American Indian Democrats meet in L.A.

[Kire]

American Indian Democrats meet in L.A.

Posted: May 09, 2005
by: James May / Today staff

LOS ANGELES - A host of prominent tribal and public officials took the stage at the Los Angeles Convention Center April 15 - 17 to address the Native American Caucus meeting of the California Democratic Party.

Perhaps the biggest news of the night was the announcement by California State Controller Steve Westly that he plans to wrest the governor's office from Arnold Schwarzenegger next year.

''I'm going to send Arnold Schwarzenegger back to Hollywood,'' said Westly at the caucus.

Westly and Schwarzenegger initially seemed to be political allies after the GOP governor took office; California press reports quoted Republican operatives as calling Westly Schwarzenegger's ''little buddy.'' However, Westly's campaign manager, Jude Barry, said recent Schwarzenegger actions have caused his boss to break philosophically with the governor.

''He has taken a hard right turn,'' contended Barry.

Former Morongo chairman and state Assembly candidate Mary Ann Andreas presided over her last caucus meeting and will step down from her post as Native American Caucus chairman. She will be replaced by Cherokee tribal member Helen Dougherty, a retired school teacher and formerly with the California Teachers Association. Andreas, however, will remain involved with the caucus and stay on as first vice chairman.

More: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096410883