"Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger's Strong Influence on the California Primary

In 1992, at the height of his "Saturday Night Live" career, Dana Carvey portrayed a very contrite President George H.W. Bush seeking reelection. In character as Bush, Carvey tried to read the minds of the American people, discovering in the process that they were quite irritated at Mr. "No New Taxes."

Nearly 20 years later, the people of California are voicing their opinions loud and clear-there's no need for psychic powers in the Golden State. California currently is running on fiscal fumes, and the people are asking for conservative leadership and proven track records instead of flashy politicians with big promises, especially in the race for the Governor's Mansion.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the "Governator," not allowed to run for reelection in 2010

In a recall election that could have come straight from a Hollywood movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger defeated incumbent California Gov. Gray Davis in October 2003. As CNN.com reported at the time, approximately 134 candidates were in the race, but Schwarzenegger was elected by a constituency hungry for change. The fact that he was a movie star didn't hurt, either.

Nicknamed "The Governator" in honor of his most famous film role, Schwarzenegger steered California's political ship for almost 7 years. During that time, however, the sub-prime mortgage fiasco combined with a devastating Hollywood Writer's Strike in 2007 took a bite from the California budget, which currently has a $28.6 billion deficit.

Schwarzenegger's critics have pointed to his political inexperience and his inadequate responses to the California budget crisis. Term limits will, however, prevent Schwarzenegger from running as an incumbent in 2010, leaving the door open for new leadership and new ideas.

The Schwarzenegger influence on the Republican Primary

Anyone in the Southern California area with a television set has viewed the attack ads presented by the Governator's would-be successors, Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman. Poizner, for instance, has attacked Whitman as being "another Arnold," while Whitman has questioned some of his policies as California's Insurance Commissioner.

It is interesting to note, however, that both Poizner and Whitman have strong entrepreneurial backgrounds. Over the last few years, Poizner founded two technology-based companies in Silicon Valley before entering politics. Poizner also touts conservative, but aggressive, methods of getting California's budget back in balance.

It's also hard to argue with Meg Whitman's business savvy, especially as the CEO of eBay. During her watch, the fledgling online auction company experienced significant growth, making the idea of an online "garage sale" palatable to people across the United States and the world. Whitman's campaign points to that eBay success, promising that if she can do the same for the beleaguered state of California.

Poizner/Whitman attack ads leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouth

Campaigns cost money, especially flashy television ads. Both Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman have gone overboard in that department, wasting money trying to prove, as Schwarzenegger himself said, "Who is more to the right." As a voter, it is hard to take either Poizner or Whitman seriously when they talk about cutting budgets in expensive television spots. During the Republican Primary on June 8, 2010, voters may find themselves choosing the lesser of two political evils.

Resources:

LaTimes.com, "State Budget Balancer"

CNN.com, "Davis concedes, Schwarzenegger wins"

Los Angeles Times, "Schwarzenegger opines on the governor's race, Hurricane Katrina and John Perez"

http://stevepoizner.com/

http://www.megwhitman.com/aboutMeg.php