Arnie loses out .Hasta La Vesta Baby.

[BombaySapphire3]

Schwarzenegger Suffers Major Defeat at the Polls
All Four Ballot Initiatives Fail
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD , AP

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 9) - In a stinging rebuke from voters who elected him two years ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to reshape state government were rejected during a special election that darkened his prospects for a second term.

The Republican governor and former Hollywood actor, who likes to say he can sell anything, on Tuesday saw all four of his signature ballot proposals rejected.

The election pitted the once-dominant Republican governor against two of California's powerhouse political forces - public employee unions and Democrats who control the Legislature.

The unions spent millions of dollars to beat Schwarzenegger's propositions to limit the use of their member dues for political purposes, cap state spending, redraw legislative districts and restrict public school teacher tenure.

It was a sobering evening for a man once considered among the most popular politicians in America. The contest represented the biggest test yet of a faltering Schwarzenegger's leadership.

Voters overwhelmingly defeated Proposition 76, the governor's centerpiece proposal to slow the growth of state spending. Proposition 77, which would have redrawn legislative and congressional districts, was knocked down by a similar margin.

Failing by slimmer spreads were Proposition 74, a plan to make teachers work longer to achieve tenure, and Proposition 73, which would have restricted political spending by public employee unions.

Poll after poll showed it was an election that Californians didn't want, with a total lineup of eight initiatives that didn't connect with every day issues such as gas prices, housing costs and the war in Iraq.

Schwarzenegger's conflict with the unions made him a target for teachers, nurses and firefighters. Their television advertising blitz helped push his popularity ratings to record lows.

Union leaders and Democrats who opposed the governor chanted "sweep, sweep" at their Sacramento victory party. "I'm very grateful to Arnold Schwarzenegger for really working people up," said Deborah Burger, president of the California Nurses Association.

Schwarzenegger's proposals to curb spending and weaken unions inflamed passions on both sides, partly because of the election's roughly $50 million cost in a state that repeatedly faces budget shortfalls.

Appearing before supporters at a Beverly Hills hotel after learning that at least two of his initiatives had failed, a smiling governor did not concede defeat.

"Tomorrow, we begin anew," Schwarzenegger said, his wife Maria Shriver beside him. "I feel the same tonight as that night two years ago ... You know with all my heart, I want to do the right thing for the people of California."

Though some of the measures were complex, Schwarzenegger cast the election in simple terms: Support him and the state moves forward - vote no and protect a broken system of government in Sacramento.

"I guess I didn't do a good enough job to convince them otherwise," the governor said of voters.

Tim Wong, 48, an independent from Belmont, called the election "a waste of the meager money we have."

"These propositions were a diversion from the important issues," Wong said. "It's all show and no substance."
-------------------------------------------------------------
prop 75 was too close to call but losing .I hope it does. And next year maybe Arnie won't be saying "I''l be back':laugh:

[irishgrl]

Can I hear a Yea Brother? What a colossal waste of taxpayer monies.:mad:
Im glad 75 lost, Im a Public Employee/Union Member and the idea he would prevent the Unions from having a political voice just steams me up! Also the proposition to change how California's districts....Im glad that went down in flames :nod:
here's a link (http://vote2005.ss.ca.gov/Returns/prop/00.htm) to the CA State Election Results (CA Secretary of State)

[GODDESS6]

i thought the whole state idiots for voting him in the 1st place:shrug: ~

[irishgrl]

i thought the whole state idiots for voting him in the 1st place:shrug: ~
I voted for Gray Davis. I hated what the spinmeisters did to him. He was a victim of the GOP hate machine and Enron's greed. I wonder how that lawsuit is going (CA vs. Enron). I keep seeing the MisCount from Arnold's Neighborhood when I think of Enron now! that little video is too funny :nod:

[GODDESS6]

I voted for Gray Davis. I hated what the spinmeisters did to him. He was a victim of the GOP hate machine and Enron's greed. I wonder how that lawsuit is going (CA vs. Enron). I keep seeing the MisCount from Arnold's Neighborhood when I think of Enron now! that little video is too funny :nod:
hey my brother voted for gray davis also:nod: ~

[SuzeQuze]

Can I hear a Yea Brother? What a colossal waste of taxpayer monies.:mad:
Im glad 75 lost, Im a Public Employee/Union Member and the idea he would prevent the Unions from having a political voice just steams me up! Also the proposition to change how California's districts....Im glad that went down in flames :nod:
here's a link (http://vote2005.ss.ca.gov/Returns/prop/00.htm) to the CA State Election Results (CA Secretary of State)

That steams me up too. It's unbelievable that he thought he could get these things through.

