Can Arnold be a good govenor?
 

I think not. I don't think he's got much sense. All he's done is take an amazing physique and turn it into a hollywood career. People point at the longevity of his career as proof that he's done something. Sure he's a sucessful actor. Why should he be govenor?

Ronald Reagan was an actor turned California govenor turned president. That alone stands as a strong argument against Arnold.

Most of all I am digusted by his inability to enter the debate today. His camp would only enter a debate if they had the questions well in advance. What a mental wuss! If he's not smart enough to think on his feet, how will he get the job done day to day? I thought it was incorregible for him eat all the media attention today rather than letting it focus on the debate.

Am I wrong? Am I right? Lemme hear it.

Arnold has had a great deal of success in business beyond Hollywood. He's also been very involved in the community and politics for a decade or so I believe, contributing to many different child groups etc. Is Arnold qualified? That IMO simplifies the issue too much.

being Governor isn't something you necessarily do solo. Just like any other high level position in government, you have aides and advisors guiding your decisions. If Arnold appoints proper people to be near him that are experts in their field (like his economics advisor whos name escapes me) then he doesn't need to be an expert there himself. Very basic concepts in governing. I think the most important question to ask would be not if Arnold is qualfied, but if he's trustworthy and competant. Personally I'm thinking yes for both.

Quick note as well, many interviews I've seen, whether its with some democrat or rep, they say that Arnold is very intelligent and capable person - in general not specifically talking about his qualifications as Governor. Might not necessarily think that just from seeing his movies or media spotlights but apparently thats the case.:)

He can't be worse than Davis, but thats not saying much...

he has deliberated dodged policy questions, and refuses to go in to detail on many of his stances. He tries to say as many pleasant generalities as possible, and no content. I'd rather someone more conservative if they knew what they stood for, and i'm a flaming liberal.

I doubt it quite highly. I base this in part on his disturbing reticence to answer questions regarding his positions on the issues, as well as his unwillingness to take part in unscripted debates.

But I also base this on the fact that he's already broken one of his campaign promises, one of the first ones he made immediately after his informal announcement on the Tonight Show. In that media appearance, he said that he has enough money of his own, that he doesn't need to take any from special interests. Yet he has collected more than $3 million in campaign donations. It took him less than a month to sell out and start breaking promises.

All those donations are from individuals.

One of whom is uh, whats his name, the liberal guy from the West Wing. Who happens to be on his campaign team... Wow his name really escapes me... lol

Not exactly special interests.

JcL:

You couldn't be more wrong. Schwarzenegger has indeed received numerous large donations from businesses and PACs.

The CA Secretary of State has a complete list here (link). There's also an article in the Sacramento Bee (link) about it. Schwarzenegger's already spinning, saying these corporations are not the special interests he was talking about. Here's a few of his donors:

BIG TENT PAC ALEXANDRIA VA
EPONA FARMS THOUSAND OAKS CA
FREEWAY VENTURES, LLC LANCASTER CA
MARK L. NORRIS GENERAL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS, INC. LANCASTER CA
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES EL SEGUNDO CA
THORSON & ASSOCIATES INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. WESTLAKE VILLAGE CA
MAMMOTH MORTGAGE CORPORATION QUARTZ HILL CA
THE NEW MAJORITY PAC REDWOOD CITY CA
FLD INTERESTS C/O FRITZ DUDA COMPANY DALLAS TX
DEL DON CHEMICAL CO. PATTERSON CA
FOOD 4 LESS STOCKTON CA

That's just a few of them.

Sorry, dude, but all his donations are not from individuals, as you claimed. It's amazing what twenty seconds with Google will tell you, innit?

I think he'd be great, why? He's not a career politician and he has plenty of money so, hopefully he'd be able to act on his convictions and not payoffs. As an American citizen he is just as qualified for the job as anyone else.

Mojo_PeiPei:

If he's got so much money, then why accept all the donations from PACs and corporations? See my above post for details.

Oh, I stand corrected. When his donations were first asked about he said there were from individuals I believe.

To run for political office in the state costs millions of dollars, why should he squander his money on it? Its part of the process. Could you tell me one politician that pays solely for their own canidacy? I'm not trying to be an ass by asking that either, I am truly curious.

Nope

All he has going for him is the Cult of Personality.

