Arnold Schwarzenegger

[lawngnome]

So I was thinking today... what's up with Arnold Schwarzenegger?

How can he win election as a political conservative in the most non-conservative state in the U.S.A.? Is he really that good? Is he just a left-winger (or moderate) in a right-wingers guise?

Personally, I kind of see him as old-fashioned. In a good way, that is. He has strong opinions about things, and he lets people know it. Some people find this offensive or a little non-PC (**** PC I say) but it works for him.

Opposition holding your legislation back? Call them girly-men. Can't say I wouldn't have thought about it myself.

Furthermore, he marries into THEEEE (extra E's tacked on for exxxxtra importance) Democratic family in the U.S.... why? A clever political marriage, I say. He knows what he's doing.

I don't know how much the world knows about Mr. Schwarzenegger, but he is certainly the most famous foreigner in our country. That has to count for something, no?

I see him as the ideal politician... he knows what he stands for, but he also understands when he needs to back down and let the opposition have their way. He still gets to his destination, he just takes a few detours along the way. Unfortunately most American politicians have forgotten the art of compromise and get little done... meanwhile Arnold makes progress in a position no one expected him to win in the first place.

What say you? Genius? Dumb body-builder with a smart staff? Benefits too much from his acting career? I'm almost more interested in seeing how non-Americans see him (or if they even know who he is).

I say it's a shame foreign-born citizens can't be president... I would vote for him. He isn't perfect, but he presents the most moderate, compromising person I've seen in politics since... well, let's say since before the American Civil War.

Of course, I could be crazy.

[Ahiga]

I'd like to say he's good, but I think it'd be charisma and admiration of him and his personality which makes me think that.

It was funny when people were offended when he complimented black and latino women by saying they were very hot. It's a crass comment, sure, but it's a lot better than referring to them as monkeys.

[mike^_^]

arnold stays in because he is an establishment shill with big money pushing him, electronic voting machines, a popular persona which is played off of by the controlled press (note in any public venue, atleast 1 line from one of his movies is said) , he's a compromised individual which the establishment can control. and that's why you're going to see more of him

[danzig]

He isnt a rightwinger, he has some conservative leanings and some liberal...ie he is a moderate Republican. I think the fact he won has more to do with poor state of Democrats in California, the state is dominated by them up and down the aisle so if people are unhappy there isnt anyone else to blame but them....much like the federal level proves this election with Republicans.

[lawngnome]

Yeah, I can hardly claim to know the nuances of Californian politics as I don't live there or don't really keep in touch with anyone who does live there. Just thought I would get some thoughts on my thought. :hmmm:

[vikrant]

i think people vote for him because of his unusual accent

[Banned]

Oh,i thought because of his age old yet good movie career lol

[Bwaho]

I think his fusion of liberal and conservative ideals is what makes him a winner. He is appealing to a broad mass of voters on both sides of the politcal spectrum. He's a compromiser and at the same time a man with set principles.


During the tookie williams media circus Arnold showed that he had backbone when he denied clemency. When celebrities and the media was making a hero out of Williams many politicians would have stepped back from all the pressure, but the governator didn't.

[Francisco Montana]

In California we called him Schwarzenkennedy. I don't live there anymore, but when I did he had around a 30% approval rating and all the labour unions up in arms.

It's quite impressive how he managed to turn that all around.

The truth about California is that it is a red state with blue cities. Look at the last two presidential elections. Red, red, red with a little blue spattering in S.F., L.A. and a tiny bit in S.D. (Granted that's also where most of the people are, ...but not all!) The man Arnold ran against was a known far lefty and the moderate central valley rejects far lefties.

[Last Roman]

The truth about California is that it is a red state with blue cities.

I think that's the way through out most of America. Urban centers tend to be more leftist, suburban and rural areas more rightest. Obviously that doesn't apply everywhere, but that does seem to be the norm.

[lawngnome]

Yeah, the reason people see the whole urban/lefty countryside/righty thing is quite frustrating to me. Most people see it as ignorance on the part of the 'common farm folk'... what they so easily forget is that the leftist movement began in rural areas. Farm folk were the original Democrats... the biggest champions of FDR and the like. Once upon a time presidents like Harry Truman came from rural areas with strong Democratic backgrounds...

