George Skelton of the LA Times, the dean of California columnists, provides some context for Schwarzenegger calling in a mediator, by pointing out how very dangerous his position is. He writes:
What all this means is that Schwarzenegger is playing hurt at the bargaining table. His ability to help or harm causes has waned. What's he have to offer? Other than Republicans, who does he persuade these days?
Republicans account for only 35% of registered voters in California, In a Republicans-against-the-world contest, they lose…
Add to the mix an unpopular President Bush, says political analyst Tony Quinn, a Republican who long has contended that the special election could be Schwarzenegger's downfall. "Democrats can run against Republicans and Bush and make this a national referendum," Quinn asserts…
What we still don't know about Schwarzenegger is whether he's just in a slump — and merely needs a new hitting coach — or was a fluke phenom all along, bound to be a bust in the bigs. We'll know more at season's end, in November.
In other words, it looks like Schwarzenegger's political future may be decided by this ill-conceived, poorly-timed, badly-executed, overly-arrogant and broadly-unpopular rush to the ballot. Karma's a beast, sometimes.
Goerge Skelton, dean of California columnists? Where did you come up with that one? I've read some half decent columns by Skelton, but I'd rate him at the bottom half of commentators as far as intellect goes.
Posted by: Fred Mangels | August 19, 2005 at 06:32 AM