Schwarzenegger takes role -- and rewrites the script

Arnold Schwarzenegger entered office on a bold mission to overhaul California government, and voters expected nothing less of an actor who obliterated everything in his path onscreen.

Schwarzenegger promised to "blow up the boxes" and "clean house." He described the job of governor as being "the leader of the legislators. You go in there and you tell them what you want to do." He made Sacramento the problem -- and himself the antidote.

Three years later, Schwarzenegger's ambitious plans and in-your-face attitude have largely succumbed to the Capitol's political culture.

"Sacramento really hasn't changed," said Jaime Regalado, executive director of the Edmund G. "Pat" Brown Institute. "So has it changed him? I think it's caused a more realistic approach in the governor's office in dealing with the powers that be."

Rather than use harsh rhetoric, the Republican governor now praises compromise and thanks the Democrat-controlled Legislature for sending him productive bills in an election year. Rather than threaten lawmakers with initiatives backed by a multimillion-dollar media blitz, as he did unsuccessfully in the 2005 special election, Schwarzenegger says he sees more value in solving problems in Sacramento.

The governor has tested so many different political methods that it's difficult to say how Schwarzenegger will lead the next four years if re-elected Nov. 7. But Californians clearly prefer the current version, giving him double-digit leads in polls that show him poised to win re-election to a full four-year term.

Schwarzenegger struck deals this year with Democrats to cap greenhouse gas emissions, lower prescription drug costs and increase the minimum wage, but Democratic challenger Phil Angelides insists the governor would drop his more moderate approach to both politics and policy after Election Day.

But another Democrat who tangled with Schwarzenegger suggested that the governor's zig-zag was normal for a political neophyte.

Burton said it's a good question what kind of governor Schwarzenegger would be if re-elected. But he suggested that Schwarzenegger's experience this year may have convinced the governor it's better to have bill-signing ceremonies than confrontations.

Yes... I'm sure Burton loves that.

Signed   AB 1835  Minimum Wage Increase
Signed   AB 2911  California Discount Prescription Drug Program
Signed   AB 32    Greenhouse Gases
Signed   SB 1368  Electricity: emissions of greenhouse gases. (Out of state purchases)
Signed   SB 1     Million Solar Roofs
Signed   SB 201   Sustainable Oceans Act
Signed   SB 107   Renewable energy
Signed   AB 2560  Public School Health Center Support Program .
Signed   SB 437   Health care coverage (expected to cover 94,000 additional children)
Signed   SB 1534  Public benefits (for illegal aliens)
Signed   AB 680   English language learners.
Signed   SB 1827  Taxation: domestic partners (homosexual agenda) 
Signed   SB 1441  Discrimination: state programs and activities: sexual orientation (homosexual agenda) 
Signed   SB 1654  Voting: absentee ballot (homosexual agenda) 
Signed   AB 1160  Crime. - Gay Panic Defense - Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act (homosexual agenda) 
Signed   AB 1207  Code of Fair Campaign Practices (homosexual agenda) 
Signed   AB 2600  Vehicles: HOV lanes (Hybrids)
Signed   AB 1613  Vehicles: wireless telephones
Signed   AB 2251  Reproductive Health Care Svcs – Confidentiality of Personal Info (for abortion enablers)
Signed   AB 2583  Dispensing prescription drugs and devices; refusal to dispense

"Compromise" is libspeak for carrying out the Democratic agenda. It never used the other way around.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.