Opines the Sacramento Bee in today's editorial:
You know what? The Bee is right.In his latest television ad, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dusts off his old shtick of portraying himself as an outsider battling evil.
Speaking directly into the camera, Schwarzenegger blames "Sacramento" for the budget mess, leaving the impression that he hasn't set foot in the Capitol after nearly six years as governor.
It makes for great television. But it's a lousy display of statesmanship.
Now more than ever, Schwarzenegger must show he can work with lawmakers and strike the tough bargains that will close a $26 billion hole. Fingering lawmakers as the sole source of California's budget troubles not only insults them, it risks torpedoing a deal that is essential if California is to avoid insolvency.
In his TV ad, Schwarzenegger urges viewers to "Stand firm. Stand for California."
Most Californians want the governor to stand firm. In particular, they don't want him to back a budget deal that relies mostly on gimmicks and borrowing. They've seen that script before.
At the so-called "tea parties" that I've seen or been to, people have expressed as much dismay at Arnold as they have with any politicians in Washington. They're certainly not buying the Hollywood act.
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