Schwarzenegger attracts volunteers from all over state
While Arnold Schwarzenegger rallied supporters at the new volunteer headquarters in downtown Santa Monica on Friday, dozens of his critics marched outside with signs carrying harsh words.
Schwarzenegger, who owns several Santa Monica properties, officially opened the headquarters on Fourth Street between Arizona Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.
“I wouldn’t have anything that I’ve achieved if it weren’t for California,” he said to a cheering crowd. “And it’s time for me to give back.”
Schwarzenegger, a Republican, is one of 135 candidates on the Oct. 7 ballot. They now have one month to convince voters to recall Gov. Davis and vote them into office.
The new volunteer headquarters, located at 1338 4th St. in what was most recently a furniture store, compliments the campaign headquarters, located at 310 Main St., and another center for volunteers in Sacramento. Statewide, Schwarzenegger said he’s attracted 17,000 volunteers.
And more are on the way.
Tod Burnett, leader of the new headquarters and a volunteer, said thousands of people have come to offer their time.
“They come in so fast everyday, I can’t even keep track,” he said.
The volunteers come from all over the state and their reasons for joining are as diverse as their backgrounds. Many have never worked on a campaign before. Some only recently became interested in politics. A few don’t even know Schwarzenegger’s stances on key issues.
“It’s an election like no other,” said Rob Stutzman, a spokesman for the campaign. “Arnold is tapping into a whole class of people who don’t vote.”
One of those who chose to volunteer is Maxine Nordenstrom, a commercial printer broker from Mar Vista who joined the campaign on Thursday.
Asked why she joined the campaign, Nordenstrom responded, “He’s a handsome guy and he’s nice. You don’t know half the candidates sometimes unless you’re heavily into politics.”
82E,A seven-man mariachi band warmed the eager crowd for Schwarzenegger, who was introduced by his wife, Maria Shriver. Onlookers chanted “Arnold!” “Arnold!” and pressed towards the stage in anticipation of his appearance.
Schwarzenegger, who was flanked by about a dozen supporters, including Santa Monica Police Department Chief James T. Butts Jr., vowed to create more jobs, protect education programs and attract more business to California. He said his volunteers deserve much of the credit for his campaign to date and for his continued success.
While Schwarzenegger spoke, a group of about 50 paraded signs up and down the sidewalk protesting the recall and vowing to fight his campaign. Some of the signs referred to Schwarzenegger’s alleged Nazi ties, as well as to his supposed womanizing. Other protesters carried signs that poked fun at Schwarzenegger’s relationship to President George Bush.
One man inside the headquarters heckled Schwarzenegger during his speech. He was immediately escorted out by volunteers.
John Buehn, who held a sign that read “Arnold” with a swastika in the “o,” said he is against the recall and against Schwarzenegger because of his alleged affiliation with racist groups. Buehn, a manufacturer from the valley, also disagrees with Schwarzenegger’s politics and expressed dismay at the following he has attracted.
But those opposing Schwarzenegger at the Friday ribbon cutting were far outnumbered by the volunteers, easily spotted in their white T-shirts with “Join Arnold” printed across the chest and name-tag stickers reading “I joined Arnold.”
One of those was Ocean Park resident and former SMPD officer Eddie Kaiser. Kaiser, who retired last month after 31 years on the force, said he plans to spend two or three days a week at the headquarters.
“I met the guy in 1970 and I liked him,” Kaiser said. “So why not help him out a bit?”
Rob Stutzman
Spokesman, Schwarzenegger campaign
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Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 6, 2003. Read the original PDF.