Los Angeles Times (2/8): Gov. Battles Rising Criticism on Multiple Fronts

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Los Angeles Times
Dated Tuesday February 8

Gov. Battles Rising Criticism on Multiple Fronts
By Robert Salladay, Times Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO --Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is working to reverse declining public opinion over his handling of California schools, while facing mounting complaints about his planned government overhaul.

On Monday, Schwarzenegger visited his third school in 10 days. The event signaled that the otherwise highly popular governor is worried about a recent poll showing that 51% of voters disapprove of his school proposals. People surveyed also said education — not government reform, Schwarzenegger's mantra this year — had become their biggest concern.

Schwarzenegger encountered criticism from multiple fronts Monday: Campaign finance experts filed a legal complaint about his fundraising efforts this year, radio ads continued to blast his budget priorities and prominent Democrats said they would soon cast a critical eye on his legislative plans.

Criticism has even found its way to his doorstep. Sunday, at the gate of Schwarzenegger's estate in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, protesters marched outside in the rain carrying banners a few hours before the governor held a party in honor of retired newsman Tom Brokaw. A plane flew over with a banner mocking the governor's policies on nurses and teachers.

Read more.

Part of this is posted on another thread, emphasizing a particular part of the article.

[bemildred]

1. What, no more happy talk about his mandate?

We need to find some real progressives to run against Ahnuld and DiFi.
This could be a great state again without all these corporate shills.

[bowens43]

2. Time for a recall.

[lapfog_1]

3. I'd sign it.

The main reason for the recall (of Davis) was the "hiding" of
the budget crisis and the Davis plan to float a bond to borrow
$6B or so to fix it (the crisis brought on by the State entering
into 10 year contracts to buy electricity at highly inflated rates
- though lower than spot market rates - which was caused by the
manipulation of the electricity supply in CA). The Gropenfuhrer
then proceeded to float $9 B in bonds.

So - let's see...

Repubs (wilson) stick CA with a horrible deregulated market for
electricity.

After full deregulation, a bunch of rethug run corps manipulate the
energy supply to run up the rates

Resulting rolling blackouts cost billions (ever try to bring a
chip plant back online after a power outage?) and are a real quality
of life issue.

Davis forced to sign long term contracts at inflated rates, using
state funds to guarantee the contracts.

Coupled with a huge downturn in tech sector, blows a huge hole in the
State budget.

Davis plans to float a bond to paper over the mess.

Davis recalled, Der Gropenfuhrer is installed. Makes a number of
national teevee appearances.

Der Gropenfuhrer borrows $9 BILLION and can no more make serious
cuts to the budget than Davis (for one thing, CA has been a
"proposition" run state for a long time, so many programs are
directly funded BY LAW passed by the citizens and not open to review
or change by the governor or anyone else).

so now Arrrnold is losing popularity. Big surprise! Assholes.

[yurbud]

4. I wish I had heard about the protest at his house ahead of time!

I could ride my bike there from here and I would have gone.

[Bariztr]

5. It's about time!

It took way too long for these people to take their heads out of their collective star-struck asses and to start taking a serious look at the person they son blindly elected.