He's a Lot Weaker Than He Looks (biz page on Arnold)

[realFedUp]

(terrific business columnist)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-golden25apr25,1,6293722.column?coll=la-headlines-business

He's a Lot Weaker Than He Looks
Michael Hiltzik
Golden State

April 25, 2005

In recent weeks the signs have mounted that we are witnessing the twilight of the Schwarzenegger administration.

One by one, the governor's grand initiatives have come apart. The box-exploding state reorganization? Abandoned. The balanced state budget? A non-starter. Government without special interests? A joke. Bipartisanship in Sacramento? Never happened.

Of his four-part 2005 reform initiative — redistricting reform, teacher pay reform, pension reform, fiscal reform — barely anything survives to place on the November ballot. This is probably not a bad thing, because like virtually every other policy initiative Schwarzenegger has proposed since his election, these reforms generally have been carelessly conceived and half-baked in execution.

snip

All that Schwarzenegger seems to enjoy is the opportunity to surround himself with attention and pomp — the trappings of political power, the appearances before huge crowds, the slavish interviews by Oprah and Katie. He's like one of those admirals in Gilbert and Sullivan, who adorn themselves in elaborate uniforms dripping with medals but don't know the first thing about going to sea. (And don't want to know.)

continued

[chaumont58]

1. I live in California

I don't care for the Swarzengroper. I didn't vote to recall Gray Davis so I didn't want Swarzengroper to be governor. Ahnold or no ahnold boils down to getting votes. He has shown himself to be an incompetent politician, but can enough of the fools who voted for him vote for someone else when given the chance? I hope so. Maybe the Dems can do an effective PR campaign(for a change) against him. Perhaps, Ahnold's in-laws will redeem themselves(the Shrivers) and come out and campaign against him, thus showing themselves to be true Democrats. I hope for too much.

[carnie_sf]

2. Arnold Schwarzenegger

is a pretty-boy third rate actor who has never done anything well except lift weights, and who was only elected due to an unprecedented turnout of the WWF vote.

[realFedUp]

3. ahhh, that Arnie's voters had been as prescient....

or wise.

[DinahMoeHum]

4. I think you mean WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). . .

WWF is the World Wildlife Fund, and they successfully sued World Wrestling for copyright infringement of their initials.

Anyway, my sympathies are with you. As for those who voted for that 'roided-out turd, well, screw 'em. They can't say they weren't warned.


:evilfrown:

[shanti]

12. similar to what happened

in minnesota..:eyes:

[siliconefreak]

13. pretty?

Not in my opinion. Even in his youth, I didn't think his face was anything to get excited about.

[Pushed To The Left]

15. I watch WWE .....

And I was 100% against the recall!

[doodadem]

5. Arnold will never be elected in a REAL election

where there are not 120 other candidates on the ballot. He was put in office with less than 30% of the vote. Any good Dem candidate will wipe up the floor with him.
I also did not vote to have Gray recalled. The whole thing was a farce, put together by Republicans buying signatures. Democrats better be ready this time though.

[liam_laddie]

6. CA LA-LA

Ahnuld's meltdown - couldn't happen to a more deserving empty suit!

[realFedUp]

7. that's what he and the recallers were planning on

or should we call them the Pete Wilson
backroom boys...

[rinsd]

9. Ahnuld will still be very formidable.....

...don't underestimate the star power especially at election time.

"He was put in office with less than 30% of the vote"

Actually he won with better than 45%...I know its scary.

[Rikimaru]

8. People dont want to face

the fact that Arnold was elected because he killed the Predator.

I knew he was trouble when he started his campaign to go after the Indians, who- as we all know- have had it easy for too long.

He's an imigrant who wants to close the borders.
wtf?
ohhh...he's a WHITE imigrant, thats different to the republicans.

[realFedUp]

10. Welcome to DU Rikimaru....nt

[CountAllVotes]

11. the faster this PIG goes the bettter!

:grr:

God Ahnuld makes me sick!!! :puke:

:kick:

[kineneb]

14. Arnold as G&S character

That is wonderful, especially since I did a presentation for a graduate music history class on the political satire in the operettas. They got away with all sorts of character asassination cloaked with Sullivan's jolly music.

I was listening to "The Pirates of Penzance" the other day and wound up giggling hystericly at the Major-General. I'm not sure who would be cast in that spot, maybe Condi? But Arnie or George could definately be cast as the Admiral in "H.M.S. Pinafore" or the Lord High Poo-Baa in "Mikado."

1. When I was a lad I served a term
As office boy to an Attorney's firm.
I cleaned the window and I swept the floor,
And I polished up the handles on the big front door.
I polished up that handle so carefullee,
That now I am the ruler of the Queen's Navee.
-H.M.S. Pinafore