The usually clever (years ago, anyway) Simpsons writers, in bending over backwards to mock the governor of their home state, made absolute asses of themselves. On two counts:
1) They never explained how Mr. Schwarzeneggar could become president. It is generally assumed that rules are the same in the Simpson’s universe as they are in ours, unless we are told otherwise, and such a large, unexplained hole bothers people (like me), and
2) They already had a well-established parody character of Schwarzeneggar, named Ranier Wolfcastle. Why couldn’t they use him? Too subtle?
However, they sure did slam the EPA.
PA Soldier: I’m afraid we lost them, sir.
Russ Cargill: Damn it! Well, then you find ‘em, and you get ‘em back in the dome! And to make sure nobody else gets out, I want roving death squads around the perimeter 24-7! I want 10,000 tough guys, and I want 10,000 soft guys to make the tough guys look tougher! And here’s how I want them arranged: tough, soft, tough, tough, soft, tough, soft, soft, tough, tough, soft, soft, tough, soft, tough, soft!
EPA Soldier: Sir, I’m afraid you’ve gone mad with power.
Russ Cargill: Of course I have! Have you ever tried going mad without power? It’s boring, no one listens to you!