Our
View: Governor rightfully appoints Democrat
Republican
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made an
unexpected move. In the world of partisan
politics, he committed the ultimate Republican
sin.
He appointed a Democrat as his chief of staff.
Susan P. Kennedy, the Cabinet secretary for former Gov. Gray Davis, abortion-rights
activist and Democratic Party executive, is now serving alongside the governor.
She left her former position as state public utility commissioner to join Schwarzenegger’s
inner circle.
Schwarzenegger said, “Susan is a hands-on, action-oriented person who
gets things done. She is a leader with incredible institutional knowledge about
state government and a deep understanding of the public policy process…I
look forward to working with Susan to build upon that foundation and make California
once again the golden dream by the sea.”
Apparently the California Republicans do not share that dream, or at least
the way Schwarzenegger is going to make it happen. The California GOP is revolting.
In fact, they are so disgusted they are demanding a private meeting with the
governor to complain about the selection, according to a Los Angeles Times
report this week.
Enough is enough with partisan party malarkey.
Congratulations to Schwarzenegger for doing exactly what he said he would do:
bring the parties together for the good of California. Selecting a Democrat
in a high Republican gubernatorial office is exactly what the state needs to
bridge the gap between those elephants and donkeys. What other way is there,
really?
Margita Thompson, the governor’s administration spokeswoman, told the
LA Times Kennedy’s appointment represents the governor’s desire
to include skilled members from both political parties and it “reflects
his magnetism, not the other way around.”
What non-partisan thinker can disagree with that?
Thompson also said, “This is the Schwarzenegger administration, and he
is going to remain true to leading from the center and bringing people together.”
Many Republicans, both moderate and conservative, disagree strongly with Schwarzenegger’s
decision because they are still horribly upset over an incident 15 years ago,
according to the LA Times.
In 1992, when Kennedy was executive director of the Democratic Party, an operative,
Bob Mulholland, publicly accused Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Herschensohn
of visiting a Hollywood strip club. Herschensohn consequently lost the Senate
race to now-serving California Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer.
The GOP called it a “smear campaign.” Maybe it was or maybe it
wasn’t.
Seriously though, who cares? It was over a decade ago. Get over it, Republican
Party.
The Republicans are also worried Kennedy could get inside information about
their statewide elections next year. In case Schwarzenegger ultimately fails
his conservative-winged party members, they have a plan.
They want to have Mel Gibson, a.k.a. “Mad” Mel, run for governor
of California. Like that will ever work or help. Does anyone honestly think
electing an arch-conservative will actually work in a Democratic state more
concerned with mending party lines than pulling them farther apart?
Moreover, a one-sided Gibson would never help the partisan restrictions plaguing
Sacramento that many voters are
sick and tired of.
Thank you, governor, for trying to break the party barriers. Thank you for
practically forming your own independent third-party that bothers to get information
from all sides, unlike the partisan detractors who do not and probably never
will.
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