Schwarzenegger to help Obama answer GOP critics

[babylonsister]

Schwarzenegger to help Obama answer GOP critics

By CHARLES BABINGTON
Associated Press Writer


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- President Barack Obama is playing a bit of divide and conquer this week, pitting his Republican critics in Washington against GOP governors and mayors eager for the federal money that his hard-fought stimulus plan will bring. Next on the list of Republican notables to embrace the president is California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is to join Obama at a town hall meeting Thursday in Los Angeles.

Congress recently enacted Obama's $787 billion stimulus bill without a single House Republican's vote, and with only three GOP senators' votes.

Republican governors have had mixed reactions to the massive measure. Some hardline conservatives, such as Mark Sanford of South Carolina, have rejected portions of the economic bounty.

Other GOP governors, including Charlie Crist of Florida, have welcomed Obama and the stimulus money. Schwarzenegger is casting his lot with that group.

As Obama began his two-day Southern California visit Wednesday in Costa Mesa, the White House released a list of projects to be funded with stimulus money. They include adding an eastbound lane to the Riverside Freeway/SR91 in Orange County. Obama's mention of the project drew cheers from a crowd of 1,300 that greeted him in Costa Mesa.


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[bridgit]

1. Schwarzenegger has had a bit of a comeuppance out here; yes, he still shows up...

to a media event on the oft with his 'conan sword' I mean Hollywood is still out here too but I think that's part of the point...it'll be here long after he leaves, and it was always harder to run California than to stand there and call his opponents 'puny armed girly men inside little boxes'. That was cute and now everyone knows it. I think he's learned, especially after this latest round of intransigent republican budgetary stupidity, and all the rest of his so-called republican gubernatorial colleagues; that sometimes you've got to turn to your own party and tell them it isn't all about yachts, sky box seats, and cutting taxes for your Big Agri Bizz, etc...cept Obama will know when he's jiving so Arnold had best show up to read for the part

[Mz Pip]

2. One thing is certain

Arnold doesn't want to see California fail. And the Republicans in our legislature certainly didn't cooperate with him during the budget crisis so it's no skin off his teeth to dis them by making nice with Obama.

He can't run again, so he might as well do whatever he can for the State of California and if he pisses off some Republicans in the process, big fucking deal.

[babylonsister]

3. And don't forget his wife!

She's probably a force to be reckoned with.

I'm glad he's so invested in CA. That will hopefully help.