When all is said and done, the turning point in being able to beat this special election came when Arnold made the mistake of attacking the California Nurses Association.
He shoulda asked SEIU first: you just do not pick on CNA. They may seem like a small insect of a union, that you can squash like a bug, but they’re not–they’re the feistiest, most ornery, most tendacious group of (mostly) women you’d ever “like” to meet. He should not have bragged about “always kicking their butts” …or called them a special interest … or ejected one of them from sitting at a movie premier he organized.
And CNA joined forces with another group to be reckoned with on the California scene: the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. For years this Nader-derived group has been giving as good as it got. And its Arnold Watch played a pivotal role in changing the water the voters were swimming in in this no-so-very-special election.
Together CNA and FTCR had the guts to attack Arnold when the rest of the Sacramento insiders were still fawning over him and hoping to here the secrets of his orange tanning glow. Once these Davids pummelled Goliath to the point that he shed blood, the rest of the cowards took notice and began coming after him with all they had. (oops, pretty violent imagery for me: I’m trying to practice peace–forget all that: CNA and FTCR had the guts to LOVE where others merely HATED, that’s what I’m trying to say).
Okay, this is falling apart, but what I’m trying to say is Hurray for CNA! You did it again. The People of Cah-lee-for-knee-a thank you.