OUTRAGE OVER SUSAN KENNEDY APPOINTMENT
One of the advantages of publishing a website is that you get to make sure that your positions are very clearly articulated.  Today in the Los Angeles Times, Robert Salladay has a story, Governor faces revolt in GOP.  This article talks about an ever-growing angst within GOP grassroots activists and donors, all stemming from the ill-advised appointment of recalled Governor Gray Davis’ Chief of Staff, Susan Kennedy, a former Executive Director of the State Democrat Party, by Governor Schwarzenegger to run his administration.

Let me be very clear – I still remain supportive of this Governor.  I believe that he has a lot that he wants to accomplish, much of which is in-line with the limited government, free-market principles of the Grand Ol’ Party.  That said, I don’t have words to describe my dismay and disappointment at this appointment of a Democrat operative as his Chief of Staff.

I guess there is a very fine line, indeed, between being supportive of the Governor as a person, and of the conservative aspects of his policy agenda on one side — and yet being vocally opposed to this Kennedy appointment.  Yet, this is what I struggle to do.  I did not ask to be in this situation, but I am not alone.  There are a lot of us out there who have been generally supportive of Schwarzenegger through the recall election, and the first two years of his term. 

My biggest fear is that as criticism mounts over this appointment, that the Governor digs in his heals.  It is my hope, as niave as it may sound, that as the noise of the GOP activists goes from loud to very loud, that the Governor will reconsider this appointment. 

I have read from many that Republicans should be ‘welcoming’ of Kennedy, as we would a party-switcher.  But she has not changed her registration, nor has she embraced the Republican Party.  She is, in fact, a partisan Democrat in the Governor’s office.  Look, I understand that this Governor is not going to be as conservative as me, or even close.  That said, I do not think it is unreasonable to have the office of a Republican Governor run by a Republican — someone who actually believes in Ronald Reagan as a hero, not Jane Fonda. 

As I said before, I may be naïve, but this is what I think.  That said, I continue to allow the FlashReport to be a recepticle for a free-market of GOP thought.  I invite anyone who is supportive of the Kennedy appointment to contact me, so that we can have a more balanced dialogue on the site — if there is a Republican or conservative that wants to vouch for her.

Let me add as I have before, that my criticisms of Kennedy are not designed to be personal.  I’ve heard from a lot of people whom I hold in high regard that she is a talented public manager and that her time with the PUC has been a remarkable.  But you cannot erase a lifetime of activism for the Democrat Party and liberal causes with a stint on a government commission.  Kennedy can prove herself as being independent from Democrats by being part of Arnold’s team.  But she would do this Governor, a fine man, a favor if she stepped away from the Chief fo Staff post.

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMEN OF THREE STATEWIDE GOP GROUPS
As you will see, from reading the attached rather strongly worded letter from the Presidents of the California Republican Assembly, California Republican Lawyers Association and the Young Republican Federation of California — these organizations and their members are not happy with the Kennedy hire, as well as the talk the Governor might embrace a massive bond package.  But I won’t speak for them, you can read their column, "Governor, don’t terminate your base," here.  I will note that while I am trying my hardest to maintain a careful "Support the Governor, but criticize this staff pick" position, I don’t think a lot of the groups and activists out see it the same way.  As I said in the Los Angeles Times today, I have never, in the history of producing the FlashReport, seen this kind of groundswell.  Yeah some of it may be rooted in the frustrating loss last month, but the facts are that Kennedy has proven a lightning rod, and a rallying cry with activists in 58 counties.

VOTER APPROVAL OF STATE DEBT ISN’T JUST MORALLY CORRECT, IT IS THE LAW.
David Stirling, who is the Vice President of the prestigious Pacific Legal Foundation, has taken the time to pen an exclusive column for the FlashReport on the phenomenon of the legislature, and repeated Governors, wanting to borrow billions of dollars without the proper voter approval.  In this interesting column, Stirling lays out the history on this kind of activity, and how aggregious some attempts have been to circumvent the state constitution and accrue illegal debt.  It is an interesting piece, that will both educate you and cause you frustration.

CONGRATULATIONS CONGRESSMAN JOHN CAMPBELL!
The ballots have all been counted, and the non-surprise of the day is that State Senator John Campbell had not trouble besting his competition, as the Republican nominee in this overwhelmingly GOP seat.  Chris Cox represented the 48th district from 1989 until a few months ago, when he stepped down to head the Securities and Exchange Commission, tapped by President Bush and handily confirmed in the U.S. Senate.

All of the ‘spin’ on this race is that somehow the results, one way or another, would send some sort of national message on immigration reform issues.  I would submit to you that both Campbell and Gilchrist were running to the far-right on this particular issue – so I guess the news is that over 70% of voters in this special election cast their ballot for a candidate that wants a much stronger policy against illegal immigrants, both at the border as well as those currently residing in the U.S.

Here are the final percentages with all precincts reporting:

Have a great day!  Feel free to drop me an email here.

Jon

P.S.  You should see what California Republican Party Vice Chairman Ron Nehering is up to by clicking here.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 7th, 2005 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.