Tim Blair

Oh crap. He hasn't even announced yet, and already I'm sick of the "Total Recall" references.

Goodbye Gray Davis, hello Republican Governors in Texas, Florida, New York, and California. Will Democrats win anything during Bush's Presidencies? The answer is no.

No, no.. Arnie for Vice-President, Jessie Ventura for President

(Apologies Sam Goldwyn)

Hopefully he rides into Sacto on a Harley with handlebar in one hand and sawed-off riot stock shotgun in the other.

The Governator? Conan the Governor? Kindergarten Governor? Hercules in California? "The Running Man"? To the budget: "Consider yourself ERASED"? True Governor? "Collateral Damage"? "Raw Deal"? "Junior"? "Jingle all the Way"? Ummm... "Red Heat"? "Predator" (to the budget: "What the hell are you?!?")
Of course, all available en Espanol!!!

I don't know how people in other countries view it, but California and its politics are a constant source of entertainment and hilarity for those of us who live in the States (except, I suspect, for Californians).

Go, Ahh-nuld! He's got to be better than Davis. (Hell, I'd be better than Davis, even though I wouldn't run for dogcatcher!)

"Arnold! What is best in life?"
"To crush your liberal enemies -- See them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!"

"Conan, what is the greatest thing in life?"

"To cwush uwar ehnahmees, see dem dwiven bfower you, und heeah de weeping und lamentashun of Maxine Wahters."

ooooh, that's wierd.

Why does California need a governor? It's just a bunch of walnut and orange groves isn't it? And the cities have Mayors don't they? C'mon, explain. What the hell do governors do?

Hmmm . . . I can't wait to see the attack ads with footage of Arnie groping women and talking about drug use.

By the time the recall election rolls around, he'll be a punchline.

What the hell do governors do?

Here in California, not a whole hell of a lot.

"I can't wait to see the attack ads with footage of Arnie groping women and talking about drug use."

he's running against larry flynt and a stripper, for god's sake, plus arrianna huffington...whatever planet she's from. a californian who gropes women and used drugs? sounds like a shoo-in.

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth! For your entertainment we have gathered an astonishing collection of bodybuilders, movie stars, porn kings, leftists, commies, poseurs, politicos, mayors, freaks, weirdos, has-beens, never-weres, and wannabes all on display for you here under the Big Top. Come one, come all, to see the show.

and to the porn elements, add "diff'rent strokes", as gary coleman is running now!
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/06/candidate.coleman/

what a zoo.

Mork,

In California, those issues will serve as qualifications that enhance his electability. The whole state is a bunch of freaks.

What do governors do? In California, quite obviously, they spend.

'Here in California, not a whole hell of a lot.'

Then give it back to Ronnie.

Thats a fine idea. It's been waaaaaay too long since a good Berkeley gassing.

If, by some chance, Ronnie isn't up to it, I assume that being a republican actor California governor, Arnie will also be required to fire teargas canisters into Berkeley. It's in the constitution, or something.

Looks like an opportunity for some Austrian economics to wind its way into California fiscal policy :-)

Now I REALLY feel like a sucker for placing that "Riordan for Governor" sticker on my car last week (I volunteered for his primary campaign in 2002 and kept a few around as mementos).

And you know what the sad part is? Arnold IS a joke, his only qualification is as an actor AND HE CAN'T EVEN DO THAT, his campaign is a joke, he makes this entire recall process look like a joke -- and he'll STILL be a better governor than Davis! Oh God, I need to move.

The real danger is that California will be so entertained they'll make this recall thing an annual event!

I like Arnold. He's the immigrant dream. He started with nothing, worked his butt off and made it as a bodybuilder, movie star and soon ... as politician.

INTERVIEWER: "Mr. Schwarzenegger, why do you feel so confident that you can make a successful transition from one career - acting - to a vastly different career - politician?"

ARNOLD: "My CPU is a neural-net processor: a learning computer."

"Carlifornia? Cum weet mee eef you vant to leef!"

I like Arnold because he's worked hard for what he has. He didn't inherit a fortune or have well connected parents. I tend to like self made people. They understand hard work. Don't care for actors very much though.

It must be tough to be a Californian these days. Hopefully, they'll develop thick skins, if they haven't already, because they are one of the US's Summer Entertainment this year.

Well, having said that I can't wait to read all the stories that will be written about this election. The mud-slinging, the defaming, the name calling, and the scandals (real or not).

Just *one* tiny point: Will the recall and the election take place? Last I heard it was being fought in court because it would be unfair to some groups (?? - don't get the logic here).

Richard, "a lunning cumpyootah"--that was very funny.

By the way, I'm a life-long Californian and--like--totally excited about the next few months. Come on, he's the Terminator. I'd be afraid not to vote for him.

It's the dreaded Predator curse.

I'd probably regard Arnold as anti-idiotarian.

Lobbing teargas cannisters at Berkely? I'd support that!!!

Uh, Arnie's father WAS actually quite well-connected, politically ... just to a different "Republikan" party than the one you're thinking of.

