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Out of the Closet: Schwarzenegger Announces Plans to Run for Re-Election
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(September 16, 2005) - Confirming in public what has to be one of the worst kept secrets in political history, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he is running for re-election next year in an effort to revitalize his lowered approval ratings and loss of "political momentum." Schwarzenegger told a crowd of approximately 200 guests, "I'm going to follow through with this here. I'm not in there for three years… I'm in there for seven… Yes, I will run for governor!"
Hints have been dropped over the last several weeks by Schwarzenegger and his administration with claims of wanting to stay on to "fix the broken system" in California. The Governor's advisors had been prompting him to declare his intentions to run for months even though the election isn't until November 2006. However, today's announcement was planned to coincide with the California Republican Convention in Anaheim this weekend where Schwarzenegger will be addressing attendees on Saturday.
Challengers have already put their hats into the ring - State Controller Steve Westly and State Treasurer Phil Angelides have both announced that they will be vying for the Democratic nomination. Hollywood has also given its nod toward the position, as both Rob Reiner and Warren Beatty has been rumored to be considering candidacy.
Schwarzenegger's popularity among California voters as well as among other political parties has deteriorated over the past couple of months - and recent polls show that his initiatives that are scheduled for a special election this November, are not receiving major support by constituents. Other opposition formed by unions - including CCPOA, firefighters, teachers, nurses and other law enforcement agencies - as well as gay rights activists haven't helped his efforts to regain approval.
Television ads supported by labor unions have begun appearing on California stations this month in an attempt to make the public more aware of Schwarzenegger's upcoming ballot measures. In fact, at today's event over 150 demonstrators representing these groups lodged protest against the Governor. Schwarzenegger's approval rating is now at an all-time low as a nonpartisan field poll was released last week revealing that a mere 36% of California voters say they would re-elect him into office.
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