SwiftVets.com

[msindependent]

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said yesterday that he'll campaign with President Bush in the swing state of Ohio on Friday and escalate his opposition to a ballot measure that aims to modify the three strikes law.

Schwarzenegger confirmed plans to boost the president in a state both Democrats and Republicans consider critical toward winning the close presidential contest.

"The whole idea is to go back there to be helpful to President Bush. I want to be a support system for him," the governor told reporters at a campaign event in the Solano County city of Vacaville.

The governor, who delivered a speech on behalf of the president at the Republican National Convention, said he would praise the president's leadership at the Friday event.

His trip with the president in Columbus, Ohio, is part of a busy campaign schedule. Between now and Tuesday, the governor is appearing throughout California to speak out on ballot measures and support Republican candidates.

Last night, the governor appeared in San Diego at a fund-raising dinner on behalf of three GOP legislative candidates, Assemblywoman Shirley Horton of Chula Vista, state Senate candidate Larry Stirling and Assembly candidate Tricia Hunter. Schwarzenegger also plans to appear in San Diego Saturday.

As part of his campaign activities, the governor announced yesterday that he has given $1 million and appeared in a TV advertisement against Proposition 66, a ballot measure that aims to narrow the three strikes law.

Proposition 66 would bring California's three strikes law in line with those of other states by requiring all strikes to be violent or serious felonies. Currently, a third strike, which carries a 25-years-to-life sentence, can be any felony. Some inmates have received the long sentence for shoplifting or stealing videos.

"It's very clear that this will be a big, big mistake for the state of California to pass Proposition 66 because dangerous criminals will be let out into the streets," Schwarzenegger said. "We don't need that. We don't need to make our streets unsafe again."

Schwarzenegger's donation prompted supporters of the proposition to chip in more money so they can broadcast television ads more frequently.

Supporters announced yesterday that billionaire investor George Soros and businessman John Sperling were donating an additional $350,000 each to the campaign, bringing each donor's total to $500,000 since the campaign began.

"It's important to us to be competitive in getting our message out that we're simply fixing a flaw. We're not letting any bad guys out," said Sandy Harrison, spokesman for backers of Proposition 66.

Schwarzenegger escalated his opposition to Proposition 66 because he feared voters didn't know what the law would do, his political spokesman Rob Stutzman said.

Stutzman acknowledged the measure is so far ahead in the polls that the governor's efforts may be "too little, too late."

Opponents also announced the prison guards union had donated an additional $500,000 to defeat the measure, bringing their contribution to the campaign to nearly $700,000.

The governor plans to campaign today against Proposition 72, a ballot measure that would require medium and large businesses to pay for health care for employees.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Ainsworth: bill.ainsworth@uniontrib.com

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20041027-9999-1n27arnold.html

[Jack Mclaughlin]

Arnold in Ohio Friday. Now we need Arnie in Pennsylvania on Saturday