(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
People view politicians as being lower than a snake's belly and their morals are for sale.
There aren't many exceptions to that type of politician. When a morally principled candidate runs, the voters sell their morals to the one who can win. Think Spectre.
Arnold is not Commander in Chief. He doesn't control a nuclear arsenal and he has zero to do with anything concerning a foreign government or entity like the UN. If he were able to do any of these, I suspect we'd all like him a lot less!
People view politicians as being lower than a snake's belly and their morals are for sale.
I'm a political fanatic. I have to be: I teach American Government to high school students. Hence, I just love watching that show The West Wing. Have you ever seen the episode titled Posse Commitatus? The President must be convinced by his political Chief of Staff and the Chairman of the Joint Chief's of Staff to issue an order to assassinate a guy visiting the Oval Office (from some fictional country) because he's a terrorist. Bartlett is at a play and he keeps muttering: It's just plain wrong. and his advisor and friend, totally agrees that it's wrong but he STILL has to do it. Worse, time is running out. The SEALs are waiting for the go order. Leo McGarry repeats that the President has to issue the order. The President asks WHY? The response is one of the single most powerful moments I have ever seen and the total explanation to your entire observation.
Leo McGarry: Yes, it's wrong but you still have to do it.
President Bartlett: Why?
Leo McGarry: Because you won.
Do you see? Politics the Presidency and the country can't be tied up in simplistic things like morality and do the right thing because if we follow kindergarten rules, we all die. That's why I never struck back against Clinton for hazy stuff he did in his role as commander in chief. Bush #43 has much bigger cojones than either his dad or Clinton and he truly has the best interests of the country at heart.
Ronald Reagan was a lot like a Founding Father. The likes of HIM will never be seen in this country again, at least not anytime soon. He was at the right place at the right moment in history (just like the Framers) to do what had to be done to insure our survival. Neither Arnold or Mel can lay claim to that legacy.