**If you don’t read anything else today, don’t miss this article from Capitol Weekly. Purely insightful journalism from Shane Goldmacher, if I do say so!
GOP BOARD TO MEET WITH GOVERNOR
Today the Board of Directors of the California Republican Party will meet in Sacramento. Usually the Governor sends a representative to these meetings — but today’s meeting will have the Governor participating in the meeting – which is appropriate – given that the reason for the meeting was the Governor’s hiring of a Democrat activists as his Chief of Staff. Republican volunteers around California are reeling from the news – dismayed that the Governor they toiled to elect in the recall election has brought one of Gray Davis’ top advisors back into the Executive Offices of the Governor.
So, what will come of the board meeting? It’s not clear. The likelyhood of the Governor offering to ‘terminate’ his new hire is small. Presumably, though, the GOP leaders will at least ask him to do so. After that, the talk will likely turn to two areas – policy and politics. The policy will be an attempt to convince the Governor NOT to react to the special election losss by tacking left and embracing higher spending or more bonded indebtedness for Californians. On the political side – how to ensure that Susan Kennedy does not have access to vital GOP strategic plans. We’ll explore this later, but for now… We’ll bring to the latest on what happens…
ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES ON THE KENNEDY HIRE
The FlashReport approached the GOP candidates for State Attorney General for any reaction to the
hiring of Susan Kennedy as the Governor’s Chief of Staff. As has been stated, Kennedy’s was Davis’ former Deputy Chief of Staff, a senior staffer for Dianne Feinstein, and served as Executive Director of both the State Democratic Party as well as the California Abortion Rights Action League.
State Senator Chuck Poochigian would definately be considered the frontrunner in the race for the GOP nomination…and responded right away with a statement. The newcomer to the race is Pierre Prosper, who has spend the last few years working in the Bush Administration. Both he and his staff are pleasant folks, but I exchanged several emails over the better part of a week asking for a statement. None ever materialized. So for today, Prosper gets the infamous "FlashReport Milk Carton" until he is found! Once I hear from him, I will publish it the very next day. But for today, nothing.
STATEMENT FROM SENATOR CHUCK POOCHIGIAN
"The Governor’s appointment of Susan Kennedy as his chief of staff has drawn understandable criticism from the Republican faithful. I too wish that he had selected a Republican for the highest administrative position in the executive branch. But it is very important to understand that the role of the chief of staff is not to influence the Governor. Instead, job one is making sure that his vision is implemented. Given the nature of the position and her partisan background, it is essential that there is a strict firewall in place between policy and politics so that the chief of staff is not involved in any internal partisan political discussions or decisions.
We will face some issues of great proportion in the coming year – from unmet public infrastructure needs and education reform to addressing serious public safety challenges and restoring a healthy business climate. The Governor’s choice of his personal staff is not inconsequential. But the key question involves the policy roadmap that will evolve in the coming weeks. It is on these choices that the administration and legislature will be judged."
STATEMENT FROM PIERRE PROSPER:
CORRECTION:
Yesterday I printed statements from the Republican candidates for State Insurance Commissioner on the appointment of Susan Kennedy. In doing so, I messed it up. All three were critical of the hire, but it is important to get quotes correctly attributed! So, here are the statements, correctly attributed to the proper candidates (sorry guys):
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES ON KENNEDY
DR. PHIL KURZNER
"There is widespread disappointment in the appointment of a longstanding and partisan Democrat as Chief of State to Governor Schwarzenegger. Let me be clear, I share that same disappointment and stand with those Republicans who feel a sense of betrayal and frustration. One of the duties of the Governor is to be the titular head of the Republican Party. It will be extremely difficult to fulfill that obligation when his top aide has never supported or voted for a Republican candidate, and in fact, has been extremely active in the promotion of Democrat candidates and policies throughout her political career. Her appointment makes it all the more difficult for Party leaders to work alongside the Governor and his staff as we prepare for the 2006 elections."
GARY MENDOZA
"I believe a Republican Governor should have a Republican Chief of Staff who shares his principles and the principles of those who have elected him. Although Susan Kennedy is clearly a talented person, she falls far short of that measure. I share the disappointment that is widespread among all Republicans." STEVE POIZNER
"Had I been asked, I would have urged the Governor to appoint a chief of staff that would unite the Republican base, yet with the skills to build a broad coalition of Democrats and Independents. This is urgent, since the state’s financial crisis worsens as debt continues to mount. The Governor should not recruit senior players like Susan Kennedy back from the Davis administration, when voters are looking to move forward with new leadership."