Calif. Editorials Take Measured Approach to Election

By: Seth Porges Newspaper editorials from all over California Wednesday morning sounded out on Tuesday's historic recall election that deposed Gov. Gray Davis and elevated movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger to his first elected office.

Most major California papers took a measured approach: no rebukes nor jokes, with full recognition of the challenges Schwarzenegger will face. Most viewed his election as a product of Davis's bland character, Schwarzenegger's "action-hero" star power, and a general populist unrest.

Oddly, not a single major paper expressed concern that recent sexual harassment allegations against Schwarzenegger indicated a serious flaw or warned that they will dog him in office or affect his ability to govern.

Despite the allegations by several women, the editorials brushed them aside, saying only that the governor-elect was able to win despite them: "A last-minute flurry of sexual harassment allegations proved of no consequence to the outcome," the San Francisco Chronicle wrote.

"This is not a bad movie," the paper's editorial continued. "It's the reality of what happens when a bland and unpopular governor meets a Hollywood action hero promising to blow up a corrupt and aloof culture in Sacramento. ... In the 1972 film, The Candidate, Robert Redford, playing Senate candidate Bill McKay, delivered the memorable election-night line, 'What do we do now?'"

The Los Angeles Times, which uncovered allegations of sexual harassment against the governor-elect just days before the election, was one of the few papers to openly criticize the recall in Wednesday's editorial. But even their criticism was muted in favor of a forward-looking approach.

"We do not believe that the recall was the best way to achieve fundamental reform," the Times wrote. "But the campaign is over. The governing must begin."

The Sacramento Bee opined: "We want a governor who wakes up every morning worrying about our lives, not his own career. We want a governor who listens to average citizens, not just lobbyists and campaign contributors at the state Capitol. ... Caution and political calculation have been brushed aside for the promise of change and action. To which we can only say to the new governor, bring them on. The Capitol and California need both."

The Long Beach Press-Telegram thought Schwarzenegger's election was good for the state but, like the LA Times, tempered their praise with footnotes of future caution and patience: "To those who are fearful: Don't be; Schwarzenegger can't possibly be any worse than Davis, and he just might be an improvement. To those who are inspired: Don't get too excited; the actor's got a lot to learn about politics."

The San Jose Mercury News observed that the "action-hero actor has lived up to his billing, standing tall amid the rubble, just as he does in the movies that made him rich and famous. Now for the sequel ... But it'll take more than a boffo opening for Schwarzenegger to succeed. ... Is [he] the long-awaited warrior for reform, as he promises? Or will he be as baffled about what to do next as the dog who caught the car? "

The Press-Enterprise of Riverside views Schwarzenegger's wide margin of victory as a popular mandate with great potential. "Although we opposed the recall on procedural grounds, we share Californians' frustration with Davis and support Schwarzenegger's political moderation, sensible economic views and promotion of bold governmental reforms," the newspaper wrote. "It now is time for all Californians, and their elected representatives on both sides of the aisle, to respect and acknowledge the voters' will."

The Chronicle advised the new governor to work with legislators from both parties. "He need look no further than the history of another outsider-actor, Ronald Reagan, in mastering Sacramento more than three decades ago."