Three candidates make political grist out of Arnold allegations

[oxycontinrush]

Three candidates make political grist out of Schwarzenegger allegations

SETH HETTENA, Associated Press Writer

(10-04) 20:01 PDT SAN DIEGO (AP) --

Arnold Schwarzenegger sat out the final debate in California's recall election but the three other major candidates who appeared Saturday made political grist out of the controversy swirling around the Hollywood superstar.

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante said if one of his three daughters had experienced the groping, sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct that Schwarzenegger is alleged to have committed, "It wouldn't have taken a campaign to resolve it."

"If he were a black man, he'd be in jail. If he was brown, he'd be in jail. If he were a poor white he'd be in jail," said Green Party candidate Peter Camejo in the most spirited exchange of the 90-minute debate. "What does it tell us about our society that a rich white person can do the type of things that he's alleged to have done? ... Just because he's wealthy and powerful he's above the law. No, this issue needs to be looked into."

State Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Northridge, agreed that the accusations were serious and called for investigation. But he added that extra degree of caution was required because the allegations were surfacing so close to Tuesday's election.

Sharon Davis, the governor's wife, appeared on behalf of her husband at the debate at San Diego State University. Sitting alone in center stage for the first 20 minutes of the debate, she dismissed the notion that Democrats had planted the story about Schwarzenegger.

"We had nothing to do with it," she said in response to question about negative campaigning. "Now, to hear Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign blames my husband is not only insulting to us, it's also insulting to the 11 women who were brave enough to come forward."

"What kind of message are we sending women like that?" she said. "If you're sexually assaulted you better stay quiet or you're going to be ridiculed."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/10/04/state2301EDT0235.DTL

[Lithos]

1. Excellent response

I am glad someone brought it up so eloquently to the media to counter dimwit's (Arnold's) obvious politicization of such a serious issue.

"We had nothing to do with it," she said in response to question about negative campaigning. "Now, to hear Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign blames my husband is not only insulting to us, it's also insulting to the 11 women who were brave enough to come forward."

[truthisfreedom]

2. Bold, smart stuff. Just what the doctor ordered. Davis' wife made excel-

lent points. Kick a**!

[Snellius]

3. Gives the lie to Arnold's "It's all Davis's dirty tricks"

When everyone is saying the same things about you, Arnold, maybe it's you.