Gary Mendoza
December 2, 2003

Looking back several years from now, political observers may see this week as the defining moment for the Schwarzenegger Administration and among the most important weeks in recent State history.  The outcome of this week’s political wrangling may determine the ultimate success of the new Administration and whether last month’s recall was a true pivot point in California politics.

Carried into office by the recall’s bipartisan revolt against politics as usual, Governor Schwarzenegger has offered several far-reaching proposals to address California’s very serious problems.  At least two of these proposals—a $15 billion bond issuance and a constitutional spending cap require legislative action this week to put the proposals on the March ballot.

While the recall raised hopes that Sacramento’s ossified political class might be willing to heed voters’ demand for results not political posturing, it’s clear not all of the State’s legislative leaders have gotten the message.  Senate Majority Leader John Burton is leading the charge of those who are fundamentally indifferent to the voters’ demand for action, and he and those following his lead have essentially told the Governor—we got the State into this mess and it’s up to you to figure out how to get us out, but don’t expect any help from us.  

Since it’s uncertain if the Legislature will act with the dispatch necessary to get the Governor’s proposals before the voters in March, the Governor has decided to take his case to the people this week with a series of rallies and speeches around the State.

From a political standpoint, the stakes couldn’t be much higher.  During the recall election, Gov. Schwarzenegger demonstrated his ability to tap into and ride voter disgust over the State’s direction.  Watching the way the crowds responded to his call to take Sacramento back from the special interests, my first thought was “If I was a member of the Legislature, I wouldn’t want him in my district campaigning against me.”

That thesis is now being put to the test.  Gov. Schwarzenegger’s hold on the bully pulpit and, more importantly, the extraordinary level of media interest in his actions, give him a historically unique opportunity to appeal directly to voters.  If the Governor is able to mobilize the public to prod a recalcitrant legislature into action, a new political era may have been born.  If the Legislature refuses to heed the Governor’s call and doesn’t put the bond issuance and the spending cap on the March ballot, it will become meaningfully more difficult for Governor Schwarzenegger to take the steps he believes are necessary to turn the State around.

December 5 is not only the last day for legislative action to put Gov. Schwarzenegger’s policy proposals on the March 5 ballot.  It is also the last day for candidates to file papers to be included in the March primary.  As the Governor leads a highly visible charge around the State, his political interests would be well-served if, at the same time, a concerted effort to recruit candidates to run in March was underway.  

Because most legislative districts have been gerrymandered to make the November election essentially meaningless, the primary election is where a district’s representative will be chosen.  In heavily-gerrymandered districts where it may be impossible to elect a Republican to replace a Democrat, it should be possible to recruit a moderate Democrat, willing to working with Gov. Schwarzenegger, to run against a more liberal Democrat committed to fighting the Governor at every turn.

Leading a public campaign to pressure the Legislature and recruiting primary challengers to take on the defenders of the failed status quo will certainly rankle many members of the political class.  In politics, however, it’s nice to be liked, but it’s better to be respected.

This week, Governor Schwarzenegger will be fighting for the policies he believes are critical to the State’s future and for the respect of those who are prepared to stand in the way.  Quite a lot is riding on the outcome.

Contact Gary Mendoza at: garysmendoza@yahoo.com

Gary Mendoza is one of the most prominent Latino Republicans in the nation.  In 2002, he was the
Republican candidate for California Insurance Commissioner.  Mr. Mendoza previously served as Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles under Mayor Richard Riordan.  He
also served as California Commissioner of Corporations under Governor Pete Wilson.
 
 

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