A new day in California. Much at stake when Schwarzenegger takes office Monday

The Californian ^ | Nov. 15, 2003 | Jake Henshaw

[FairOpinion]

SACRAMENTO -- Arnold Schwarzenegger will usher in a new era Monday when he takes office as California's first governor elected in a recall campaign.

His victory has created high expectations for success in dealing with entrenched problems from budget deficits to the high cost of workers' compensation.

[b9]

Arnold won because he is a CELEBRITY.

Arnold won because there was no PRIMARY.

[concentric circles]

Strange how many here on FR seem to want Arnold to fail.

An honest examination of major policy decisions is hardly a wish for failure.

Leadership in government requires selling ideas to the public. If people believe the ideas are sound, they will follow.

Scepticism exists because citizens have learned that officeholders would rather take the easy path of deception instead of engaging in the hard work of honest, public discourse.

I wish the new governor well but if he wants to lead he will need to make the argument that his destination is worth visiting.

[usadave]

Declare a fiscal emergency. Cut programs. Cut departments. Cut entitlements. Cut jobs. Undo the hiring and spending of Gray Davis. Direct state employees to report violators of immigration law to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Do what's necessary instead of what's easy.

I agree with you 100%. Like my father says, "It's easy to make easy decisions, but it's a lot harder to make tough decisions".

[DoctorZIn]

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[halfdome]

Thank you so much. I have never seen anyone state the real reason Arnold won -- because he is a celebrity. Does anybody really think that more than 15 people would have voted for Arnold Schwartzenegger if he wasn't an "action hero"? Does anybody really think that record breaking crowds would have shown up to see Arnold Schwartzenegger if he wasn't a movie star? It's like the elephant in the room. People discuss why Arnold won -- because he's a moderate Republican, because he said he'd repeal the car tax, etc., but they never admit the ONLY reason he won is because he's a movie star. Sheesh.

[b9]

Who did you vote for, and why?