SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is facing infighting among his senior staff and campaign team, which has contributed to a series of political missteps that threaten the once soaring governor's ambitious agenda, more than a dozen aides and lawmakers said Thursday.
One sign of the governor's troubles is the active involvement of his wife, Maria Shriver. The first lady is conferring with consultants to refine the governor's message and working to ensure that her husband hears a broader range of voices.
The problems are considered bad enough that they are expected to be discussed today as the governor's senior aides gather for a strategy meeting.
Schwarzenegger is reeling after successive policy reversals, gaffes and clashes with well-organized opponents have deflated his once-buoyant approval ratings. The latest setback came this week when he told a newspaper publishers association that the United States should "close its borders." He later apologized, explaining that he misspoke because of his imperfect command of English.
But a range of advisors see the remark as a sign of deeper strains. People with ties to the administration use words like "dysfunctional" and "civil war'' to describe the atmosphere within the warren of offices where Schwarzenegger and his top aides work.
Most of those interviewed would not agree to be identified when discussing the inner workings of the Schwarzenegger administration for fear of alienating him. Many are supporters who couple their criticism with praise for Schwarzenegger and his political and policy goals.
The consensus reflects more than a dozen interviews with senior Schwarzenegger aides, outside political consultants, associates of the governor and his wife, and Republicans and Democrats who interact regularly with the administration.
Lawmakers say they are confused about who speaks for the administration and who has the authority to close political deals.
Several people familiar with the governor's office described Shriver as very "unhappy" and "frustrated" over her husband's fortunes. Shriver, the niece of former president John F. Kennedy who has intervened before when her husband's political interests were in jeopardy, is using a national tour promoting her new self-help book for teenage girls to defend her husband, making her case with administration talking points.
