Arnold Schwarzenegger, one crazy ba***rd

My aunt, who used to be pretty high up in the University of California system, worked with him pretty extensively on a few things and she was impressed as hell with him. Granted, this was early on in his first term, but she said that he had a presence about him that few have, and she had met more than her share of celebs and politicians. She said the only person whose charisma was on the same level was Bill Clinton.

I wonder how many celebrities could pull off what Schwarzenegger did. You always hear about some talking about running for office, but few actually do it.

 

Unlike the celebs who show up every four years to bitch and moan and say "I'm moving if such and such is elected!!!!!!" Arnold was actually involved for a long time before deciding to run. He didn't just swoop in and act like a loudmouth.

And he didn't visit Hugo Chavez.

 

And he didn't let his wife know he was running.

 

I'm not saying that he did a good job, but he walked away from a lucrative movie career (Yes, he was slipping fast, but still...) to run for public office. Even though I'm sure he did it for his own ego, he gets some points for that.

So many talk about it, few actually run.

 

1990s: How a politician treats his wife doesn't matter.

2000s: It totally matters.