Sacramento — It would be premature to write Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's political obituary. But he certainly has dug himself a deep grave and it's arguable whether he can climb out.
Consider: Schwarzenegger has lost a third of his once lofty job-rating since January and more voters now disapprove of his performance in office than approve, according to nonpartisan polls.
He even loses hypothetical reelection matchups against two relatively unknown Democrats: state Treasurer Phil Angelides and Controller Steve Westly.
"I have about as much interest in these [matchup] numbers as I do Tom Cruise's views on religion," says Schwarzenegger campaign spokesman Todd Harris, noting it's awfully early to be handicapping races that won't conclude for 16 months.
Harris' explanation for Schwarzenegger's popularity plunge is this: "The governor said, 'When special interests try to push me around, I'm going to push back.' Well, there's no question there has been a lot of pushing around by both sides. And we have the scars to prove it."
Schwarzenegger has been far outspent by unions on TV ads. But those anti-Schwarzenegger ads -- featuring teachers, nurses and firefighters -- seem to have found a receptive audience.
"This is just a death from a thousand cuts, all of them self-inflicted," says Democratic consultant Garry South, who was Gov. Gray Davis' chief strategist. "None of this had to happen."
Here is my list of the most damaging self-inflicted wounds:
* Thinking that because of his Hollywood superstardom, he could defy the laws of political gravity. He could belittle people -- "girlie men," "losers," "kick their butts" -- and not deface his image. He could ignore the Capitol and stage gimmicky rallies around the state without casting doubts on his performance as governor. He could sell anything, even a hastily considered, flawed "reform" agenda.
* Misunderstanding the American political system. We gripe about politicians, but inherently cherish the subtle checks and balances that result in coequal branches of government. We want the executive and legislative branches to cooperate even while competing. We don't tolerate strongman bullies, whether it's for real or an act.
* Degenerating into a pugnacious, political partisan after getting elected as a bipartisan conciliator. His party, after all, comprises only 35% of the California electorate.
