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Divided by more than an ocean
So Californians have elected Arnie to run their state. Good luck to them. The report on the radio left me with the impression that his qualifications for this are slim to none but the fact that people liked the Terminator films means they're happy to vote for him.* Like the difference in our reactions to David Blaine, this illustrates the very different ways we view our celebrities over here. Can you imagine the mockery and derision if David Beckham stood as an MP? Americans seem to revere their celebrities. Here, we're all too aware of their shortcomings.
* I'm happy to be corrected on this point.
* I'm happy to be corrected on this point.
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Boris Johnson MP
Also, there is a tendency to trust non-politicians more than politicians (for example, Martin Bell and Glenda Jackson are expected to be more honest than the average carreer politican). Given that the electorate know nothing whatever about the other candidates is that they are politicians, maybe this helped tip the balance.
Re: Boris Johnson MP
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Not that I'm endorsing Arnie by this argument. I certainly sighed in a 'god, what do people get up to' sort of way when I heard the news this morning, though. But I think you have to appreciate that as they said on the Today program, despite their ditzy reputations it's not going to be the case that California overall as a state seriously believes that Arnie will 'terminate' their problems or anything.
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I think what probably really lies at the heart of his election victory is that there were 100+ candidates. With that many it doesn't so much as split the vote as confuse the electorate. How can you make a decision with that many candidates? So they all plumped for the guy they knew and wasn't the current encumbant. Or is this over-simplistic?
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The constitution
Press
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Firstly, some do revere them to a point (particularly children), but we certainly have our entertainment in finding out all their shortcomings as well. Hence the tabloids.
Secondly, his "acceptability" is not quite as simplistic is that. This BBC article sums it up nicely: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3173166.stm
(I would likely not have voted for Arnold, but given that I'm not a citizen of California, it's not up to me. :))
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Wibble
Isn't Governorship more like Mayor than MP? Where you could elect a man in a monkey suit (like Hartlepool) and the world would not end?
How many Predator cast members have yet to hold public office?
Tony Robinson for PM!
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Although if he did, I think it should be under the name of his most famous character. Hmnn, Prime Minister Baldrick...
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Lord Baldrick of Turnip, in fact.
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In our federal system, the state governments have responsibility for everything that's not specifically a national government responsibility. For example, the federal government may lay out very general overall requirements for the schools, but the states have a great deal of latitude on how the schools are actually run. Schools receive their primary funding from taxes that are assessed on a local or state level (often property taxes), rather than from nationwide taxes.
Many important policies are determined on a state level, rather than a national level. Although the national government provides funding for social safety-net programs such as health care, food, and housing for the poor, the states have a high degree of control over how that money is spent. State governments are able to pass a wide variety of laws affecting residents of their state -- as an example, in some states, abortions are available with relatively few restrictions, while in others, there is a waiting period, or a spousal notification/consent requirement, or a parental notification/consent requirement (if underage). In some states, poor women can obtain abortions with public funds, while in others this is restricted or not available.
One of the key political distinctions in the U.S. is between people who believe that the national government should have more control over what happens in the states, vs. people who believe the states should retain more of their historical independence. A study of our constitutional convention provides an interesting perspective on how this has been an issue throughout our history.
Anyway, getting back to the California election, I think that, like the election of Jesse Ventura (a former professional wrestler) to the governorship in Minnesota a few years back, what this mainly indicates is that the public is heartily sick and tired of the way politics is run in this country. Someone with very little relevant experience thus seems like he can't possibly be any worse than the career politicians already in office.
I mean, this is a nation where George W. Bush could be elected president -- and I'm not convinced his prior experience was any more relevant than Arnold's.
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With an economy about the size of France's, and being the primary engine of economic growth in the US - the output of California is crucial.
Some examples of Governor's responsibilities and powers:
- Direct pardoning of death row criminals
- 'State of the state' speeches to review the condition of the state.
- Can call up federal reserve troops in case of emergency
- Can call on State-level police forces (as was used in Texas to seek and return the missing Democratic legislators)
- Propose, negotiate, sign, and in some cases veto state laws and proposed laws.
--> Also, depending on the state, local authorities may be very dependent upon state budget apportionment for their operations ... and may be expressly forbidden from doing things like 'council taxes' to independently fund themselves. Ah, federalism. ;-)
A bit more complicated than that for a start
Secondly ...
As for Arnold himself, the problem has been that the only real record the public had to examine were his films - and whatever character lessons could be drawn from that. Stupid, but little different for professional politicians really (like the fascination over whether Schroder dyed his hair).
Californians are particularly comfortable equating public-image like with like ... so politicians, adult film stars, and celebrities are all on a fairly equal footing - as far as the average Joe voter is concerned.
Average Joe voters, btw, are none too bright either - hence the groundswell anger against Grey Davis, which whilst partially valid, a recall does little to solve the problems facing the state.
Lastly, Arnie does bring real management skills to the office - problem is, he's only ever really managed one product in the past, himself. It remains to be seen whether he can manage something as complex as the California bureaucratic system, and 'clean out Sacramento' given his entrance does not have an equal flood of new state legislators.
I expect upwards of a year of transition, as various parts of California bureaucracy undergo radical change or benign neglect, or both. After that, I expect Arnie to be completely eaten alive by the legislature, especially since Arnie may not understand the importance of alliance-making - in this regard, his advisors will be crucial. Lastly, I expect Warren Buffet and others to push up property taxes - frankly something long overdue; but if done too greatly too quickly, it'll put off the very Joe Average Voter who is so quick to rage.
Basically, California is probably fucked for the foreseeable future. Pardon my 'french.'
To the question of celebrity in US society
Most of America would never seriously consider an actor for high political office, certainly not one of such management importance as a Governor. A legislator, otoh, would be one among many.
California is unusual in this regard.
As for Reagan making a run for the Presidency, he honestly could never have done it without his successful governorship of California. He timed it well too, so that repercussions of his state policies fell on other shoulders - reaping instead the best fruit for best imagery for his Presidential run.
Article on much of what you are commenting on...