Domestic Policy

California Governor Ponders Death Penalty Decision, Along With Chief of Staff Repricussions

December 9, 2005 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has hired a new Chief Of Staff, and this has caused many a hardened Republican to ask, “Is there a malfunction with the Terminator?” While being besieged with death penalty questions regarding the Tookie Williams case, the California Governor has quietly set off another huge political firestorm which has brought about the question, “Is this the way of new politics or just the actions of someone who really does not understand them?” We answer the two questions dogging this governor the most as of late. What is the death penalty issue he is considering and how is the decision on his Chief of Staff appointee being accepted?

Many see the Schwarzenegger appointment of a Democrat to the highest position in his cabinet as a sign that Schwarzenegger means what he says when he states he will get the job done at any cost; others say he is committing political suicide.

Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hired Democrat Susan Kennedy, a former top aide to former Gov. Gray Davis, as his new chief of staff. The chief of staff’s position has extensive authority over policy making issues as well as control over extensive bureaucracy.

Many Republicans feel Schwarzenegger made a huge mistake by hiring outside his party, there was vibrant discussion leading up to this decision. Republicans have stated that they believe Kennedy’s hiring was orchestrated by Democrats close to the Governor, suggesting that his wife Maria Shriver along with political advisers Bonnie Reiss and Daniel Zingale, had a major hand in this decision. However, Democrats, believe Schwarzenegger’s decision was based his nonpartisan character, rather than Democratic persuasion.

Kennedy stated that she believes in Schwarzenegger and hopes the governor could transcend political lines, Kneedy went on to say that, “There is an historic opportunity to change the political dialogue of this state, get past the party labels and get things done… “I’m tired of the partisanship, I’m tired of the intolerance that has resulted in gridlock, and I felt it was time for me as a Democrat to put up or shut up.”

Once the Chief of Staff firestorm settles Schwarzenegger will have to deal with the ramifications he makes regarding the decision he makes on Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams. The governor is now having to decide on whether he will grant clemency for the first time in almost 40 years in California, or allow the death sentence of Tookie Willams be carried out.

Stanley Williams is the man best recognized as the notorious creator, and leader of the gang known as the Crips. Stanley Williams and Raymond Washington are considered the founders of the Crips. The Crips gang is considered to be one of the most widely known and notorious street gangs.

Stanley was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of four people in two separate violent incidents. Stanley Williams later became an anti-gang crusader while on Death Row. He has written many anti-gang books, he has also delivered numerous phone speeches regarding anti-gang messages. He is scheduled to be executed December 13, 2005 by lethal injection. His supporters ay he is a changed man who is doing good in the world. The opposite of the argument says that this man took four lives that never had a chance to flourish and he should pay for this crime regardless of his current actions.

Regardless of which way Schwarzenegger decides on the Tookie Williams issue, he will most likely lose a few more friends than he had the day before.
Williams’ fate now up to governor / State prepares for possible violence if execution occurs

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