Will Schwartzenegger succeed as governor?

[Zkribbler]

I have growing doubts. California's deficit is projected at $8 billion for next year. Arnold has promised to roll back car registration fees--that adds $4 billion more to the deficit.

Davis' current budget calls for $1 billion to be save by laying off 12,000 state workers. So far, 500 have been laid off. State law requires a 30-day notice before lay offs. If Arnold announces the lay offs as soon as he takes office in November, that means 12,000 workers are laid off right before Christmas. If not, he has another billion dollars worth of deficit.

The only good news is that this last quarter produced $1/4 billion more in taxes than expected because the economy is starting to pick up. At that rate, Arnold might have $1 billion in unprojected revenues to use.

[Static Universe]

I hope he fails miserably because I really, really want to see the King Conan movie get made.

You realize Conan becomes king by his own hand don't you, BY HIS OWN HAND!!!!!

[Dinner]

Becoming king by yourself is probably a lot like having sex with yourself. Sure, it's fun but it's not quite the same as when other people are involved.

[Shi Huangdi]

It probably won't be so clear, it'll be open to interpretation so the GOP can claim him as a sucsess and the Dems can claim him as a failur. Still, I think with the economic forecasts looking up and the possibility of Federal Aid, Bush may be at an advantage.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Static Universe
I hope he fails miserably because I really, really want to see the King Conan movie get made.

You realize Conan becomes king by his own hand don't you, BY HIS OWN HAND!!!!!

Are they really going to make that movie? It seems the right time. Arnie is in his mid 50's. If he stays as governor for two terms, he will be in his mid 60's, a little too old to play a muscle-bound King.

BTW, I still think Conan the Barbarian was one of the best movies I have ever seen. The scene I like the most, the one when Conan describes what is best in life, is actually taken from Ghenghis Kahn. I had no idea until I learn that from this forum.

Mongol General: We have won again. That is good! But what is best in life?
Mongol Warrior: The open steppe, fleet horse, falcon on your wrist, wind in your hair!
Mongol General: Wrong! Conan, what is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!
Mongol General: That is good.

and later, near the end of the movie Conan says this before his final battle:

Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, and why we died. All that matters is that today, two stood against many. Valor pleases you, so grant me this one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, the HELL with you!

[Ned]

The clip:

[:) Smiley]

The real question though is what is defined as success? Staying in office? Balancing the budget? Not screwing state workers? Ahnold could make some nasty budget cuts and get away with it if things improve later on. For one thing, state employees don't make up that big a percent of the whole voting population.

[rev]

If success is measured by polls, will Arnold have better public ratings than his predecessor? Yes.

But the REAL question is whether or not this would be easier than finger-painting. :P

[CerberusIV]

Given that at least some of California's problems are outside anything the governor can do, Arnie is the least worst option. He is unlikely to do worse than anyone else would and will probably manage to get better headlines for California than anyone else.