Maybe if he'd open up his mouth and say more instead of sound bites.

Don't get me wrong...I like him as a man and an actor,
but not a politician.

I don't get it. Anyhow, Mark Dayton of MN largely self funded his run for senate, and self funds his own salary...

Financial independance doesn't really qualify a canidate in my mind. it can help, but not when they still whore themselves off for money like arnold is, after saying they wouldn't.

Because he said that's what he would do. Or are integrity and honesty not as important when the candidate is a Republican?

Sure. As I recall, Ross Perot did this in '92. The larger issue, though, is the fact that he said he didn't need to take money from anybody. So what did he do? He went and took money from a whole bunch of folks. Individual donations, I could maybe understand. Corporate ones, I couldn't. He lied about it, it's that simple.

He would probably be a pretty poor govenor in my opinion, just based on his lack of experience. That said, I'd be shocked if he was worse than Gray Davis, who has pulled CA down the tubes quite admirably. Ahhhnold won't win anyway, the Republican party in CA has the same problem that it has almost everywhere: The ultra-conservative wing throws votes behind a candidate who is too conservative to win the overall election. Arnie is just too moderate to win.

It's interesting that you mention that split because we are actually witnessing something very telling here.

The dems are often accused of splinter cells and of basically falling apart. Yet in Cali we are seeing the exact opposite--the repubs are splintering and the dems are exhibiting extraordinary unity, the earmarks of an extremely viable party.

This recall is illustrating that despite the rhetoric of conservative pundits, it's their party that is fracturing apart.

Success appears to follow that man around. What you're asking is can he parlay his success into Public Service? Why not? Can a great CEO of, for instance GE, become a great Governor? He is the CEO of Arnold Schwarzenegger inc.

Jeez..as if no politician has ever lied before. I don't know too much about politics, much less American politics, but I do know that politicians are largely figureheads. Arnold is a 55 year old man who has already had everything any warmblooded american craves: Looks, money, and girls. His crazy days are behind him, he's got money..It looks like he actually wants to do something productive for the state of California. He might just be a decent governor...I suggest you let go of small things like "promises he made on the late night show" etc when voting for a proper governor..

It shows the level of intelligence of Arnold when he refused to participate in the debate.

Why? Was he scared? Was he afraid of alienating votes by declaring his views (any views!)? Afraid he would say something stupid?

I dont think the guy would know wtf to do as the governor of CA.

But..........if he wins, I would love to see the misery of the CA's after his term. (like a punishment)

Again, it comes back to being a figurehead..I don't think he neccesarily NEEDS to be an extremely intelligent person...I mean, look at GWB :lol:

Judging from his moves so far, he should be a very good governor, or at least his aids will give him enough instructions to make him do the right things.
Kinda wish it would happen with Chicago's mayor daley too....

Ross Perot is not a politician, he is an oil tycoon with BILLIONS of dollars at his disposal, but tuche'.

Hmmm, oil tycoon, president.... hmmm, sounds familiar....

since when is a person who runs for political office, and starts a national third party not a politician?

Sure. Just like Arnold's an actor with MILLIONS of dollars at his disposal (plus a whole bunch of Kennedy inheritance from his wife). This just proves my point. Besides, running for office by definition makes you a politician, in my opinion.

I don't think he can be a governor period, forger about being a GOOD one. I'm not a California resident but the question I keep asking myself is "why would you even consider voting for someone that couldn't be bothered to vote in the last 6 out of 8 California elections"?

It was a cool thought at first, but as stated already in this thread not debating and only participating in one that he knew the questions ahead is unacceptable.

Arnold can't even pronouce California properly. He hasn't got a snoballs chance in hell.

Any how Cruz Bustamante is the Lt. Governor, folks...does that sound like he has spent some time in the office and handled the fire. You bet. The Republican's want to steal CA. like they stole the Presidency for "Shrub". Just say "no!"

hunnychile where did the word California orginate? Infact hasnt the region been called that prior to the United States aquiring it?

(Maybe I should consult my history a little; I could be way off on this one so I'll pose it as a question rather than a statement) meaning do most pronounce it truly correct in relation to is place of origin?

I just hope thats sarcastic humor your using opposed to a jusitifed reason why Arnold would make a poor Governor. You say Tomato

This guy can't articulate himself out of a box. That being said - look at the current child preseident...

Voters suck.