Arnold Schwarzenegger


Arnold Schwarzenegger: King of bodybuilding, movies, politics and media,
(version #2) by Greg Tingle - 26th August 2003

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Following in the dubious footsteps of Ronald Reagan, Jesse "The Body" Ventura and a cast of other charismatic , Hollywooders, Arnold Schwarzenegger is flexing his political muscles and taking on the ultimate predator: the political animal.

Schwarzenegger has been carefully cast by the powers that be. Endorsed by the man himself, President George W. Bush, to conquer the American political arena , in the meaty role of Californian Governor.

California has created a political circus that will make Florida's 2000 presidential vote look tame. The west coast state, after all, gave us presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, congressman Sonny "I Got You, babe" Bono and mayor Clint Eastwood. Go ahead California, make my day one more time!

Television stations are broadcasting their campaign images with slogans such as "California's Crazy Recall" or "Craziness in California."

How much of politics is an tawdry act?

Schwarzenegger's announcement has caused tremendous debate, and excitement in all kinds of circles - politics, Hollywood, fandom and every other demographic conceivable. Even Oprah!

The vote for governor is in two stages. Californians must first decide whether Gray Davis should be recalled. If not, they must choose the governor-to-be from potentially, a huge list of candidates. At present count there have been over 500 applications. Any Californian can stand provided he/she can collect 65 signatures, pay a fee of $5000, complete pages of paperwork and want the attention.

Detractors of the human bicep say he is under developed and one-dimensional (paralleling his on screen performances?), Supporters say he is living the American dream. Going from a skinny unknown, to world class bodybuilder, iconic-like movie star, role model, and now, climbing the political staircase to the definitive role.

Schwarzenegger knows how to pump the media and work the political bench press. He does the talk show circuit without raising a sweat viz. Jan Leno and David Letterman. On the 7th August, The Late Show with David Letterman went with a Top 10 Arnold Schwarzenegger Campaign Promises. And he's married to "the mob". His wife, Marie Shriver, is a household name and face of American television. How much time will NBC devotes to promoting Arnie? Shriver, a member of the Kennedy political dynasty, is set to take a leave of absence from her NBC role. On NBC's Today show, Arnie said, "Leadership means that you set goals for yourself, as I have always done in my life".


The big guy is of course, still fresh off the set of the highly grossing Terminator 3. Was the moovee perfect publicity for his political launch or vice versa? The perfect compliment?

What motivates Schwarzenegger? In his campaign appearances so far, he insists he cannot be bought and will not be beholden to special interest groups. True lies?

Scores of voters feel that even with fame and money, Arnie is the man for the White House.

Political supremeo or not, the world's press, are giving him exactly what he wants: a ton of free publicity.

Like him or not, and many don't, Americans can relate (and now vote), for this likable guy.

Will Arnie do what he does best - terminate the opposition with winning one liners or will he simply be another in the line of lost action heroes?

Version #1 of the same article

Version #3 of the same article

 

Links:

Arnold Schwarzenegger: King of bodybuilding, movies, politics and media, by Greg Tingle

The new breed of politicians, by Greg Tingle - 21st August 2003

Jesse Ventura: Wrestling with politics, by Greg Tingle