LOS ANGELES - Top contributors to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have been rewarded with a private telephone number that gives them access to his closest advisers and even the governor himself.

The Los Angeles Times reports that major donors are invited twice a month to join in conference calls that feature information about the governor's campaign strategy.

In turn, donors who dial in can give the governor advice.

The Times was given access to one of the conference calls Thursday by an unidentified participant.

In the half-hour call, the Times said Schwarzenegger media strategist Don Sipple outlined a plan to create a "phenomenon of anger" to turn voters against public employee unions.

The unions have been some of the governor's harshest critics.

Unions, Dems outraged over Schwarzenegger's 'phenomenon of anger'
TOM CHORNEAU

Associated Press


SACRAMENTO - Democratic leaders and union officials condemned a plan by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's political team to create a "phenomenon of anger" against public employee unions leading up to an expected special election.

Some critics said Monday the disclosure of the strategy is shocking but consistent with the increasingly bitter fight over Schwarzenegger's ballot proposals.

"The idea of creating anger is so offensive," said Barbara Kerr, president of the California Teachers Association. "It's the worst kind of politics. I believe the people of California are smarter than the governor is giving them credit for and they will see through this."

The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that its reporters had listened to a conference call between the governor's political team and top contributors. The group discussed how to convince voters that unions are the cause of many of California's problems.

"When you get to the point of 'These people are on your payroll and they are out to roll you every day,' that creates a kind of phenomenon of anger," Don Sipple, Schwarzenegger's media adviser, said during the call. "But it takes a long time to get there. As the campaign goes on, we have to articulate that."

Schwarzenegger is expected in the next week to call for a special fall election to pursue his agenda to impose a new state spending cap, redraw legislative and congressional districts and lengthen the time it takes school teachers to earn tenure.

Many of the governor's supporters are pressing a separate measure that would restrict the use of union dues for political purposes.

On Monday, the secretary of state said the union dues and teacher tenure items both qualified for the next statewide ballot, either a special election this fall or a regularly scheduled election in June 2006.

Democrats and their supporters claim those measures are aimed at them. They are promoting a platform that includes a new energy deregulation proposal and prescription drug discounts while also mounting a campaign against the governor and the business interests backing the anti-union measure.

Nurse and teachers unions have loudly protested at the governor's public appearances. On Monday, labor leaders took issue with the newly revealed campaign strategy.

"Reports about Gov. Schwarzenegger's strategy of demonizing public employees should come as no surprise," said J.J. Jelincic, president of the 140,000-member California State Employees Association. "Ever since he dropped his 'moderate' facade earlier this year, he has been blaming government employees for the inability of his administration to meet the real needs of Californians."

Lance Corcoran, executive vice president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, said that the governor's agenda will backfire because it goes beyond unions and targets all working people.

Treasurer Phil Angelides, who declared he will run against Schwarzenegger next year, delivered 50,000 petition signatures to the governor's office Monday calling for Schwarzenegger to drop his plans for the election expected to cost $80 million.

He said if the governor needs to manufacture animosity to achieve his goals then there's no need for an election because voters aren't truly discontent about the things he wants changed.

"The governor's so-called reforms will take California in the wrong direction while doing nothing to address the real issues facing our state," he said.

Schwarzenegger, appearing on a Sacramento radio talk show Monday, said the biggest reason for the election is to pass his spending cap. He said he expects the unions to continue fighting his agenda, pointing out that he believes that labor groups are happy with the status quo.

"They like it the way things are, but I believe very strongly that the way things are will bankrupt the state," Schwarzenegger told an afternoon audience of KFBK-AM.

The governor was not asked about the comments of his political adviser. His spokeswoman referred calls to Marty Wilson, a senior campaign consultant, who didn't return phone calls from The Associated Press.

"In the half-hour call, the Times said Schwarzenegger media strategist Don Sipple outlined a plan to create a "phenomenon of anger" to turn voters against public employee unions."
I have to go on record here as saying that I am frightened by this.  There are sociopaths out there who may see this as an opportunity to "get back" if you know what I mean!

KT
    :crying:

As a teacher here in California,  I can say that I was shocked by Arnold's about-face on the social services here.  I actually voted for him in the recall election because he seemed like a moderate, reasonable candidate, despite his fame and family connections.  Especially compared to the random selection of people running for govenor at that time.

For now, I have my "Students Are Our Special Interests!" poster in my front window.  Lets just say he WONT be back based on my vote!  Or the votes of my family and friends.....

As a teacher here in California,  I can say that I was shocked by Arnold's about-face on the social services here.  I actually voted for him in the recall election because he seemed like a moderate, reasonable candidate, despite his fame and family connections.  Especially compared to the random selection of people running for govenor at that time.

For now, I have my "Students Are Our Special Interests!" poster in my front window.  Lets just say he WONT be back based on my vote!  Or the votes of my family and friends.....

nates daisy, I voted for him too for the same reasons.  I'm glad to see you here and to share our sentiments.  These are bad times for people in our profession. 

KT

Democratic leaders and union officials condemned a plan by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's political team to create a "phenomenon of anger" against public employee unions leading up to an expected special election.

I am in fact going to try to attend. I have it in my date book.  It will depend on whether my husband's HS football team has a game/practice scheduled that day.  Hope to see you all there!

Unfortunately, the GOP is 99% anti union, anti working slob.  I hope that the word gets out to all of the unions and non union workers.  To save yourself, you have to vote against the GOP.