Schwarzenegger Launches Ad in Budget Fight – How about Resigning?

July 15th, 2009 By: Michael van der Galien | Tags: ,
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governorInstead of launching an ad in the war over his budget proposal, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger should consider stepping down. When he was first elected, many believed (hoped!) he would prove to be a new kind of Republican: pragmatical, realistic, moderate. A governor who could and would reach across the aisle. A man who would come up with the most effective rather than the most ideological plans.

Not so. Instead, he became one of the least popular and most despised governors in America. And rightly so. The terminator made a great movie character, but the governator proved a total flop.

As California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers were set to resume talks on Tuesday to arrive at a state budget agreement, the Hollywood icon turned politician hit the airwaves with a television commercial underscoring he is no mood to compromise.

Whether dispirited Californians would respond, however, is uncertain, analysts said.

The Republican governor said in the 60-second spot that he would not sign a budget that plugs a $26.3 billion deficit if it includes higher taxes and excludes changes in state government he has said will prevent welfare fraud.

“And I will not sign a budget that pushes our financial problems down the road, because the road stops here,” Schwarzenegger said in the commercial, which aired amid growing concerns on Wall Street about the state’s finances, especially its cash account.

Right. Well, speaking as a fiscal conservative myself, I have to say I have no faith whatsoever in the man born in Austria. He had the opportunity to turn this thing around years ago, but he waited… and waited… and waited until the proverbial shit hit the fan. Even if / when he’s right, no one is going to take him serious, because everyone knows California is in the state it is in because of his irresponsible behavior (read: spending).

Speaking as an outsider, it seems to me that Schwarzenegger serves his state best by resigning. Leave, call for new elections, and hope that his successor does better – he can’t do worse.

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  1. Jeb
    July 15th, 2009 at 18:32
    Reply | Quote | #1

    It is fitting given that he got his job by campaigning against one of the few responsible decisions Grey Davis made as governor.

  2. c3
    July 15th, 2009 at 19:16
    Reply | Quote | #2

    Michael;
    I have limited info but I would disagree. Schwarzeneggar has consistently advocated for fiscal restraint and responsibility. That clearly needs to be a strong and consistent message in Cal. Now his administration has not been successful if success is measured by getting his measures through the legislature. Most important, a resignation would simply ad to the chaos in California. He’s term limited. Let the term conclude.

  3. Michael
    July 16th, 2009 at 18:17
    Reply | Quote | #3

    I think why the GOP is so insistent on education cuts is to ensure we have more stupid people in the state and thus more Republicans.

    I heartily agree he should resign, he has been a complete faiure as Governor.

  4. Doomed
    July 16th, 2009 at 18:47
    Reply | Quote | #4

    Well if we want to see what America is going to look like Under the Democrats/Obama socialize America program……look no farther then California.

    Bankrupt. Destitute.

  5. Interested
    July 21st, 2009 at 05:54
    Reply | Quote | #5

    This bit hasn’t been so bad, didn’t raise taxes and cut programs.

    Sure beats the usual – tax those that create jobs and give it to those who won’t.

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