Arnold gains with local debate watchers

Deepa Bharath

Local Republicans cheered their candidates during Wednesday’s

televised recall debate, with a noted actor earning the most

applause.

At least 100 people gathered at the Balboa Bay Club to watch the

90-minute debate, which was peppered with witty one-liners, sharp

accusations, personal attacks and quick comebacks.

Many agreed that the discussion was primarily entertaining, but

was also informative.

“It’s hard for the candidates to flush out all the issues because

there are so many candidates,” said Leisa Brug of Newport Beach.

But Brug said she was impressed by Republican Arnold

Schwarzenegger’s candor.

“The zingers will stand in people’s heads,” she said. “It’s kind

of a free-for-all. But it’s good to see how they interact with each

other so you have an idea who they’ll deal with in a state house that

is so divided.”

Schwarzenegger aggressively attacked his rivals during the debate

and faced a barrage of criticism in return. When independent

candidate Arianna Huffington and Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, a

Democrat, fought Schwarzenegger’s statements about the state’s poor

economy, the actor responded: “In California, we have a three-strike

system. The first two times you pull the wool over the people’s eyes.

The third time, it’s not going to happen.”

That was received with thunderous applause and whistles at the Bay

Club’s new ballroom.

The debate featured Schwarzenegger, Bustamante, Huffington,

Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock and Green Party candidate Peter

Camejo.

Schwarzenegger also criticized Huffington, saying she had paid

almost no personal income tax during the past two years.

“Your personal income is the biggest loophole,” he said. “I can

drive my Hummer through it.”

Huffington brushed aside the remark, saying the actor was spouting

a scripted line.

Robert Markovic, who stood listening to the discussion, said he

believed that while the Republican candidates were focusing on issues

such as improving the economy and keeping businesses in California,

Bustamante and Huffington were talking about social issues.

“I’m not saying social issues are not important,” he said. “But if

we take care of the bottom line, the social problems will improve.”

Newport Beach resident Lee Lowery said the debate “opened his

mind” to Schwarzenegger.

“It’s the first time I’m hearing him as opposed to reading his

position in the newspaper,” he said. “I was leaning toward

McClintock, but now I must say I’m leaning toward Arnold.”

Schwarzenegger’s new campaign office in Costa Mesa was overflowing

with supporters on Wednesday night.

“I’m very happy,” said Julie Vandermost of the California Women’s

Leadership Assn. “He’s getting his message across. He’s the people’s

governor.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.