Shriver Wields Growing Influence

There's a $14-billion budget shortfall and difficult decisions about raising taxes, cutting spending or both. "The honeymoon is over," he said, but no one should underestimate Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger or Maria Shriver. "Arnold's a very hard-headed guy, and Maria's a very hard-headed girl. And they're going to make something work," he said.

Arnold and Maria. Since the recall election six months ago, the governor's office at times has seemed as much hers as his. Shriver is rapidly emerging as a full -- if unelected -- partner with her husband in running California.

Some lawmakers confide that when they can't get the answer they want from Schwarzenegger's administration, they go to Shriver. Many briefing papers are passed to Shriver. Political strategy can be vetted by Shriver. Some job candidates interview with Shriver. Legislative diplomacy is a Shriver staple.

In an interview this week, Shriver, 48, talked about her unfolding role in the administration and how her marriage, career and Kennedy family heritage are shaping a first lady unlike any other California has seen.

As part of the extended Kennedy clan, she embraces an analogy from her family's history -- Robert F. Kennedy's role in his brother John's presidential administration in the 1960s.

"To the exclusion of everyone, Bobby had Jack's agenda on his mind 24/7," Shriver said. "And he had his back. And all he thought about was what could he do to enhance John F. Kennedy

Fabian Nunez, the new speaker of the Assembly, recalled the governor saying of his wife: " 'We make decisions together.' And I know he's not just saying that."

How does he know?

Worried about nearly $500 million in proposed cuts to a program that serves disabled Californians, Nunez came up with a plan.

He would talk to a sympathetic person within the governor's office who might want to see the money restored: the first lady, whose family, after all, heads the Special Olympics.

So Nunez approached Shriver.

Shriver spoke to her husband.

And state policy was abruptly reversed.

Shriver's place within the administration was hardly planned.

A "work in progress" is how she initially cast herself. Now, her identity is gelling.