Schwarzenegger Clemency Denial Called Politically Safe

[Thom Little]

In the end, there was outrage from some quarters and a sense of justice from others -- but little surprise.

Political strategists on both sides of the death penalty debate said Tuesday that whatever California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's view on capital punishment, he took the politically safe road by denying clemency to Stanley Tookie Williams. Williams, co-founder of the Crips gang, was executed at San Quentin State Prison early Tuesday.

"Even if you assume he made the decision without political motivations, the political impact or ramifications certainly worked in his favor," said Dan Schnur, a Republican strategist in California. "All those swing voters who supported him during the recall election support the death penalty."

.......

"Let's face it, he is a first-term governor who wants a second term. He is going to make decisions that appeal to those who got him into office and those who could return him to office," Bruce S. Gordon, president of the NAACP, told reporters after the governor announced his decision. Gordon supported clemency for Williams.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/13/AR2005121300026.html