Calblog

Arnold's New Year

It's been nice these last 6 weeks. The recall ended sucessfully and Davis bowed out gracefully. Then Arnold arrived. Despite the predictions of doom and gloom (remember the day Arnold pronounced that things were worse than he thought and the left leaped with joy>), the first six weeks have gone well. The San Francisco Chronicle calls it a honeymoon.

In just six weeks in office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made bold, politically popular moves that have drawn cheers at public appearances and well-choreographed press conferences. The new governor delighted voters by cutting the hated car tax, appeased panicked mayors and sheriffs by doling out state money to local governments, and forged relationships with lawmakers by handing out cigars.

It has been good. With little to complain about, this blog has slipped into lethargy. Lethargy punctuated by chickens.

Of course, the Chronicle informs me, it is all about to end:

But the adulation and good will may disappear next month, when difficult, unpopular choices are due. Schwarzenegger faces a budget deficit, estimated to hit $14 billion, which is larger than the hole that Gov. Gray Davis left when he signed his last budget deal this summer.

Don't you believe it. I don't know what he's going to do but I expect it will not decrease the adulation. I think the populace likes strong leadership and will follow wherever he tells them they have to go.

Posted by Justene Adamec at December 28, 2003 03:26 PM | TrackBack