Reason Magazine
- reason.com
- reason.tv
- reason.org
- Donate
- Site Search:
Reason on Facebook
Reason on Twitter
Reason on YouTube
Reason RSSGet Reason E-mail Updates!
Manage your Reason e-mail list subscriptionsadvertisements
Schwarzenegger for Cabinet (and President?)
Amid murmurs that he might consider a position
as energy czar—from McCain
or Obama—Schwarzenegger puts in a good word for the
virtues of the flip
flop:
"Flip-flopping is getting a bad rap, because I think it is great," Schwarzenegger told ABC's "This Week" in an interview broadcast Sunday.
"Someone has made a mistake. I mean, someone has, for 20 or 30 years, been in the wrong place with his idea and with his ideology and says, 'You know something? I changed my mind. I am now for this.' As long as he's honest or she's honest, I think that is a wonderful thing. You can change your mind," he said. "I have changed my mind on things and there is nothing wrong with it."
This is why I love Arnold. This is why America loves Arnold. This is why Arnold is a mere constitutional amendment away from the presidency.
Take a peek back at my coverage of the Arnold-dominated 2008 Governors' Declaration on Climate Change, where everyone agreed that no matter who won the election, he'd be "better on global warming" than Bush. Maybe that's because no matter who wins we're going to wind up with Schwarzenegger in the cabinet.
Query for constitutional scholars: What happens if Arnold is the only cabinet member to survive some kind of horrible attack. Does he finally get to be president, lack of native-born status notwithstanding?
Abdul|7.14.08 @ 2:52PM|#
What happens if Arnold is the only cabinet member to survive
some kind of horrible attack. Does he finally get to be president,
lack of native-born status notwithstanding?
There's over 600 people in the line of succession (including all of
congress). So the question is moot because conventional weapons
cannot kill Senator Clinton.
Episiarch|7.14.08 @ 2:53PM|#
This is why America loves Arnold
Well, I think America--and the world--loves Arnold because he said
things like "You're a funny guy, Sully. I like you. That's why I'm
going to kill you last."
Which he flip-flopped on. But at least he admitted it. "Remember
when I said I was going to kill you last? I LIED."
Naga Sadow|7.14.08 @ 2:59PM|#
I can picture him as president. But ruling more as a fuedal lord than an actual elected official. "Greetings loyal subjects of the Greater Schwarzenegger Zone! Labor until you tire . . . and then labor some more."
Alice Bowie|7.14.08 @ 3:00PM|#
Why not Arnold for President?
He's pretty much American at this point.
♪|7.14.08 @ 3:00PM|#
What happens if Arnold is the only cabinet member to survive
some kind of horrible attack. Does he finally get to be president,
lack of native-born status notwithstanding?
No. 3
U.S.C. § 19(e)
kinnath|7.14.08 @ 3:01PM|#
Why not Arnold for President?
US Constitution. You should check it out sometime.
J|7.14.08 @ 3:04PM|#
If he could run against McCain and Obama, from what I know of him, I would vote for him. (I don't know him well enough though.)
Naga Sadow|7.14.08 @ 3:04PM|#
Episiarch,
Don't forget that he has taken down dictators, terrorists, and
aliens. He would provide the perfect blanket of protection from all
of the above. We won't need the TSA after he's president.
Orange Line Special|7.14.08 @ 3:12PM|#
Yet another typical airhead post from Katherine Mangu-Ward and
Reason. It fails to note that note, among other things, that
Arnie is a corrupt
dissembler who's willing to collaborate with
extremists rather than take them on as he promised and as would
be in the best interests of the U.S.
Arnie is also still an AustrianCitizen.
One would think he has enough money that he wouldn't be so corrupt,
but it's obvious that someone in the BushAdministration or similar
got to him a couple years ago. For real coverage, let me suggest
asking RadioHosts JohnAndKen for their take.
Paul|7.14.08 @ 3:13PM|#
You don't live in California, do you?
Name one governor of California in the last -- I'll be
conservative-- 25 years that Californians liked?
