Terminator 4: Saving California
Whether you know Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger as Arnold Strong, Austrian Oak, Conan the Republican, Styrian Oak or just simply Arnie, you can now add a new nickname to the list; Governor of California.
On the 7th of October out of the 60% of California’s registered voters, 55% voted against the incumbent governor, Gray Davis, choosing instead, an Austrian body builder who holds 13 championship body-building titles, has raked in over $152 million from his movie career, and is an entrepreneur in the real estate market. So, why would a man who has achieved so much run for Governor of California?
Arnold was born in Graz in Austria. He began to show promise as a body builder even by the age of 15. The Graz web site tells of how he even broke into the local gym at the weekends because he felt the need to train every day. This determination is something which is very clear throughout his whole life. In 1968 he moved to America to begin a new life.
By 1970 he realised that he couldn’t stay in the body building world forever, and subsequently had his first shot at ‘acting’ in ‘Hercules in New York’. Arnold was probably quite a shock to the American public. After all, he couldn’t speak English very well, he looked like a walking tank and most of the critics didn’t rate his acting ability. However, criticism aside, after a lot of perseverance he went on to star in over 20 movies; ensuring his place as the 1,847th star added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Many have questioned the seemingly unrelated jump from movie star to gubernatorial candidate. Sceptics would argue this is a publicity stunt, aimed at capitalising on the last ex-movie-star governor’s success; Ronald Reagan, who went on to become President. Well, Arnold can’t become President as he wasn’t born in the United States, and after earning around $30,000,000 for Terminator 3 it would be hard to argue he was doing it solely for the publicity. Looking at his past reveals a lesser-known side to the gun-wielding, pyromaniac, muscle man who is portrayed on the big screen.
Arnold had always wanted to be a part of the ‘American dream’, but it wasn’t until 1983 that he became an American citizen. He had always shown promise as a public speaker and champion of children’s rights, and in 1980 was appointed as the Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. Shortly after this appointment he became aware of the problems facing inner-city schools with regards providing athletic programs for children. He helped create the Inner-City Games Foundation in an effort to tackle the problem. In addition to setting up and being involved with these organisations he has received numerous humanitarian awards, including the Honorary Degree of Humane Letters from the University of Wisconsin in 1996. However, his biggest political statement, before running for Governor, was in 2002 when he submitted 750,000 signatures for the After School Education and Safety Act in California. The Act was passed later that year and demonstrated Arnold’s commitment to child welfare in the state.
Whether or not you agree with Arnold being governor it is quite clear to see what has driven him to want to make a difference in California. So, if we are to accept why he ran, the next question is how he managed to get elected?
The previous Governor, Gray Davis, was elected at a prosperous time. California enjoyed economic prosperity during the technology boom. However, Davis’ fortune changed when the technology bubble burst, which, with other factors, led to the state being plunged into a budget nightmare.
The people of California were not happy with the performance of Davis and so the search for a new Governor began. Out of the many candidates, Arnold provided a fresh, vibrant and popular, yet initially unlikely, alternative. He is no star orator; he avoids TV debates (having only done one); and was quoted as saying ‘gay marriage was OK between a man and a woman’. Still, it is his lack of honed political skills that makes him appealing to the general public, who are sick of unresponsive politicians concerned only with re-election.
Unfortunately having a great life story, a drive for equality and fairness, and an influential wife (being a part of the Kennedy family) may not be enough for our cyborg hero. He is already facing opposition from Washington and whether he will be able to keep his pledge not to raise taxes is very questionable. In short, he may not find it as easy to implement policy in the gridlocked universe of American politics, as it is to save the world from killer machines hell-bent on the destruction of the human race.
Ah well, at least he’s back!
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