Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hits and misses

By Patrick Day, Todd Martens, and Jevon Phillips, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s term in office has seen just as many triumphs and failures as his entertainment career. As guild strikes, and possibility of strikes, raised Californians’ awareness of the state’s reliance and relationship with Hollywood, we take a look at a few of the hits and misses of Schwarzenegger’s Sacramento and Hollywood lives.

MISS: Hollywood separation

He tried to reform California‘s government, but has Schwarzenegger forgotten his roots? The Hollywood guilds were in disarray, with the WGA strike costing the economy billions of dollars, and the possible SAG strike that could have been even more devastating.

His ‘hands-off’ approach was definitely noticed, starting with the whole runaway production issue. Millions of dollars have left the borders, and not a lot was done to either keep it or bring in more during his tenure. The rest of the world is catching up, but Schwarzenegger has done a lot to push away the Hollywood image and probably doesn’t want to re-associate.

He may not be straddling the fence, not having done a movie while in office, but the problem was that he used enough of his movie puns to keep his past in the spotlight. How about this for a slogan, former governor: “California: Come with me if you want to film!” (Ric Francis / Associated Press)

Jan. 17, 2013 10:13 AM PT

Hit: Winning the 2003 California recall election

After a Republican-backed movement succeeded in holding a vote to recall Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, 135 eager candidates filed papers to run for California’s highest office. Schwarzenegger used an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” to declare his run and quickly surpassed experienced Sacramento pols, celebs such as Gary Coleman and porn star Mary Carey. On October 7, 2003, Schwarzenegger won the election to become California’s 38th governor. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Hit: Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s global warming measure is one of his proudest accomplishments. It has landed the governor on the covers of magazines around the world. The ultimate goal is to establish a statewide greenhouse gases emissions cap, and has put Schwarzenegger, a Republican, at battle with some of the countrys Republican leaders. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Miss: Vetoed gay marriage bill (2005)

In 2005, Schwarzenegger said legislation, which would have legalized same-sex marriage in California, would be in conflict with the intent of voters, who had earlier approved an initiative that prevented the state from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other territories. This was after the state House and Senate had approved the measure, and allowed Schwarzenegger to play it safe voicing a support for civil unions while not alienating his base, and pointing the finger at voters. And while the California Supreme Court recently ratified same-sex marriages, a November ballot initiative is asking voters if the constitution should be amended to define marriage as between a man and a woman. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

MISS: California Special Elections (2004)

The Los Angeles Times’ web headline read: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It was a resounding defeat of Schwarzenegger’s government reform intiative, the centerpiece being Proposition 76, which sought to limit state spending. He spent a lot of time (campaigning around the state to get his initiatives passed), and a lot of money (investing over $7 million of his own money in the campaign).

He knew he was beaten, and seemed to acknowledge that his ‘Year of Reform’ focused on the wrong issues, but he didn’t go out whimpering. “Win or lose, we have to put this behind us,” he said. “I don’t think anybody should be taking a victory lap.” (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hits and misses

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