If Jesse Could Do It, Why Not?

[NetShrine]

Republicans want Schwarzenegger in their future

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.(Reuters) - Action film star Arnold Schwarzenegger has ruled out a bid for California governor in 2002, but if a group of five Republican governors have their way -- he'll be back.

The governors had breakfast with Schwarzenegger in Beverly Hills Wednesday, telling the Austrian-born superstar they understood his decision not to challenge California Gov. Gray Davis next year but encouraged him to keep his political ambitions alive for the future.

"My sense is that he's decided this is not the time for him," Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said. "But I encouraged him to keep the possibility of public office open."

Schwarzenegger, 53, ended speculation about a possible run for the California governorship when he said last month that his film career and young children would have to take precedence over politics until "some other time."

Political analysts say the former bodybuilder and "Terminator" star's instant name recognition, good looks and sizable personal fortune could offer Republicans their best shot at unseating incumbent Democrat Davis.

Republicans say Davis' political star is on the wane as he struggles to overcome California's ongoing energy crisis.

But Ridge said the politicians, who were in town for a Republican Governors Association meeting, accepted that Schwarzenegger has other obligations -- including work on "Terminator III" -- and did not try to change his mind.

"I was going to arm wrestle him over it, but I decided not to because I need both of mine," Ridge joked.

[Jen]

He'll run soon enough, and more than likely will win when he does. I think California could do a lot worse.

Ventura winning was a fluke, banking on a bunch of hilljacks...not that he's doing a bad job, but he really should run some of his statements by his publicist before he says them out loud. It's hard to understand where he's really coming from sometimes.

[BuzzBuzzard]

California has done a lot worse (Reagan).

When is the citizenry going to wake up and realize that actors and sports figures (Ventura more of the former than the latter) aren't politicians?

Go ahead, flame away. Tell me all the great things Clint, Sonny, and Steve Largent have accomplished.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
When is the citizenry going to wake up and realize that actors and sports figures (Ventura more of the former than the latter) aren't politicians?

Aren't most pols just really actors anyway?

[Jen]

I'll refrain from flaming, but please don't rip on Reagan. His trip to the White House made me believe that democracy can really work, in theory.

I think actors (maybe not sports figures) make decent politicians for the simple fact that they can lie to your face and make you believe it to be true, unlike regular old politicians. Case in point, Al Gore. He lies so poorly, it's an embarrassment to the entire country. Even Clinton didn't want to get involved! What kind of statement is that?
Isn't being a politician just an over-glorified job of kissing the right butt and keeping your tax-payers complacent (lemmings to the cliff)? Seems to me that actors have the smile and the handshake down pat, so why not let them lead? It's not like they get full power to do what they wish, anyway. Some of them actually have brains to back up what might be spilling out of their mouths...look at Shirley Temple Black...she was a wonderful diplomat.

Until we are offered some decent, honest (cough, cough), truly concerned about the little guy politicians, I'd be more likely to vote for the most popular, too.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Jen
Case in point, Al Gore. He lies so poorly, it's an embarrassment to the entire country. Even Clinton didn't want to get involved! What kind of statement is that?


I think you've got this backwards. It was the Gore campaign that shied away from Clinton. Clinton loved campaigning and was ready to hit the Gore trail. That mistake cost Al the White House.

[Jen]

I'm just going on what I remember CNN telling me...excuse me, can I pull a Reagan-esque "I don't recall" here? ;)

That wasn't the only thing that cost Gore the election. :rolleyes:

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Jen
I'm just going on what I remember CNN telling me...excuse me, can I pull a Reagan-esque "I don't recall" here? ;)
Just like his entire eight years in Washington.

[Jen]

Maybe he didn't remember it, but the country is better off for him having been at the helm. :D

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Jen
Maybe he didn't remember it, but the country is better off for him having been at the helm. :D
And how, exactly, is that?

[Jen]

We're still here, aren't we? I rest my case, we weren't blown to hell and back, that's good enough for me.
Why do you harbor such a resentment for him? We've had far worse presidents, correct?

[BuzzBuzzard]

I am not much of a historian and can only speak of asministrations I've been around to see, but there may be one out there worse than Reagan:)

The arms race he started with his phantom star wars program bankrupt the USSR. Absolutely. It damn near bankrupt the US and it has taken more than a decade for us to come close to digging out of the national deficit he created with a program that could not have worked. I am not convinced that the Soviets were about to attack anyway.

What can I tell you. I am a center-left liberal and lose sleep at night over the conservative agenda. Bush scares the hell out of me and his attempt at recreating a new arms race, his isolationist attitudes, his poorly thought out tax cut plan and unreconciled budget, his 'putting the band back together' in Blues Brothers parlance, and for you, Jen, and the strong chance you are going to lose your right to choose.

[NetShrine]

I should have followed bartender rules - never discuss religion, politics, and what was the third thing?

[Jen]

Buzz, I understand what you're saying, and believe me, I am a radical in my own right. I do not agree with all policies on the presidential agenda at the moment, but I could absolutely not vote for Gore. I believe as much as I can in the power of the House and Congress, and believe in checks and balances to help me sleep a bit easier at night, too. And I have faith in Cheney, regardless of his failing health, I know he'll not let Bush make huge, sword-sweeping changes.
The tax plan sucks, I admit it, because I'm not rich, but I never believed that a tax cut would happen anyway.
As far as Roe vs. Wade, if they ever decide to overturn...we'll have quite a civil war to contend with. Would that really be a smart thing to do? I won't even get started on that subject because it seems that the "right to choose" has turned into a nightmare of "right to choose a father regardless of his thoughts on the subject", which is only going to escalate, I fear. That's another thread altogether. I'm thankful to have that right, but I'm also smart enough to know how to take charge of the situation so I don't need to use that right. Personal responsibility should be the law of the land...not hindsight solutions.

[Jen]

Originally posted by NetShrine
I should have followed bartender rules - never discuss religion, politics, and what was the third thing?

Ohh Net, relax, we're having a good time...thanks for keeping my mind off of work today. :) Office politics are really the only things that get me going!

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by NetShrine
I should have followed bartender rules - never discuss religion, politics, and what was the third thing?
Well where did you think this was going to go?

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Well where did you think this was going to go?

Actually, a couple of silly Arnie "Girly Man" jokes and a quick out would have been fine for me.

OK Jen, I'll relax - but, I'll also keep watching - so ya'll play nice now, and remember, what ever happens in the government is usually just a dry run for SNL skits and the like - - nothing worth mixing household cleaners about, IMHO.

[Jen]

Originally posted by NetShrine

- - nothing worth mixing household cleaners about, IMHO.
:loud: Net, that sort of drastic measure is only reserved for October Yankee Baseball in my household!

I think we "fight" with class around here, something we should all be proud of, considering what a diverse fan base we are. So--RELAX!!! We always play nice, just get cranky every now and then. :)