Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is in San Diego today, urging Republicans to court swing voters and independents. Schwarzenegger says healthcare reform and environmentalism don't have to be Democratic issues. Some San Diegans think that could be a winning strategy for the GOP. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has the story.
Republicans from as far away as Hawaii in Guam are in San Diego for a weekend of training. They're learning how to become next-generation GOP activists in a very blue state.
Governor Schwarzenegger says millions of moderates are key for Republican victories next year.
Schwarzenegger : I appeal to the swing voters, to the independents. That is where the action is. This why I do them -- because I'm interested to do healthcare reform and to go and do the things like environmental issues.
Carol Reed is a lifelong conservative from San Marcos.
Reed : Why would a conservative not be interested in the environment? I think that is very arrogant of the Democrats to say, "Oh, well that's our issue, you can't talk about that.” That's ridiculous.
Reed says healthcare is a national problem that should be fixed at a state level. Her friend, Kay Spafford, is glad the governor is taking it on.
Spafford : I'm happy to see all this healthcare talk. Because that's what we need, is different choices. The United States is not a one-size-fits-all. We're really not. And I think Carol's right. It should be in the states. And it should be lots of different choices.
Schwarzenegger repeated his call for comprehensive healthcare coverage. He says that, just like environmentalism, should be a Republican issue.
Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.
