California Special Election Watch: McCain Campaigns for Schwarzenegger Then Disses Him

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, right, listens to an audience question as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, points to the questioner in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Oct. 10, 2005. In a joint appearances in both Southern and Northern California, the Arizona senator and former presidential candidate urged California voters to support the four initiatives, Propostions 74, 75, 76, and 77, backed by Schwarzenegger on the special election ballot.

But, then Senator McCain criticises California Governor Schwarzenegger for not having public townhall meetings.

Reuters has McCain chides Schwarzenegger over staged rallies.

Sen. John McCain joined Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday to promote the California governor’s November ballot initiatives, but afterward chided his carefully staged campaign events.

The Arizona Republican senator appeared with the governor before a crowd of about 150 invited women, who cheered wildly when Schwarzenegger arrived and frequently applauded as he touted the benefits of California initiatives on budget reform, teachers, and redistricting.

As at many of Schwarzenegger’s campaign events, outsiders were not allowed to attend what the governor’s office called a “town hall meeting” at a hotel near Oakland’s airport. Union protesters gathered outside the venue carrying signs.

At a subsequent news conference, McCain, a possible candidate for U.S. president in 2008, said he had always favored town hall meetings open to the public, adding that some especially noisy dissenters had occasionally been ejected.

“The benefit of an open town hall meeting is one that you get to hear a lot of different views, and two it has credibility,” said McCain.

At the Oakland event, the crowd appeared as enthusiastic as an audience at a game show, frequently nodding their head in agreement, applauding at all the right spots, and chanting “four more years” as Schwarzenegger arrived.

“Thank you, how huge of you to be stepping out,” one woman told Schwarzenegger. “You have other things to do.”

Such remarks prompted McCain to quip, “The governor is going to take you wherever he goes.”

Whatever…..McCain the Maverick (Gag me!) always has to one up the next guy.

This is a major reason he will NEVER be elected President.

Even the Daily Kos picked up on the DISS, McCain helps Arnold, then disses him.

Thanks John, but with friends like you………

Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Recovery Team, California Special Election, Bear Flag League, Proposition 74, Proposition 75, Proposition 76, Proposition 77, Proposition 73, John McCain

Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page