Will he be back?
Daniel Korski 12:55pm
Clichéd, for sure, but it is the line that's tagged every story about Arnold
Schwarzenegger's departure from office. Will Arnie return to the political fray or enjoy a sun-kissed retirement?
The odds of a return to office are long. California, the state that did most to shape America's self-image in the 20th century, is now like former movie stars who eke out an existence in Hollywood's run-down parts - they once had it all but have since lost both looks and love. Fair or not - the Californian governor doesn't have as much power as his peers. Voters give Schwarzenegger part of the blame for the state's mess; his approval ratings on his last day in office were as bad as those of the governor he defeated in a recall election, Gray Davis.
Yet Schwarzenegger has salvaged his career from greater depths before. Remember True Lies? One option could be a Sarah Palin-style role pushing his favourite causes - but without the downside of term-limits. The former strongman has developed a passion for environmental issues. In the absence of federal-level action, Schwarzenegger urged state and regional governments to limit greenhouse gasses. He has already said he "has plans to go back to Washington" to push for a new approach to energy policy.
Once in the nation's capital, I would not be surprised if Schwarzenegger was asked to stick around. With President Obama looking to revamp his administration, Schwarzenegger could be the perfect climate "czar". Or he could be an outrider - and potential Cabinet member - for one of the Republican presidential candidates in 2012. So yes, it will likely be "hasta la vista" from Schwarzenegger, rather than farewell.
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Tiberius
January 6th, 2011 1:42pm Report this comment"Hasta la vista" rather than "adios", perhaps?
Grassmarket
January 6th, 2011 1:50pm Report this commentYes, what better time to take over as Obama's climate czar than the moment when we realise that climate policy is simultaneously unneeded, ineffective even in its own terms and more ruinous to an industrial economy than a sustained campaign of aerial bombing?
Rhoda Klapp
January 6th, 2011 2:06pm Report this commentYou are aware that environmental laws and regulations have led to the collapse of Californian industry and the economy there, and that the state is therefore bust? And that Arnie is supposed to be a Republican?
yank
January 6th, 2011 3:08pm Report this commentI have one observation, which may be as much revelatory to people here in the US as it likely is to you all. When Blair and the Governator engaged in their "diplomatic" affairs a number of years ago, many of us viewed it as a usurpation of federal powers and a constitutional violation.
Treason, in other words.
Governors cannot make diplomatic agreements with foreign powers, or even with other states, not any with significant teeth at least. We've fought war over such.
Now, granted, this likely didn't amount to much, and was just more Governatorish and Blairish showboating, with both seeking power and cash, then and on into the future.
But it should give foreboding to any who fantasize that the Governator would ever find station within either of the Establishment or the general public, neither of whom has much use for this guy. As the Japanese say, "the raised nail gets pounded down".
Verity
January 6th, 2011 4:07pm Report this commentWell, Arnie terminated the use of the term "Hasta la vista" in Mexico. After that movie came out, no one used it any more. I used it once, when I was new, in all innocence, and a Mexican friend said, "We don't say that any more." And sniggered.
porkbelly
January 6th, 2011 5:07pm Report this commentWashington is already over-supplied with arrogant clods. It is doubtful that the Teacher and Guide will feel the need to add another to his team of incompetents. Most likely Arnie will return to the warm embrace of his Prius-driving Gulfstream-flying entertainment biz friends in Brentwood. He'll still get a good table at Toscana or Capo, and the rest of the state will breathe a sigh of relief as it slides into Third World status.
Hysteria
January 6th, 2011 6:32pm Report this comment@ Rhoda
Yes - but as you imply in your last sentence - he is a RINO...ideal opportunity for The One to "reach across the aisle" to bring about H&C.....
ndm
January 6th, 2011 10:39pm Report this comment-- California, the state that did most to shape America's self-image in the 20th century, is now like former movie stars who eke out an existence in Hollywood's run-down parts - they once had it all but have since lost both looks and love.
Google, FaceBook, Zynga, LinkedIn, Twitter - and the beat roles on.
The problem with Californian politics is that California Republicans care only about one issue - taxes. Since there is a super-majority requirement to raise taxes they are quite happy remaining in the minority. California would be in a much better state if the Republicans actually had to propose policies that would win them elections instead of cruising along in minority status.
Let's not forget that Schwarzenegger would never have made it through a Republican Primary. Indeed, we see the damage doing so did to Meg Whitman who pretty much destroyed her reputation in the process. Had she been able to run in the general election as a competent technocrat she wouldn't have had to squander $50 a vote to lose.
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