|
|
|
 |
FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
|
|
It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
|
Posted on 10/03/2003 3:01:41 AM PDT by kattracks
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Newly published allegations that Arnold Schwarzenegger groped six women are probably too little, too late to derail his surging campaign for California governor in the state's recall election, analysts from both sides of the political spectrum say.The experts predicted on Thursday that tales of boorish behaviour by Schwarzenegger -- printed prominently on page one of the Los Angeles Times -- would likely be shrugged off by voters tired of the issue and suspicious of its timing just four days before the 0ct. 7 election.
Most also gave the actor-turned-politician credit for handling it well with a quick apology and acknowledgement that he had sometimes "behaved badly" in the past.
"My impression is that it's going to be too little, too late," Democratic political consultant Rich Lichtenstein said. "Whoever made the strategic decision to round up these ladies needed to consider doing that sooner. It's too late to try to smear Arnold at this point. By now the voters are saying, 'Hey, we've heard this before.'"
Lichtenstein said the allegations would also be suspect to voters because the Times story, which the paper said was investigated by three reporters over seven weeks, was reported largely with unnamed sources. Four of the six women interviewed by the paper would not allow it to use their names.
"If these ladies were to come forward and if others come forward in the next few days and established a pattern it could have a dramatic impact on the election," he said. "But the story won't have legs unless there is further embellishment."
He added: "What seems so odd is that the Times would put something with this dramatic impact on the front page without individual names. If you're not prepared to come forward it doesn't resonate with people. He has a right to face his accusers. That's what makes it thin."
LAST-MINUTE SMEAR?
Republican political consultant Allen Hoffenblum agreed that the allegations were probably not enough to cripple Schwarzenegger, who has a solid lead in the polls over his fading rivals.
"For the issue to derail the Schwarzenegger campaign they had to come up with something completely new and this is not a new issue, almost everybody knows about it," Hoffenblum said, referring to charges throughout the campaign that Schwarzenegger was insensitive to women.
"The timing also helps Schwarzenegger because it looks like a last-minute smear. If this was so important the Times should have run it 10 days ago, before the debate," Hoffenblum said.
Hoffenblum said that if the Times story dominates campaign news Schwarzenegger could lose votes, but probably not enough to change the outcome of an election where the "Terminator" star was ahead in the polls and his rivals sinking fast.
Democratic political consultant Joe Cerrell said that the impact of the allegations was blunted in the post-Clinton era, referring the former president who was engulfed in scandal over his dalliance with a young intern.
"It's not the shock it once was," Cerrell said. "If this was 20 years ago they'd be saying he should pull out (of the race). I think it will impact some people, especially the undecideds and the hard-line Republicans who are already living with the fact that he is pro-gay and pro-abortion. It's an embarrassment to the Republican party."
Cerrell said Democrats could capitalise on the issue, but would have to tread carefully to avoid looking like they were behind the story or were slinging mud.
"We don't need to comment on it, the Los Angeles Times did it for us," Cerrell said. "If I were Davis I'd say, 'Hey, that's Mr. Schwarzenegger's problem.' I'd be so pontifical I'd be like a cardinal, above the fray. I'd turn to my wife, Sharon, and say: 'We don't know about this sort of stuff.'"
|
|
|
|
|
FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
|
|
It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
|
Yeah, bribery and political payoffs with taxpayer's money is more Davis' expertise.
The only other case in which the Times named a purported victim allegedly happened in December 2000 and involved British television host and interviewer Anna Richardson, who says Schwarzenegger touched her left nipple after sitting her on his knee.
In this case there is one eyewitness to the incident, Hollywood publicist Sheryl Main, who the Times acknowledges says “it was Richardson who provocatively approached Schwarzenegger…. After finishing the brief interview, Richardson rose, cupped her right breast in her right hand and said ‘What do you think of these?’ She then sat on his lap and was immediately escorted from the room.” According to Main, “Richardson later concocted her story.” The Times could find no witness who corroborated Richardson’s story. Richardson on her British TV show frequently makes flamboyant sexual displays and statements, another fact not mentioned by the Times reporters.
Look at olympia snowe and susie collins, the rumors about them being lesbians has not only not hurt either politically, it has helped them immensley.
Figures, grrrr... do you have a link for this? :-)
The truth is, Davis doesn't know about this sort of stuff. When Davis puts his hands on a woman it is never with sexual intentions. It is to shake some sense into them.
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.