California Special Election Watch: Schwarzenegger Debates the Issues – Decision 2005
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger takes part in ‘Decision 2005: The Voter Forum,’ an event sponsored by KNBC and KVEA, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005, in Los Angeles.
The San Francisco Chronicle and the ASSociated Press has Schwarzenegger spars with voters in televised forum.
Facing testy voters in a freewheeling televised forum, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday disputed that he was targeting teachers and other unionized workers with his ballot proposals and warned that their defeat could shortchange schools and leave the state financially hobbled.
“This is not a witch hunt after teachers,” the governor said while discussing Proposition 74, which would require teachers to work five years, rather than two, to earn tenure.
If voters turn back his slate of four initiatives on Tuesday, “We will be back where we were two years ago, almost in bankruptcy and with a failed education system,” the governor said.
Will California voters remember why they recalled Gray Davis two years ago and elected Arnold?
Will they give Schwarzenegger the tools to REFORM California or will California government revert back to the status quo with the large public employee unions calling the shots?
As he has throughout the campaign, Schwarzenegger described his proposals as critical steps to reform Sacramento, where “spending addicts” in the Legislature have pushed the state toward financial ruin.
The governor remained composed in the face of sharp, sometimes hostile questioning from several audience members.
One man, identified as Democrat from Camarillo, accused the Republican governor of using sugarcoated “spin” to convince the public to support Proposition 75, which would require public employee unions to obtain written permission from members before using their dues for political purposes.
“The way you describe it, it wouldn’t make any sense,” Schwarzenegger told him. “We want to reform the system that is good for everybody. … We are not trying to silence anyone.”
When Schwarzenegger was discussing schools, another audience member challenged the governor’s characterization of teacher tenure.“Let me say this to you … it’s almost impossible to fire a teacher,” the governor said.
Indeed, it is.
Stay tuned as the voters begin to focus on the election and GOTV efforts swing into action.
Educator Margaret Fortune, chairperson of the proposition 74 campaign, speaks in support of the measure as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger looks on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005 in San Diego.
Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Recovery Team, California Special Election, Bear Flag League, Proposition 74, Proposition 75, Proposition 76, Proposition 77
Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page
2 Comments
Jeff
Tim Herdt of the Ventura Star wrote this:
“Schwarzenegger faced hostile questions from a panel selected by a market research firm hired by KNBC. Among those chosen to ask questions were Larry Miller, a member of the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee; Chris Robson, a member of the state Democratic Party Central Committee representing the 37th Assembly District; and Mary Pallant of Oak Park, an announced candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 24th Congressional District.
Alejandro Puesan of the station’s research department said the selections were made randomly by the research firm charged with selecting questioners who represented the demographics of Southern California, by gender, age, race, ethnicity, county of residence and political affiliation. â€
A random selection filled with partisan activists?
Jeff
From and AP article:
“LOS ANGELES – KNBC-TV apologized to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign Friday after the station found that the audience it organized for a voter forum this week apparently included several Democratic activists.
The Republican governor was peppered with questions with a partisan slant at the televised event Thursday, and at one point a man in the audience tried to shout him down.
The Ventura County Star reported Friday that questioners at the forum included Larry Miller, a member of the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee; Chris Robson, a member of the state Democratic Party central committee; and Mary Pallant of Oak Park, a Democratic congressional candidate in the 24th District.
The newspaper identified Miller as the audience member who yelled at Schwarzenegger, “You’re wrong.”
The studio audience of about 75 people was selected by a research company, which was directed to assemble a balanced group of voters from the Los Angeles area, news director Robert Long said.”
Why didn’t the reporter covering this make more of it? Guess those activists just seemed like themselves.