Mark Simon (San Francisco Chronicle): Schwarzenegger short on specifics

[Jack Rabbit]

From the San Francisco Chronicle
Dated Wednesday August 27

Schwarzenegger short on specifics
Critics say GOP candidate needs to start offering policy details
By Mark Simon, Chronicle Political Writer

A critical chorus is growing over the absence of policy details from Arnold Schwarzenegger, the leading Republican on the Oct. 7 recall replacement ballot.
Schwarzenegger has offered no concrete information about how he'll resolve the state's budget problems, spur economic growth or meet the fiscal needs of the state's schools, saying that voters are more interested in change than specific facts and figures.
"It applies to all the candidates -- voters want to know specific answers ," said Wayne Johnson, veteran Republican consultant who had been managing Bill Simon's campaign for governor.
"It's a fair criticism," said San Jose State University political science Professor Terry Christensen. "His argument is, that's not what people care about; they want leadership and change. . . . Several leading candidates have been more specific, so that leaves him out there saying, 'Vote for me for change,' and we don't know what change. It's one thing to be specific. It's another thing to have people think you don't know very much."

Read more.

[efhmc]

1. I heard on one program that "no specifics" was Reagan's style and it

worked well for him. Don't think it is going to fly this time.

[Dagaz]

2. I like the audit idea

Sure it's a great attempt at cover but to say theat we need an audit before any policy can be made is a pretty clever ploy. I don't think it will work but it's a nice try.

[eablair3]

3. Schwarzenegger taking big money now

I think someone should start up a site for Arnold S like the ones that have all the "Bushisms" on it. Could you call them "Schwarzeneggerisms"?

I want everyone to have a "fantastic job"

I'm going to "clean house"

I'm going to "pump up" Sacramento.

I will be a governor "for the people"

"I won't have to answer to all the special interests. I have my own money. I don't need it. Nobody can buy me."


And, now the Republican establishment and major business interests and companies are funneling huge amounts of money into his campaign. He's the leading fund raiser already. ... I think he has actually raised more than twice as much money as Davis and Bustamante combined. Yet, Arnold "doesn't need the money." And, he "can't be bought." And, he will govern "for the people."

What a crock.

Why doesn't he decline the money and send it all back if he has his own money?

[Democat]

4. Arnold lied, imagine what the media would do to a Democrat!

When he declared his candidacy, Schwarzenegger suggested that he would self-finance his campaign. "I don't need to take money from anybody," he said. Since then, his aides said that the candidate simply meant that he would not be politically influenced by any campaign contribution he receives.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50574-2003Aug26.html