Thread: Demos see rifts widen between GOP, governor

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryn ... 312830.htm

Posted on Sat, Aug. 19, 2006

Demos see rifts widen between GOP, governor

By Kate Folmar
MediaNews Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - As Arnold Schwarzenegger addresses hundreds at the California Republican Party convention in Los Angeles today, Democrats are doing their best to plumb the governor's sometimes uneasy relationship with his own party.

The convention, which began Friday, is the final one before the November election. It's a key time to energize loyalists to volunteer and vote in a year that experts think could be dismal for the GOP nationwide. High gas prices, the extended war in Iraq and corruption scandals are all contributing to the malaise.

Schwarzenegger's rival, Treasurer Phil Angelides, has tried to ignite voter excitement in his own party and with independents by repeatedly linking the governor with President Bush, who is profoundly unpopular here.

The governor has parried by reaching out to moderates. He has distanced himself from the president on issues such as stem-cell research and has struck a middle-of-the-road stance on immigration. Those moves, however, rankle some party conservatives -- leaving a potential divide for Democrats to exploit.

Democrats contend that they are unified behind Angelides. To drive home that point, eight Democrats seeking statewide office -- from Angelides down to the candidates for the state's tax board -- stood side by side this week in a hotel meeting room.

Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres said he doesn't expect any such moments at the GOP convention. He contends that Schwarzenegger ``wants to run away from'' the other statewide Republican candidates -- most of whom are more conservative.

But Republicans assert that's a cynical attempt by Democrats to force a wedge between the governor, his allies and their voters. Schwarzenegger places a ``high premium'' on promoting the GOP ticket, campaign manager Steve Schmidt said.

The governor is raising tons of cash for other statewide candidates and up to $25 million for the party. He spent part of the evening of the June primary with Tom McClintock and Chuck Poochigian -- who are running for lieutenant governor and attorney general, respectively -- at the popular Sacramento restaurant Spataro. He is expected to appear publicly with other ``down ballot'' candidates later in the race.

``When I compare the level of unity within our party with the level of unity in the Democratic Party,'' said California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim, ``I'll take my party any day.''

And whatever the governor's relationship with the right -- and Democrats' efforts to exploit it -- it doesn't appear to have dented the governor's standing. He not only holds a handy lead over Angelides but also fares much better within his own party.

Still, the governor is approaching the race with care, opined Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a political analyst and senior scholar with the University of Southern California.

``As far as I can tell, he's running all by himself,'' which is not uncommon for gubernatorial candidates, she said. ``It's clear to me that Arnold understands, or his people understand, that he can't be perceived as a conservative Republican.''

Excerpts of the governor's speech, released late Friday, suggest that he will stress issues on which nearly all Republicans can agree. He'll paint Angelides as someone who wants to ``tax virtually everyone, everywhere.''

Attorney general candidate Poochigian, a senator from Fresno, dismissed any talk of a rift between the governor and other candidates. ``I recognize that's the spin out there. But I do regard it as just that -- spin.''

Insurance commissioner candidate Steve Poizner, a Bay Area moderate, said Schwarzenegger will help him at a Silicon Valley fundraiser Aug. 29.

``The governor has been very helpful,'' he said. ``Any time we've asked, he has helped.''

Not so much for U.S. Senate candidate Dick Mountjoy, who opposes abortion and favors closing the borders. He's running a long-shot race against the popular Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Mountjoy has not received the governor's endorsement -- unlike the rest of the ticket.

``Normally, governors of the same party, after the primary they include everyone on a team,'' Mountjoy said, speculating that the governor hasn't endorsed him because Schwarzenegger's chief of staff once worked for Feinstein. ``He chose not to do that. He chose to go in a different direction, and that's fine.''

Some Republicans think Schwarzenegger probably should do his own thing.

``The best thing Arnold can do for the down-ticket is to win by double digits,'' said consultant Karen Hanretty, a former spokeswoman for the California Republican Party. ``And the best way for Arnold to win by double digits is to get as many Democrats and independents to cast ballots for him as possible. And he can't do that by being seen with partisan Republicans.''


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Staff Writer Edwin Garcia contributed to this report. Contact Kate Folmar at kfolmar@mercurynews.com or (916) 441-4602; read www. mercextra.com/ politicsblog.

California is by far a Democrat dominated state so whenever a Republican does become governor it is quite an achievement. His star power and individuality helped him become governor but he has lost his individuality and become a typical politician which appears questionable to many now. His opponent has said he would increase taxes, remove the guard from the border and approve driver's licenses for illegals. As for the Hispanic vote poll this article shows I highly question that as coming from only legally registered voters. It is known many Hispanics that are citizens are not for granting amnesty to illegals, etc. And we need to keep in mind that most newspapers are liberally slanted.
A lot could happen between now and Nov. but although Arnold, by being more moderate, has disappointed many, he will probably win over that Angelides, who would be a disaster to this state.