Under pressure
S.J. CAHN
Last week, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce president Richard Luehrs
had this to say about California’s governor: “I’ve been going to
Sacramento once or twice a year for the last 20 years, and I’ve never
seen it as focused on one individual, specifically the governor. Both
sides of the aisle are just in awe of his tenacity, his ability to
draw people together and his focus on fixing the California economy.”
There is little doubt about it: Like him or not, Arnold
Schwarzenegger is the most remarkable politician (and I mean
politician, not legislator, lawmaker, governor or even actor) to come
along in some time. He’s Gary Hart surviving a trip on the boat
“Monkey Business.” He’s John McCain without being isolated from his
party.
But why?
A large part of the answer, I think, is that he’s free of the
worry and timidity of many politicians who are brought on by having
to keep lobbyists, other politicians and voters happy.
What’s the worst, really, that could happen to Schwarzenegger? He
could follow in Gray Davis’ footsteps and get recalled and then ...
well, then he’s back to his multi-million-dollar career as an actor
and businessman. And that other life is more appealing in many ways
than politics.
Of course, at this point any comparisons between Schwarzenegger
and his predecessor are pretty far-fetched. And that is probably by
design.
“I think the contrast between Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger is
something history will look at,” said 70th Assemblyman John Campbell,
who’ll be running for state Senate this fall and is one of the
governor’s legislative confidants.
“[Davis] tried very hard to offend no one, which is very
interesting because he ended up offending everyone,” Campbell
continued.
Schwarzenegger, he said, wants to be the “anti-Davis.”
“He wants to do things that are bold, things that are unexpected,”
Campbell said. “He’ll do things that surprise enemies and friends.”
And the governor is able to do that in part because he doesn’t
have to be beholden to anyone, Campbell said. He’s free of the
pressures many in Sacramento face.
“Those pressures can be everything from making political enemies
that are powerful or well-funded to trying to please everyone ... and
all the way to job security,” added Campbell, who -- given his own
successful business background -- has a degree of freedom, as well.
“I definitely feel I have the freedom to tackle the issues I want
to tackle, and if I make a powerful enemy, so be it,” he said.
“There’s no point to having the job if you’re not doing something
with it.”
There are others, he went on, who are concerned, however. And it’s
frustrating when he sees them having to compromise what they believe
to avoid problems.
Campbell’s been fortunate to be in a fairly safe seat. His likely
successor, Republican Chuck DeVore, said he sees the 70th District as
a place where “you can vote your conscience.”
DeVore, who is now running in the general election after surviving
the GOP primary, said he’s in the process of getting to know various
corporate leaders and others as he runs for office.
“I feel to be under no pressure whatsoever,” he said. “I don’t
look at that as pressure.”
DeVore added that he believes he has a clear enough political
philosophy -- revolving around encouraging the free market and
reducing taxes and government regulation -- that he can’t be swayed
by outside forces.
“For me, it’s what I spend my time on,” he said. “You can only be
productive so many hours of the day.
“The bottom line is you’re the people’s representative,” he said.
* S.J. CAHN is the managing editor. He may be reached at (949)
574-4233 or by e-mail at s.j.cahn@latimes.com.
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