Official Arnold Schwarzenegger for CA Gov. Thread!

[Guest Choken One]

Too Bad Ventura isn't in office anymore...

 

Arnold and Jesse in office? That would have been great

[Guest Vitamin X]

I'm voting for him. Thank god I'm coming back to California in only a couple weeks!

 

Hey maybe Arnold can follow Reagan's steps...

[Downhome 0]

I still want to hear a bit of his policy myself.

[Swift Terror 0]

Arnold has far and away the most personality and charsima, but his social liberalism may scare many Republicans.

[Guest Choken One]

Arnold's Wife is the Only thing that Scares Me...

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Arnold seems to have really pissed off Richard Riordian, who still may run.

 

This is bad for both, since they'll likely split the vote.

[Vern Gagne 0]

What does it say. I'm not registering with the LA Times.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

It's a free registration.

 

Bascially, that Arnold had promised Riordian that he wasn't going to run, and Riordian was gearing up to run with his support, etc. He's pissed.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Riordan "Stunned" by Friend, Aide Says

The ex-mayor didn't think Schwarzenegger intended to run, according to an advisor.

 

 

   

By James Rainey, Times Staff Writer

 

 

Among the many Californians amazed when Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the governor's race late Wednesday afternoon was the actor's Brentwood neighbor and friend, Richard Riordan, former mayor of Los Angeles.

 

Riordan was "stunned" when he learned from a television newscast that Schwarzenegger would challenge Gov. Gray Davis for the state's top post, according to one of Riordan's closest confidants. The two-term mayor believed Schwarzenegger had committed to sitting out the race, leaving Riordan free to run without contesting his friend, the confidant said.

 

Of the two, Riordan led in most polls. As late as Wednesday morning, he had spoken to Schwarzenegger and gotten no inkling that the movie hero was about to announce his first run for public office — taking the plunge in a "Tonight Show" appearance with host Jay Leno.

 

"So this is what it feels like to be mugged," said the Riordan advisor, who asked not to be named.

 

The two Republicans had been saying for weeks that they were working closely together and that only one would enter the race for governor. Their intent: to avoid splitting the vote among their likely supporters — moderates of both parties and independents.

 

Schwarzenegger and his top political aides could not be reached for a response. Riordan also was unavailable Wednesday night, but the advisor said the 73-year-old multimillionaire might still decide to enter the race.

 

Schwarzenegger painted a different picture of his interaction with Riordan in a brief news conference outside the Burbank studio where he appeared with Leno. He described a two-week discussion with his family that finally "crystallized" his intention to run.

 

As for Riordan, Schwarzenegger indicated that he and his ally had deliberately maintained the suspense. "We wanted to make sure everyone was guessing — who is going to do it?"

 

That remark particularly galled the Riordan advisor, who said there was no such collaboration: "This idea that we have worked together, keeping people guessing and all this for the last few weeks is [ridiculous]."

 

It remains unclear whether Schwarzenegger's announcement completes a heart-wrenching, two-week deliberation, as the actor suggested, or was merely a masterful piece of timing.

 

What is clear is that few outside the Schwarzenegger camp saw it coming or let on that it might happen.

 

Most of his closest political advisors insisted as late as midday that they did not expect Schwarzenegger to enter the contest.

 

In a statement Wednesday morning, prospective Schwarzenegger campaign manager George Gorton said the former bodybuilder from Austria was leaning toward staying out of the election.

 

Most major media outlets had been reporting for at least a week that Schwarzenegger probably would decide against entering the race and that Riordan might then decide to run. Schwarzenegger did little, if anything, to rebut those reports.

 

Riordan, meanwhile, had all the markings of a man about to reenter the fray after losing in the Republican primary last year to businessman Bill Simon Jr., another friend and neighbor of the former mayor.

 

"A few days ago I talked to Riordan, and it was all about his running for governor. He seemed upbeat," said a Riordan friend who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Arnold getting into the race did not even seem part of the equation.

 

"There are a number of private polls going around, and none of them are remotely positive for the governor," said the friend, who speculated that the poll numbers made the race too enticing for Schwarzenegger to turn down.

 

Bryce Nelson, a journalism professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication, said he expected Schwarzenegger's television surprise to be just the first of many attempts to stay in control of his message.

 

"It provides much more drama if you keep everybody guessing," Nelson said. "I would not put anything past the great manipulator and Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger."

