You can now say with great accuracy that California politics is notable for its star-crossed actors:
Actors Warren Beatty and wife Annette Bening tried to crash a campaign appearance Saturday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the governor sought to drum up last-minute support for a group of statewide ballot measures.
The Hollywood couple strode side-by-side to the entrance of an airport hangar where several hundred of the governor’s supporters had gathered.
A Schwarzenegger aide told the “Bulworth” star he was not on the guest list and did not have the appropriate wristband to get inside.
“You have to have a wristband to listen to the governor?” Bening asked. “He represents all of us, right?”
Actually, Schwarzenegger is supposed to represent all of California but his poll numbers suggest he needs a big boost of political steroids if his agenda in the Special Election on Tuesday is to pass. Attention political writers: from all indications you can write the body of your story NOW with an analysis that falls just short of a political obituary.
Arnold is reportedly in trouble and if it isn’t necessarily “Hasta la vista” time yet, his weakening position, political stumbles, fleeing independent voters, and increasing reliance on a more traditional Republican conservative base for support have shrunk his image more than steroids shrink (well, YOU fill in the rest)…
Enter Beatty, who for many years has been a key Hollywood figure on the left. From time to time he speaks out, there’s speculation he will run for something and then he doesn’t. So what’s up this time? Keep reading:
Inside, Schwarzenegger told cheering supporters that his slate of four ballot proposals on Tuesday’s ballot would “reform the broken system.”
Beatty planned to shadow Schwarzenegger throughout the day as the governor campaigned. He has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible challenger to Schwarzenegger, but he said Saturday that he would not be a candidate in next year’s gubernatorial race.
So Beatty isn’t running, just shadowing. But from his standpoint and many on the left it’s useful because he garners media coverage to record opposition to Schwarzenegger just by showing up.
Yet, Beatty & Co never supported him so there’s no story in HIS opposition. The REAL story is Schwarzenegger blowing huge popularity and a near-Reagan-like aura due to some poor political choices, colorful but politically stupid quips, feverish fund-raising campaigns, and financial deals that raised eyebrows and undermined the image that helped him eject the hugely unlamented Democrat Gray Davis in a recall election.
In a later interview, the governor alluded to Beatty only indirectly.
“There’s the main event, then there is the sideshow,” Schwarzenegger said. “I don’t care about the sideshow.”
The problem for Schwarzenegger is that his recent television appearances, polls, etc. have made his entire term in office waiting for a main event to happen. It’s a constant preparation for some big changes or substantive forward motion…sometime in the future. MORE:
Earlier, Beatty boarded a bus draped with a banner reading “Truth Squad” and urged people to vote against the ballot measures supported by Schwarzenegger.
His appearance at the Schwarzenegger rally drew the ire of some of the governor’s supporters who called Beatty a liberal and a has-been actor.
“I’m trying to be gentle about it, but it’s clear that Warren is over the hill and desperately looking for something else to do,” said former San Diego Mayor Roger Hedgecock.
That’s a nice quote, except Republicans have also had THEIR over-the-hill actors run for office. They once ran a B-actor for Governor — who later went on to become President and get a lot of credit for helping to end the Cold War.
Beatty’s tailing of Schwarzenegger is a manifestation of Arnold’s own cold war — which is a pity, because the man has some political skills and charms…but more and more Californians are making noises being bored and disappointed — and they may want to get a new and better main event.