Posted on 03/27/2016 4:57:40 AM PDT by Kaslin
They're both iconic figures in American culture who are known by their first names. California's former governor is Arnold. The GOP presidential front-runner is The Donald. We Californians who lived through Arnold's two terms in the governor's office have watched The Donald's presidential campaign unfold with a sense of deja vu.
Donald Trump starred in the TV show "Celebrity Apprentice." Arnold Schwarzenegger will replace him. Both men can boast supersize personalities and bulging bank accounts. Both bombasts ran for a top office with no political experience whatsoever -- which turned out to be a plus, as they tapped into a tidal wave of voter resentment. Both are more pragmatic than ideological.
Schwarzenegger's supporters thought he could not win a GOP primary -- and he didn't have to, because he ran and won in California's free-for-all recall election of 2003. Trump's front-runner status in the 2016 primary -- also the beneficiary of a crowded field -- likewise has confounded the professional political class.
Over the past week, I talked to four former Schwarzenegger aides (only two of whom would say anything on the record) about what Trump and Schwarzenegger have in common, how they are different and what Schwarzenegger's tenure might tell us about a Trump presidency should he win in November.
One former adviser, Adam Mendelsohn, who wanted nothing to do with a negative assessment of Schwarzenegger's time in office, told me he sees "absolutely no similarity between the two" men. All appreciated that the biggest difference is that Trump is running for president -- as a naturalized citizen, the Austrian Oak is not eligible to be president under the Constitution -- and there should be a higher bar for the man who wants to have his hand on the nuclear button.
Looking back, Schwarzenegger's first term was highly successful in many ways.
True to a campaign promise, Schwarzenegger renegotiated terms with major tribal casinos, which netted state coffers a $1 billion windfall. He also ushered much-needed workers' compensation reform through a reluctant Legislature by threatening to put a measure on the ballot if Sacramento did not pass a bill.
Later, the Governator overreached when he placed four different ballot measures before voters. When Californians rejected all four, Schwarzenegger's aura of invincibility crumbled.
Many had feared that if Schwarzenegger failed to live up to his promise, it would be because he needed to be liked. And that's exactly what happened. Schwarzenegger told voters he heard their message and promised to work with the Legislature. That signaled a lurch to the left. He won re-election. In term two, Schwarzenegger enacted a landmark law to curb greenhouse gases, a move very popular among Democrats. On the way out the door, Schwarzenegger issued a pardon that shaved nine years off a 16-year term for voluntary manslaughter, which benefited the former Assembly speaker's son.
Schwarzenegger entered politics with the sort of great American success story that only an immigrant can tell. He dreamed of becoming an American, and he did. He worked hard. His belief in the free market steered him to the GOP. He worshipped conservative economist Milton Friedman. He had tried to push through meaningful pension reform and pare back state spending. But saddled with a Legislature loaded with Democrats, even with his sharp political instincts, he did not succeed. When conservative political neophytes fail, their path to salvation is to list left. And there he stayed.
Trump has fewer conservative credentials. He supports the use of eminent domain to seize property for private development. He has lavished money on Democratic candidates. If he should win the White House and find himself flailing in the polls, then he would know where to go.
It is instructive to note that for all they have in common, Schwarzenegger chose to endorse not Trump but Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Schwarzenegger spokesman Daniel Ketchell told me it's because Kasich knows how to work in the center.
Former Schwarzenegger aide Sean Walsh, however, thinks Schwarzenegger chose Kasich over Trump precisely because Trump is too much like Schwarzenegger. Let me add another trait The Donald and Arnold share: They're both salesmen first. And salesmen usually aren't around when you need to fix the refrigerator.
The Trump/Schwarzeneggar analogy is something that admittedly hit me pretty early on. Perhaps because it still stings a bit in that I fell for the pro-Schwarzeneggar argument, back in the day. That his stances which were socially-liberal but fiscally-conservative were somehow going to be an acceptable trade-off, especially considering it was such a liberal state as California. But if I’ve learned ANYTHING about Republican politicians over the last twenty years, it’s that if they claim they are socially-liberal but fiscally-conservative... they are going to turn 100% fiscally-liberal once in office.
