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Schwarzenegger May Declare Re-Election Bid NewsMax.com Wires SAN FRANCISCO -- Two Democrats have started their runs for governor and a few liberal film luminaries are rumored as candidates in next year's race - but the Hollywood star already in the office has yet to declare his intentions. That's expected to change Friday, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to announce during a "town hall meeting" in San Diego that he'll seek a second term. The Republican actor-turned-governor, who has hinted as much for weeks, all but launched a campaign Wednesday, telling supporters, "I'm not in this just for the short term." He promised an official announcement Friday. The announcement coincides with the opening day of the state Republican Party convention in Anaheim, which Schwarzenegger is scheduled to address Saturday. Schwarzenegger, whose popularity among Democrats and independents has eroded badly, must generate enthusiasm within his party's base if several ballot initiatives he has championed are to pass in a Nov. 8 special election. Story Continues Below
The initiatives are intended to curb the power of the Democrat-controlled Legislature and allied public employee unions. Strategists say the governor also must cement his November 2006 re-election plans now to improve his fundraising for the initiatives, which would establish a state spending cap, strip lawmakers of the power to draw political boundaries and make it harder for public school teachers to get tenure. Recent polls show none receiving majority support. Without a reassurance that Schwarzenegger is running for re-election, business leaders may be reluctant to cross Democratic lawmakers and their union backers by financing what the governor has estimated will be a $50 million campaign in support of the initiatives. "The donors the governor needs are in the business community," said Republican strategist Bill Whalen. "For them, the re-election announcement is an investment and a guarantee - an insurance of some sort that he is going to stay around and work for them." That his ballot initiatives face such long odds is just one sign of how far Schwarzenegger's star has fallen since the recall election that swept him into office two years ago. Schwarzenegger was immensely popular his first year, but his job approval ratings have dropped sharply in recent months. His decision to push the ballot measures generated a backlash from labor unions, which have spent millions on television ads since the spring to discredit him. A nonpartisan Field Poll released last week found that just 36 percent of California voters are inclined to re-elect Schwarzenegger. The challengers already are lining up. State Treasurer Phil Angelides and Controller Steve Westly have announced they will seek the Democratic nomination. Hollywood director Rob Reiner and actor Warren Beatty also have been mentioned as possible candidates.
© 2005 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Editor's note: Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics: |
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