L.A.Times: Schwarzeneggar Groped Hollywood Women

Reuters.com ^ | Oct 2,2003 | Reuters

[foolscap]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Six women who met Arnold Schwarzenegger on movie sets and other places over the last three decades say he groped them, the Los Angeles Times said on Thursday. In interviews with the Times, three of the women described their surprise and discomfort when Schwarzenegger grabbed their breasts. A fourth said he reached under her skirt and gripped her buttocks.

A fifth woman said Schwarzenegger groped her and tried to remove her bathing suit in a hotel elevator, while a sixth said Schwarzenegger pulled her onto his lap and asked whether a certain sexual act had ever been performed on her.

Schwarzenegger is the leading Republican candidate in California's recall election for governor.

"Did he rape me? No," said one woman, who described a 1980 encounter in which she said Schwarzenegger touched her breast. "Did he humiliate me? You bet he did."

According to the newspaper, none of the women who discussed their encounters with the former body builder said they filed any legal action against him.

Schwarzenegger's campaign spokesman, Sean Walsh, said the candidate has not engaged in improper conduct toward women, and that such allegations are part of an escalating political attack on Schwarzenegger as the recall election approaches.

"We believe Democrats and others are using this to try to hurt Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign," Walsh said. "We believe that this is coming so close before the election, something that discourages good, hard-working, decent people from running for office."

The Times did not learn of any of the six women from Schwarzenegger's rivals in the recall race, and none of the women approached the newspaper on her own. Reporters contacted them in the course of a six-week examination of Schwarzenegger's behavior toward women on and off the movie set.

The Times said Schwarzenegger's attitudes about women have been an issue during the campaign, with critics accusing him of being misogynistic, based on past statements he has made to various publications.

Schwarzenegger has said he respects women and that many of his comments were made in jest or simply meant to be provocative.

[Ramius]

Hmm... Women groped? And... in California, of all places.

I'm just so... whelmed.

[tioga]

THIS is the October surprise? NOT...tell us something we didn't know..... Besides, I didn't hear him lie and say he didn't do it, instead he admitted his previous life was more Hollywood wild, but not as wild as some might think...After clintoon this is nothing.....

[freedomlover]

"We believe Democrats and others are using this to try to hurt Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign," Walsh said. "We believe that this is coming so close before the election, something that discourages good, hard-working, decent people from running for office."

The Times did not learn of any of the six women from Schwarzenegger's rivals in the recall race, and none of the women approached the newspaper on her own. Reporters contacted them in the course of a six-week examination of Schwarzenegger's behavior toward women on and off the movie set.

Parsing can be fun, kids!

[Ronin]

ACK!!!!

Coffee on the keyboard again.

Go to your room and take your rubber duckie!

[Moonmad27]

That is precisely WHY the LA Times printed this article - to get some people frightened enough to switch to McClintock or vote no on the recall, take away votes from Arnold, and voila - the Times helps to keep their beloved Gray Davis in office. I hope smart Republican voters know a Dem smear tactic when they see it - apparently it's fooled some people already.

[BUCKSBUD]

Isn't that what they said about Clinton?

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Sounds Clintonesque. Why would the LA Slimes publish this to help Arnold with the left???

[af_vet_1981]

I agree, if this is the best the LA Times can find to go after him with it is pretty lame

I don't know. The gay-friendly vote in the Bay Area is quite substantial. They are not going to be happy with these allegations. I think they might, they just might, vote no on the recall after all this ...

[SONbrad]

The Times did not learn of any of the six women from Schwarzenegger's rivals in the recall race, and none of the women approached the newspaper on her own. Reporters contacted them in the course of a six-week examination of Schwarzenegger's behavior toward women on and off the movie set.

---

So, how did the reporters know to contact these women? Obviously someone told them. What a crock!

[goldstategop]

I don't believe their disclaimer. What with this expose five days before the election, it sounds too good to be true. And none of the allegations the Los Angeles Times report cites can be verified. Its one big smear job.

[freedomlover]

So the LALA Times went out on their own and dug this up. I think the LALA Times has stepped in it here. By my reading, this clearly demonstrates that the Times is a mouthpiece of the California democRAT party.

No offense (really), but did you recently find yourself ejected from a vehicle transporting turnips? ;)

[af_vet_1981]

Hmm... Women groped? And... in California, of all places.

But these were women, Hollywood women, like in stars, and he actually touched them. The boys in the bay are not going to be happy. I think this is going to cost Arnold substantial support in the liberal community.

[xzins]

Better to have another horse in the race.

Heres a true point, MM27, and you can weigh it. Arnold knows what's in his closet. He should go to Repub headquartes in Calif. and level with them about what COULD come out. If they think it's enough to stampede the people, then he should be advised to drop out.

For any deadly accusation to have effect, it will have to be public no later than Saturday so it can make the Sunday talk shows.

Like it or not, it is reassuring to have McClintock still there.

[Walkin Man]

It appears that those incensed with Bill Clinton's policies and behaviors are prepared to vote Bill Schwarzengeggar into office.

It's absolutely fascinating.

Yes it is. Sad as well.

[Dog]

"The Times did not learn of any of the six women from Schwarzenegger's rivals in the recall race, and none of the women approached the newspaper on her own"

They admit someone feed them the story...

Who directed the Times to the women..

[Peach]

It's only about sex. It's his personal life.

Isn't that the Rats mantra?

[sticker]

I see why the left is having a problem with this, at no time did he tell them " you better put some ice on that"

[kidd]

Reporters contacted them in the course of a six-week examination of Schwarzenegger's behavior toward women on and off the movie set.

So in a six week effort, reporters (note the plural) found six women to make a claim. But the women are not named. Nor did these women file a report with police. Nor were there witnesses. No details on WHEN this occurred (starting in 1980, the article states). And no details from most of the women, just a one line from one unnamed woman (did the others enjoy it? Hope for a part in a movie?)

This McClintock supporter thinks that this is weak. Consider the source too: LAme TIMES

[Dog]

This goes beyone sex........this story was feed to the Times they flat out admit it......see my post 35.

[sruleoflaw]

Be real. Davis is a Schwarzenegger rival. FACE REALITY.

Your man is a lying groper who should remind you of BJ Clinton. Personally, I hope the Dems have a Paula Jones all lined up to slap Arnold around. If he did the deed, FACE THE MUSIC. You've been warned repeatedly not to vote for low lifes -- even if they are celebrities.