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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neeka who wrote (84193)	11/5/2004 2:27:00 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793877

Jane Smiley I think I commented when I posted this yesterday that Jane's article is drawing more blog comment than any other Dem explanation out there. A real disaster of a piece.

To: Neeka who wrote (84193)	11/5/2004 2:29:30 PM
From: Neeka	Respond to of 793877

I really love this guy. M Schwarzenegger closes ears to Democrat 'losers' He taps Republican as money chief, vows not to increase taxes Lynda Gledhill, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau Friday, November 5, 2004 Printable Version Email This Article Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he won't listen to "losers'' in the Democrat-controlled Legislature who advocate raising taxes to close a looming budget deficit as he announced that former South Bay Republican Rep. Tom Campbell will head his finance department. Campbell, a social moderate, will take a leave from his current job as the dean of the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley to join the administration, replacing Donna Arduin, who left after just a year. The director of finance plays a pivotal role in shaping the state's budget as the state continues to face large deficits, perhaps as much as a $10 billion shortfall next year. Schwarzenegger praised Campbell as "the most brilliant person in California" at a press conference announcing his selection. "What I like most about Tom is that he thinks the same way I do," the governor said. "He is going to be very, very helpful to continue to put California on the road to recovery." When asked if he would consider tax-increase proposals put forward by Democrats to help balance the budget, Schwarzenegger said, "Why would I listen to losers? Let's be honest -- they have lost every single ballot in the Bay Area." "Why would we go and follow a losing formula? It doesn't make any sense," he added. A spokeswoman for the governor said the governor was referring to the ballot measures as losers, not the lawmakers. Voters in the Bay Area actually approved several tax hikes, including those for transportation in Contra Costa, Marin and Sonoma counties. A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez denounced the governor's "name-calling." "It's beneath the governor to talk that way," said Gabriel Sanchez. "It's unstatesmanlike and unfortunate." Schwarzenegger angered Democrats this summer when he called them "girlie men" in the midst of budget negotiations. "The governor is at his best when he's not making smart-alecky comments," said Sen. Wes Chesbro, D-Arcata, who chairs the Senate budget committee. On Wednesday, Schwarzenegger talked about working with leaders from both political parties in the Legislature now that the election is over. "You know, we have to get together, because that's the best way to do it for the state of California, is to approach things in a bipartisan way," he said. Campbell, 52, was one of 16 members of a council of economic advisers the governor named in September. Democrats praised the selection of Campbell, hoping they can work better with a pro-choice, pro-gun control and pro-environment director than they did with Arduin, who came to the state with a reputation as a budget slasher. Arduin left the administration citing personal reasons. "He's clearly fiscally conservative, but I think he also understands California's commitment to the disabled and people who depend on government services," Chesbro said. "Hopefully he will steer the governor in that direction." Sen. Don Perata, the Oakland Democrat who will lead the upper house in the next session, said in a statement that Campbell is "a proven bipartisan leader.'' Treasurer Phil Angelides said he hopes Campbell's appointment is a signal that the administration will end the state's borrowing and deficit spending. Campbell said he will not support tax increases but did not elaborate on how he will suggest that the state solve its chronic budget deficit. "The mistake sometimes made in politics is that if you are a social moderate, it's assumed you therefore are not a fiscal conservative," he said. "The two are not inconsistent. I am against the growth of government -- I want as much government as we need but not more than we need." Republican lawmakers said they believe Campbell is a good choice and will provide necessary fiscal conservatism. "The budget is about numbers, not about social issues," said Assembly Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield. "He has expertise in California, has a national perspective and has been in the private sector. That gives him a unique perspective." Rest at: sfgate.com