by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 28, 2005
All Rights Reserved.

ealing with abysmal job-performance ratings, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to strum his banjo, complaining he's the victim of left-wing special interest groups. Promising to do “the peoples' business” when he ousted Gov. Gray Davis in a special recall election Oct. 8, 2003, Arnold commanded can-do-no-wrong popularity—a Hollywood superhero to rescue California's atrocious problems. He rescued the little man from a punitive car tax that promised to double vehicle registration fees, already the highest in the nation. Shortly after taking office, Arnold went after state employee pension funds, public school teachers and the state's nursing union, performing an inexplicable swan dive into an empty political swimming pool. Once touted as a rising star in the GOP only a few short months ago, Arnold finds himself fighting for his political survival.

      Schwarzenegger's dizzying fall from grace was echoed by a recent poll taken by the prestigious San Francisco-based Public Policy Institute, headed by veteran non-partisan pollster Mark Baldassare. “None of the propositions favored by the governor's administration are inspiring much passion,” said Baldassare, signaling problems for Arnold in an upcoming Nov. 8 special election. According to Baldassare's poll, only 34% of respondents approve of the governor's job performance. While some believe that (a) poorly-performing teachers warrant addressing, (b) government spending needs limits and (c) legislative districts demand reform, Arnold has a negative influence on future voters. With his popularity tanking, it's difficult for the governor to sell his reform proposals on Nov. 8. Unable to bulldoze the Democratic legislature, Arnold looks to voters to bail him out.

      Baldassare's poll was no fluke: It clearly mirrors the sentiments of angry voters fed up with Schwarzenegger's oblivious approach to statewide politics. It didn't help calling legislators “girly men,” squandering the most prodigious political capital since Ronald Reagan swept into statehouse in 1966. Since his election, Arnold's popularity has slipped 31%, boding poorly for his chances on Nov. 8. His spectacular freefall can only be explained as either the worst political handling in recent memory or a deliberate attempt to retire early from politics. Blaming his tailspin on multimillion-dollar attack ads or his controversial agenda totally ignores how many state employees, nurses and teachers he's offended. It's not rocket science to figure out that attacking these groups would decimate his approval ratings. With only two months before the special election, the governor is behind the 8-ball.

      Arnold's problems stem from a wholesale lack of humility. His brazen approach with California's Democratic legislature antagonized too many potential friends. Going after teachers, nurses and state employees revealed bad political instincts. “I had a choice a year ago: Do I want to continue enjoying my 70% popularity rating and keep quiet and not create the reforms we need and not rattle the cage and upset the status quo, or do I really want to keep my promise?” Schwarzenegger told KFBK-Sacramento radio host Tom Sullivan. Even former Gov. Gray Davis didn't fall 31% midway through his second term, though Davis never enjoyed 70% approval. There's no silver lining to abysmal approval ratings. “No on should listen to anything those people say, that the poll numbers are down. We are on target,” said Arnold, trying to spin his way out of his current mess.

      Stuck in political quicksand, Arnold is running out of time to salvage what looks like an impossible task. With his credibility in the tank, it's going to be a tough sell convincing voters to back his proposals. Even Karl Rove, President George W. Bush's chief spinmeister, couldn't rehabilitate Schwarzenegger's image. Promising to rid Sacramento of special interests, Arnold still hasn't explained why he vetoed legislation restricting the nutritional supplement industry when he failed to disclose he was on their payroll through his lucrative consulting contract with fitness magazines. Arnold's possible Democratic challengers, State Treasurer Phil Angelides and State Controller Steve Wessley, are licking their chops for what promises to be a brutal reelection, should he decide to run. When Arnold talks about ignoring the polls or negative left-wing attacks ads, he's not facing reality.

      Squandering the good will of voters who put him in office, Schwarzenneger looks more interested in bodybuilding and jet-setting than managing the statehouse. Antagonizing the “girly men” in the Democratic legislature demonstrated that the neophyte politician knew little about human behavior, let alone how to work with elected officials. “The people are angry,” said President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland), attributing the public's disgust with Arnold's unnecessary special election. Baldassare taped into far more than hostility about the upcoming special election: He found deep disappointment in Schwarzenegger's overall leadership. “The point is that campaigns matter,” said Schwarzenegger spokesman Todd Harris, hoping that the governor can turn things around. With Arnold's credibility down and his opponents well-financed, it's going to be difficult pulling off Nov. 8.

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.

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