Episiarch|7.14.08 @ 3:14PM|#
Naga, he even gave birth. He's been a robot. He's done it all
and been it all.
"All I see is a bunch of low foreheads who want to change the world
with dreams and talk. If you're not ready to act, give me a break
and shut up."
|7.14.08 @ 3:15PM|#
Perhaps Arnie can spare a few bucks to buy LoneWhackJob some spaces for his tirades.
Erÿk Boston, J.D.|7.14.08 @ 3:16PM|#
Ahnold doesn't seem to understand what flip-flopping means and why it is objectionable. It is one thing to change your mind in the face of new evidence or fresh consideration. Flip-flopping means you change your mind in the face of this weeks polls or a focus group or simply what the people currently in front of you want to hear.
Naga Sadow|7.14.08 @ 3:16PM|#
Thanks OrangeLineSpecial. Once again you have dropped some heavy knowledge on the Reason boards. Dick.
Naga Sadow|7.14.08 @ 3:18PM|#
*cues Terminator theme song*
I'll be back.
*cues Terminator theme song again*
Had to be done.
Andrew |7.14.08 @ 3:21PM|#
Arnold is indeed "pretty much American" at this point because
he's spent most of his life (40 years or so) in this country.
That's why I think any constitutional amednment should give
naturalized citizens the chance to be president 35 years after
receiving citizenship. If you are born here, the minimum age is 35
to run. So, if you are "re-born" as an American, you can wait 35
years,too. Makes sense to me, anyway..
Windypundit|7.14.08 @ 3:31PM|#
Query for constitutional scholars: Could Arnold be President if Bush quickly invades Austria and annexes it as a U.S. territory?
♪|7.14.08 @ 3:32PM|#
That's why I think any constitutional amednment should give naturalized citizens the chance to be president 35 years after receiving citizenship. If you are born here, the minimum age is 35 to run.
All I ask is that you word the amendment so it only affects
individuals born after its enactment. That way you are not giving
the appearance of amending the constitution for the benefit of
anyone in particular.
|7.14.08 @ 3:39PM|#
Perhaps Arnie can spare a few bucks to buy LoneWhackJob some spaces for his tirades.
Bwah hah ha. Win!
Episiarch|7.14.08 @ 3:44PM|#
"Killian, here's your Subzero...now, plain zero."
Also, when he says "fuck you" to Richard Dawson is the greatest
"fuck you" in movie history because it's so sterile and abrupt.
It's almost a question, like "fuck you?"
bubba|7.14.08 @ 3:53PM|#
meh. the difference between flip flop and changing your mind is how frequently you do so, and why.
|7.14.08 @ 3:53PM|#
"This is why I love Arnold. This is why America loves
Arnold."
This is why I don't love Arnold: he said he was going to cut
government spending, and he didn't. But who doesn't love a big guy
who smokes a big cigar and leaves a $40 billion tab for the young
kids to pay? Hey, it sure won't be coming out of my check!
|7.14.08 @ 3:59PM|#
As a Californian, my impression is that Arnold has been a charmingly crap governor. I'm not sure he's accomplished anything, and our budget crisis looks to continue forever and ever, but he's sort of likable anyway.
Jason|7.14.08 @ 4:07PM|#
It'd be refreshing, at any rate, to have a President who actually smokes his stogies.
Rhywun|7.14.08 @ 4:47PM|#
Flip-flopping means you change your mind in the face of this weeks polls or a focus group or simply what the people currently in front of you want to hear.
Yeah, it means that, in addition to what the governator said. A
flip-flop to what your constituents DON'T want to hear is still a
flip-flop.
Les|7.14.08 @ 5:12PM|#
Name one governor of California in the last -- I'll be
conservative-- 25 years that Californians liked?
None, of course. And deservedly so. What's your point?
As Alan pointed out above, Arnold has failed to do what he said
he'd do. He's also continued to do the bidding of the prison
guards' union (the most powerful lobby in the state) while watching
the state prison system collapse.
