Arnold Schwarzenegger's Early Success as Governor

August 1, 2004

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Early Success as Governor

Assessing Schwarzenegger's performance after 100 days in office, Garrett told the Tokyo Economic News-wire: “I would give him a strong B.... He is a savvy politician.” Two months later, after passage of his $15 billion bond measure, she told the Los Angeles Times: “It reminds me of other instances where people come in from outside an institution and are able — through changing the dynamics — to start the process of negotiation, compromise and action where those activities were not present or possible before.”

Wal-Mart's Increasing Use of Voter Initiatives

The day after Inglewood, Calif., residents struck down a Wal-Mart-sponsored initiative that would have green-lighted plans to build a supercenter in the city, Garrett explained how developers commonly try to use initiatives as an end-run around city codes. “This is just part of the repertoire of zoning lawyers and real estate lawyers,” she told National Public Radio on April 7. “It is well-known by everybody who does land-use planning that it is possible to take these questions to the people.”

Bush, Schwarzenegger and the 2004 Presidential Battle for California

What role will California's “Governator” play in George W. Bush's re-election bid? A May 17 Los Angeles Times article quoted Garrett: “Their relationship will always be fraught with the tensions that mirror the Republican Party,” she opined. “Bush is going to be profoundly uncomfortable with Schwarzenegger's positions on social issues.” On March 1, she had told the Boston Globe, “I don't think Bush can win California, but if he can make it somewhat competitive, he forces the Democrats to spend money here.”