 

In the opening moments of his candidacy Wednesday, Schwarzenegger was content to straddle the line between movie star and candidate. He cited at least three payoff lines from the film world, including "Hasta la vista, baby," before ending the news conference with his signature "I'll be back!"

 

Said Nelson: "It's all show business, man. It's L.A."

[Swift Terror 0]

Man, his wife is looking a lot like the crypt keeper.

 

Remember when she was trying to interview John MCcain after he withdrew in the 2000 primary? She kept shoving the microphone at him and screeching about how he felt, etc. He replied:

 

"Please...get out of here."

[Vern Gagne 0]

Riordan "Stunned" by Friend, Aide Says

The ex-mayor didn't think Schwarzenegger intended to run, according to an advisor.

 

 

   

By James Rainey, Times Staff Writer

 

 

Among the many Californians amazed when Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the governor's race late Wednesday afternoon was the actor's Brentwood neighbor and friend, Richard Riordan, former mayor of Los Angeles.

 

Riordan was "stunned" when he learned from a television newscast that Schwarzenegger would challenge Gov. Gray Davis for the state's top post, according to one of Riordan's closest confidants. The two-term mayor believed Schwarzenegger had committed to sitting out the race, leaving Riordan free to run without contesting his friend, the confidant said.

 

Of the two, Riordan led in most polls. As late as Wednesday morning, he had spoken to Schwarzenegger and gotten no inkling that the movie hero was about to announce his first run for public office — taking the plunge in a "Tonight Show" appearance with host Jay Leno.

 

"So this is what it feels like to be mugged," said the Riordan advisor, who asked not to be named.

 

The two Republicans had been saying for weeks that they were working closely together and that only one would enter the race for governor. Their intent: to avoid splitting the vote among their likely supporters — moderates of both parties and independents.

 

Schwarzenegger and his top political aides could not be reached for a response. Riordan also was unavailable Wednesday night, but the advisor said the 73-year-old multimillionaire might still decide to enter the race.

 

Schwarzenegger painted a different picture of his interaction with Riordan in a brief news conference outside the Burbank studio where he appeared with Leno. He described a two-week discussion with his family that finally "crystallized" his intention to run.

 

As for Riordan, Schwarzenegger indicated that he and his ally had deliberately maintained the suspense. "We wanted to make sure everyone was guessing — who is going to do it?"

 

That remark particularly galled the Riordan advisor, who said there was no such collaboration: "This idea that we have worked together, keeping people guessing and all this for the last few weeks is [ridiculous]."

 

It remains unclear whether Schwarzenegger's announcement completes a heart-wrenching, two-week deliberation, as the actor suggested, or was merely a masterful piece of timing.

 

What is clear is that few outside the Schwarzenegger camp saw it coming or let on that it might happen.

 

Most of his closest political advisors insisted as late as midday that they did not expect Schwarzenegger to enter the contest.

 

In a statement Wednesday morning, prospective Schwarzenegger campaign manager George Gorton said the former bodybuilder from Austria was leaning toward staying out of the election.

 

Most major media outlets had been reporting for at least a week that Schwarzenegger probably would decide against entering the race and that Riordan might then decide to run. Schwarzenegger did little, if anything, to rebut those reports.

 

Riordan, meanwhile, had all the markings of a man about to reenter the fray after losing in the Republican primary last year to businessman Bill Simon Jr., another friend and neighbor of the former mayor.

 

"A few days ago I talked to Riordan, and it was all about his running for governor. He seemed upbeat," said a Riordan friend who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Arnold getting into the race did not even seem part of the equation.

 

"There are a number of private polls going around, and none of them are remotely positive for the governor," said the friend, who speculated that the poll numbers made the race too enticing for Schwarzenegger to turn down.

 

Bryce Nelson, a journalism professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication, said he expected Schwarzenegger's television surprise to be just the first of many attempts to stay in control of his message.

 

"It provides much more drama if you keep everybody guessing," Nelson said. "I would not put anything past the great manipulator and Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger."

 

In the opening moments of his candidacy Wednesday, Schwarzenegger was content to straddle the line between movie star and candidate. He cited at least three payoff lines from the film world, including "Hasta la vista, baby," before ending the news conference with his signature "I'll be back!"

 

Said Nelson: "It's all show business, man. It's L.A."

Thanks.

 

Riordan should of been the nominee last Novemeber. California isn't a conservative enough state to elect someone like Bill Simon.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Agreed.