[sparky]

I VOTED AGAINST THIS CRAP. I also voted against Arnold in the beginning. What a joke. This state already produced that idiot Reagan. Enough damage done there.

[chiliD]

i thought the whole state idiots for voting him in the 1st place:shrug: ~

It's not as if he was unanimously elected...I sure as hell didn't vote for him. I thought the incumbent at the time (the aforementioned Gray Davis...or wait, was that actually Orel Hersheiser?) was doing a pretty fine job, for being railroaded.

[sparky]

It's not as if he was unanimously elected...I sure as hell didn't vote for him. I thought the incumbent at the time (the aforementioned Gray Davis...or wait, was that actually Orel Hersheiser?) was doing a pretty fine job, for being railroaded.

Gray Davis was kind of an idiot in my opinion. He had a very weak presence and a classic demo namby pamby manner. But, he took the fall for the energy disaster when Enron (Bush buddies ALL) sucked billions out of California during the rigged blackouts of a few years ago. The republicans are trying to get this state, but we just won't let them have it.

[dissention]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/dissention_1/RECALL_SCHWARZENEGGER_RS1093f49e521.jpg
Vuck all you cod-am, voters!

[SuzeQuze]

Gray Davis was kind of an idiot in my opinion. He had a very weak presence and a classic demo namby pamby manner. But, he took the fall for the energy disaster when Enron (Bush buddies ALL) sucked billions out of California during the rigged blackouts of a few years ago. The republicans are trying to get this state, but we just won't let them have it.

Rock on with your bad self.

[chiliD]

Gray Davis was kind of an idiot in my opinion.

Far and away the best governor California had since Jerry Brown. You want Deukmejian or Pete Wilson back? Didn't think so.

[stargazer99]

YESSS!!!!:]

The republicans are trying to get this state, but we just won't let them have it.


Why, oh why, couldn't we have ended up in California instead of Texas? :p

[sparky]

Far and away the best governor California had since Jerry Brown. You want Deukmejian or Pete Wilson back? Didn't think so.

I was here when Pete Wilson was in power, and I wasn't that fond of him. I thought he was an arrogant republican prick. Was Davis better ? Yeah. But I still didn't like him. He pretty much embodies everything I don't like about the democrats. These days both parties sicken me. The only difference being the dems sicken me because they are wimpy, silly and poisoned by pc rhetoric. The repubs are so without conviction and minds, completely bought and paid for by religious fanatics and big business that they are cartoons of actual human beings. Neither party gets anything done, they are so damned busy vilifying and fighting with one another.

[gldstwmn]

Great article from the LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-110905elex_lat,0,3584854.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[Richard B]

Nice vote results California! I'm pleased.

I never voted for Schwarz either.

Gray Davis was not the best governor either. Although I thought it was cool that he's gay and a governor.

[DavidMn]

It's not as if he was unanimously elected...I sure as hell didn't vote for him. I thought the incumbent at the time (the aforementioned Gray Davis...or wait, was that actually Orel Hersheiser?) was doing a pretty fine job, for being railroaded.Yeah,but how was Gray Davis' Fastball?

[DavidMn]

WHats worse? Arnie in California or his good buddy Jesse Ventura here in Minnesota. God what an embarrasment those 4 years were...:mad:

[strandinthewind]

WHats worse? Arnie in California or his good buddy Jesse Ventura here in Minnesota. God what an embarrasment those 4 years were...:mad:

I liked Jesse :shrug: I think he was as fair as any politician could be and he was not scared to tell people the truth as much as any politician can.

[DavidMn]

I liked Jesse :shrug: I think he was as fair as any politician could be and he was not scared to tell people the truth as much as any politician can.Well, you may be right, I'll defer to your political knowledge, but alot of minnesotans viewed him as a laughingstock. Hope your mother is doing better btw:angel:

[strandinthewind]

Well, you may be right, I'll defer to your political knowledge, but alot of minnesotans viewed him as a laughingstock. Hope your mother is doing better btw:angel:

She is and thanks for the PM the other day!!!!

Jesse was just alarming in stature and the fact that he was a wrestler did not help matters :laugh:

Here is some stuff on him from some site, which appears accurate:

December 16, 2002

Ventura's Legacy

Gov. Ventura sought the spotlight, money Moonlighting former wrestler gained fame and infamy

AUL - For Jesse Ventura, public service was never enough.

