I, Governor

Matt Welch | October 12, 2004

A couple of interesting tidbits from this whiny L.A. Times article about how Gov. Schwarzenegger only talks to the foreign press. First, regarding his troubles with the wimminvolk:

In response to a question, Schwarzenegger said he had "learned my lesson" about groping women, an allegation that surfaced a year ago in The Times when he was running for governor.

Schwarzenegger admitted no wrongdoing, only saying "it is a totally different ballgame" now that he is representing the state of California instead of just himself.

The world "has changed so much that any kind of a comment you make to a woman now about her clothes or about this or that could be misinterpreted and could make someone uncomfortable and open the door to a lawsuit," he said.

Then, about his narcissism:

"I get my ego satisfaction from the press conferences, appearances and speeches I have to do now. I'm in front of cameras all the time, so I don't miss it at all."

One hopes he can fulfill his substantial ego needs by actually reforming California's budget and governing woes, rather than fast-forwarding to Constitutional amendments and such.

Comments

|10.12.04 @ 12:17PM|#

Oh, sure, just breeze on in and reform the budget is great in principle. In reality, Schwarzenegger is a glorified version of Mitt Romney, trapped by a supermajority from any meaningful fiscal restraint.

|10.12.04 @ 12:58PM|#

Just think of it as a break from having someone to blame for everything, and waiting for the government to make sure you are well fed and happy.

|10.12.04 @ 12:59PM|#

Just think of it as a break from having someone to blame for everything, and waiting for the government to make sure you are well fed and happy.

|10.12.04 @ 1:55PM|#

That's not entirely true, snake. Since we allow for direct democracy in the form of initiatives, the governor's "bully pulpit" role is a lot more significant than it is in most states.

That's why he's been able to actually achieve a number of his goals -- the legislature is afraid he'll bypass them entirely.

|10.12.04 @ 2:45PM|#

Dan, you're exactly correct. California is unlike MA in that the executive branch has the initiative "check" on the unresponsive legislature. It appears that Matt Welch wants Arnold to stupidly attempt to confront a supermajority on their turf via the legislative process, which is obviously a losing proposition.

|10.12.04 @ 2:52PM|#

I predict re-election if he wants it.

|10.12.04 @ 8:04PM|#

I wish to point out that the problem with the Gropeinator was not what he said about a woman's clothing or "about this and that."

The problem was when he put his hands on their breasts without their permisssion, sometimes known as sexual assault.

A good reporter might have followed up on this.

|10.12.04 @ 9:14PM|#

The problem was when he put his hands on their breasts without their permisssion, sometimes known as sexual assault.

Out of curiosity, do you believe that Bill Clinton raped Juanita Broaddrick?

|10.13.04 @ 12:35AM|#

I think that Arnold probably groped those chicks, and that Clinton probably raped Juanita.

But I don't think that Mike Tyson raped the one chick he went to prison for.

|10.13.04 @ 8:05AM|#

The difference is the videotape, Dan.

|10.13.04 @ 1:28PM|#

The difference is the videotape, Dan.

How does a videotape of Schwarzenegger fondling willing women prove he sexually assaulted other women? You'll have to do better than that, I'm afraid.