Public Policy Institute of California (PDF). 8/8-15. MoE 2% (6/28-7/12 results)
Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that Arnold Schwarzenegger is handling his job as governor of California?
All adults:
Approve 34 (34)
Disapprove 54 (51)
Likely voters:
Approve 41 (41)
Disapprove 50 (49)
Prop 77 (Non-partisan redistricting)
Likely voters:
Approve 34
Disapprove 49
Prop 76 (Limits state spending)
Likely voters:
Approve 28
Disapprove 61
Prop 73 (parental notification before abortion for minors)
Likely voters:
Approve 44
Disapprove 48
Ahnold is not being helped by a steady stream of stories that note that, well, he
is in fact
beholden to the special interests.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is benefiting from millions of dollars raised by a network of tax-exempt groups without revealing that the money comes from major corporations with business before his office.
The groups are run by Schwarzenegger's closest political allies, who also represent some of California's biggest interest groups. Unlike the governor's many campaign funds, the nonprofits are not required to disclose their contributors and can accept unlimited amounts.
One group controlled by a powerful corporate consultant pays the $6,000-a-month rent on a Sacramento hotel suite used by the governor, who is a multimillionaire. Others have funded media events and political rallies featuring Schwarzenegger and helped pay for his foreign travel. So far, five tax-exempt groups aiding Schwarzenegger have collected $3 million.
Other elected officials also raise money through nonprofit groups. But Schwarzenegger campaigned on creating an open government answerable to the public. His use of the nonprofit groups has the opposite effect, ethics watchdogs said.
$7,000 a month rent, paid for by a corporate special interest group. Wow. It's probably hard to pay rent when he's out kicking the asses of nurses, teachers, firemen, policemen, EMTs, and little puppies.
So how does the Arnold Administration respond?
Rob Stutzman, the governor's communications director, said Schwarzenegger has asked the nonprofits directly helping him -- such as the foundation paying his rent -- to disclose their donors. In any case, he said the governor pays little attention to who donates to the nonprofits.
"He just never bothers himself with it," Stutzman said.