Sacramento — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed some intriguing reforms that merit a serious look by the Legislature, but they're being overshadowed by the politics of pugnacity.
There's pugnacity on both sides -- by Schwarzenegger and by Democrats. But it's the governor who has the loudest mike. And it's his bellicosity that is having the most negative impact on the Capitol atmosphere.
He's the one who has laid the proposals on the table, after all. And his brickbats are not conducive to compromise.
Maybe he doesn't believe, deep down, that Democratic legislative leaders are able or willing to compromise. Maybe he already has decided to bypass lawmakers and call a special election for November. So he's in campaign mode, trying to make the case to voters for his proposals by dumping on Democrats and their "special interests," such as schoolteachers.
Or maybe he's just a natural producer of punchy, brawny sound bites: "Girlie men." "Losers." "Three stooges."
"It appears Arnold is having trouble transitioning from his Hollywood role to his governor's role," says Democratic Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer, who intends to run for governor next year, regardless of whether Schwarzenegger seeks reelection. "He's playing the 'Conan' role again....
"It's one thing to have clever things to say and another to sound like a clown all the time."
Here's another theory: It's not that Schwarzenegger is having trouble transitioning. It's that he's fighting it, clinging to his image as a movie superstar and political outsider. Hollywood "action heroes" are admired. Politicians are disparaged.
When politicians are pugnacious, they can be polarizing -- a role that doesn't fit with the governor's frequent, high-minded call for bipartisan cooperation.
Schwarzenegger, in a meeting last week with Sacramento Bee writers, called Lockyer and two other Democrats -- Treasurer Phil Angelides and Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell -- "the three stooges."
The original Three Stooges -- Moe, Larry and Curly -- were slapstick movie comics. The trio of Bill, Phil and Jack had a one-time gig at a grammar school where they accused Schwarzenegger of shortchanging education and breaking a promise.
The governor actually proposed a $2.9-billion increase in school funding. But that's $2.3 billion short of what schools are owed under a deal Schwarzenegger cut with education leaders soon after taking office.
