Posted on 10/12/2003 1:07:15 PM PDT by weegee
In the wake of California's recall election, the temptation to draw far-reaching conclusions is strong. Despite 11th-hour allegations against Republican Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, the final results were decisive.
Schwarzenegger, a political novice and outsider, overcame accusations of sexual harassment, past drug use and alleged admiration for Adolf Hitler, and he did so while offering precious few specifics about what he will do as governor. He ducked all but the final debate among the major candidates, and he relied heavily on the so-called soft media, with appearances on Jay Leno's and Oprah Winfrey's shows.
Does this mean that celebrities, immune from the need to build name recognition, need only smile and speak slogans to win? Does a Schwarzenegger victory signal the arrival of an era in which actors can run on their on-screen persona rather than on their "real" lives?
Perhaps. But snap judgments might best be tempered by the understanding that this recall election was unique in many ways, not least of which was the very short campaign that preceded it. Schwarzenegger's candidacy might have prevailed even if the campaign season had been longer, but it seems likely that he would have been compelled to share more of his specific vision for governing, leaving himself open to the risks that come with offering details.
It might be that lessons are best drawn from Gov. Gray Davis' side of the ballot. In terms of the recall issue, two themes were hammered home again and again: desire for change and economic discontent.
According to exit polls, many who voted for Schwarzenegger did so despite doubts about their chosen candidate. But of one thing they were certain: He was not Davis.
In a nation where so many families and states are coping with hard times, California is nonetheless a standout. Faced with the opportunity to make a change, this state's residents grabbed it.
The circumstances of this election are not likely to be duplicated, but the atmosphere in which it took place prevails throughout much of the country. So will the nation go as did California?
In November 2004, the fate of the presidency, 10 governorships, 34 Senate seats and the whole of the House of Representatives will be put before America's voters.
And lest anyone think that an anti-incumbent mood gives any kind of decisive edge to the out-of-the-majority Democrats, it's probably worth noting that more Democrats will have seats at stake than do Republicans in the overall picture.
There's still a long way to go before the 2004 elections, but those sitting in America's governors' mansions, in Congress and the White House might do well to listen to the message of California's angry voters. Last week they turned out in near-record numbers and issued a loud, clear call for change, on both sides of the recall ballot.
Rather is anchor of CBS Evening News and a native Texan.
Gee Dan, this is a lie. Arnold didn’t appear once on Leno during the campaign. Arnold announced he was going to run for Governor on Leno’s show, and didn’t return to the show until after the election. Remember, Dan says one can lie and still be honest, he certainly must include himself in that.
offering precious few specifics about what he will do as governor. He ducked all but the final debate among the major candidates
Dan admired Hillary when she did the same in New York, the appearance on Letterman with the softball questions previously given to her. Hillary didn’t appear at any location without hand picked audiences and questions.
But Dan is a middle of the road guy without any bias.
/sarcasm
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