And as for "Total Recall" jokes ... A moratorium, too, on "The Running Man" and "Davis Faces The Terminator". Stop the madness! Haven't seen/ heard "True Lies" yet but it can only be days away ...

"Ei vant zhour cloze, zhour boorts, an' zhour moodorseikle ... ant zhour voorte!"

It's a shame the tradmarked "Arnie one-liner" hadn't been invented when "Conan" was made in 1981. The Black Ploughman could have skewered James Earl Jones in mid-serpentifying while quipping something like "Doan zhou trei to slizzer zhour vay out zis teim, Toorlsa Doorm!"

Carl Weathers for Governor of Florida!...

Chris J - we'll know later today whether the CA Supreme Court puts the election on hold. Word from legal folks, both Dems and Republicans, is that Joe Davis will get slammed down. His arguments are silly. The argument that the election will "disenfranchise" some voters is a nice way of saying the folks who support Davis are too stupid to figure out where they're suppose to vote.

In a general election there are a lot more polling places than in a special election. So, a lot of people have to vote at a location different from their usual one. Of course, voters are notified by mail where their polling place is, and one can always call the election board to find out. But like I said, the Democrats' argument is our voting base is too stupid to figure out where to vote.

Run for your lives, Democrats! It's McBain!

Dammit Tim, I didn't see the title of your post!
I'll have to think up another one: "Hey Arnold, there's talk of you winning the election!" Arnold: "It's not a rumah!!"

Polly - Thanks for explaining that. I couldn't understand how an election would disenfranchise some voters.

Interesting that CA. has more polling places in a special election than a general. Didn't know that. In MA. we have the same places open (in the towns I've lived in) for all elections.

correction:

I meant CA. has fewer voting places for a special than it does for a general.

Listening to the Hugh Hewitt radio show just now, I heard another one of the reasons why the dems are saying the voters will be disenfranchised. Apparently, different kinds of voting machines will be used in different parts of the state and the different types of machines have different error rates. Also just heard the ACLU just filed suit today to stop or postpone the recall election. The dems must be very scared. They're pulling out all of their tricks.

Yahoo. The CA Supreme Court just rejected all of the dems court challenges to the recall. It appears the recall election will happen Oct. 8.

Arnie made his first million before Conan. He invested the money he made bodybuilding, primarily in California Real Estate, with the help of his mentor Joe Weider. He also has his masters in business. He did pretty well for himself, and despite Uncle Milk's assertation otherwise, I haven't seen or read anything that said other than humble beginnings.

I plan to vote for him.

Kal

Uncle Milk was referring to Schwarzenegger pater's connections to an Austrian socialist worker's party that's been defunct for 58 years.

I figure we should worry about Arnold's father's politics just after we remember Joe Kennedy's favorite German when he was British Ambassador in the 1930's and hang that on Teddy's neck.

Plus, I'm willing to be that Arnold took all his own exams to get his grad degree.

Hey. Chill. I was just commenting -- not trying to hang Gustav Schwarzenegger's political views on Arnold. Slight difference in their views on the proper size, role and powers of the state ...

Different note: someone commented years ago how funny it was that in the 1980s and 1990s, all the macho he-man heroes of pop culture had woossy first names like Arnold, Sylvester, Bruce [Springsteen], and Jean-Claude [Van Damme].

Besides, US Republicans can't win either way. If they're not crypto-Nazis, they're "Likudniks" in the "Israeli amen corner".

Oh yeah, Bruce [Willis] too, and I think Mel [Gibson] got a mention there also.

Crypto-Nazis? This is the kind of calm, rational discourse that has completely marginalized the left-wing of the Democratic party. You been channeling Gore Vidal?

You could not script this recall election. No one would believe it. P.T. Barnum would never have tried to sell it. No one would believe it.

Now, when the Democratic candidates for President are trying to get some exposure and gain some national name recognition, an event comes along that will suck all the air out of the networks for the next 4 months.

How can you not call this the perfect made for TV election. Look at the Flora and Fauna that is running! If you aren't from California you don't need to worry about the outcome!

I bet they could sell out the biggest stadium in California for the Gubernatorial debates (now to be renamed Goobernatorial?). I could see maybe sending the candidates on a tour of the biggest stadiums in California. Ticket sales to benefit the State Budget!

Who wouldn't pay to watch Gary Coleman sneer "Whatootalkinabout Arnold." Larry Flynt appearing tonight with the Hustler honeys! The tag team of Arnold and Ariana take on Gray Davis and Hulk Hogan (why not?) in a first blood match for your viewing pleasure! Gallagher smashes watermellons AND deficits! Thats right you would pay...and so would I. Do your part to help save the Looney state of California and get good wholesome entertainment. Can't loose!

We have very little time the elections coming up and we have so much to do to organize this show...

Well, the Good news is even if Arnie does get in, Arnies wife won't let him do anything TOO right wing...... and, hey, safer with arnie as gov. than bush as president.....(thank god he's out next election =) )