After winning a bitter recall election as an outsider who would end business as usual in Sacramento, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger now ranks as one of the most unpopular governors in California history.
He’s getting so far down in the polls his biggest worry soon will be sniffing dogs. The San Francisco Chronicle reports:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suddenly ranks among the most unpopular governors in modern California history, as residents grow increasingly unhappy about the action hero-turned-politician’s budget plans and his call for a special election, according to a new Field Poll.
Less than a third — 31 percent — of the state’s adults approve of the job the governor is doing in Sacramento, down from 54 percent in February. The numbers are only slightly better among registered voters, 37 percent of whom are happy with Schwarzenegger’s performance and 53 percent dissatisfied.
“There’s very little for the governor to cheer about in this poll,” said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll. “There’s a very broad-based view that the governor is off on the wrong track.”
Schwarzenegger’s approval rating among registered voters is lower than any number recorded by the Field Poll for governors Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown and George Deukmejian. He now ranks fourth in unpopularity, behind Democrats Gray Davis and Pat Brown and Republican Pete Wilson.
Schwarzenegger was elected with votes from many Democrats and independents. Re-read our analysis here. The real story of what has gone on has been his morphing into a more traditional governor and a more traditional Republican (except on social issues and environmental issues). Bit by bit, Schwarzenegger has been steadily has losing the non-GOP support that won him the election. The poll confirms our earlier analysis:
But Schwarzenegger’s high-profile battle with the Democrat-led Legislature and his continuing disputes with groups representing California teachers, nurses and public employees have taken a toll. Only 16 percent of registered Democrats approve of the job the governor is doing, while his support among nonpartisan voters has shrunk to 35 percent, down from 48 percent four months ago.
Schwarzenegger’s sinking support even shows up among Republicans, where his approval numbers have fallen from 84 percent in February to 66 percent in the new survey.
Bottom line: he’s now in the same boat as President George Bush. Both have extensive agendas. But getting those passed requires more than the aura of an office or the aura of celebrity. It requires old-fashioned political skills — which means coalition building. Throwing down the gauntlet in an aggressive or charming way.
If Schwarzenegger doesn’t rethink his strategy, his catchphrase “I’ll be baaack” will refer to making movies in Hollywood.
UPDATE: A big development now with AS: The AP reports that in light of these polls he now seeks more than ever compromise with the Democrats:
Responding to a precipitous drop in popularity, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday said he wants to seek compromise with Democrats on the state budget and the issues he has placed before voters for a November special election.
“I feel that there is an agreement to be had,” said Schwarzenegger, appearing more contrite than usual as he answered questions from reporters during a Capitol news conference. “We can resolve this, and then we can go together to the special election — Democrats and Republicans alike — and also that we can solve this budget. It’s all about the will. Do we have the will to represent the people of California?”
Schwarzenegger’s tone contrasted with the message delivered on Monday by his chief political consultant when the results of the Field Poll were initially circulated. Consultant Mike Murphy dismissed the significance of the poll, noting that the governor had yet to fully unleash his campaign in support of his ballot measures….Schwarzenegger did not directly offer an olive branch to Democrats but said voters delivered a message in the poll.
“It is a very clear message from the California people to all of us at the Capitol — work together,” he said during a news conference. “Democrats and Republicans, the governor’s office — let’s all work together.”
Schwarzenegger said he would continue to campaign in support of his ballot measures but also wanted bipartisan solutions. He said he would like the two sides to pass a state budget “as quickly as possible,” preferably before the state’s fiscal year begins July 1.
QUESTION: Did Maria talk to him?
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.