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Bustamante Criticized for Taking Casino Money

WALNUT CREEK, California – As reported by the Associated Press: "In the first debate of California's recall election, candidates vying to oust Gov. Gray Davis attacked front-runner Cruz Bustamante for accepting Indian casino money and connected actor Arnold Schwarzenegger to an adviser's unpopular remarks on property taxes.

"The skirmish came after a relaxed Davis told a separate forum with reporters and voters that the recall effort had been an awakening, and that he would fight to keep his job and repair the state's problems.

"… Schwarzenegger did not attend the debate, and as a result could not defend himself as candidates took him to task on the tax issue. Schwarzenegger said he would attend a debate Sept. 24 in which candidates are allowed to see the questions in advance - in contrast with yesterday's forum.

"Five candidates participated in the debate: Bustamante, columnist Arianna Huffington, state Sen. Tom McClintock, former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth and the Green Party's Peter Camejo.

"…Bustamante, the Democratic lieutenant governor who leads the most recent poll, was criticized for taking advantage of a loophole in campaign finance law that allowed a tribe to pledge $2 million to his financially struggling campaign.

"Huffington, an independent, said Bustamante had made a mockery of campaign finance laws, which allowed him to circumvent new contribution limits by accepting the bulk of the money in an old campaign account.

"…[Bustamante] went on to say that he has been a longtime supporter of tribes and was proud of the support he had received…"

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