The bodybuilder as governor

[fable]

By now, it's official: Arnold Schwartzeneger has been elected governor of California in the recall vote. My own opinion is that while US culture tends to veer off into all sorts of fantasy lands, from harmless to deadly dangerous, this puts California on the far edge of lunacy.

But what do I know. I'm just one guy. And tens of millions of Californians must know better! Oh, wait--Gore was elected by the popular vote, too. I suppose that makes the Californian vote a Righteous Thing, unless you're the Supreme Court.

Anyway, what do you think of the election of ole' Arnold? And do you care to make any prognostications about his future in office?

[Grendel]

Quote:

Originally posted by fable By now, it's official: Arnold Schwartzeneger has been elected governor of California in the recall vote. My own opinion is that while US culture tends to veer off into all sorts of fantasy lands, from harmless to deadly dangerous, this puts California on the far edge of lunacy. Well, 'tis interesting you should bring this up. On one of the cable news shows last night there was an interesting trend observed in CA. Apprx every 12 years, CA adopts a radical political stance. Started with adopting a full time legislature, then a couple of tohers I don't remember, subsequently enacted term limits (in response to abuse of first radical concept), affirmative action?? (it was late and I can't remember all of them now) and now Recall. All these radical innovations were taken up at the national level to varying extents. There must a bunch of nervous politicians out there in the 17 other states with one form of recall or another... Makes them completely accountable which IMO is not a bad thing, but does make them subject to short sighted objections and will make it difficult perhaps to enforce unpopular but necessary policies. Guess they will have to vamp up their PR. But what do I know. I'm just one guy. And tens of millions of Californians must know better! Oh, wait--Gore was elected by the popular vote, too. I suppose that makes the Californian vote a Righteous Thing, unless you're the Supreme Court. Anyway, what do you think of the election of ole' Arnold? And do you care to make any prognostications about his future in office?

People and media have started to comment about his political naivity and how can he possibly get the job done. In my considered opinion , prior experience may not necessarily be a good thing (re Davis and 20 yrs experience). On the other hand he could really mess it up even more. I think it is a Hoot that he won and it proves the American dream can happen (...if you are stinkin' rich and very pumped up...) ANd I don't have to live there so it doesn't directly affect me

[HighLordDave]

People mocked Sonny Bono when he got elected mayor and later when he was elected to the Congress and he turned out okay (pretty good, in fact). Other "entertainers" have been elected and served with either distinction (Ronald Reagan, Fred Thompson) or at least without controversy (Fred "Gopher" Grandy, Ben "Cooter" Jones) with Jesse Ventura in the middle somewhere.

Ah-nold has succeeded at everything he has done in the past, so there is no reason to think that he can't be a good governor if he really wants to (and I believe he really wants to be a good governor). Gray Davis has a few shortfalls, namely that he has a public-perception problem, but he also inherited a bad economy and that left him open to political assassination by the Republicans.

Personally, I wish Californians had elected Mary Carey or Gallagher (perhaps they should run together in 2006; they could call it the Porn-o-Matic ticket) and it kills me that Larry Flynt got more votes than Angelyne.

[fable]

Quote:

Originally posted by HighLordDave People mocked Sonny Bono when he got elected mayor and later when he was elected to the Congress and he turned out okay (pretty good, in fact). Other "entertainers" have been elected and served with either distinction (Ronald Reagan, Fred Thompson) or at least without controversy (Fred "Gopher" Grandy, Ben "Cooter" Jones) with Jesse Ventura in the middle somewhere.

The wrinkle here is that while other entertainers have come into gubernatorial office during times of relative success, Schwartzeneger is facing the worst fiscal crisis California has seen in its history. Putting in the top office a person who has never managed anything financially in his life beyond his own bank account might be a bit counterproductive. On top of which, since he was elected on a groundswell of public opinion, Democrat and Republican, he's going to be extremely receptive to public opinion. The compromises required to work with a political legislature might cause some problems for the new governor.

Ah-nold has succeeded at everything he has done in the past, so there is no reason to think that he can't be a good governor if he really wants to (and I believe he really wants to be a good governor).

