Schwarzenegger bashes 'tea party' movement. Is he right?

The political world is buzzing after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger slammed fellow Republicans and the "tea party" movement.

"I find it interesting that you have a lot of the Republicans running around and pushing back on the stimulus money and saying this doesn't create any new jobs," Schwarzenegger said on ABC's "This Week." "And then they go out and they do the photo ops and they are posing with the big check and they say, 'Isn't this great? Look what kind of money I provide here for the state.' ... It doesn't match up."

The Times' Michael Rothfeld also reports that the governor dismissed the "tea party" movement as "just an expression of anger and dissatisfaction." Schwarzenegger has a private meeting with President Obama scheduled for Monday, in which he is expected to seek more federal aid for California.

What do you think of the governor's comment? Share your comments below.

Photo: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on ABC's "This Week." Credit: Associated Press

Follow the twists and turns of California politics on The Times' blog, PolitiCal.

The political world is buzzing after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger slammed fellow Republicans and the "tea party" movement.

Comments

[Bob Spender]

God, I hate even calling him the governor. I think Joe the Plumber could do a better job. Heck, I think my 7yr old could do a better job. It's just simple math people. Stop Spending our hard earned dollars.

[Joshua]

All the Schwarzenegger is crap IMO... if there is any blame to be put on anyone it would be the on the other elected officials who are unwilling to make the "drastic" changes CA needs to be a prosperous state again... and that's because they are worried about getting re-elected... a lot of blame can be put on us as well cause we only want what is good for you, not what is good for us and our state

[Neo-con]

Neo-cons are destroying the country for years, no one open their mouth during Bush years, now they playing the blame games...typical hypocrites out there...The good news is Da girly man he's speaking out on his party ordeals...

[Tom]

The only way to stay popular in CA is to be a tax and spend liberal. Arnie is not even RINo in the fact he acts and sides with Dems more often than not.

[coralights]

Mr. Governor, thank you and Colin Powell for being truthful. Like Crist in Florida and any other Republican who is civilized & rational and apolitical it a breath of fresh air.

Americans both republicans and others - are so tired of the Republican echo chamber which has been dominated by the radical right.

Lost in all the noise is the fact that the republican congress has an even lower rating than the democratic congress.

Democrats unfortunately are doing their job - which means they all can't agree on everything.

The republicans however have formed a UNION - something they oppose. And they are on strike.

[jeff]

Is Arnold the only Republican that'll stand up to these old worlders?

[Patrick F]

Isn't it interesting that Governor Schwartzenegger has a better grasp of American politics and economics then most citzens by birth? I'm not GOP, but I like what Gov. Schwartzenegger does for CA.

[Derek]

Well, at least Arnold has shown that he's honest, and not a ridiculous obstructionist hypocrite.
All the GOP does is complain about the guy that got stuck with their fiscal disaster without offering any solutions. We are in deep trouble that is going to take decades to hopefully resolve. If the GOP is successful in obstructing Obama to the point where he is ousted, and we get a nude male model or a beauty contestant in the White House, are they going to offer any real solutions? More mindless ideology.

[Howard]

What kind of "tea" is Arnold smoking? He is a pompous self-serving worst example of today's politicians of both parties. Thank goodness for term limits. We need them in Washington.

[gjdagis]

I can't take this guy; he's been a statist from the beginning, forcing his own PERSONAL beliefs onto the people. He bankrupted California and now he thinks he has the intelligence to comment on what the NATION should do.

[T]

At least Arnie doesn't claim a huge salary to try to do the job - or worse yet, have a huge salary and get paid another one by related interests ... Or my personal favorite - have a salary from the govt and a pension from them for doing the same job.

[Joyce Price]

The Governor is most definitely correct.

[M er]

Why would anyone listen to the terminator??? his entire legacy as gov'ner of CA is suspect from the very start. Again, he is only appealing to short term interests. its so freakin obvious where he stands in this horrible socialist government.

"terminator" is most appropriate. its the role the US gov't will have when so-called terrorism hits our streets and we finally ratify military actions cuz of our fear.

[Debbie]

I hate to say it but yes Arnie is right! The teabaggers are fringe politics at best. And like it or not the proof is there and the stimulus did work. What also happened it the GOP tried to change the subject by throwing tantrums all along the way and what did that do for the American people? Zilch! Did I like the stimulus had to happen? No but it was Georgie Boy that led us to that path, bad economics, two wars with no way to pay for them, no regulation on bank buddies and Chris Cox his appointee looked the other way.