Then somewhere along the line Democrats (the left) forgot their roots and started this whole condescending A-hole kind of thing, which really hurt them in the rural areas. Then they just kept digging themselves a hole through their core voter base further distancing themselves from the rural folk through negative interactions (stupid hillbilly!)... but that's for another argument. Truth be told, deep down 80% of America is Democratic, that mysterious 30% is just pissed off at the poor social skills demonstrated by the leftist party.

Back to Schwarzy... can anyone think of a similar compromiser in American politics these days? Seems everyone else defines themselves by their party (maybe a few weak examples in Liebermann or McCain)...

[Banned]

I feel, he seems like a guy who had one of the terminator battles with his opponents.But since he had a better stomach for facing wrought steel,he won over all of them

[RusskiSoldat]

Schwarznegger's will is an inspiration.
He pulled himself out of nothing by his bootstraps, a quality that used to be respected in the US.

[mrjesushat]

Well, whatever the case, Arnold needs to get out of politics so that they can finally make, "King Conan". I've been waiting for that damned movie for years. What's the hold up?

Oh yeah. Arnold's got a gig playing Governor of California. And that's why he's in office. Actors make great politicians, every time. Remember Reagan? He couldn't tie his own shoes, and we elected him President, not once, but twice even. When you choose an actor over a nuclear physicist, your country is definitely in trouble. And when you choose a draft-dodging hypocritical drug-addled criminal "Ex"-alcoholic over a genuine war hero and man of convicition, you're pretty much just done.

[danzig]

Well, whatever the case, Arnold needs to get out of politics so that they can finally make, "King Conan". I've been waiting for that damned movie for years. What's the hold up?

Oh yeah. Arnold's got a gig playing Governor of California. And that's why he's in office. Actors make great politicians, every time. Remember Reagan? He couldn't tie his own shoes, and we elected him President, not once, but twice even. When you choose an actor over a nuclear physicist, your country is definitely in trouble. And when you choose a draft-dodging hypocritical drug-addled criminal "Ex"-alcoholic over a genuine war hero and man of convicition, you're pretty much just done.

Why? Being a nuclear physicist doesnt mean one has the abilities or qualities to be a leader, the requirements for a 'leader' are far different then other fields. Too often we confuse intelligence with main attribute for leadership when its wisdom....also the fact you define Kerry as a 'war hero' and a man of conviction is HIGHLY amusing. Bush and Kerry were pretty much cut from the same cloth. Carter by all accounts is quite intelligent but was an incredibility bad President on a level unrivaled until Bush Jr. Nixon was probably the most intelligent President in past 30+ years but didnt stop him from tying a noose around his own neck. Reagan whether you liked him or not had that leadership 'thing', Clinton too had it and ontop of it he also had the intellect to back it up...even though he was his own worst enemy with keeping his pants up.

US history is full of leaders who might not past the muster for some people with elitist attitudes but proved fine, capable leaders...Lincoln, Truman, Reagan etc.

[Idwayreth]

We voted for the Governator because he has "liberal" ideas though he is a "conservative", god i hate coining terms like that but nowadays seems like throwing around terms like that is the only way to get through to people...

Anyway, i voted for him because politicians are all the same so i might as well vote for a governor that's actually likeable for once and does not look like a pedophile...

P.S. LOVE the fact that my governor is Arnold Schwarzenegger! One thing for sure, my governor can kick your governor's a$$!

[Lavastein]

Arnold. i think thats enough. he made commando and terminator. He seems very fair and balanced to me and thats what makes him cool. But we shall see later on.


edit: wooweee 1,000 posts. Im coming for you grim.......

[Spork Wielding Spartans]

A big factor in Arnold's victory was the fact that his opponent was Phil Angeledes. I know a lot of people who only voted for Arnold because they liked Phil less. I'm not sure the Democrats could have picked a more unelectable candidate

[Bwaho]

which reminds me: why can't immigrants become president in the US? I thought USA was supposed to be the land of opportunity. Make it happen America because I want to see Arnold as president!!!

[Caelius]

It's written in the constitution that a person must be native-born in order to be President.