Arnie Enters The Fray

Arnold Schwartznegger is running for governor of California after all.

Charles at LGF writes:

So does anyone know what he stands for? I know he’s never held a public office, he’s never written an op-ed, never written a book. I know he starred in a couple of great James Cameron action films. I know he uses steroids.

I also know he’s married to the Kennedy family, the scion of which just completely bought the CAIR line of apology for militant Islam and came out against the nomination of Daniel Pipes to the US Institute of Peace.

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald goes some way in answering this question.

In an article entitled Why Aren’t Conservatives Worried About Schwarzenegger?, posted on the right wing website http://www.freerepublic.com, the anonymous writer questioned the actor’s allegiance to traditional Republican values.

The article said: “His first foray into California politics was a ridiculously irresponsible measure to increase spending on after-school programs. Before that, he was a spokesman for personal fitness under the Bush 41 administration.

“On social issues, Schwarzenegger is an avowed liberal. He’s in favour of abortion, homosexual rights, and seems to support unlimited immigration and not doing anything to stop illegal immigrants.”

Schwarzenegger’s brand of “compassionate conservatism” seems to be more aligned with Bill Clinton’s social policy than Bush’s, which is surprising considering his long affiliation with the Bush family. He has lent his fame to bolster the presidential campaigns of both George W. and his father.

According to Democratic consultant Patrick Reddy, the actor’s moderate politics directly contrast Bush’s: “Schwarzenegger says he is pro-choice, supports gay rights, and endorses ‘reasonable’ gun controls and environmental regulation.”

Reddy says that by adopting a liberal stance, Schwarzenegger may gain the confidence of the democratically sympathetic Californian electorate.

“Schwarzenegger has often taken a liberal, quintessentially Californian stance on social affairs; admitting to having smoked marijuana, supporting of gay rights and anti-poverty programmes.”

“While his fellow national Republicans appear to be tilting right, he’s followed the recent leftward drift of California politics.”

“As someone who’s never held office, he’s free to create an ideological profile. Schwarzenegger seems a fiscal conservative and social liberal, very much in the mainstream of California politics.”

Schwarzenegger’s marriage to Maria Shriver, a member of the democrat Kennedy family also contributes to his image as a pragmatic libertarian.

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