Schwarzenegger challenged over old interview

San Francisco Chronical ^ | August 30, 2003 | Carla Marinucci, Lance Williams, Chronicle Staff Writers

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Arnold Schwarzenegger was asked on Wednesday by a conservative radio host to talk about his racy 1977 Oui magazine interview -- detailing drug use and group sex. The GOP gubernatorial candidate responded with a laugh, "I never lived my life to be a politician. I never lived my life to be the governor of California."

"Obviously, I've made statements that were ludicrous and crazy and outrageous and all those things, because that's the way I always was," he said.

A day later, he was asked about it at a press conference. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he told reporters. "I have no memory of any of the articles I did 20 or 30 years ago."

With six weeks to go to the Oct. 7 election, the apparent about face by Schwarzenegger and the coverage of the 1977 interview by a then 29-year-old bodybuilder on television and in newspapers this week underscored the challenges ahead for the political neophyte. It also highlights the dramatic difference between the entertainment world and the brutal world of politics -- particularly in a high-pressure, short gubernatorial campaign managed in the glare of an international spotlight.

"When you're a Hollywood celebrity, people can intrude in your private life and you have no obligation to answer," said Bruce Cain, political science professor at UC Berkeley. "But if you're running for public office, it becomes an issue of character."

Cain says the pressure is now on Schwarzenegger to address the issue with frankness because "at least a quarter of the electorate make their decision on those (character) issues completely. And when you're a candidate who is rather vague on the issues and saying 'trust me,' then character becomes all that more critical."

Claremont-McKenna College government professor Jack Pitney said the stumble underscores the unforgiving nature of California politics, where "a slight semantic error can lead to a week full of bad publicity. And in a five-week campaign, you can't afford a week of bad publicity."

"It's the kind of mistake that a politician would ordinarily make in a run for state assembly," Pitney said. "Other politicians make their early mistakes out of the limelight. He's making them in the limelight, and under a microscope."

Political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe said Schwarzenegger's flip-flop is particularly newsworthy because it comes from a candidate who is both communications-savvy, and surrounded by veterans consultants.

"This could have been a one day story, and it was all in the hands of Arnold Schwarzenegger. And he dropped the ball," Bebitch Jeffe said. "It's the equivalent of, 'I can't hear you, Matt,' " the response Schwarzenegger gave to "Today" show host Matt Lauer's query if he would release his taxes.

Now, Bebitch Jeffe said, the actor-candidate appears to be establishing "a pattern of behavior" in which he says one thing, and does another. "It's waffling," she said.

The interview that ignited the controversy appeared in the now-defunct men's magazine Oui. In recent weeks, the 26-year-old interview has been widely distributed on the Internet on sites like the Drudge Report and www.thesmokinggun.com. The question-and-answer session was pegged to the release of "Pumping Iron," the 1977 bodybuilding documentary that rocketed the young Austrian to stardom.

In the article, Schwarzenegger acknowledged using "grass and hash -- no hard drugs" and described in detail participating in group sex with bodybuilders at Gold's Gym in Venice.

In an interview on Sacramento radio station KFBK last Wednesday, talk show host Mark Williams specifically asked Schwarzenegger about the Oui article, which had just been posted on the Internet.

"Obviously, I've made statements that were ludicrous and crazy and outrageous and all those things, because that's the way I always was," he said.

"I was always that way" he said, "because otherwise I wouldn't have done the things that I did in my career, including the bodybuilding and the show business and all those things."

But 24 hours later, the candidate -- in response to reporters' questions -- said repeatedly he did not remember the interview and refused to comment on it.

Campaign spokesman Rob Stutzman -- asked to explain the different responses -- said that Schwarzenegger "does not recall, specifically, a specific interview he gave 25 years ago."

"He came out there prepared to talk about what he was going to do in Fresno, prepared to talk about the (agricultural) economy," Stutzman said Friday. Asked if the candidate had seen the Oui postings, Stutzman said, "he has not seen it. I don't know if he will see it. Californians should rest assured their next governor doesn't sit around surfing Drudge."

Asked if Schwarzenegger had been prepared for potential questions on the topic by reporters, Stutzman said, "I'm not going to get into the campaign process." But, he added, "This campaign is proactive, not reactive

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Man, is this Bill Simon part deux or what? Talk about D-U-M dumb! Talk radio and the interent are much more influential than they were in 98, they are more influential than they were in the fall of '02 because it has exploded with interest in the populist spending-revolt and is CONSTANTLY talking about California politics like we never have before. This should lead to Stutzman's firing if he put scorched-earth strategy into the Stealth Candidate's mouth.

I'm taking all bets that the "Gigi" affair blows up within the next week.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

[(R)nold/McClintock ping, FReepmail me on or off]

This is our great hope? This is what I was lectured on being "electable"?

Somewhere, Bill Simon's staff is doubled over with laughter at this throwing down of the absolutely last gauntlet Captain Conservative wanted at the worst time.

[Admin Moderator]

Post original titles. Thanks.

