Divided by more than an ocean

[tinyjo]

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.

Comments

[truecatachresis.livejournal.com]

Seb Coe stood as an MP, and got in. I think you overstate your case; were David Beckham to stand as MP, I think he'd have a very good chance of getting elected.

[jinty]

I object to your selection of UK-equivalent -- Beckham is always having the piss taken out of him for being thick. Substitute someone like Glenda Jackson (MP) or John Cleese or Michael Palin (the latter two having no political qualifications that I know of, and so being a fairer comparison) and it's a different story.

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.

[white_hart]

Well, they did elect an actor as President not so very long ago...

[shepline.livejournal.com]

At least this particular actor can't become president.

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?

[asciident]

Well, let's see...

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. :))

Wibble

[sparkymark.livejournal.com]

I think if Americaland had the same culture of oblivion drinking as the U.K then the "reaction" to David Blaine's public stunts in the U.S. would be the same here.

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!

A bit more complicated than that for a start

[applez.livejournal.com]

Firstly, read the articles I posted on my own LJ on this matter - the Bay Area was decidedly voting against the stream.

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

[applez.livejournal.com]

To be fully honest, I don't think one can draw broad conclusions about the role and flexibility of celebrity across America as a whole.

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...

[applez.livejournal.com]

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/08/national/08CND-REAC.html