Gov. gets candid on GOP, Palin

[bemildred]

Source: LAT

---

Schwarzenegger told Der Spiegel on Friday that leaders of his California Republican Party were "just so out there," politically, that "I have almost no contact with them. None."

In his remarks, from a transcript published in English of an interview conducted partly in German, Schwarzenegger also said that delegates to the national conventions of both parties were "hard-core" and that Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, was "a good-looking woman." He praised the "incredible" candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama, the Democrat running for president. And he said he doesn't know whether his Los Angeles gardeners are legal immigrants.

His statements about California Republicans inflamed the moderate governor's already strained relationship with the more conservative GOP lawmakers. Assembly Republicans wore name tags to a meeting with Schwarzenegger about the state budget impasse Tuesday afternoon.

---

"Maybe there was something in translation lost, or maybe he feels that way about some of the views that we have," Villines said. "I consider him a friend. Obviously we see the world differently in many ways." As for the name tags, he said, "You've got to have a sense of humor about this. . . . He's in our family, like it or not."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-arnold10-2008sep10,0,1584280.story

[tomg]

1. "He's in our family, like it or not."

Well, he is also in the Kennedy family. I'm wondering is he is going to jump ship.

[Bette Noir]

4. Only if it would get him a Senate seat.

He "tacked toward the middle" after he got a sound spanking from the voters in a special election he called shortly after getting into office-- all of his proposals were defeated, with something like 2-1 margins. Within hours, he realized that the only way to survive as a Republican in California, bluest of blue states, is to act like a Democrat.

He still throws out insanely reactionary tidbits, now and then, so I don't trust him. I'd vote for him over that turncoat Feinstein, though, if he ran for her seat. Over Barbara Boxer, no way.

[tomg]

7. Thanks for the insight. nt

[Zambero]

2. There's no longer room in the GOP for moderates

Hopefully at some point Maria might affect his better judgment on whether to remain in a party that is openly hostile to all but the most strident right-wing idealogues.

[rurallib]

5. Maybe Ahnuld will be the one to lead the moderates out of

the nutcase party that the GOP has become.

[MessiahRp]

3. This line was interesting:

"It's enough if you had someone at some point in your life working at your house that was an illegal immigrant," Schwarzenegger said, volunteering that he might fall into that category himself: "I've never done a check on the people who work in the garden outside to see if they have their documentation. . . . I mean, who does that?"

LOL.

Rp

[Bette Noir]

6. He had a point.

It's likely that every person in Californa who has ever employed someone to work in his home has hired an undocumented worker.

My mom, of whom I am very proud, not only gave refugees from Central America jobs, but also room and board, and English lessons. Some of them had lost their families to right-wing death squads. That wouldn't have mattered to the nativist movement that resurges out here every five years or so. They were "illegals," so send them back, even if it's to their deaths.

[MessiahRp]

8. I don't totally agree with that

I think most people, even if they're hiring a contractor, do some sort of check on them. They may not call INS but that person has to have documentation proving their legit. In these cases there would likely be no documentation because they're not legal citizens.

And for the Governor or prior to that a rich actor who is hiring these people long term rather than a one shot deal, you do even more dilligence to protect yourself from negative media.

Rp

[bemildred]

9. I agree with him.

I would never ask anyone for their papers. And you know it will NEVER come up unless the Mighty Wurlitzer is out to get you.

[Alter Ego]

10. Switch parties, Arnie.

Christ, you're married to a Kennedy.

[wizstars]

11. ...and he probably can't wait to grope her (Sarah Palin)

[yurbud]

12. Arnold has transformed to an old school chamber of commerce Republican

He protects business interests, but doesn't use the cover of the culture war.

The subtext here is that he is planning a future in California politics like running for a Senate seat, and the state Democrats are clearing the path for him rather than trying to end his career.