[hole_n_one]

Already posted here with the correct title.

[BonnieJ]

He doesn't remember that particular interview. He admitted to saying ridiculous things and acting in an immature way. I don't see how the two statements are contradictory.

The "Gigi" story has already been shown to be false, at least in its premise if not all of it.

There certainly are a lot of people on this forum eager for him to self-destruct.
Was that the same approach toward Riordan, when you ended up with Simon?

Davis targeted Riordan, too. The Democrats are after Arnold but attacking him on Enquirer types of stories, the very type they generally dismiss and even have lawsuits about.
SO much hypocricy in this campaign, from so many!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I'm taking all bets that the "Gigi" affair blows up within the next week.

We're talking California here. Arnold would be considered a pervert if he didn't have something like this in his past.

In Missouri this would be a fatal blow. In California it is a resume' enhancement.

[LdSentinal]

I'm taking all bets that the "Gigi" affair blows up within the next week.

I had no idea Arnold was in that movie with Ben and J-Lo. He's fold faster than Superman on laundry day.

[EternalVigilance]

In Missouri this would be a fatal blow. In California it is a resume' enhancement.

If that's true then they deserve whatever they get.

Too bad a sizable number of decent people who also have to live in the state also have to live with the consequences.

Too bad the country has to be pulled down into the sewer with them as well.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

We're talking California here.

Yeah, I think I know Miss. I live here.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

I did a search, I swear!

My fault.

[Nea Wood]

Excellent post.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

He doesn't remember that particular interview. He admitted to saying ridiculous things and acting in an immature way. I don't see how the two statements are contradictory.

You are in full out slash and burn of the English-language mode here. Sad.

Davis targeted Riordan, too.

Oh boy, I held my nose and voted for Simon, but another Riorden-ite? Tell me, why was it that Davis attacked a horrible campaign of Simon and he still got 42%, but in a primary Mr Eleoquence himself, Dick Rioden couldn't even get that much? Even your own guy said that he ran because Rioden seemed "out of it" Get your talking points straight, you sound as contradictory as your candidate.

[BonnieJ]

I don't have a candidate.
I left California over 10 years ago, a very deliberate decision.
I am looking for fairness, not parsing words.
I'll leave that to the rest of you.

[ambrose]

Bump!

[ambrose]

In Missouri this would be a fatal blow. In California it is a resume' enhancement.

Isn't Missouri the state that likes to elect corpses to the United States Senate?

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

I don't have a candidate. I left California over 10 years ago, a very deliberate decision.

Then why are you rationalizing for this obvious double talking politician in a California race? You left, but does that mean you have to sabotage us?

I am looking for fairness, not parsing words.

Riiiiight, his words comically contradicted themselves repeatedly, and you are trying to start a semantic investigation of what the definition of is is.

Lets ask President Clinton if he is loving the irony and hypocracy of the Republican party's own damage control a few years later;

[Reagan Man]

This should come as no surprise to anyone. Arnold has opening admitted for years, he is a social liberal. It's obvious, he fits the bill perfectly. More importantly, people need to understand, Arnold is not a fiscal conservative. Arnold isn't even a moderate. Arnold is a liberal! Arnold may be to the right of Cruz Bustamonte, but he's to the left of RINO's like Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, Arlen Spector and Lincoln Chaffey.

[joesnuffy]

He admitted to saying ridiculous things and acting in an immature way.

He was 29 during the interview and in his 30s still living this perverse lifestyle- He admitted only to "saying" ridiculous things and "acting in an immature way" BWAHAHAHAHa thats what you call it? .."acting in an immature way?"

If you are still taking illegal drugs (BTW Hasish laced with opium which a lot of it was back then I consider a "hard drug")...and in having sex in public or gang sex with onlookers you are beyond acting "immature"...this is perverse narcissistic behavior..bordering on the sociopathic...to still be doing it in your 30s..?

Your character is formed and evident long before you are 29 or in your 30s This gives a lot more credence imo to the charges of sexual harraasment and including sexual assault

If it was your daughter...how would you feel about the "Bubbanator" then?

Then the other day he lies about remembering?...then minimizes his perversity.... Yeah he is the perfect candidate ..no doubt about it....

This "Kennedy" Republican surrounded by political genuis had to know this was coming...Arnold is either a spoiler in the Perto-Nader tradition...or they knew they had to release this at a time when it would have the least impact and could be erased from the public's vacuous span of attention by post time...

Arnold the Sphinx drawn by a team of faithfull RINOs

[BonnieJ]

If you want to exclude all non-Californians you'll have much smaller threads, no doubt about that.
I lived most of my life there, have friends & family there, an investment property there, but I think I'll take your advice and stay out of this mess.
McClintock supporters do not do the man justice.
I do not believe he would want you this rude toward all others, it's not good P.R.
Regards.

[rface]

Isn't Missouri the state that likes to elect corpses to the United States Senate?

You're thinking of New Jersey......well.....hmmmmmm - maybe Frank Lautenberg isn't "cold dead" yet.