Schwarzenegger: Red state fundraising for a red state agenda?


Perhaps because Californians aren't willing to support his special-election ballot initiative campaign, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is barnstorming Republican strongholds, seeking support from wealthy GOP donors outside the Golden State.

Our "moderate" governor's first stop? To the crucible of the constitutional coup that brought George W. Bush to power, to get fundraising help from the President's kid brother Jeb.

Schwarzenegger begins out-of-state fundraising journey
(AP) California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has embarked on a multistate fundraising swing to raise some of the estimated $50 million his advisers say he'll need to wage an all-but-certain special election campaign.

Schwarzenegger arrives in Tampa on Friday before schmoozing with Gov. Jeb Bush and deep-pocket donors Saturday at a lunch in Miami. He then heads to Illinois and Texas, where he ends with a cocktail and dinner party Monday night in Dallas.

The trip comes at a critical time in California and for the Republican governor.

Democrats and the state's powerful labor unions are attacking his budget plans and his threat to call a special election in the fall, criticism that has contributed to a recent sag in the governor's popularity.

Schwarzenegger's fundraising blitz seems to be an acknowledgment that the money to bankroll his "Year of Reform" initiatives is not forthcoming in California, political strategist Garry South said.


Democrats' job is now to co-brand Schwarzenegger with the Florida and Texas GOP. Let's not get the media get away with more blithe reminders that Arnold is "pro-choice" or "pro-environment" or "pro-gay rights" — the one thing we know for sure is that he's willing to lay down with the most conservative Republicans in America in exchange for money. I hope he gets lots of pictures taken with Jeb.

More elsewhere:
Governor's out-of-state travel draws criticisms on home front (San Jose Mercury News)
Governor's star power not what it once was (San Francisco Chronicle)
Gov. Bush helps Schwarzenegger raise money for California initiatives (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Posted: Mon - May 23, 2005 at 08:53 AM   | Category:     |   |   | |


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