Posted on 12/04/2005 9:57:17 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's clemency review this week to determine whether to execute Crips gang co-founder Stanley Tookie Williams could influence the governor's ability to rebound from political setbacks.
Convicted of four brutal killings a quarter century ago, Williams has generated a big public campaign calling for clemency because of his anti-gang books aimed at inner-city youth.
The Republican governor will hear from prosecutors and defense attorneys at the clemency hearing behind closed doors on Thursday. He will only have a few days if he wants to halt the December 13 execution by lethal injection at San Quentin prison north of San Francisco.
Some analysts say the former Hollywood action star risks further alienating his party base if he grants clemency.
"There are already a number of people that have already said that they are not going to vote for him, work for him," said Mike Spence, president of the California Republican Assembly. "If he granted clemency, based on the evidence that has been presented, it would be a disaster."
Weakened by a stinging loss on all his initiatives in a special election he called last month, Schwarzenegger angered some in his party this week by appointing an openly gay, longtime Democrat as his chief of staff.
Republican fiscal conservatives have also expressed concern about his interest in billions of dollars of new infrastructure bonds. Some analysts say such concerns could prompt another Republican, such as state Sen. Tom McClintock, to challenge Schwarzenegger in the June gubernatorial primary.
McClintock told Reuters he does not intend to run and said politics should not be considered in clemency reviews.
"Political issues should have no place in this discussion," he said. "It's totally irrelevant."
APPEALING TO THE INNER CITY
Williams' supporters -- such as Barbara Becnel, who edited his anti-gang books -- say Schwarzenegger could win over new voters by sparing the inmate's life.
"I think the political results will be positive because he, Schwarzenegger, will be seen as a hero in urban communities throughout the state of California and throughout the nation for helping the leaders of those communities to succeed ultimately with reducing youth gang violence," she said.
Williams' case is one of several that have drawn attention to U.S. use of the death penalty, as the execution toll passed a milestone on Friday of 1,000 since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstituted capital punishment in 1976.
Schwarzenegger has seen his poll numbers fall sharply over the past year and is running for reelection in November 2006 in a state where Democrats are the largest party.
He has denied clemency to two death row inmates since coming to office in 2003; one man was later spared by a court ruling.
In a rare twist, the former Mr. Olympia apparently met Williams -- when both men were avid bodybuilders in the Los Angeles area in the 1970s. During a recent interview, Williams smiled as he recounted how he impressed Schwarzenegger when they met at Venice's Muscle Beach.
"I met Arnold in the gym on the boardwalk," he said. "He told some woman 'Those aren't arms, they are thighs."'
The governor says he approaches each death row case with an open mind, but he appeared to express sympathy when a radio host complained Williams was still involved with prison gangs.
"First of all, I totally agree with you," Schwarzenegger told KOGO radio on Thursday. "I have looked through the files and pages for hours, and I have looked at his record in prison."
But "I want to have the open mind, sit down and then I make my decision."
Schwarzenegger takes pride in unconventional decisions and even supporters say that they are not sure what he will do.
And we also have this very nice bridge in Brooklyn for you to buy, Arnold.
Arnold knows conservatives have basically abandoned him and his only prayer at re-election is to curry favor with the left. His recent hiring of a left-wing extremist as his new chief of staff and the strong possibility of clemency for this murderer are his first two moves to the left. If I lived in California I'd encourage Tom McClintock to oppose the socialist from Austria for the Repub nomination.
"He won't have a second term no matter what." I agree,look at the advisors he has now, all demo-rats.
He only sold something like 300 of his books.....LOL
HO HO... HEY HEY... TOOKIE's KILLED MORE THAN TIM McVEY!!!
HO HO... HEY HEY...
FRom who?
LOL. Besides the usual leftist idiots and globalists whose approval Arnold craves, my guess is that the California Chamber of Commerce is scared of a riot.
Well, Arnold never said he was a social conservative. But support for the death penalty has gone on the ballot in California and passed with flying colors. He has to show he's tough on crime by executing Tookie whose record is chilling and shown no remorse.
I hate to be cynical, but I almost see Maria's hand in this. Arnold has to resign himself to the fact that some of his Hollywood pals will dislike him for this execution ... but so what!
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
a second-rate actor, and second-rate thinker.
all sold to mike farrell?
Honestly, I think he'd lose more votes than gain him if he granted clemency.
Arnold's made some big money movies.
He could, but I'm fairly confident he won't...he's paying lip service and giving a nod to the opposition.
He's allowed the drugs to drip on two others, and there's no reason (I hope!) for the likes of Mike "The Priest" Farrell to think things'll change with the Tookster.
I want to donate the first $50.00 to the 'Recall Schwarzenegger' effort if he grants clemency to this murderous thug.
Schwarzennedy will hold; I'm more concerned about last minute moves by the 9th Circus!
The 'terminator' will do what's right!!!!!!!!
All of Wms' appeals have already gone through up to the USSC and its over, except for any action that the Gov of CA would take.
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