis losing by a wide margin and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger way ahead of everyone else trying to become governor.

The CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll released Sunday had 63 percent of probable voters saying they would vote "yes" on the recall question, and 35 percent voting "no."

Schwarzenegger was the choice of 40 percent, Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante 25 percent and Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock 18 percent of those surveyed - suggesting Schwarzenegger could become governor even if Republicans split their vote.

The poll of 787 registered voters used a model for probable voters that assumes a relatively high 50 percent turnout among the state's voting age population. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, and was conducted Thursday through Saturday, CNN said.

Davis's campaign spokesman, Peter Ragone, attacked the numbers, noting that previous polls by other organizations showed much less support for the recall.

"It's a joke," Ragone said. "It is so far from what every other public poll and every other internal poll by both Democrats and Republicans have found."

Schwarzenegger planned to focus his message on the governor's failings during his flyaround, stopping first in the tiny central coast town of Santa Maria, then in Monterey and Redding.

"We plan to spend the rest of this campaign reminding voters that the real question of the election is whether or not they want the status quo in Sacramento, with the government controlled by special interests or whether they want real change," said his spokesman, Todd Harris.

The Los Angeles Times, Mercury News and Sacramento Bee each called for "no" on recall and made no candidate recommendations for the second part of the ballot. The San Diego Union Tribune editorialized that, while recalling the governor would set a dangerous precedent, Davis' performance demands his removal. The paper also made no recommendations for a replacement.

The Oakland Tribune, meanwhile, urged readers to vote "no" on the recall, but endorsed Schwarzenegger.

The candidates' forum in Sacramento, sponsored by Asian Pacific Islander American Political Association, includes debates for and against the recall and another ballot question, Proposition 54, which would bar the state from collecting racial data.

The event is expected to focus on issues important to Asians and Pacific Islanders. The format calls for each of the gubernatorial candidates to make a brief presentation and take questions from the 500 people expected to attend. Dr. Ivy Lee, president of the Sacramento-based Chinese-American Political Action Committee, called the forum unique for Asian-Americans in California, and a "significant symbol that we're no longer going to be ignored."

Last modified: September 28. 2003 3:09PM

This is a printer friendly version of an article from www.heraldtribune.com
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.

---

Article published Sep 28, 2003
Schwarzenegger barnstorms around California as other candidates meet

SANTA MARIA, Calif. With the campaign to recall Gov. Gray Davis entering its final full week, Arnold Schwarzenegger was barnstorming around California in a private jet on Sunday, talking to invited crowds in airport hangars.

All the other major replacement candidates were gathering at a public forum in Sacramento Sunday, and Davis unveiled another television commercial accusing Schwarzenegger of ducking tough questions and refusing to debate, despite an offer this weekend by CNN's Larry King to have them face off on King's talk show.

Meanwhile, some of California's major newspapers made their endorsements Sunday, urging voters to reject the recall on Oct. 7 and recommending nobody to replace him. "Davis is lucky: there are no replacement candidates worth a recommendation," wrote the San Jose Mercury-News.

The endorsements came out as a survey taken in the days after last week's pivotal candidates' debate showed Davis losing by a wide margin and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger way ahead of everyone else trying to become governor.

The CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll released Sunday had 63 percent of probable voters saying they would vote "yes" on the recall question, and 35 percent voting "no."

Schwarzenegger was the choice of 40 percent, Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante 25 percent and Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock 18 percent of those surveyed - suggesting Schwarzenegger could become governor even if Republicans split their vote.

The poll of 787 registered voters used a model for probable voters that assumes a relatively high 50 percent turnout among the state's voting age population. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, and was conducted Thursday through Saturday, CNN said.

Davis's campaign spokesman, Peter Ragone, attacked the numbers, noting that previous polls by other organizations showed much less support for the recall.

"It's a joke," Ragone said. "It is so far from what every other public poll and every other internal poll by both Democrats and Republicans have found."

Schwarzenegger planned to focus his message on the governor's failings during his flyaround, stopping first in the tiny central coast town of Santa Maria, then in Monterey and Redding.

"We plan to spend the rest of this campaign reminding voters that the real question of the election is whether or not they want the status quo in Sacramento, with the government controlled by special interests or whether they want real change," said his spokesman, Todd Harris.

The Los Angeles Times, Mercury News and Sacramento Bee each called for "no" on recall and made no candidate recommendations for the second part of the ballot. The San Diego Union Tribune editorialized that, while recalling the governor would set a dangerous precedent, Davis' performance demands his removal. The paper also made no recommendations for a replacement.

The Oakland Tribune, meanwhile, urged readers to vote "no" on the recall, but endorsed Schwarzenegger.

The candidates' forum in Sacramento, sponsored by Asian Pacific Islander American Political Association, includes debates for and against the recall and another ballot question, Proposition 54, which would bar the state from collecting racial data.

The event is expected to focus on issues important to Asians and Pacific Islanders. The format calls for each of the gubernatorial candidates to make a brief presentation and take questions from the 500 people expected to attend. Dr. Ivy Lee, president of the Sacramento-based Chinese-American Political Action Committee, called the forum unique for Asian-Americans in California, and a "significant symbol that we're no longer going to be ignored."

---

[ambrose]

"PING!"

[BonnieJ]

I don't trust this latest poll. They may be trying to encourage the McClintock supporters to vote for him, assuming it won't affect the outcome. Meantime, every other poll has Schwarzenegger & Bustamante very close, within the margin of error.

[annyokie]

"Tiny" Santa Maria?! I went to high school there when it was tiny (30,000). It's at least twice as big now and has three high schools.

[budwiesest]

The Los Angeles Times, Mercury News and Sacramento Bee each called for "no" on recall and made no candidate recommendations for the second part of the ballot.

These rags are only good for their entertainment and classified sections. While their liberal opinions tow the line, I wonder if they've considered whether a number of their customers may be considering 'recalling' their subscriptions.

[ambrose]

Gallup seems to be fairly optimistic. On the other hand, their model assumes a 50% turnout, whereas other polls assume a much lower turnout. Who votes is the "special sauce" which determines the polling numbers.

[DoctorZIn]

Join Us…Your One Thread To All The California Recall News Threads!

Want on our daily or major news ping lists? Freepmail DoctorZin

[Inspectorette]

In the last census, Santa Maria had a population of 82,000. The city is growing by leaps and bounds.

We went to the Arnold rally this afternoon at the Santa Maria Municipal Airport. There had to have been a couple of thousand roaring Arnold supporters there. I've never seen anything like it in this town.

There were also a few ragtag protestors there, I'm sure they'll be getting most of the air time on our local socialist NBC affiliate, KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo. At least the local CBS affiliate, KCOY-TV in Santa Maria is more balanced - they know their demographics. KSBY caters to the artsy-fartsy liberals up in San Luis.

[annyokie]

How cool! My Daddy lives in Foxenwoods.

[dc27]

I cancelled the Merc a long time ago. It is a joke.

[Inspectorette]

Foxenwoods is a gorgeous area. BTW - one additional cool thing to report - the local TV newsers didn't show the protesters at all :-)