OC Register Editorial On Conference Call With The Governator

The OC Register has posted its editorial on the conference call the Governator held today with editorial writers from around California:

In a statewide conference call yesterday with several editorial writers, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger insisted that his appointment of Susan Kennedy as his chief of staff would not change his administration’s policies or direction. She is a former Cabinet secretary to Gov. Gray Davis.

We pointed out that the recall of Gov. Gray Davis two years ago was a clear indication that voters wanted to take the state in a different direction from that of the Davis administration. Yet, here was a top Davis aide now holding the top job in the Schwarzenegger administration. Gov. Schwarzenegger replied that there are many people at the top levels of government from the past administrations of Govs. Davis, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Jerry Brown.

But, he added, "there’s still one governor. That changes everything." Ms. Kennedy’s job is to implement his policies, he said. "I’m the same. Nothing will change whatsoever."

You can read the rest here.

John Seiler and Steve Greenhut also posted illuminating posts on the Orange Punch Blog. Here's Seiler:

We talk to Arnold

Steve Greenhut and I were part of a conference call of state editorial writers with Arnold a few hours ago about the Susan Kennedy appointment. The edit is already online here. (We at the Register are working for you, 24/7.)

Along with Chris Reed, our former Register colleague now with the San Diego Union-Tribune, we were the only ones asking pointed questions.

When it came time for editorial writer Bill Stall of the L.A. Times to ask a question, he didn't even have one. Stall got the 2004 Pulizer for the Times' 2003 editorials blaming the state's fiscal crisis on Prop. 13 and calling for it to be effectively gutted. He was press secretary and director of public affairs for Gov. Jerry Brown from 1975-76, working with Jerry's chief of staff, Gray Davis. So I guess the lack of a question indicates Stall can't be too displeased that Gov. Davis' own top aide, Susan Kennedy, now will be running the Schwarzenegger-Shriver-Kennedy-Kennedy-Davis administration.

On the conference call, Arnold sounded tired, especially of the whole problem with his conservative base. He needs a long vacation in Hawaii.

And Greenhut:

Time to jump from sinking Schwarzenegger ship

We've had clues since the failed special election that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was going to move left. He dropped his challenge to the nurse ratios immediately after the election, he was apologetic about the election's divisiveness, and the business community, which had backed him, already started saying that it's not against tax increases or government spending, etc. Remember, also, that the governor's Cabinet had long been a mixed bag, likened to the bar scene from "Star Wars," and that he has been appointing many Democrats to key judicial slots. But the appointment of Susan Kennedy, former Gray Davis aide and former executive director of the California Democratic Party and the California Abortion Rights Action League, is not just the signal of a hard-left turn. It is the governor's signal to the Republican grass roots that he is no longer interested in their support or ideas.

There was much talk about Democrat Bob Hertzberg being selected as chief of staff. That would not have been a bad choice, a reach across party lines that would not have insulted the base. Hertzberg is fairly moderate, and has good working relationships with Republicans. But Kennedy, a Davis hack and social leftist, is something altogether different. The choice was a clear and purposeful slap at the Republican base. The principle-lacking California Chamber of Commerce, which had given about 90 percent of its money to Democrats during Davis' reign, instantly sent out a press release praising the appointment, calling her a "terrific asset." But any conservative or Republican with principles should view this as the last straw. Time to find another candidate and to abandon the governor.

This also leaves us with a troubling question about whether Schwarzenegger has any real principles, or whether he is an empty action hero who goes from one side to the next based on what he thinks is popular.

Posted by Steven Greenhut -- [email protected] at 11:29 AM

Comments

[Brett R. Barbre]

We need to face the fact that the Governor has officially "jumped the shark."

[draft brewer]

It's time to draft Brewer for Governor.

[BILL]

OH JESUS GAY OR STRAIGHT WHO CARES WHAT MS KENNEDY DOES IN HER BEDROOM ALL WE NEED IS A PERSON TO HELP LEAD OUR STATE WITH GOV SWARTZ.SO ALL YOU NEOCONS GET A LIFE AND WORRY ABOUT THE 40000000 AMERICANS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE.NOW THATS IMPORTANT.

[Silence Dogood]

Bill-

I think you forgot to take off caps lock.

You're seeing Kennedy's sexual orientation brought up frequently because she is a "married" lesbian. Californians overwhelming approved Prop 22 five years ago, and the DEMs have attempted year after year to override the people with bills that neuter marriage. This past year, Schwarzenegger vetoed a gender-neut marriage bill under the cover of Prop 22's continued litigation in the courts, not because he thinks it's wrong. And now, his closest advisor is a woman who represents everything the people of California put a stop to.

[Logical]

Bill - You also forgot how to use punctuation (if you ever knew how).

"40000000 AMERICANS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE.NOW THATS IMPORTANT"
You're right; very important indeed; HOWEVER, not gov't responsibility.

[GOPed in Lake Forest]

Arnold has lost my vote. Very little chance he will ever gain it back!