Schwarzenegger Declines Debate Challenge
38 minutes ago
By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer
source: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=511&e=4&u=/ap/20030926/ap_on_el_gu/davis_recall
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Gov. Gray Davis (news - web sites) challenged Arnold Schwarzenegger to a debate "right here, right now," accusing the actor Friday of distorting his record. The Schwarzenegger campaign declined.
Davis' challenge was the most direct confrontation the governor has made during the campaign leading up to the Oct. 7 recall election and came as Schwarzenegger won the backing of another conservative Republican politician.
"Right here, right now, I challenge him to a debate," Davis said at a rally aimed it building support among women. He accused Schwarzenegger of distorting his record on such issues as taxes, health care and jobs and of misstating facts about California's problems.
Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards warmed up the pro-Davis crowd, calling on Davis not to let Schwarzenegger's statements go unchallenged.
"Call him out," she declared.
Schwarzenegger will refuse the challenge, campaign spokesman Sean Walsh said.
"Our campaign has to convince the public that of the individuals who will replace Gray Davis, we have the vision, we have the discipline and we have the popular will to change California," Walsh said. "So, sorry, Gray, you are on your own, pal."
Schwarzenegger picked up the support Friday of the Republican congressman who bankrolled the recall effort.
Rep. Darrell Issa (news, bio, voting record)'s announcement, at Schwarzenegger's campaign headquarters, appeared to have little effect on state Sen. Tom McClintock, the one other prominent Republican still in the race.
McClintock unveiled a new campaign ad and said Schwarzenegger should step aside.
"I would not be in this race if I did not believe I could win," McClintock said. "You all know a lot can happen in the final days of a campaign. I'm the one moving up and gaining very rapidly, from what I've been told."
Issa said Schwarzenegger is the only candidate positioned to end what he called the failed policies of Davis and other Democrats.
"Without a doubt," Issa said, "only one man has been able to stand above the rest to make it clear that there will be a direction change away from the pay-to-play Bustamante-Davis way of doing business."
The latter reference was a swipe at Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, who has been in a virtual dead heat in some recent polls with Schwarzenegger among candidates to replace Davis.
Although Issa never mentioned McClintock during his remarks, he released a statement that said the conservative Republican's "continued candidacy threatens to undermine the success of the recall election."
Davis' rally among women came as some questioned whether Schwarzenegger's aggressive performance during Wednesday night's debate would alienate women voters. During the debate, the action star traded one-liners and insults with independent Arianna Huffington.
Huffington said it showed a pattern of treating women badly, an allegation Schwarzenegger's aides dismissed.
Davis was also buoyed by New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites), who briefly addressed the crowd by phone.
"I hope you all will vote no on the recall," she said. "Let's make it absolutely clear that California is not going to be stampeded by the same right-wingers who gave us the election in Florida."
___
Associated Press Writers Anna Oberthur contributed to this story.
38 minutes ago
By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer
source: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=511&e=4&u=/ap/20030926/ap_on_el_gu/davis_recall
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Gov. Gray Davis (news - web sites) challenged Arnold Schwarzenegger to a debate "right here, right now," accusing the actor Friday of distorting his record. The Schwarzenegger campaign declined.
Davis' challenge was the most direct confrontation the governor has made during the campaign leading up to the Oct. 7 recall election and came as Schwarzenegger won the backing of another conservative Republican politician.
"Right here, right now, I challenge him to a debate," Davis said at a rally aimed it building support among women. He accused Schwarzenegger of distorting his record on such issues as taxes, health care and jobs and of misstating facts about California's problems.
Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards warmed up the pro-Davis crowd, calling on Davis not to let Schwarzenegger's statements go unchallenged.
"Call him out," she declared.
Schwarzenegger will refuse the challenge, campaign spokesman Sean Walsh said.
"Our campaign has to convince the public that of the individuals who will replace Gray Davis, we have the vision, we have the discipline and we have the popular will to change California," Walsh said. "So, sorry, Gray, you are on your own, pal."
Schwarzenegger picked up the support Friday of the Republican congressman who bankrolled the recall effort.
Rep. Darrell Issa (news, bio, voting record)'s announcement, at Schwarzenegger's campaign headquarters, appeared to have little effect on state Sen. Tom McClintock, the one other prominent Republican still in the race.
McClintock unveiled a new campaign ad and said Schwarzenegger should step aside.
"I would not be in this race if I did not believe I could win," McClintock said. "You all know a lot can happen in the final days of a campaign. I'm the one moving up and gaining very rapidly, from what I've been told."
Issa said Schwarzenegger is the only candidate positioned to end what he called the failed policies of Davis and other Democrats.
"Without a doubt," Issa said, "only one man has been able to stand above the rest to make it clear that there will be a direction change away from the pay-to-play Bustamante-Davis way of doing business."
The latter reference was a swipe at Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, who has been in a virtual dead heat in some recent polls with Schwarzenegger among candidates to replace Davis.
Although Issa never mentioned McClintock during his remarks, he released a statement that said the conservative Republican's "continued candidacy threatens to undermine the success of the recall election."
Davis' rally among women came as some questioned whether Schwarzenegger's aggressive performance during Wednesday night's debate would alienate women voters. During the debate, the action star traded one-liners and insults with independent Arianna Huffington.
Huffington said it showed a pattern of treating women badly, an allegation Schwarzenegger's aides dismissed.
Davis was also buoyed by New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites), who briefly addressed the crowd by phone.
"I hope you all will vote no on the recall," she said. "Let's make it absolutely clear that California is not going to be stampeded by the same right-wingers who gave us the election in Florida."
___
Associated Press Writers Anna Oberthur contributed to this story.
