Easy come, not so easy go in Arnold Schwarzenegger recall bid

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is having a difficult year, what with multibillion-dollar state deficits, challenging budget negotiations (see photo above) and a foundering ballot measure campaign for next week's vote.

Now add to the mix a new petition to recall him from office, approved Friday by Secretary of State Debra Bowen. The recall petition is the second currently circulating to take the governor out of the California Capitol by the same door he came in

Most recall efforts prove unsuccessful. But ask Democratic ex-Gov. Gray Davis if they all do. 

The new petition’s main proponent is John D. Fusek of La Habra, representing a group calling itself Taxpayers United to Recall Governor Schwarzenegger (TURGS). It has until Oct. 22 to gather 1 million valid signatures in order to qualify for the ballot.

According to the petition,

The governor promised to reduce state spending and reform state government. Instead, he increased spending by over 40%, benefiting public sector unions and special interests, at the expense of taxpayers ….

The governor promised to help encourage job creation by reducing costly regulation. Instead he passed more job-killing mandates that are destroying California jobs and opportunity. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger must be held accountable for worsening the lives of California taxpayers, voters and families.

A Schwarzenegger spokeswoman, Julie Soderlund, declined to comment.

As for Schwarzenegger himself, he was in Los Angeles, as The Ticket reported earlier today, entertaining a huge commencement crowd at the University of Southern California with jokes, stories and some personal advice.

-- Michael Rothfeld

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Comments

[carl]

I wish I never voted for the gov for his second term. I and all of Calif paying the price. I'm on SSI..In three months time my SSI has been cut down to 850 a month. In Jan my SSI was 907. Then April went down to 870..now in July be 850. Can not afford it. And also medi cal is being cut. I want to sign the petition to recall the Gov..for what he's doing to Calif.

[Karen]

I want to recall or impeach Arnold. He is incompetent and has no business running anything. This what people get for voting in a cartoon character as Governor. I will never listen to the Kennedys again.