Not a very good week for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Bay Area. First their were the
mass protests in San Francisco, his approval rating dropping to a
paltry 43%, and today, the action hero known as Governor was a no-show for a speaking engagement with Bayer.
Girlie Man? Yeah.
Ahnold, who is "not beholden to special intersts," has taken tons of money from the pharmaceutical indusrty, vetoed a bill making safe importation of affordable medicine. Today, the California Nurses Association, Machinists Local 1546, Teamsters, and teachers all showed up at the event to protest to support patients, students, workers, and affordable health care.
The only person missing was Arnold. (cross-posted from Swing State Project)
I just got off the phone with Bob Brigham who, again, was at the event. He said that the rain was coming down so hard that you could see the animals marching two by two to the ark. He told me that the event was very well organized and attended, especially since no one really knew about it until yesterday.
"The passion is certainly here," Bob said.
I also had a chance to speak with frequent Kos and MyDD contributor, Paul in Berkley. He said, "We drew a line and said, the Bay Area is not a place where he is welcome. He should stick to doing visits to shopping malls in orange county, because the bay area is an Arnold free zone."
As I was on the phone with Bob and Paul, I could hear all kinds of people driving by and honking their horns in solidarity. The California Nurses Association is to be commneded especially. They were the ones that gave Bob the bottle of water as he breathed in the smoke from smoke bombs at the San Francisco rally; today, they were there with an umbrella for him. They are really taking the fight to the action hero.
The moment that word came that Arnold had cancelled the event, a celebration ensued among the dozens and dozens of protesters in attendance.
If you are in California, take a look at the campaign website of Phil Angelides. I know at least one member of his staff, and I am very impressed by what they are doing. Maybe you can volunteer a few hours if you live out that way?
Tim
Update [2005-4-8 13:45:10 by ttagaris]: And yes, I know there is another candidate in the Democratic Primary, but I have a tough time supporting someone who voted for Arnold in the recall.