Sure, he speaks his mind, but I figured if any member of the Reason
staff actually loved (or even admired) any politician, it would be
for what was done as opposed to what was said. What has he actually
done worth loving?
|7.14.08 @ 5:22PM|#
It's because the founding fathers had the foresight to
anticipate the likes of Alice Bowie that I am very thankful we have
the Electoral College......
Why not Arnold for President? sheesh.....
|7.14.08 @ 5:38PM|#
So what if we just invade Austria and make it a state, then grandfather all the people born in Austria into being American citizens? It would then be just a small semantic argument that the Supreme Court could get to in its next term. Surely, that would be easier than amending the Constitution.
Travis|7.14.08 @ 5:40PM|#
I'm Governor Schwarzenegger, pretty soon I'll be dictator(well of energy at least).
TallDave|7.14.08 @ 5:42PM|#
What happens if Arnold is the only cabinet member to survive
some kind of horrible attack. Does he finally get to be president,
lack of native-born status notwithstanding?
The Constitution is mute on the elegibility of cybernetic organisms
for higher office.
|7.14.08 @ 7:01PM|#
"As long as he's honest or she's honest, I think that is a wonderful thing. You can change your mind," he said. "I have changed my mind on things and there is nothing wrong with it."
Wow, he could have been a Barr delegate!
|7.14.08 @ 8:13PM|#
Pete Wilson wasn't "universally" loathed as CA Gov.
Mongol General: Conan! What is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to
hear the lamentation of the women.
Mongol General: That is good! That is good!
For once, an honest campaign slogan.
|7.15.08 @ 12:20AM|#
As much as I dislike Bush...Bush is better than Arnold or McCain or Obama on global warming. You guys really think cap and trade CO2 programs will help cool the earth?
The Wine Commonsewer|7.15.08 @ 1:34AM|#
Why not Arnold for President?
Because he is the absolute worst governor Californicate has ever
had. Bar none. Including Moonbeam. You think GWB fired up the
spending machine? Shit howdy, he can't hold a candle to
Schwarzzengroper.
Where is Jaime Kelley when you need him?
Here, let me try my hand. Schwarzzengroper is a dog dick mother
fucker.
Just sayin|7.15.08 @ 1:57AM|#
Could Arnold be President if Bush quickly invades Austria
and annexes it as a U.S. territory?
So what if we just invade Austria and make it a
state,
You know who else desired political union with Austria?
Warmongering Lunatic|7.15.08 @ 3:35AM|#
What happens if Arnold is the only cabinet member to survive
some kind of horrible attack. Does he finally get to be president,
lack of native-born status notwithstanding?
No. Assuming the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore
of the Senate were also wiped out, whichever one of them gets
replaced with an eligible person first becomes President.
In the massively extreme case, let's assume the entire Cabinet
except Schwarzenegger, all of Congress, and every member of every
state government except, say, the Attorney General of the State of
Michigan, was wiped out.
In that case, legally, the Attorney General of Michigan becomes
governor under the state constitution, and appoints a U.S. senator.
Said senator, as the only senator, names himself President Pro
Tempore of the Senate, and, if eligible for the office of
President, becomes President. Legally, Schwarzenegger remains just
a member of the cabinet, unless and until he resigns or the new
President dismisses him.
|7.15.08 @ 8:44AM|#
At least when he says nukier perfaration, he has an the excuse
of an accent.
According the constitution he can never be the prez.
|7.15.08 @ 9:57AM|#
"Someone has made a mistake. I mean, someone has, for 20 or 30
years, been in the wrong place with his idea and with his ideology
and says, 'You know something? I changed my mind. I am now for
this."
What better arguement could someone make that every elected
position and judicial post should be term limited. I feel as though
he is saying that we should feel lucky that our overlords for the
past 20-30 years have changed their minds at long last. As though
we should now praise them for finally seeing the light on some
issue. For this I guess they expect another 20-30 years of being
elected Benevolent Dictator.
Site comments/questions:
Media Inquiries and Reprint Permissions:
(310) 367-6109
Editorial & Production Offices:
3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 391-2245