Gov.'s Aide Raises Ire in the GOP

[Judi Lynn]

December 2, 2005
Gov.'s Aide Raises Ire in the GOP
Some say the naming of a Democrat as chief of staff signals a leftward shift by Schwarzenegger.
By Jordan Rau, Times Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's effort to reposition his administration after his special election defeat — culminating with this week's appointment of a Democratic activist as his chief of staff — has disheartened some prominent California Republicans and reinvigorated talk of finding a conservative primary challenger next year.

"I'm getting more e-mails off of this than I do for Viagra," said Mike Spence, president of the California Republican Assembly, a grass-roots group, referring to Schwarzenegger's appointment of Susan Kennedy.

"Since the special election, where we were very loyal, all we've heard about was a $50-billion bond and looking at clemency for Tookie Williams," Spence said. "I think the Kennedy thing was just the last straw. There's not even one Republican in the state to be qualified as chief of staff?"

Kennedy's appointment has raised particular ire among conservatives because she is a former Democratic Party executive director and senior member of Gray Davis' administration. Anti-gay activists have also objected strenuously because she is a lesbian. A new website, stopsusankennedy.com, urges people to petition Schwarzenegger to rescind the appointment.
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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-arnold2dec02,0,3748213.story?coll=la-home-local
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[Hekate]

1. Oooo Arnie shoulda listened to his wife and been a Dem in the first place

Repubs play dirty and have no tolerance for diversity or compromise.

I can see why they'd bellyache about Susan Kennedy being a member of the Gray Davis team, but the fact that she's an out lesbian gives them heartburn? Arnie's worked in entertainment for decades, and doesn't seem to have a problem with the concept of gayness -- which is why I think he really chose the wrong party, if this is going to be a deal-breaker with the Repubs.

When I look at the single women surrounding Dubya, I really have to ask just how deeply closeted a person has to be in this day and age to even consider working for a Republican, especially Bush. (And no, I don't think all single women are lesbians...)

Hekate