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Schwarzenegger Vs. McClintock
Aired September 12, 2003 - 15:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Arnold Schwarzenegger today came as close as he may ever get to a one-on-one confrontation with his leading Republican rival for California governor. And if things got a little testy, it may not be so surprising, given the latest poll numbers.
CNN's Bob Franken has a recall update from Los Angeles.
Bob, so what did Mr. Schwarzenegger and Mr. McClintock have to say to one another?
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, Mr. McClintock, in effect, said, surprise. Actually, the radio station did.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was calling in, as he is so often these days, calling in to talk radio stations to try and get his campaign message out. But the station in this particular case decided it would surprise him with his ever increasing rival in terms of numbers, Tom McClintock.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
TOM MCCLINTOCK (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: We are both going to be there at the convention this weekend. Why don't we stand before the...
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: The important thing, that we work together on this issue and that we go to Sacramento and do it for the Republicans, because we have to change what's going on right now, because, otherwise, people will suffer another three years.
MCCLINTOCK: Well, I will be available to debate you before the Republican state convention Saturday. You name the time and I will be there.
SCHWARZENEGGER: We will talk about all those things. And we will have a great time at the Republican convention. I'm looking forward to that.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
FRANKEN: Now, the Republican convention has decided -- the leaders of the convention -- they will not have McClintock and Schwarzenegger on together. But, of course, they are together as part of a poll that was taken by "The Los Angeles Times." And it's somewhat good news for the incumbent governor, Gray Davis, in his fight to avoid the recall. First of all, this is a poll with a plus-or-minus 3 percent. And it shows that those who support the recall are at 50 percent -- no, 47 percent -- which, of course, is statistically insignificant. What is interesting is that Davis' disapproval rate is only 63 percent.
Now, a lot of people would not be happy to be disapproved by 63 percent. But three weeks ago, in that same poll, it was 72 percent. As for the governor wanna-bes who are fighting to replace Davis if he is recalled, the Democrat Cruz Bustamante can take no satisfaction in this particular poll. Tom McClintock, who you see, of course, on the same screen with Arnold Schwarzenegger, is really moving up. Arnold Schwarzenegger got 25 percent in the poll. McClintock is up six points to 18 percent. And, as you can see, Cruz Bustamante is at 30. He is down 5.
And he also has had a big jump in his unfavorable ratings, Bustamante has. He went up from 29 percent to 50 percent. So I think what we have here, Judy, is another day of proof that this is an extremely volatile situation.
WOODRUFF: It sure is. And it seems to change every day. OK, Bob Franken, thank you very much.
Well, meantime, Governor Gray Davis is hoping to get a new boost in the coming days when he stands side by side with former President Bill Clinton. In addition to a joint appearance at a church on Sunday, CNN has learned that Davis will be on hand on Monday when Clinton visits a new California elementary school that is being named after him. That same day, sources say, Clinton will also attend an anti-recall fund-raiser with Davis.
Well, now we get a view from the Davis camp. California state Treasurer Phil Angelides is with us from Sacramento.
Mr. Angelides, thanks for being with us.
The governor's approval rating in this poll we were just talking about, it is up a little bit. But you still have 50 percent of Californians who were polled saying they are for this recall. How does the governor combat that?
PHIL ANGELIDES, CALIFORNIA STATE TREASURER: Well, here's what I think is happening, Judy.
I think what you are seeing is, more and more Californians are seeing that this recall is not the way for the state to debate its future. It's not going to educate one child. It's not going to create one new business. It's not going to lift one family out of poverty. And I think, the closer we get to Election Day, I think people are seeing that this turmoil, this deep partisan division, isn't moving us forward to meet our challenges. And I think that's what you are seeing now among the voters of California.
WOODRUFF: But you have certainly in Arnold Schwarzenegger a high-profile, charismatic figure running for governor. You have got Bustamante who is out there, quite frankly, not so much talking about the recall, but talking about himself.
(CROSSTALK)
ANGELIDES: But there are a number of us who care deeply about this state who are talking about the recall, Dianne Feinstein, myself.
And let me just give you my perspective. I am treasurer of this state. The day the recall qualified for the ballot, Standard & Poor's lowered our credit rating, which will cost us $1 billion more in bonds. And the only way we are going to restore fiscal health is to somehow get Democrats and Republicans working together to construct a fiscally sound budget and to end the political paralysis.
