Candidates launch weekend blitz

Angelides stokes labor support; Schwarzenegger visits campaign volunteer sites
LOS ANGELES - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic rival Phil Angelides began their final push before Election Day with campaign swings throughout the state, rallying supporters and encouraging volunteers on last-minute get-out-the-vote drives.
Angelides, who is trailing in the polls and has found it difficult to break free of Schwarzenegger's shadow, got his own celebrity welcome Saturday from hundreds of union members who were preparing to walk precincts.

The state treasurer urged supporters not to get discouraged despite two recent public opinion polls that show him trailing the Republican incumbent by 16 and 18 percentage points. He predicted that a national Democratic wave will surge to California on Tuesday, lifting his campaign to a come-from-behind victory.

"We're going to find out at 8:01 (p.m.) on Tuesday that the wave is going to crest here in California," he told enthusiastic supporters at the headquarters of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

Schwarzenegger also was appealing to the party faithful on Saturday with north-to-south visits to local Republican headquarters in Chico, Pleasanton and Riverside.

About 50 volunteers chanted "Arnold, Arnold" as he appeared at a volunteer office in Pleasanton, a suburb about 45 miles east of San Francisco.

He shook hands with volunteers and worked the phones with Republican field workers, encouraging them to knock on doors throughout the weekend. The governor said there were about 75,000 Republican volunteers working on get-out-the-vote efforts statewide.

He acknowledged that effort with a reference to his bodybuilding days.

"I know when you work out and you want to be a bodybuilding champion, you can do it by yourself," he told the volunteers. "But if you want to be governor, you need thousands of people helping you."
He also said he would spend the weekend campaigning not for himself but for the $37.3 billion package of infrastructure bonds he helped put on the general election ballot. A recent Field Poll showed the four bonds - for roads, schools, levees and affordable housing - were leading.
"I can only provide the success I promised if people vote yes on (measures) 1A through 1E," he said. "I want to see cranes everywhere in California."

In Riverside, one young volunteer said she could sense the lack of enthusiasm among Republican voters after making calls for five hours.

"They don't seem too excited, but they will vote for Arnold," said Mikenzie Denholtz, 13.

Schwarzenegger appeared in Riverside with Republican Secretary of State Bruce McPherson, who is in a tough race against Democratic state Sen. Deborah Bowen of Marina del Ray. Bowen appeared with Angelides at several stops Saturday.

Schwarzenegger ballyhooed California's bipartisanship this year, contrasting it to the party enmity that has prevailed on the national level.

"We are showing great leadership in that direction here in California," Schwarzenegger said. "Because on a national level, in other states, Democrats and Republicans are trying to derail each other, because it's an election year. Not in California."

Angelides received a warm greeting from the several hundred people who cheered him on at the Los Angeles labor rally. At one point, Angelides and the city's popular mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, jumped from the stage to mingle with the crowd. Dozens of supporters jockeyed to pose for photos with Angelides.

Among them was Nate Robertson and his twins, 6-year-olds Natasha and Nate Jr., and his wife, Keisha, an organizer for a health care workers union.

Nate Robertson said he was motivated to go door-to-door on Angelides' behalf in South Los Angeles because he believes the Democrat will do more to help working families than Schwarzenegger.

"The people were hoodwinked; they were bamboozled," by Schwarzenegger, Robertson said.

He acknowledged being slightly discouraged by polls showing Angelides trailing badly.

"But he can make it up once we get out there," Robertson said.

About 575 union workers were expected to canvass neighborhoods over the weekend in South Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley and the San Fernando Valley, said Mary Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for the labor federation.

Angelides appeared with most of the statewide Democratic ticket at the Los Angeles labor rally and touched on familiar Democratic themes, such as workers' rights and education. But he also displayed a more aggressive side, deriding Schwarzenegger for missteps in his references to women and immigrants.

At a warehouse bakery in Oceanside later in the day, Angelides appeared with fellow Democrats Francine Busby and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer. Busby is challenging Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray for the San Diego County seat once held by Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who was sentenced to prison for taking bribes from defense contractors.

Boxer, speaking to about 100 people packed into the warehouse next to sacks of flour, focused on the potential for a great Democratic turnout Tuesday.

"It's time for a November surprise," she said.