September 28, 2003

By San Diego Union Tribune
Copyright San Diego Unio Tribune

Arnold Schwarzenegger is no ordinary candidate. His gubernatorial bid more closely resembles a Hollywood publicity tour than the give-and-take on issues of a customary electoral campaign. But, then, this is far from a customary election.

By forcing the first recall of a statewide officeholder, petition-signing voters signaled a historic demand for change. Schwarzenegger offers the best hope, in our view, for fundamental reform of California's dysfunctional government.

Among his leading opponents, Democrat Cruz Bustamante is an entrenched pillar of the status quo. A former legislator and two-term lieutenant governor, Bustamante is an expert player in Sacramento's discredited political games. Unsurprisingly, he has sold himself to the potent special interests who have seized control of state government. In illegally taking millions of dollars in casino money from wealthy Indian tribes, Bustamante has come to personify the sentiment that Sacramento is being run not for the welfare of Californians but for the profit of a few powerful entities.

Republican Sen. Tom McClintock is another Sacramento veteran, but one who long has rowed against the prevailing current. His staunchly conservative views are rooted in a deep knowledge of fiscal affairs. Politically, however, he is well to the right of the California mainstream, which is why his chances of getting elected are slim. Even so, if he stays in the race he could siphon enough GOP votes from fellow Republican Schwarzenegger, a fiscal conservative and social moderate, to hand the governor's office to Bustamante.

As an outsider with little political experience, Schwarzenegger poses a certain risk. His initial pledge not to accept campaign contributions was exemplary, but his prompt reversal on the issue was not. Also troubling is the fact that, during the early years of his acting career, he made what apparently were untrue claims about his unorthodox sexual exploits. That and his long-cultivated macho image on the screen have stirred concern among many women. Positioned opposite these negatives are his successes as a businessman and his long-time advocacy on behalf of inner-city children, including the after-school initiative approved by voters last year.

More significant, in our opinion, Schwarzenegger shares the aspirations of most Californians for a government free of corrupt influence, and one that is a strong proponent of a sound economy, successful schools and adequate highways, mass transit and other public infrastructure. Although his campaign has been lacking in specifics, Schwarzenegger appears to be in sync with the California electorate.

His No. 1 priority is to promote job growth by making California more economically competitive. Toward that end, he pledges to overhaul the state's hugely wasteful workers compensation program. His No. 2 priority, judging from his campaign rhetoric, is to improve schools by eliminating unnecessary state regulations and streamlining categorical programs, thus strengthening local control.

Schwarzenegger has not defined in detail how he would resolve the state's fiscal crisis. But he opposes tax increases – Bustamante's reflexive answer to the budget deficit. Schwarzenegger has pledged, for example, to overturn the tripling of the car tax imposed by Davis. He also has promised to repeal the bill signed by Davis granting driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

Clearly, Schwarzenegger is politically untested. Yet of all the candidates in this uncustomary race, we believe he is the one who can turn Sacramento onto a new course.