[Carolinamom]

Gov. Barber of Georgia handled his announcement re a prisoner scheduled for execution in a very statesman-like and more dignified way IMO. He issued a written statement saying that he had reviewed all the transcripts of the trials and verdicts and did not feel that he should over-ride the decisions of the many courts.

Why is Arnold going on TV to make his own announcement instead of handling it the Barber way? This more visible announcement dramatizes Tookie's legal fate.

[SunnySide]

"Why is Arnold going on TV to make his own announcement instead of handling it the Barber way? This more visible announcement dramatizes Tookie's legal fate"

...

I agree with you. I think it's the wrong choice to make a spectacle out such matters. It carnival-izes and trivializes the victims and their families while no matter how one views the "convicted" perp, puts this cretin on a pedestal.

- Victims Rights Now -

[TravisBickle]

This may be an example of Schwarzenegger's ineptitude at politics. He's more accustomed to the promotional nature of things, and didn't recognize that this is not one of those moments.

Whichever way he decides, this could have had a much lower profile. He's now put himslef in a no-win situation poltically. Not to mention why he would want to take on this burden emotionally.

This shouldn't be a review of whether Tookie should live or die, but rather, did the people who made this initial decision make the right call.