Governor scores by saying he's sorry - Apology strategy is effective, operatives in both parties say

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 10/13/6 | C.W. Nevius

[SmithL]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sat down with The Chronicle's editorial board this week. Frankly, some of us weren't expecting much. Schwarzenegger is only occasionally available, and when one of his people told us he would be 25 minutes late, we thought that would be a good excuse to cut into his scheduled time.

"Oh no,'' one of his people said, "he's going to give you a full hour.''

And he did. Some of what he said was political boilerplate. There was some ducking and dodging and a little filibustering to elude tough questions. (He didn't want to answer one about gay marriage, for example.)

But I couldn't help but be struck by something he said several times. Sometimes, in fact, he brought it up more than once without even being asked. It is a simple statement really, but it is rarely heard in the political arena:

I was wrong. I made a mistake.

Schwarzenegger said his proposed pension overhaul for state workers earlier this year was "absolutely wrong.'' It was "wrong,'' he said, "not to give enough time and effort to working with the Legislature.'' He even admitted that his in-your-face tactics when he became governor nearly three years ago were an error.

"Starting out that State of the State speech in that aggressive tone was obviously the wrong way to go,'' he said.

Political consultants on both sides of the aisle have been somewhat amazed.

"That's something that is almost anathema to come out of most politicians' mouths,'

[SmithL]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's innovation is "authenticity ... spine, not spin," an aide says.

[goldstategop]

Our liberal culture is big on emoting and on being sensitive. Macho is out and the much derided Girly Man is in.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[MadIvan]

Our liberal culture is big on emoting and on being sensitive. Macho is out and the much derided Girly Man is in.

I don't necessarily think that's true. Just remember this man:

I think he'd still win today.

Regards, Ivan

[BenLurkin]

SO everything is Okay if we just say "sorry"? For some reason I am reminded of this...

Guy with guitar: "I gave my love a cherry / That had no stone / I gave my love a chicken / That had no bones / I gave my love a story / That had no end / I gave my..."

Bluto: [grabs the guitar and smashes it against the wall] "Sorry."

[Carry_Okie]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's innovation is "authenticity ... spine, not spin," an aide says.

Man, that's a four-bagger.

Where's the Barf Alert?

[goldstategop]

At least he's wearing his liberalism openly. That's a lot more than you can say for Democrats who have to pretend to be conservative to win.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[calcowgirl]

http://www.kqed.org/weblog/capitalnotes/blog.jsp

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Friends Of Arnold

Well, that didn't take long.

In another sign that this part of the gubernatorial campaign was long anticipated... by both sides... the campaign of Governor Schwarznegger has just released two TV ads chock full of people looking at the camera and saying, "I trust him."

Not just any people, mind you, but rather teachers, nurses, law enforcement... all pretty much designed to try and blunt any impact from TV ads from other nurses, teachers, and law enforcement folks saying they don't trust Schwarzenegger. Will it work? You be the judge.

These ads are here and here.