First impressions are important in politics, and the impression the Schwarzenegger for Governor campaign is making is the impression of the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Today on afternoon drive in Southern California, Schwarzenegger's campaign was hammered for two solid hours by KFI's John and Ken and their listeners on the topic of Warren Buffett and taxes. This is California's most listened to talk radio program, which has been a driving force behind the California recall. The Schwarzenegger campaign was put in the position of doing damage control once again -- and doing it rather poorly. Instead of going on air to help ease the furor caused by Warren Buffett's statement that Californians are not taxed enough, the Schwarzenegger campaign directed hosts John and Ken to this AP story. Had the Schwarzenegger folks read the thing? Contained within the story was this choice bit:
University of California, Riverside political science professor Shaun Bowler suggested Buffett's remarks may be a campaign "trial balloon" to gauge public response. "If it ends up just attracting venom on (Los Angeles radio station) KFI, then he'll say, 'This is just Warren Buffett speaking,"' Bowler said.
Unbelievably, the Schwarzenegger's appointment of Buffett has given Gray Davis the unlikely opportunity to take a stand as a tax increase fighter and better friend of the taxpayer than "Republican" Arnold Schwarzenegger:
"Lord knows we have some things in California that cost a lot, but property taxes are not one of them and nobody is going to change this," the governor said at a Los Angeles elementary school.
And it gave Schwarzenegger's Republican rivals the opportunity to signal to voters that they are reliable on the tax issue, while Schwarzenegger -- whose views are essentially unknown -- is not reliable on taxes. In a tax revolt year in a tax revolt election, this is not a good place to be, to say the least. Quotable:
Another Republican candidate, state Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Northridge, said Buffett's comments were shocking in the heavily taxed state.
"My message to Mr. Buffett and Mr. Schwarzenegger is this: That property tax bill is a suggested minimum. They are more than welcome to send in as much more as makes them happy. I only ask that they leave the rest of us alone."
And this:
"He needs to let the people of California know today and just as loudly whether he supports his adviser's scheme for massive property tax increases," Simon said in a statement.
And now the appointment of Rob Lowe, the poster child of both Hollywood sex scandal and the stereotypical air-head Hollywood Democrat, as a "senior advisor" to Schwarzenegger. It's as if the Schwarzenegger campaign is intentionally hightening every worry and concern voters might have about Arnold Schwarzenegger -- that he might not be a reliable Republican, that he'll governor from the left, that he has no moral values, that he's an air-head celebrity actor, etc., etc.
UPDATE: Foxnews has good copy on the Buffett blowup. (via Calblog).
Posted by Greg Ransom