 

Of all the Republican nominees in Cali, I think Riordian would likely do the best job with the state.

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

Riordan "Stunned" by Friend, Aide Says

The ex-mayor didn't think Schwarzenegger intended to run, according to an advisor. 

   

By James Rainey, Times Staff Writer

One of THREE articles in the Times taking shots at Arnold not 24 hours after his announcement.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Would you like a tissue?

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

No, just a simple attempt at objective journalism.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Now you know how the Dean camp feels. We've been getting bullshit stories thrown at us for the past six months.

[Vyce 0]

Now you know how the Dean camp feels. We've been getting bullshit stories thrown at us for the past six months.

Whoops, I just slipped in all of my tears.

 

Arnold has far and away the most personality and charsima, but his social liberalism may scare many Republicans.

 

That's absolutely incorrect.

 

Arnold is a centrist, as everyone knows. Just look at his record.

 

Anyone who disagrees is just blinded by ignorant Gray Davis love.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Arnold is a centerist. But the most vocal Republicans in Orange County aren't.

 

That's the problem that's been tearing the California GOP apart. Half of the base wants to move in a center-leaning right direction and win some races for once.

 

However, the other half is committed to the far/religious/extreme/whatever right, which has a lot of money and clout in our GOP. They want to keep putting Bill Simons out there to get slaughtered because it satisfies those who are writing the checks.

 

Any Cali Republican who wants their party to succeed better hope Arnold wins and is successful because that's the only way we're going to have more than a one-party domination around here.

[Guest Choken One]

I'm seriously starting to think Davis SOMEHOW stays gov...

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Whoops, I just slipped in all of my tears.

 

They certainly aren't mine. The campaign has taken off despite the terrible press he's recieved from several journalists (mostly DLC types), and it even seems that every time a negative story comes out about Howard, the campaign responds resoundingly and we gain more support. I was simply responding to Spicy's whining about Arnold's bad press, because he has no freakin' idea of the meaning.

 

That's absolutely incorrect.

 

Arnold is a centrist, as everyone knows. Just look at his record.

 

Isn't it wonderful that you're so willing to give Arnold a pass based on his "record", but you refuse to look at Dean's?

 

Wow, what a blind homer.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

If there are over 400 candidates running, whoever wins might have a really low percentage of the vote.

 

California is going to end up being screwed up more by the recall vote thing than it will under Davis.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

^ i think the majority of CA voters are gonna ignore most of them and single out the serious candidates (sorry Gary Coleman )

 

(or in other words, the ones who are seriously covered in CNN and FOXNEWS)

[Guest SweetNSexyDiva]

Although Arnold has yet to clearly disclose his stand on a lot of issues, I really think he is a good candidate. I think once he has formally stated where he stands, that's when people should begin to form their opinions, not based on the fact that he is a celebrity. Many people may not realize that Arnold has really advocated a lot of fantastic programs for youths in California and a has had a lot of ideas (though not formally stated) concerning the workforce and economy here. I do agree that some of the staunch republicans may not stomach his liberalist attitude... though I don't think he is more extremely liberal than conservative... and that may be his downfall when it all comes to a head.

[Swift Terror 0]

Damn, Vyce, I'm with you, Arnold is a centrist. But some of his social positions are on the liberal side. He has stated he wants to build up government social programs, he is pro-choice, is in support of homosexual adoption, and favors certain gun control laws.

 

Having said that, he aint no typical liberal democrat. And of course we are all still waiting clarification of his stances. I'm a fan and would love to see him shake up things.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

And of course we are all still waiting clarification of his stances.

 

But...

 

I'm a fan

 

Um, of what? His movies?

[JangoFett4Hire 0]

Hey maybe Arnold can follow Reagan's steps...

won't happen. It's impossible.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

I still wish he'd announced his candidacy a bit differently.

 

"Remember when I said I wouldn't run for governor? ...I lied."

 

Followed by dropping David Patrick Kelly off a cliff. Oh, memories...

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

 

Hey maybe Arnold can follow Reagan's steps...

won't happen. It's impossible.

Expanding on this, it's impossible because he wasn't born in America. Thus, he can't become president.

[Anakin Flair 0]

 

Hey maybe Arnold can follow Reagan's steps...

won't happen. It's impossible.

Expanding on this, it's impossible because he wasn't born in America. Thus, he can't become president.

Tyler, why the HELL do you have a Bush bumper sticker in your sig?

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

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