Trump’s history of being on the liberal side of things, even up to a tiny handful of years ago, is not confidence-inspiring. Especially for someone like me, who’s been burned, burned, burned by these bastards. But who knows? I really just don’t have any trust in anybody anymore.
Your 'resistance' is being led by a petty and boorish buffoon. Good luck with that.
Resistance indeed. Are you paying taxes? Are you gonna vote on a Soros rigged electronic machine? Are you using devices monitored by the NSA? Do you send your kids to public school? Are your guns registered?
Assuming the answer to those questions is yes, it would appear that you're not putting up much resistance.
The Trump phenomena isn't a 'resistance movement'. It's a cult.
You will vote Hillary.
Foxtrot Yuma. Language like that could get you a punch in the face.
No brief for Arnold but he’s a pretty successful businessman too.
Notice the underline under "except the presidency"
United States nationality law
Article I, section 8, clause 4 of the United States Constitution expressly gives the United States Congress the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization.
Adult citizens of the United States who are residents of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) have the right to participate in the political system of the United States, as well as their state and local governments (with most states having restrictions on voting by persons convicted of felonies, and a federal constitutional prohibition on naturalized persons running for President and Vice President of the United States), to be represented and protected abroad by the United States (through U.S. embassies and consulates), and to live in the United States and certain territories without any immigration requirements. Felons can vote in over 40 states, and in at least 2 while incarcerated. Felons can also serve jury duty if approved.
Notice the underline under "except the presidency"
United States nationality law
Article I, section 8, clause 4 of the United States Constitution expressly gives the United States Congress the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization.
Adult citizens of the United States who are residents of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) have the right to participate in the political system of the United States, as well as their state and local governments (with most states having restrictions on voting by persons convicted of felonies, and a federal constitutional prohibition on naturalized persons running for President and Vice President of the United States), to be represented and protected abroad by the United States (through U.S. embassies and consulates), and to live in the United States and certain territories without any immigration requirements. Felons can vote in over 40 states, and in at least 2 while incarcerated. Felons can also serve jury duty if approved.
Again stop making a fool of yourself noobie
You cant trust a Republican married to a Kennedy. Its not rocket science.
Six plus decades of observation will do that to you.
NYC yankee loudmouth braggart, whats wrong with that?
I don't like yankees and he's one of the worst kind, in my self valued opinion.
After all, the current gaggle of law school graduates has done such a great job.
I didn't say I liked them either. Matter of fact, I like them even less.
Arnold came to America from Austria in 1968. He was 19. He won the Mr. Universe at 20. He didn't start buying real estate until he won his first Mr. Olympia in 1976.
Guys amazing as an athlete, businessman and actor and just a force of will.
He sucks as politician though except for enriching himself and his buds.
I’m sure you punch women in the face all the time.
Oh please. The school girl hysterics from you Trump fan boys is pathetic.
What’s the difference between Republican establishment and Democrat establishment? Go Trump!
No.
Did you notice anything anti Trump in the op-ed?
If trump were elected he would face the same opposition from their legislatures.
The GOP has been virtually worthless for a long time. 1994 gave them the opportunity to shine and they looked pretty good for a couple of years and then they started sliding towards the left once they became DCe.
Another way I look at Trump is that Donald knew when he entered the prez race that he would have to go threw the political meat grinder.
Spare me the self sacrifice crappola. The only one of the bunch that wasn't ego driven to get the job was Carson, in my opinion.
This is why we need Trump now!
Actually, I give Arnold more credit for his success because, unlike The Donald, he wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
That's the best response you've got?!? You're not going to defend your 'resistance' activities?
Go home little school girl. I hear your mommy calling.
No, but you know how sensitive the Trumpets are which is typical of a cult. They fiercely defend their leader even when the leader is not being attacked.
YOU ARE BUSTED !!!!!!!
OUTED !!!!!
A sophist parrot of MALICIOUS SLANDER !!!!
And all you have to say is ...
” ... school girl hysterics ...”
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