by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright May 20, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

             Slapped by voters in a special election May 19 designed rescue California’s budget, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger got a rude awakening realizing he has no more credibility.  Swept into office Oct. 8, 2003 in a special recall election, Arnold promised voters, “I will not fail you.”  Less than six years later, the 61-year-old Austrian born former body building champion and Hollywood action star has failed miserably to govern either the small but rebellious GOP minority or the liberal Democratic majority.  His first taste of defeat came June 22, 2006 when voters also rejected his attempt to bypass the state legislature.  Yesterday’s results reflect voters’ frustration with the governor, sending him a loud message:  Go back to elected officials in the state assembly and senate and fix the budget mess.  Special elections are no substitute for leading state government.

            Less than a year-and-a-half away from California’s next gubernatorial election, Arnold wished for early retirement.  Members of both parties wish he would step aside.  California now faces a $21.3 billion budget deficit, prompting Arnold to threaten mass state layoffs and to hack further in the education budget.  “I think he’s discovered that this job is a lot harder than he anticipated in a state of economic downturn,” said State Treasurer Bill Lockyear.  Arnold came to power promising to stop “crazy deficit spending,” something he and voters blamed on former Gov. Gray Davis, tossed from office in Oct. 8, 2003.  Signing on to a GOP “no tax pledge,” Arnold betrayed fellow Republicans raising taxes in April 2009, closing a whopping $42 billion deficit, caused by a stubborn recession.  No longer trusted either by Democrats or Republicans, Sacramento lacks leadership.

            California’s small but powerful GOP minority holds the cards on how the state will manage its economic crisis.  Arnold can no longer persuade any more of his GOP colleagues to raise taxes, having already squeezed taxpayers to the breaking point.  Seeking more cuts in the education budget won’t go over well with Democratic legislators already disgusted with attempts by the GOP to gut an already stripped down system.  “The biggest loser would be Arnold,” said Sonoma State political science professor Dave McCuan, believing the governor has become radioactive.  “It’s time to start looking for a Cabinet post in the Obama administration or an ambassadorship somewhere warm,” a sarcastic appraisal of Schwarzenegger’s political future. Failing to deliver on any of his campaign promise since taking office, Arnold no longer has much political appeal.

            California’s budget process is deeply flawed, requiring and two-thirds vote of the legislature to pass a budget.  Instead of Republicans believe the state budget is saturated with fat, demanding draconic spending cuts, especially in education and social services.  Democrats, on the other hand, recognize the latest census figures putting California’s population over 38 million, trying to balance newcomers’ needs of the nation’s largest immigrant population.  It’s easy for Arnold and the GOP to slash budgets when the lion’s share of the state’s resources go to education, social services and a growing prison population.  Arnold now threatens to sell-off state historical monuments, like San Quentin prison or the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, to make up the budget deficit.  Before the election, he tried to intimidate voters threatening to slash more education and social programs.

            Arnold’s persuasive powers fell on deaf ears as voters rejected all the state propositions except the one to limit legislators’ pay during recessions.  With voter turnout at around 19%, mostly conservative voters went to the polls.  They have little sympathy for Arnold because they believe he should be working out the budget mess in the legislature not imposing solutions on voters.  “For a lot of people, the budget’s been an abstraction.  But with the next round, there will probably be the serious consequences, particularly in the schools,” said Claremont McKenna political science professor Jack Pitney, not considering other options.  Sixty-percent of California’s prison population are in for non-violent drug-related offenses.  Commuting sentences, providing more rehabilitation and emptying prisons of non-violent drug offenders would save the sate billions in tax dollars.

            Schwarzenegger has proven he can neither govern nor offer any constructive solutions to the state’s budget mess.  He’s become a obstacle to the state legislature, no longer trusted by his own Party or Democrats with whom he must show the kind of agility needed to solve the state's problems.  Arnold’s intimidation tactics before Tuesday’s vote turned off voters, resulting in a resounding defeat.  Voters know the state is in serious trouble.  They want the governor to show the kind of leadership needed to find an equitable solution for the state’s 38 million residents.  Instead of wasting millions on a special election, Arnold should have worked with legislature to fix the state’s flawed budget process.  Voters made a big mistake in a special election in 2003 putting Arnold in office.  They’re not going to reward him now for not doing his job.  If he can’t do his job, he should resign.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2002 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.