• Arnold Schwarzenegger,  Politics,  Special Election 2005

    California Special election Watch: Bulworth Attacks Schwarzenegger in Radio Ads

    Holywood.com has Beatty Attacks Schwarzenegger in Radio Broadcast

    Warren Beatty has stepped up his battle with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger by recording a radio broadcast aimed at derailing his re-election campaign.

    The political advertisement begins airing in San Francisco and southern California today, and features the Dick Tracy star urging citizens to vote against the celebrity politician.

    Actually the campaign piece is for the California Special Election, November 8th and against Arnold’s California Recovery Team and Propositions 74, 75, 76 and 77.

    Beatty’s radio campaign comes just days ahead of a unique referendum on Nov. 8 which will see voters deciding whether or not to adopt some of the Republican governor’s more controversial plans—which include rating teachers by their performance.

    In the broadcast Beatty says, “Schwarzenegger and his big-money backers are counting on you to not get out and vote. Don’t give him more power. Let’s stand up for our state.”

    Charles Idelsono, of the California Nurses Association, which is funding the ad, says, “We don’t want apathy to be the deciding factor in the election. It’s not enough to just disagree with the governor, people have to get out and vote ‘No’.”

    While reports have suggested Democrat Beatty would relish Schwarzenegger’s position, Beatty denies harboring political aspirations.

    Hummmmm does the California Nurses Association tracking polls find there is a problem with vote suppression and turn-out?

  • Politics,  Samuel Alito,  Supreme Court

    Samuel Alito Watch: Gang of 14 Fractured

    Judge Samuel Alito, left, meets with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, to discuss Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

    The ASSociated Press has Senate’s ‘Gang of 14’ Fractures Over Alito.

    The 14 centrists who averted a Senate breakdown over judicial nominees last spring are showing signs of splintering on President Bush’s latest nominee for the Supreme Court.

    That is weakening the hand of Democrats opposed to conservative judge Samuel Alito and enhancing his prospects for confirmation.

    The unity of the seven Democrats and the seven Republicans in the “Gang of 14” was all that halted a major filibuster fight between GOP leader Bill Frist and Democratic leader Harry Reid earlier this year over Bush’s nominees.

    Will the Democrats risk losing more Senate seats in 2006 by filibustering Alito?

    The early defection of two of the group’s Republicans, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, will give the GOP the upper hand if Democrats decide to attempt a filibuster of Alito, the New Jersey jurist nominated Monday to replace Sandra Day O’Connor.

    Flap handicaps a 50-50 chance of a Democrat filibuster of Alito.

    If the Nuclear-Constitutional Rule Change option is not enacted, cloture does not pass, and the filibuster is sustained then Bush nominates Judge Luttig.

    Another filibuster?

  • Iraq War,  Liberal Morons,  Politics

    Jimmy Carter Watch: White House Misled U.S. on Iraq War

    The ASSociated Press has Carter: White House Misled U.S. on Iraq.

    The Bush Administration’s prewar claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction were “manipulated, at least” to mislead the American people, former President Jimmy Carter said Wednesday.

    The decision to go to war was the culmination of a long-term plan to attack Iraq that resulted from the first President Bush not taking out Saddam, Carter said on NBC’s “Today” show.

    Moonbat Jimmy Carter the worst American President in 100 years should remember he lives in a “glass house”.

    There is no evidence to what Carter or the LEFT are saying about pre-war intelligence. And didn’t all of the Democrats including Hillary and Kerry vote for the Iraq war resolution?

    So, for RIGHT now Carter is just a MORON – like Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore.

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  • Bear Flag League,  California,  Politics,  Proposition 74,  Special Election 2005

    California Special Election Watch: Proposition 74 – Flap SAYS VOTE YES

    Flap supports Proposition 74, Put The Kids First Act, and urges its passage at the California Special Election, November 8th.

    From Real Clear Politics:

    Proposition 74: Public School Teachers Tenure

    • Public School Teachers. Waiting Period for Permanent Status. Dismissal. Initiative Statute

    Summary: Increases length of time required before a teacher may become a permanent employee from two complete consecutive school years to five complete consecutive school years; measure applies to teachers whose probationary period commenced during or after the 2003-2004 fiscal year. Authorizes school boards to dismiss a permanent teaching employee who receives two consecutive unsatisfactory performance evaluations.

    Latest polling results and a poll summary is here.

    This measure is a much needed reform in California Public Education.

    Where in private business can you work one year, have one supervisory evaluation and have lifetime tenure?

    The Answer: California Public Schools.

    Proposition 74 will give on site administrators more authority and accountability for their teaching staffs. Union rules and hearings will no longer cloud teacher performance issues.

    Flap handicaps this measure a close win for Governor Schwarzenegger and his California Recovery Team.

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    Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger,  Bear Flag League,  California,  Politics,  Proposition 74,  Proposition 75,  Proposition 76,  Proposition 77,  Special Election 2005

    California Special Election Watch: The Los Angeles Times Poll

    Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, at left, gives a thumbs-up to supporters outside Republican Party headquarters in Bakersfield as firefighters demonstrate nearby. Schwarzenegger is actively campaigning for Propositions 74-77.

    The Los Angeles Times has Voters Dislike 3 of Governor’s Ballot Measures.

  • His initiatives on state spending, redistricting and unions are all in trouble, reflective of his declining popularity. A tenure issue is a tossup.
  • Californians likely to vote in the special election Tuesday oppose three of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ballot measures, but Proposition 74, his plan to roll back teacher tenure, remains a tossup, according to a Los Angeles Times poll.

    By and large, the survey found the public siding with organized labor and its Democratic allies in their clash with the Republican governor. Only about a third of likely voters favor Proposition 76, his flagship proposal to curb state spending, and Proposition 77, his plan to give retired judges the job of drawing district maps for lawmakers.

    Also in trouble is Proposition 75, Schwarzenegger’s plan to require public-worker unions to get written consent from members each year before spending dues on political campaigns: 40% are for it, and 51% against it.

    Beyond the ballot contests, the poll confirmed a steep dive in Schwarzenegger’s popularity. His 69% job approval rating a year ago has plummeted to 40%. He remains popular with Republicans, but his support among Democrats has all but collapsed.

    Again, not good news for Governor Schwarzenegger and the California Recovery Team. However, Propositions 74 and 75 are within striking range. Flap has always maintained that 76 and 77 were a reach.

    Will the governor be able to claim victory if Proposition 73, 74 and perhaps 75 win at the polls next Tuesday?

    You betcha.


    How the voters rate the Governor and Propositions 74-77 is here.

    The Los Angeles Times Poll Alert is here.

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    Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page