Arnold Schwarzenegger: Leader of California?

The governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, or Arnold as the states residents like to call him, is arguably playing the biggest role of his career. Elected in the October 2003 recall election that featured a hodgepodge of 135 candidates, including celebrities Gary Coleman, Larry Flint, and Mary Mary Carey Cook, Schwarzenegger replaced incumbent Gray Davis as the governor of the most populous state in the country by raking in 48.1 percent of the popular votes. Californians, weary of Gray Daviss lack of progress, decided to put their trust in a man best known for his roles in action movies such as the Terminator and Total Recall.

After succeeding as a bodybuilder and an actor, Schwarzenegger began eyeing a bigger prize: The California governors seat. During his acting career, Schwarzenegger had formed a strong network of powerful friends and advisors, including investor Warren Buffet, economist Milton Friedman, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As the recall election neared, Schwarzenegger consulted with his network of allies. Buffet told Schwarzenegger that California needed strong leadership, and Friedman gave him advice on how to improve Californias dismal economy. All of this advice gave Schwarzenegger the vision he needed to propel himself to the rank of governor. Running as a moderate Republican, he sought to unite Democrats and Republicans, pass a balanced budget, reduce government spending and resuscitate the business community. Once he accomplished these goals, Schwarzenegger would confidently state to the rest of the world that California was back. Schwarzeneggers vision came at a perfect time: Governor Davis witnessed the rise and fall of the tech boom.

When the tech bubble burst, revenue plummeted. In 2001 and 2002, state revenue from the income tax fell 27 percent, yet spending remained the same. Although Davis was not solely responsible for the resulting California debt, Californians were eager to place blame.

Hungry for someone to take the reins from Gray Davis and steer California away from its troubles, many Californians embraced Schwarzenegger as he campaigns across the state. His name recognition and charismatic personality made him a leading candidate. Schwarzeneggers style is vastly different from other politicians. His wit, honesty, and lack of concern for political correctness struck a chord with voters. (As he told one interviewer at Fortune magazine following the election, I love smart women. I have no patience for bimbos.) It was perhaps this larger-than-life persona that led him to terminate Gray Davis in the recall election.

Following the elections, Schwarzenegger immediately began making policy for California. Within only a few days of his swearing in, Schwarzenegger had a viable economic recovery plan. To the praise of the states residents, he replaced the car-tax increase, which would have raised almost $4 billion in revenue but was hated by Californians. He continued his strong push for reform, passing propositions that made a $15 billion bond offering possible and that paved the way for a balanced budget. In April 2004, he persuaded the states legislature to pass a bill overhauling workers compensation, a victory for businesses trying to reduce cost but a defeat for workers.

A testament to his approachable personality was the fact that he broke tradition by actually going from his office on the first floor to the upstairs offices of the legislators to meet with them. Schwarzeneggers chief of staff, Pat Clarey, cant remember the previous four governors doing that. All in all, the newly elected governor, using his charisma and network of powerful friends, inched closer each day to his vision.

Even the Republican party took notice. Though more moderate than the Republican party would like, Schwarzenegger knew that his popularity and charisma were an asset to the Republican convention during President George W. Bushs 2004 reelection campaign.

While the Republican party convention organizers were debating whether to invite the moderate Schwarzenegger to speak, Schwarzenegger told the New York Times, If theyre smart theyll have me obviously in prime time. Schwarzenegger got his wish. Two days after the interview, he was invited to speak during his requested time. Republican operatives werent disappointed with quips such as This is like winning an Oscar. As if I would know! Speaking of acting, one of my movies was called True Lies.

And thats what the Democrats should have called their convention. Schwarzenegger speech electrified the crowd, further solidifying his role as a charismatic leader.

Some believe Arnold Schwarzenegger is a powerful politician, but he says that he really doesnt like the word power because it tends to have a negative connotation. Schwarzenegger says, Power is basically influence. Thats the way I see it. Its being able to have the influence to make changes to improve things. Schwarzenegger has a clear vision of how he wants to improve things: the question is not only whether he can create beneficial policies but also whether he has the ability and support to implement those policies. Although he realizes that his charisma helped him to become governor, Schwarzenegger also knows the importance of vision to a leader. As he puts it, There is no one, and when I say no one, I mean no one, who will back me off my vision. I will go over burning coals for that.

Question:

1. Based on the case, as governor of California, what types of power is Schwarzenegger likely to have?
2. What types of influence tactics does Schwarzenegger appear to use? (10 marks)