ARNIE INDUCED MOB

FR News Network | Aug 22, 2003 | Snerfling

[Snerfling]

With a long business trip back East coming up shortly and my hair beginning to look a little shaggy, I figured lunch would be a good time to get my hair cut today.

My barber is up a couple of blocks from the beach on upper Main street in Huntington Beach. As he cut my hair, he casually mentioned that Arnie was having lunch at the Inca Grill down the street.

I remarked that perhaps I would take a drive by as I was leaving to take a look; the other barber said that would be a bad idea, since they had heard from other customers that there was a large crowd.

I was about to blow it off but at the last moment decided to walk the couple of hundred yards just to see what was going on. As I got closer, I could see the cops had blocked off lower Main street and that the news vans/helicopters were out in force.

Hmmm, this was a bigger event than I had figured. I thought it would be a regular 'meet the folks' type of staged event with a couple of people around. Instead, it was a full-blown mob scene.

I could see that the bulk of the crowd was gathered down by Main & PCH at Jack's. I figured Arnie would cross the PCH and head for the pier after he left the shop, so I sort of waited in the wings.

Instead, he headed across the street to HSS, and in so doing walked right by me. However, this is a relative term, since he was surrounded by 6-8 fullbacks trying to clear a path through at least a few thousand people.

The interesting thing I noted was the look of surprise/fear(?) on his face as his entourage tried to push their way forward. Usually, politicians or other notable celebrities have pretty good crowd control systems in place ie barricades, etc.

This was a situation that was clearly verging on the edge of out-of-control. As I stood there marveling at the adrenlin rush of the mob, I thought two things: (1) Arnie is probably thinking "what the f**k have I gotten myself into", and (2) how's anyone else even going to come close to this guy's visability.

Anyhow, check out the news clips tonight. It will be interesting to see what it looks like through the lens of a TV camera.

[dfwgator]

Does the GOP really need this?

[Terriergal]

Are you sure it wasn't just THIS?

[Tempest]

Yeah the GOP doesn't need a high profile candidate with lots of charisma. . .

Gore would have been a better choice. . .

[Cool Guy]

Does the GOP really need this?

The MOB or The Votes?

[dfwgator]

I'm sorry, but I see too much of Bill Clinton in Arnie. He'll say anything to get elected, I don't think he really has any core political beliefs, he just wants the attention. Just as with the sinkmeister with Arnie it's all "me me me."

[rface]

The interesting thing I noted was the look of surprise/fear(?) on his face as his entourage tried to push their way forward. Usually, politicians or other notable celebrities have pretty good crowd control systems in place ie barricades, etc....

I know that look. I lived in Boston when Jerry Brown was fighting against Penis Clinton for the 'RAT nomination (1992?). Jerry Brown had that same look as they hussled him into his limo after a rally on Boston Commons.

[TD911]

Sure blow off easy $20 million paydays just to get elected and cut the living hell out of a bankrupt state.

Sorry, don't see it.

If Clinton had Arnold's money, he never would have run for president or married Hillary. He be producing porn movies and doubling as the casting director.

[jocon307]

"Does the GOP really need this?"

I think we should be glad he's running as a Republican, assuming he would run even if he was a Democrat. I think I would vote for him if I lived out there. He's really very smart, I don't think people realize that, I've always thought it's the accent that confuses them. I also think he's hard-headed and the type who really isn't swayed by what others think of him. These are all advantages.

I also think he'll be a true "new broom" in Sacramento, and he'll go into office beholden to nobody but the people who voted for him. And possibly to some of the Republicans (like Issa) who drop out to smooth the way. Simon should quit next. I like McClintock's plans, but on their own the Republican/Conservative voters can't get their candidate elected, Davis's re-election proved that in spades.

California republicans need to unite behind one candidate in order to wrest control of the governorship, even if only to irritate McAwful and the Dims. Arnold is not going to drop out and if the Republicans don't back him he'll either lose because of them or win without them, and that's not going to help rebuild the party. This is a case where you can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

[Cool Guy]

He'll say anything to get elected, I don't think he really has any core political beliefs,

I have to agree with you on the second part of it. I think, Arnie is still trying to find his stand on various issues and some might be influenced by what will get him elected.

But I think he wants to do something good for California. I believe he wants to take this opportunity to serve the people of California. Big difference between Clinton and Arnie, is Arnie already has money and is not going to be controlled by cash doners.

What he is going to do will depend on who his advisers are.

[freebilly]

Does the GOP really need this?

No, we deserve a politician like Simon who needs a charisma transplant....

[Snerfling]

Jerry Brown had that same look as they hussled him into his limo

Well, to Arnie's credit, he wasn't fleeing. Nope, he was sticking it out and was going to follow the plan. I assume that means he was going to take a stroll out onto the Pier before he completed his rounds. (The same place where NBC televised the AVP volleyball tourney last Sunday afternoon.)

As I was leaving, I noted other large crowds/TV crews were gathered around a few shops. Apparently, they had been tipped off as to Arnie's strolling itinerary and were staking out their strategic vantage points in advance.

[Shermy]

Movie celebrities and crowds.

Be careful!

Read "Day of the Locust."

[freebilly]

If Clinton had Arnold's money, he never would have run for president or married Hillary. He be producing porn movies and doubling as the casting director.

Don't kid yourself, Clinton would never produce a porn movie. The best he'd do on his own would be to run Willie's Adult Bookstore and Novelty Shoppe....

[Snerfling]

Read "Day of the Locust."

Yeah, Nathaniel West nailed it; thing is, I couldn't figure out if the mob was excited because he's a movie star or running for governor.

Usually, the code in LA is to studiously ignore stars. Before the election heated up, I betcha Arnie had no problems tooling around his PP neighborhood. Now, he probably gets a mob scene wherever he goes.

[Snerfling]

think of what a laughingstock the Democratic Party would be

Well, from the look of excitement on all the bare mid-riffed girls, I'm sure BJ would love to be in Arnie's position. The Dems are gonna lose the 'yout' vote on this one.

[Khurkris]

Is that what all the commotion was about. I drove by PCH & Main ealier and thought it was just the usual friday afternoon Farmers Market/Flea Market crowd but larger....huh!

[freedom9]

Made with holly wood

[CyberAnt]

It looked just about how you described.

Why can't Arnie have the area blocked off while he goes from business to business - without having to have the total media MOB with him.

I think for safety reasons - they better get a handle on this.