Political muscle power

Governor's support gives GOP extra appeal

By Danh Ngo

Before the Republican National Convention, the George Bush/Dick Cheney ticket held a two-percentage point lead in most polls. After the convention, however, the Washington Post and Newsweek magazine polls showed the Bush/Cheney ticket lead jumped to 11 points, from 43 percent to 54 percent. Some GOP supporters said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger played a major part in pushing the poll numbers up.

David Schecter, a political science professor at Fresno State, said Schwarzenegger’s speech was strong because he spoke with sincerity and passion.

Carter Gaither, a Republican from Crestview Hills, Ky., told the Kentucky Post he particularly liked Schwarzenegger’s address that night.

“The overall message was ‘Believe in yourself, work hard and good things will happen to you.’ It's a very optimistic message,” he said.

“One of the reasons I'm for this president is because he is optimistic. He actually believes that if you allow people to take care of themselves, they'll do it, and they'll do it well,” Gaither said.

In the online text of his speech, the governor said, “To my fellow immigrants listening tonight, I want you to know how welcome you are in this party. We Republicans admire your ambition. We encourage your dreams. We believe in your future. One thing I learned about America is that if you work hard and play by the rules, this country is truly open to you. You can achieve anything.”

Tal Eslick, president of the Fresno State College Republicans, agrees.

“The governor’s speech served as a message of hope for immigrants and minorities in the United States. He tried to inform America’s diverse population that the Republican Party and the Bush administration care about them and are willing to go to the extra mile to get their support,” he said.

Paul M. Weyrich, Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation and also a commentator of www.gopusa.com, criticized Bush’s policy and campaign on the Web site before the GOP convention.

After the convention, he changed his mind.

Weyrich said he praised the speakers at the convention.

“Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was mesmerizing. Usually during these political speeches I find my mind wandering. I often have to snap back to the speech at hand lest I miss something important,” he said.

Weyrich said that during Schwarzenegger’s speech, he sat glued to his seat waiting for the governor’s next words.

“It is true that his story was more personal, but the way he related it to the president and to the Republicans in general was absolutely first rate,” he said.

Rita Shade, chairwoman of the Salem County Republican Party in New Jersey, was part of the New Jersey delegation at the GOP convention in New York. She told the online news service at www.nj.com that Schwarzenegger’s speech was “awesome to hear.”

Vincent Fiore, a commentator on www.gopusa.com, attended the convention and said: “California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger extolled the virtues of a freedom-loving democracy, buoyed by capitalism, and guided by an infectious optimism.”

Eslick said he believes the governor’s effect on the election will be very significant, especially if Bush begins campaigning heavily in California.

“The governor is very popular, and when he speaks, people listen,” he said.

But some people do not believe that his speech will swing many Democrats for Bush.

“It may swing some Democrats but was meant more for independents and to ensure good turnout among Republicans,” said Schecter, who declined to state whom he will vote for. Schecter said the governor’s speech would not affect his decision so far.

Richard Sanikian, president of the Fresno State College Democrats club, said he thinks the governor’s speech cannot have any effect on the campaign.

“I doubt that the California governor will make an impact to the Democratic voters in the national election,” he said. “It is possible the governor will help Bush; he does have a popular appeal; but as I stated earlier, I do not believe it will have a significant impact.

“The governor’s speech was not a high point in the convention speeches in my view.”

Even though the governor is a son-in-law in a well-known Democrat family (the Kennedys), many Democrats, like Sanikian, do not support him.

“Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, called people who don’t agree with Bush’s economic policies ‘girlie men.’ The whole thing turns my stomach,” Charlotte Gressett, a Kerry supporter from Wilder, Ky., told the Cincinnati Post.

Democrats and Republicans may share one idea. The Governor will try his best to help President Bush in this campaign.

“He has stated that he will not campaign outside this state for Bush on several occasions. I have no idea if that will change,” Schecter said.

Eslick said he thinks Schwarzenegger will do everything he can to see that Bush is re-elected.

“He will probably make appearances with the president in coming months,” Eslick said.