Arnold Schwarzenegger,  California,  Election 2006,  Politics

Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Is Susan Kennedy a “Harriet Miers” Moment?

Califoirnia Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, center, cuts a ceremonial ribbon to dedicate the new Herbert Research Center at Allergan headquarters in Irvine, Calif., Friday, Dec. 2, 2005. From left are Scott M. Whitcup, M.D., executive vice president for research and developement, founder and chairman emeritus Gavin S. Herbert, for whom the building is named, the governor, chairman and president David E.I. Pyott, and U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif. Allergan is a leader in treatments for eye-related diseases, but is perhaps best known for its most popular product, Botox, discovered as a beauty treatment as a byproduct of eye research.

John Fund of the Wall Street Journal OpinionJournal has Arnold’s ‘Harriet Miers Moment’

Has Gov. Schwarzenegger jumped the shark?

Arnold Schwarzenegger stunned California last week by selecting the former deputy chief of staff to Gray Davis, the Democratic governor ousted by the recall that brought Mr. Schwarzenegger to power, to be his own chief of staff.

Conservatives are furious that Susan Kennedy, a 45-year-old former acolyte of radical activists Tom Hayden and Jane Fonda, will be Gov. Schwarzenegger’s top administrator, with power to hire and fire staff. Some liberals are angry at her joining a GOP governor; others are bemused. This Wednesday, 450 Gray Davis alumni will fill the state capitol for the unveiling of Mr. Davis’s portrait. Ms. Kennedy will be reunited with David Zingale, another former top Davis aide, who is now chief of staff to First Lady Maria Shriver. Jason Kinney, a Davis speechwriter, quips that Mr. Schwarzenegger has decided to “finish the second term of Gray Davis.” Mr. Davis, for his part, notes that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Some are calling the Kennedy pick the governor’s “Harriet Miers moment.” An executive with low poll numbers, urged on by his wife, makes a bold appointment without proper vetting. That sets off a firestorm of unanticipated criticism. The executive insists he hasn’t changed and asks his allies to trust him.

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Arnold has already JUMPED THE SHARK!

Previously:

Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: California Republican Assembly Sponsoring an Online Petition Asking Governor to Rescind Susan Kennedy Appointment

Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Governor Names Partisan Democrat Chief of Staff – THE FLAP

Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Pat Clarey, Arnold’s Chief of Staff Resigns

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