Tough Times for Schwarzenegger? NOT

David Broder, the Leftie Columnist of the Washington Post yesterday had Tough Times For the Terminator.

On July 11 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger scored his biggest victory of the year, signing a budget in which the Democratic-controlled legislature gave him almost everything he wanted in his effort to cure this debt-plagued state government.

But hard on the heels of that triumph, one of Schwarzenegger’s aides told me last week, “Ka-chunk, ka-chunk. It was like getting run over by the front and rear wheels of a truck.”

That explains why one of those directly involved in managing his initiative campaign said, “We’re preparing for war, but we’re praying for peace,” a last-minute compromise with the legislature that would make it possible to cancel the special election. But the odds are against any such deal; a senior Schwarzenegger strategist gives it only one chance in five. The special election ballot also includes two issues of particular importance to conservatives. One would require notification of parents before a minor could receive an abortion. The other would force public-sector unions to get annual approval from each of their members to use their dues for political purposes. The GOP hard core wants to vote this year on those issues.

So far, Schwarzenegger has not embraced the union dues measure, and his continued neutrality could also be part of the price Democrats exact in a deal. The unions defeated a similar but broader measure in 1998, and if they think they can do so again in the special election, they’d prefer to have it out of the way before next year’s campaigns begin. They can’t, however, be sure of victory.

Even in his current weakened condition, Schwarzenegger is in a statistical tie against two unexceptional Democratic challengers for the 2006 election. Union leaders concede that he could — like predecessors Pete Wilson and Gray Davis — win another term despite weak personal ratings.

What he cannot do, most observers agree, is regain the status he once enjoyed as a popular hero whose appeal transcends normal partisan and ideological lines. His rhetorical attacks on teachers, nurses and other political foes have polarized voters. The gamble he is taking with a special election is a big one — and the Terminator is looking wobbly as he approaches it.

Broder simply doesn’t get California politics.

He is simply a parrot for the UNION label!

The Governator is in a very strong position and has the campaign cash to prove it!

Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Recovery Team, California Special Election, David Broder