I am concerned, Judy, about this, which is that California's can is like the rest of the nation. We are struggling in this Bush economic recession. But I am concerned that this political turmoil, this recall, is going to begin to affect the financial community's perceptions of California. So there are many of us I think speaking out. And I think you are going to see more civic leaders making the case that this is just not the right way to solve our problems.
WOODRUFF: All right, you're the one who is bringing up the budget. This latest poll is also showing that eight in 10 Californians still say they are very worried, very concerned about the state of California's economy, about the budget. And, quite frankly, that was the focus of the recall in the first place. That's why people who did sign off on this recall, it was because they were upset with Governor Davis over his handling of his budget.
ANGELIDES: Well, it's a terrible budget, but let me just be clear about what's happened here.
To get a budget in the state, you need a two-thirds vote. We're one of three states in the country that requires more than a majority. And this budget, with over $14 billion of borrowing, was much -- very much driven by the Republican minority. I agree. This is not a good budget. We need to close our deficits so we can face our future, educate children, invest in transportation, invest in the environment.
But this recall is not moving us a step forward in doing that. We need less partisan division to solve those problems. And I think Californians will come to that conclusion.
WOODRUFF: Is Bill Clinton's being there going to help Governor Davis?
ANGELIDES: Oh, absolutely.
You are talking to someone who led the united campaign for Bill Clinton, Barbara Boxer, and Dianne Feinstein in 1992. He's extremely popular here. He was a great president. He expanded the economy -- and I think, given what he went through with the impeachment, like Dianne Feinstein having gone through the recall when she was mayor of San Francisco, a very powerful voice. WOODRUFF: California state Treasurer Phil Angelides, thank you very much.
ANGELIDES: Thank you.
WOODRUFF: It's good to see you. We appreciate your talking with us.
Well, some harsh words are flying, as national political figures weigh in on the recall free-for-all. GOP Congressman Dan Burton is quoted in "The Los Angeles Times" today as describing his efforts to get Tom McClintock to drop out of the recall race. Burton says he told McClintock, if the Democrats win -- quote -- "Bustamante may want to give California back to Mexico." Burton adds, "I said that tongue in cheek."
Well, Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman is not amused. The White House hopeful issued a statement defending Lieutenant Governor Bustamante -- quoting now -- "For Dan Burton to suggest that Cruz wants to return the state to Mexico is itself an effort to return America to a divisive time. As the leader of his party, President Bush should immediately repudiate these outrageous comments."
No word yet from the White House on whether they are going to step into this one. While politicians of different stripes look for a piece of the recall action, Arnold Schwarzenegger remains the undisputed star of the media coverage.
CNN's Charles Feldman has a behind-the-scenes look at political theater in the making.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Any reporter who has ever covered a Hollywood event would be right at home covering the campaign of Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, at times, it's hard to tell the difference between the two, Schwarzenegger the actor, Schwarzenegger the politician. Looks about the same, doesn't it?
Right from the start, the news media were played like fiddles by the actor-turned-Republican-candidate-for-governor-of-California. Remember, right up to the moment he made his announcement on "The Tonight Show," even some of his top aides swore they had no clue what his intentions were.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO")
SCHWARZENEGGER: And this is why I am going to run for governor of the state of California.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FELDMAN: Reporters covering the announcement from a room set up next to the "Tonight Show" studio were struck, even impressed, by the degree of media manipulation, a hallmark of any true Hollywood event. There was Arnold keeping Jay Leno in suspense. And thanks to an NBC camera placed inside the reporters room, there we all were, watching ourselves covering the story, while becoming part of the "Tonight Show" telecast.
In the days that followed, Schwarzenegger seemed to pull a Greta Garbo, perhaps not wanting to be alone, but not exactly running a high-profile event. We should have known that everything was leading up to the premiere of Schwarzenegger's economic recovery council, which gave reporters the first real opportunity to grill the candidate on the issues. Well, at least we tried.
QUESTION: Have you or have your council identified some specific areas that you (OFF-MIKE) If we go back to the tax issue for a moment as well...
SCHWARZENEGGER: This is two questions.
QUESTION: Two questions.
FELDMAN: When Schwarzenegger paid a visit to a Long Beach, California, campus, he was, except for being hit by an egg, given the full movie star treatment, heavy private security, sectioned-off areas to keep the fans away from the star, and a mostly admiring crowd of young people, some hoping to get an autograph of "The Terminator" star.
And should Schwarzenegger not be elected governor this time around, many think, in true Hollywood fashion, he will be back with a sequel in 2006.
Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 12, 2003 - 15:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Arnold Schwarzenegger today came as close as he may ever get to a one-on-one confrontation with his leading Republican rival for California governor. And if things got a little testy, it may not be so surprising, given the latest poll numbers.
CNN's Bob Franken has a recall update from Los Angeles.
Bob, so what did Mr. Schwarzenegger and Mr. McClintock have to say to one another?
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, Mr. McClintock, in effect, said, surprise. Actually, the radio station did.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was calling in, as he is so often these days, calling in to talk radio stations to try and get his campaign message out. But the station in this particular case decided it would surprise him with his ever increasing rival in terms of numbers, Tom McClintock.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
TOM MCCLINTOCK (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: We are both going to be there at the convention this weekend. Why don't we stand before the...
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: The important thing, that we work together on this issue and that we go to Sacramento and do it for the Republicans, because we have to change what's going on right now, because, otherwise, people will suffer another three years.
MCCLINTOCK: Well, I will be available to debate you before the Republican state convention Saturday. You name the time and I will be there.
SCHWARZENEGGER: We will talk about all those things. And we will have a great time at the Republican convention. I'm looking forward to that.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
FRANKEN: Now, the Republican convention has decided -- the leaders of the convention -- they will not have McClintock and Schwarzenegger on together. But, of course, they are together as part of a poll that was taken by "The Los Angeles Times." And it's somewhat good news for the incumbent governor, Gray Davis, in his fight to avoid the recall. First of all, this is a poll with a plus-or-minus 3 percent. And it shows that those who support the recall are at 50 percent -- no, 47 percent -- which, of course, is statistically insignificant. What is interesting is that Davis' disapproval rate is only 63 percent.
Now, a lot of people would not be happy to be disapproved by 63 percent. But three weeks ago, in that same poll, it was 72 percent. As for the governor wanna-bes who are fighting to replace Davis if he is recalled, the Democrat Cruz Bustamante can take no satisfaction in this particular poll. Tom McClintock, who you see, of course, on the same screen with Arnold Schwarzenegger, is really moving up. Arnold Schwarzenegger got 25 percent in the poll. McClintock is up six points to 18 percent. And, as you can see, Cruz Bustamante is at 30. He is down 5.
And he also has had a big jump in his unfavorable ratings, Bustamante has. He went up from 29 percent to 50 percent. So I think what we have here, Judy, is another day of proof that this is an extremely volatile situation.
WOODRUFF: It sure is. And it seems to change every day. OK, Bob Franken, thank you very much.
Well, meantime, Governor Gray Davis is hoping to get a new boost in the coming days when he stands side by side with former President Bill Clinton. In addition to a joint appearance at a church on Sunday, CNN has learned that Davis will be on hand on Monday when Clinton visits a new California elementary school that is being named after him. That same day, sources say, Clinton will also attend an anti-recall fund-raiser with Davis.
Well, now we get a view from the Davis camp. California state Treasurer Phil Angelides is with us from Sacramento.
Mr. Angelides, thanks for being with us.
The governor's approval rating in this poll we were just talking about, it is up a little bit. But you still have 50 percent of Californians who were polled saying they are for this recall. How does the governor combat that?
PHIL ANGELIDES, CALIFORNIA STATE TREASURER: Well, here's what I think is happening, Judy.
I think what you are seeing is, more and more Californians are seeing that this recall is not the way for the state to debate its future. It's not going to educate one child. It's not going to create one new business. It's not going to lift one family out of poverty. And I think, the closer we get to Election Day, I think people are seeing that this turmoil, this deep partisan division, isn't moving us forward to meet our challenges. And I think that's what you are seeing now among the voters of California.
WOODRUFF: But you have certainly in Arnold Schwarzenegger a high-profile, charismatic figure running for governor. You have got Bustamante who is out there, quite frankly, not so much talking about the recall, but talking about himself.
(CROSSTALK)
ANGELIDES: But there are a number of us who care deeply about this state who are talking about the recall, Dianne Feinstein, myself.
And let me just give you my perspective. I am treasurer of this state. The day the recall qualified for the ballot, Standard & Poor's lowered our credit rating, which will cost us $1 billion more in bonds. And the only way we are going to restore fiscal health is to somehow get Democrats and Republicans working together to construct a fiscally sound budget and to end the political paralysis.
