Aw, nuts. Every time Der Arnold gets my hopes up-his speech yesterday, in which he outlined his agenda for his first 100 days as governor, was really very good–something happens that brings me back to earth with a thud. Today’s groping charges in the L.A.Times are serious–and they include incidents that took place not only in Arnold’s youth but long after he became a husband and father.
Arnold has now apologized. ”Yes, it is true,” Schwarzenegger said at a campaign stop this morning, “that I was on rowdy movie sets and I have done things that were not right which I thought then was playful but now I recognize that I offended people. Those people that I have offended, I want to say to them I am deeply sorry about that and I apologize because that’s not what I’m trying to do.”
An acceptable statement in itself, but one that raises questions about Arnold’s political judgement. Since he knew all along that he has behaved like a boor–and done so with such frequency that accounts of his behavior were bound to come out–why didn’t he issue this apology weeks ago, addressing the issue early to get it out of the way? And if Arnold thought it best to try to hide the issue instead, what else might he still be trying to hide?
”When I am governor,” Arnold continued, “I want to prove to the women that I will be a champion for the women, a champion of the women.”
We can all guess what that means. Since he has behaved like a serial predator, Arnold will attempt to placate women by supporting the whole radical, feminist agenda.
What effect will this morning’s charges have on the recall? I couldn’t say. But as of yesterday, polls showed Arnold ahead of Bustamante by 10 to 15 percent. If Arnold’s lead now evaporates, permitting Bustamante to claim the governor’s mansion, no one will be able to blame McClintock. Arnold will have brought it on us himself.