He craved the spotlight, fans and money.

All three fell generously upon him during his four years as Minnesota's governor, fetching him both fame and infamy as he raced from book tour to movie cameo to sports commentating.

Ventura doggedly defended his moneymaking ventures, snarling that he didn't give up his rights as a citizen when he was elected.

Many people disagreed, and several tried to keep him from moonlighting - or at least to report his earnings. But ultimately, Ventura did whatever he wanted and likely earned himself millions.

Legacy

Finance Commissioner Pam Wheelock, who had a hand in most state policy initiatives over Ventura's four-year term, paused when asked about Ventura's legacy.

"It will be some of those other, more highly covered by the media events that will stick in people's minds," she said. "And I think that's a darned shame."

But while Ventura complained loudly about public scrutiny, he also courted it through many of his ventures.

He released a tell-all autobiography soon after taking office. In it, he bragged about losing his virginity as part of a teenage bet and admitted he used marijuana and steroids.

He detailed a visit to a Nevada brothel during his days as a Navy SEAL, telling of a prostitute who offered her services plus $10 for a belt he was wearing made of machine-gun shell casings.

"I'm probably one of the only people in the world who's gone into a Nevada ranch and been paid," he wrote. "I used that $10 to go to another one."

Playboy interview

After the book furor died down, Ventura stirred things up again with a Playboy interview in which he called organized religion a "sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers."

In the same interview, he suggested that lives could have been saved in the Columbine school massacre if someone at the school had had a concealed weapon, joked that if reincarnated he wanted to return as a size-38DD bra, and said some drugs should be decriminalized.

"Every public leader has a right to a private life," said Marcia Avner, director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. "But some of the things he did had enough public play that they created an image of him that distracted from the role of leader."

Perhaps the biggest distraction was Ventura's short-lived career as a color commentator for the XFL, an upstart football league that promoted scantily clad cheerleaders as much as the game itself.

The now-defunct XFL paid Ventura $320,000 in expenses during his 13 weeks as a commentator for charter flights, limousine rides, meals and lodging.

Earned millions

State law, however, didn't require the governor to report outside income and he didn't - not for the XFL job or any other. Experts say he likely earned millions during his time in office, but the only income that's public information is the $120,000 he made annually for serving as governor.

Despite Ventura's antics, citizens gave him high approval ratings until late in his term, when the state's financial situation turned from surplus to deficit.

Volunteerism

He continued coaching high school football during most of his time in office. He always closed his weekly radio show by reminding listeners not to drink and drive. He started a foundation in his daughter's name that provides grants for programs and agencies helping disabled children.

During a 2000 appearance on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, Ventura put in a plug for laid-off workers on the Iron Range by encouraging businesses to locate there.

He made numerous appearances on television, including on his favorite soap opera, "The Young and the Restless."

He had bobbleheads and action figures. He had two other books, T-shirts, shot glasses, bookmarks, bumper stickers - even air fresheners. Some of those items were sold to raise money for charity, others to raise money for his '98 campaign and a possible future campaign.

Confusing enemy

Ventura said he got a kick out of confounding Republicans and Democrats about where he was on the spectrum and what he would do next.

"I was trained in the (Navy) SEALS to confuse the enemy; what they're dealing with here is a person that's an expert at guerrilla warfare."

Ventura's relationship with the local media was strained over the years, too. He took stories personally and sometimes berated individual reporters by name on his weekly radio program. He rarely gave interviews and declined again for this story.

At one point, he issued 4- by 6-inch passes to the Capitol press corps, bearing a full-body picture of the governor, dressed all in black and pointing Uncle Sam-style at the camera and designating the wearer an "Official Jackal."

Many members of the media refused to wear the badges. Eventually, Ventura bitterly rescinded his order that they be worn to get into his events.

Now, as Ventura gets ready for the next phase in his life - perhaps as a cable TV talk show host - those who worked with him or around him as governor can finally exhale.

"I'm tempted to quote Jerry Garcia," said Bill Blazar, senior vice president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. "What a long, strange trip it's been."

http://www.navyseals.com/community/news/news38.cfm

[DavidMn]

She is and thanks for the PM the other day!!!!

Jesse was just alarming in stature and the fact that he was a wrestler did not help matters :laugh:Not a problem. Just trying to show concern. We're all in this thing called life together, you know? Youre a good guy, and youve been really nice to me since I signed on,thank you!!

[SuzeQuze]

...

At one point, he issued 4- by 6-inch passes to the Capitol press corps, bearing a full-body picture of the governor, dressed all in black and pointing Uncle Sam-style at the camera and designating the wearer an "Official Jackal."

