Local Press Follow the Money

Schwarzenegger travelled to Redding and Yuba City yesterday to hold fundraisers with his corporate donors and to Chico to hold a PR event with PG&E, a major backer.

One of the reasons for his fall from grace is the nasty little media conundrum he can't get out of:  he travels around the state for fundraisers; press are barred so they interview the protestors outside of his events; the news covers how much money he's raising and its corrupting influence on his administration.  In other words, every corporate check he rakes in comes at a cost to his image.  This is how it should be for every politician in America, but Schwarzenegger's a good start.

There's a cornucopia of examples from the North State.

Tim Heardon in the Redding Record Searchlight writes:

As Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrated his birthday privately with donors Thursday, protesters outside the occasion had a party.

Chants, colorful signs and raucous cheers marked an energetic gathering as more than 150 demonstrators — mostly union members — voiced objections to the governor’s policies.

Brea Jones & Roger Aylworth in the Chico Enterprise-Record write it like this:

While invited guests waited inside Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for the arrival of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday, protesters blew whistles, chanted and held signs along the sidewalk.

David Eldridge of Forest Ranch waved a "Recall Arnold" sign to honks of support on East 20th Street.

"If we recalled (former Gov.) Gray Davis because of low approval ratings, maybe it's time to recall Schwarzenegger," Eldridge said.

While Eve Hightower in the Marysville-Yuba City Appeal-Democrat covered it like this:

Nurses, teachers and others outside Paradiso Restaurant in Yuba City protested Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed reforms Thursday, while supporters welcomed him inside.

Schwarzenegger spent the day raising money and pushing proposals slated for the November special election ballot.

There are more examples--but one question.  Can the Governor turn this press problem around?

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