Nothing succeeds like success, until you fail. I can't speak to the bodybuilder's record of trials and successes, but I don't think success in and of itself guarantees anything other than a certain coc!iness which might ill-serve him, here. We'll just have to wait, and see.

Gray Davis has a few shortfalls, namely that he has a public-perception problem, but he also inherited a bad economy and that left him open to political assassination by the Republicans.

Yep. Davis has been the target of the neo-Conservative Right for some time; hell, some of their policy people have said as much, in the past. Ironic thing is, Arnold's clearly not the man they would want as their representative. He's anathema to them: a moderate Republic. They've been trying to eject people like that from the party for years--the miserable treatment accorded Lowell Wicker, once considered an anchor of the mainstream Republican Party, is a good example.

[Xandax]

Well - being a faaaaar away spectator I don't really know much about the politics of states in the US, but after what I've heard ... then he can't do much worse then Davids (was what he was called the former one?).

Also after what I've read, Mr. Universe seems to be much more liberal in many belifs, then most republicans, so who knows - he might start something new, if he can hack it.

[Minerva]

Fable, you already had a B-list movie star as a president before. So, what's the surprise? At least, Arnie won't have his hands on to The black box.

Though I personally think it's much safer if he keeps the black box than the one who has at the moment. Less likely "accidental friendly fire in mass scale" will happen....

[Georgi]

Quote:

Originally posted by fable Putting in the top office a person who has never managed anything financially in his life beyond his own bank account might be a bit counterproductive.

Of course the media are questioning whether he's up to the job, but isn't that what the media is for? Surely anyone who gets elected has a huge team of political advisors who actually know what they're doing, so it's not as though he's going to be completely clueless. Despite his dependence on speeches based on his movies, he does seem to be quite political, and knows what he's talking about. If Jesse "The Body" Ventura can do it, I don't see why Arnie can't.

Look on the bright side - at least this means he won't have time to make any more bad movies.

[HighLordDave]

One thing which hurts any California governor during tough times for everyone is that there have been so many initiatives passed over the years that there aren't many ways to get creative (economically) and recover if the national economy is in a downturn. There are caps on tuition, tax increases, bond issues, etc. so for California to come out of a funk, Ah-nold and his buddies had better get friendly with the legislature and figure something out quickly.

Schwarzenegger's two biggest political assets are the number of contacts he has because of his wealth and the number of contacts he has through his wife. The Republican Party base in California would be considered center-left here in West Virginia and since Ah-nold was elected by a large cross-section of voters, party is probably less of an issue than it was for other candidates. If he can look like he is being gubernatorial, something Davis did not do, Ah-nold may manage to get re-elected in 2006 no matter how well/poorly he manages the California economy.

[fable]

Quote:

Originally posted by Georgi Surely anyone who gets elected has a huge team of political advisors who actually know what they're doing, so it's not as though he's going to be completely clueless.

I believe that's what they said about Dubya's lack of economic and foreign affairs experience while campaigning for the White House, too.

[HighLordDave]

People surround themselves with people of like-minds (so Dubya's advisors are old-school hardline holdovers from previous administrations) and I think there is every reason to believe that Ah-nold's advisors will be politically like him (fiscally conservative, socially moderate). A good leader isn't necessarily strong in all areas--some are positively mediocre at everything (ie-Bill Clinton)--but they have a talent for surrounding themselves with people who can make up for their own shortcomings and building consensus even with people who are predisposed to disagree.

[KidD01]

After huge mockery in Emmy Awards, Arnie can laugh at those jokes since he got the job anyway. Then again if he fails he simply says "I'll be back" till he got tired and says "Hasta La Vista Baby"

[Kayless]

The Governator is in the hizzy! He will terminate the state deficit! None shall stand against Conan the Republican!

Okay, I’ll stop now.

[Ned Flanders]

Well, it's what Michael Ironsides always feared, "Total Recall".

[Gwalchmai]

What I don't get are the number of people that voted for Schwartzeneger simply because they thought he would win. They seem to think that voting is some sort of game where you get points if you vote for the guy who wins. Aaargh!!!

[Ned Flanders]

I don't know about points but it definitely makes some feel all warm and fuzzy when they're on the winning side.