Many members of the media refused to wear the badges. Eventually, Ventura bitterly rescinded his order that they be worn to get into his events.
...
http://www.navyseals.com/community/news/news38.cfm

Hmm, Jackal, that reminds me, Jackal was the first band I saw at Woodstock '94. As we were walking into the farm/venue they were on stage and the lead singer had his pants around his ankles and was cutting something with a chainsaw. :eek: :lol:

[/end random thought]

[strandinthewind]

Hmm, Jackal, that reminds me, Jackal was the first band I saw at Woodstock '94. As we were walking into the farm/venue they were on stage and the lead singer had his pants around his ankles and was cutting something with a chainsaw. :eek: :lol:

[/end random thought]

Well that is a random stage act :eek:

[sparky]

Gray Davis was not the best governor either. Although I thought it was cool that he's gay and a governor.

I assume this is a joke ?

As far as Ventura goes, anyone who is neither a dem or reverslican
has the right idea.

[markolas]

I liked Jesse :shrug: I think he was as fair as any politician could be and he was not scared to tell people the truth as much as any politician can.

Wasn't he a f*cking libertarian or something? :eek:

[dissention]

Wasn't he a f*cking libertarian or something? :eek:

He was a member of the Reform party, but switched to the Independent party. He's an economic conservative, but he sure as **** isn't conservative on social issues.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Wasn't he a f*cking libertarian or something? :eek:

And other than the fact that most of them are pot heads...what's so wrong with libertarian? lol. :lol:

[markolas]

He was a member of the Reform party, but switched to the Independent party. He's an economic conservative, but he sure as **** isn't conservative on social issues.

Oh...wasn't the Reform party Ross "flat tax" Perot's party? Feh. Economic conservatives annoy me. That's why I dumped my last boyfriend. :shocked:

[markolas]

And other than the fact that most of them are pot heads...what's so wrong with libertarian? lol. :lol:

They're "economic conservatives," to use a neutral phrase. :laugh:

[dissention]

Oh...wasn't the Reform party Ross "flat tax" Perot's party?

Yup. But the Perot base refused to support Ventura.

Feh. Economic conservatives annoy me. That's why I dumped my last boyfriend. :shocked:

I can't say I'm a fan of Ventura, but he said and attempted to do a lot of good things. He gets major props from me for "Indivisible Day." The only politician with the balls to show respect for atheists because he is one.

[markolas]

Yup. But the Perot base refused to support Ventura.

Oh, I can imagine. :lol: :nod:



I can't say I'm a fan of Ventura, but he said and attempted to do a lot of good things. He gets major props from me for "Indivisible Day." The only politician with the balls to show respect for atheists because he is one.

Eh...I have a love-hate relationship with atheists. I'm with them insofar as I'm against the wingnut Christian attempts to take over the government, but they irritate me in other ways. :D

[dissention]

Oh, I can imagine. :lol: :nod:

Probably because he wasn't a conservative on social issues.

Eh...I have a love-hate relationship with atheists. I'm with them insofar as I'm against the wingnut Christian attempts to take over the government, but they irritate me in other ways. :D

I feel the same way about Buddhists. :D

[markolas]

I feel the same way about Buddhists. :D

Hmph. :p ;)

[Moony]

I VOTED AGAINST THIS CRAP. I also voted against Arnold in the beginning. What a joke. This state already produced that idiot Reagan. Enough damage done there.
What he said.

IN YO' FACE, AHNULD!

You piece of ****.

[strandinthewind]

. . . I can't say I'm a fan of Ventura, but he said and attempted to do a lot of good things. He gets major props from me for "Indivisible Day." The only politician with the balls to show respect for atheists because he is one.

I just loved him for telling the mainstream think thanks and lobbyists that he did not give a rat's a$$ about what they thought and he was going to do what he thought was the right thing to do. Also, I supported many if not most of his acts, etc. I found his candor to be refreshing. I would have loved for him to have debated W instead of Kerry.

[GODDESS6]

I just loved him for telling the mainstream think thanks and lobbyists that he did not give a rat's a$$ about what they thought and he was going to do what he thought was the right thing to do. Also, I supported many if not most of his acts, etc. I found his candor to be refreshing. I would have loved for him to have debated W instead of Kerry.
i agree!!!:nod: ~

[SuzeQuze]

Well that is a random stage act :eek:

I know! But I was like, "Yep, I'm at Woodstock." :laugh: