Posted on 10/01/2007 1:57:21 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Constitution prevents California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from becoming President of the United States. But it doesn't stop him from being an ex-President -- or, rather, acting like one.
Schwarzenegger has already graced the covers of America's major news magazines -- more the domain of heads of state than heads of states.
Speculation is that, because Schwarzenegger can't run for another term as Governor in 2010, he'll move to take on the Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator, Barbara Boxer, instead. I'm not so sure. First of all, there's the reality that Arnold might not win. After all, California is a heavily Democratic state and Boxer is a tough and feisty campaigner who has snatched victory out of the jaws of near defeat before. In addition, national and state Democrats will likely pour rivers of campaign money into saving this critical Senate seat.
Secondly, if Schwarzenegger did win, he'd have to serve -- as only one of a hundred massive egos, even if his celebrity status could make him first among equals. The man is a born executive; the legislative pace is w-a-a-a-y too slow.
And Washington isn't Brentwood.
But what if ... it's President Hillary Clinton who moves into the White House in 2009? With First Gentleman Bill pretty much sidelined -- in what he himself described as "the crown jewel of the federal penal system," who else but Arnold could pick up the 6 or 7-figure speaking fees the former President can now command? Who else could fill Clinton's post-Presidential role as global statesman? Or, for that matter, commandeer a room simply by entering it?
Already an international entertainment figure, Schwarzenegger has arrived on the world's political stage -- at times side-by-side with Clinton, the very model of a modern ex-President. Just recently, they joined forces to promote physical fitness. (Schwarzenegger, an ex-Mr. Universe, and Clinton, an ex-Mr. Big Mac, co-chair the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association.)
The governor's environmental stances, particularly his anti-global warming activism -- so au current, so atypical for a Republican politician, have had him hanging with Clinton too, not to mention hobnobbing with other world leaders. Most recently, Schwarzenegger parlayed that activism, and his celebrity, into becoming the first governor of a U.S. state to address the UN General Assembly. Sunday, He addressed the United Kingdom's 124th annual Conservative Party Conference live via satellite.(He would have keynoted the event in person, if he'd not called two special legislative sessions in California to deal with issues that will dominate the state and national political debate in the coming years -- health care and water.)
Schwarzenegger's plan for comprehensive health care reform even echoes through the current Presidential campaign. Senator Hillary Clinton (she's related to Bill, you know), in particular, has embraced elements of Schwarzenegger's proposal for universal coverage. And, observed the LA Times' Andrew Malcolm, the Democrat has learned from Republican "Schwarzenegger's savvy marketing methods," and is using "one of Schwarzenegger's main talking points in selling his own plan." That's the so-called "hidden taxes" line that Schwarzenegger has used to justify his proposal for new health care fees; it argues that taxpayers already foot the bill for emergency room treatment of uninsured people, and as Schwarzenegger and Clinton's campaign have each suggested, their plan would "reduce some of the hidden taxes."
Schwarzenegger isn't even in the Presidential race, and he's stealing thunder from his fellow Republicans who are!
So what?
It helps to remember that most governors, particularly those facing term limits, are either positioning themselves to climb up the political ladder or maneuvering to make the transition to the private sector, so they can make -- at last -- some real money. Schwarzenegger has reached the highest elected executive office he'll likely hold and he's doesn't lack private sector connections -- or real money.
But that doesn't mean Schwarzenegger isn't motivated in his last term. He wants -- perhaps needs -- to craft a larger-than-life legacy, one that will help sustain his influence in the national, and even international, policy debate. This has been what Bill Clinton has been working on -- pretty successfully -- since leaving office.
That ambition will inform Schwarzenegger's last three years as California's governor. It gives him the freedom of "post-partisanship," to accomplish big, broad goals. Look for the Governor to continue to pursue "difficult" issues like the environment, health care reform, water and infrastructure -- even immigration.
But, as we learned again in this year's budget battle, there are times when the fate of his agenda -- and of his legacy -- is in the hands of others. How much will the governor give up, and to whom, in order to claim a small victory -- rather than none at all? Where will he take California to insure its future -- or his?
After all, there may come a time when, like this country's former Presidents, the Governor will want to build, and stock with his achievements, his own Arnold Schwarzenegger Library and Museum. In Malibu, perhaps.
.. like this country’s former Presidents, the Governor will want to build, and stock with his achievements, his own Arnold Schwarzenegger Library and Museum...
—
with a tent to smoke a cigar in to honor his sorry overspending Austrian ar$e and legacy of debt
RINO ALERT !!!!
The Founding Fathers were bleepin’ genius’.
Bush, Rove, and Parsky are responsible for trashing Bill Simon and putting Arnold in there, after they failed with Richard Riordan. I hope they’re pleased with themselves.
Arnold has certainly has been a big help to the national party. NOT.
Yes they were!
That'll be the toughest rodent primary opponent she's ever faced. She might have to move even further left to stave him off. Who will the Republican be ?
God help us all.
I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to have California cede from the United States so he can declare himself ruler of his own nation.
The governor’s environmental stances, particularly his anti-global warming activism — so au current, so atypical for a Republican politician, have had him hanging with Clinton too, not to mention hobnobbing with other world leaders. Most recently, Schwarzenegger parlayed that activism, and his celebrity, into becoming the first governor of a U.S. state to address the UN General Assembly.
TWirP to the core..
This is the funniest leftist drivel today. Never a day passes when you can’t find a gem like this. Easy to see the perspective the writer has, really limited leftist.
So AU GAG!
The Gubernator is a RINO Extraordinairre, but if he removes Barbara Check Bouncer from the Senate, he’ll have done the country a favor.
He's anti global warming? Who knew? Hasn't Mama Kennedy talked to him about that yet?
I think it would be funny to see a Boxer/Arnold fight. One hugely expensive fight...costing them both a fortune!
You’re right; it’s confusing. It flew right past me when I first read it.
On second look, I think they meant a fighter against global warming (i.e. a true-believer).
I’d like to see Boxer and Arnold fight—for the Dem nomination. ;-)
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