Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Motorcycle License FLAP

San Francisco Chronicle: Licenseless governor strikes an ugly chord

Political opponents, voters complain of ethical standards

Harleygate?

Maybe not, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appears to have skidded into a potentially nasty political curve this week when he revealed, after a recent motorcycle accident, that he’d been tooling around on his hog for years, apparently lacking a proper motorcycle license.

The governor said Tuesday he “never thought about” getting the M-1 driver’s license endorsement for his motorcycle, which is required under the state vehicle code, even though he has ridden his Harley for years, both in movies for business and on California’s Pacific Coast Highway for pleasure.

Is this a FLAP?

Well, it does NOTHING for the Governor’s image before the voters.

But all this hasn’t played well with voters like high-tech engineer Jim Navin, who commutes daily from Tracy to Mountain View on his motorcycle, and wrote to The Chronicle saying he had gotten decidedly different treatment.

“I was recently cited in Livermore for not having the M-1 endorsements,” he wrote. “A CHP officer said he could have towed and impounded my motorcycle because not having the M-1 was like having no license at all.”

Navin said he had gone to dreaded traffic school “after paying a $281 court fee.”

He said the governor should take his medicine — and get the endorsement — because “if we treat elected officials as if they are above the law, they will continue to act that way.”

Silly at first glance but the FLAP points to political perceptions that the Governor is “above and dismissive” of the law.

No votes gained here……..