I am concerned, Judy, about this, which is that California's can is like the rest of the nation. We are struggling in this Bush economic recession. But I am concerned that this political turmoil, this recall, is going to begin to affect the financial community's perceptions of California. So there are many of us I think speaking out. And I think you are going to see more civic leaders making the case that this is just not the right way to solve our problems.
WOODRUFF: All right, you're the one who is bringing up the budget. This latest poll is also showing that eight in 10 Californians still say they are very worried, very concerned about the state of California's economy, about the budget. And, quite frankly, that was the focus of the recall in the first place. That's why people who did sign off on this recall, it was because they were upset with Governor Davis over his handling of his budget.
ANGELIDES: Well, it's a terrible budget, but let me just be clear about what's happened here.
To get a budget in the state, you need a two-thirds vote. We're one of three states in the country that requires more than a majority. And this budget, with over $14 billion of borrowing, was much -- very much driven by the Republican minority. I agree. This is not a good budget. We need to close our deficits so we can face our future, educate children, invest in transportation, invest in the environment.
But this recall is not moving us a step forward in doing that. We need less partisan division to solve those problems. And I think Californians will come to that conclusion.
WOODRUFF: Is Bill Clinton's being there going to help Governor Davis?
ANGELIDES: Oh, absolutely.
You are talking to someone who led the united campaign for Bill Clinton, Barbara Boxer, and Dianne Feinstein in 1992. He's extremely popular here. He was a great president. He expanded the economy -- and I think, given what he went through with the impeachment, like Dianne Feinstein having gone through the recall when she was mayor of San Francisco, a very powerful voice. WOODRUFF: California state Treasurer Phil Angelides, thank you very much.
ANGELIDES: Thank you.
WOODRUFF: It's good to see you. We appreciate your talking with us.
Well, some harsh words are flying, as national political figures weigh in on the recall free-for-all. GOP Congressman Dan Burton is quoted in "The Los Angeles Times" today as describing his efforts to get Tom McClintock to drop out of the recall race. Burton says he told McClintock, if the Democrats win -- quote -- "Bustamante may want to give California back to Mexico." Burton adds, "I said that tongue in cheek."
Well, Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman is not amused. The White House hopeful issued a statement defending Lieutenant Governor Bustamante -- quoting now -- "For Dan Burton to suggest that Cruz wants to return the state to Mexico is itself an effort to return America to a divisive time. As the leader of his party, President Bush should immediately repudiate these outrageous comments."
No word yet from the White House on whether they are going to step into this one. While politicians of different stripes look for a piece of the recall action, Arnold Schwarzenegger remains the undisputed star of the media coverage.
CNN's Charles Feldman has a behind-the-scenes look at political theater in the making.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Any reporter who has ever covered a Hollywood event would be right at home covering the campaign of Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, at times, it's hard to tell the difference between the two, Schwarzenegger the actor, Schwarzenegger the politician. Looks about the same, doesn't it?
Right from the start, the news media were played like fiddles by the actor-turned-Republican-candidate-for-governor-of-California. Remember, right up to the moment he made his announcement on "The Tonight Show," even some of his top aides swore they had no clue what his intentions were.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO")
SCHWARZENEGGER: And this is why I am going to run for governor of the state of California.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FELDMAN: Reporters covering the announcement from a room set up next to the "Tonight Show" studio were struck, even impressed, by the degree of media manipulation, a hallmark of any true Hollywood event. There was Arnold keeping Jay Leno in suspense. And thanks to an NBC camera placed inside the reporters room, there we all were, watching ourselves covering the story, while becoming part of the "Tonight Show" telecast.
In the days that followed, Schwarzenegger seemed to pull a Greta Garbo, perhaps not wanting to be alone, but not exactly running a high-profile event. We should have known that everything was leading up to the premiere of Schwarzenegger's economic recovery council, which gave reporters the first real opportunity to grill the candidate on the issues. Well, at least we tried.
QUESTION: Have you or have your council identified some specific areas that you (OFF-MIKE) If we go back to the tax issue for a moment as well...
SCHWARZENEGGER: This is two questions.
QUESTION: Two questions.
FELDMAN: When Schwarzenegger paid a visit to a Long Beach, California, campus, he was, except for being hit by an egg, given the full movie star treatment, heavy private security, sectioned-off areas to keep the fans away from the star, and a mostly admiring crowd of young people, some hoping to get an autograph of "The Terminator" star.
And should Schwarzenegger not be elected governor this time around, many think, in true Hollywood fashion, he will be back with a sequel in 2006.
Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
