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By Ed Melendez (Guest Columnist)
Oct 05, 2015 Political Splash
Oct 05, 2015 Political Splash
Residents of California in the early 2000’s remember the climate of dissatisfaction in the Golden State. Californians were shackled to a flat economy, an increase in the vehicle registration fees, an electricity crisis, illegal immigrants being issued driver’s licenses, and a governor/Bengal tiger who seemed to be incapable of generating solutions that Californians were in need of.
With state proposition after state proposition being overturned by its courts, voters quickly reached their peak of rage and frustration and had enough with the establishment and they were not going to take it anymore. Thus, in early 2003, began a campaign for the recall of then Governor Grey Davis.
There were a few who, from the beginning, took the recall of the sitting second term Governor seriously. However, by April 2003, Governor Davis had an approval rating of just 24%, along with an even worse disapproval rating of 65%. In addition, the fact that the reelected Governor had given California a $36.4 billion budget shortfall did not help.
It was becoming clear that the recall campaign was not merely water cooler chatter by disgruntled talk radio listeners. By July 2003, recall advocates had collected and submitted over 110% of the required signatures from California voters to bring about a special recall election. Enter the Terminator.
Movie actor Arnold Schwarzenegger had been a Republican voice for many years, campaigning for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, as well as speaking in support of several Conservative causes. Schwarzenegger was still a big box office draw. He was charismatic and effective – a success story. The Hollywood star spoke to Californians voters in a way they would understand, and they were receptive to him. Not only did voters believe Arnold could do what he said he would do, many believed Arnold believed it as well.
As an outsider, Arnold Schwarzenegger had the edge. He was a very popular movie star. Wherever and whenever he spoke, he garnered tons of free media attention. This was looked upon favorably by Republicans who saw a chance to take back the Governorship. At the time, many people even wondered if Arnold Schwarzenegger could be another Ronald Reagan, who had also been a Hollywood actor and had been a successful two term Governor of California that went on to be elected as President for two terms in two landslide victories.
The stage was set. Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor was building momentum. His ability to coin a phrase, along with his ability to have seemingly simple solutions for what appeared to be complex issues was enough to convince voters that he would be able to do for California what no other politician could.
California’s special recall election was not without its fringe elements. From The Tonight Show to Saturday Night Live, these shows filled their weekly time slots with comedy skits based on the special election and its candidates, which only helped fuel what was already becoming a media circus. With the election, along with its satirical counterpart featuring candidates the likes of Arianna Huffington, Gary Coleman, Cruz Bustamante, and adult film star Mary Carey, making the case for a serious election was not going to be easy.
But, when the smoke cleared on October 7, 2003, it was Mr. Schwarzenegger who came out on top. The new Governator won with 48.6% of California’s vote.
Now came the hard part. Unfortunately for the newly elected Governor and California voters, the ‘non politician’ ultimately was ill-equipped to withstand the political machine that was the California legislature. The unseasoned politician, Schwarzenegger entered into office believing he could truly bring about real change and do it without the establishment’s consent. Perhaps Arnold believed his own press clippings. It’s clear that he believed in his own ability to garner success and attention in other areas, therefore perhaps he figured he could use those tools to make California great again.
In the end, after Schwarzenegger’s term as Governor, Californians were left with a debt that tripled to $91 billion and an immigration system that saw even more influx of undocumented workers, and a state workforce that grew to 9.9%. Not exactly what was promised to those who chanted Arnold’s name during the recall election.
Getting back to Donald J. Trump. Certainly he and Arnold Schwarzenegger are two very different personalities, but how different are they really? Both rode waves of discontent. Both are self-made success stories. Both are outsiders and non politicians. Both financed their own campaigns. Both spoke off the cuff. Both promised if elected, the voters would ultimately win.
For Donald J. Trump, that’s a story which has yet to be determined. For California, on the other hand, after Arnold Schwarzenegger left office, voters have elected Jerry Brown twice.
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Very insightful! The play to emotion and moment-in-time manipulation unfortunately works... Let's hope enough clear thinking adults put the right candidate in to office.
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