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The Governator's Recipe for Electoral Success

October 3, 2006

The Governator sure knows how to put on a show.

At the signing ceremonies for California’s path-breaking legislation setting caps on carbon dioxide emissions, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger piped in supportive downlinks of British Prime Minister Tony Blair -- who undoubtedly appreciated the distraction from the nasty PM succession politics back home -- and Virgin Group impresario Sir Richard Branson -- who has just pledged $3 billion to fight global warming.

And just to make sure no one missed the point that the legislation is a Big Deal that deserves attention outside California, New York Governor George Pataki dropped by to witness the signing and offer encouraging words.

Washington Post columnist David Broder -- one of the few national pundits who talks to real people outside the Beltway -- wrote recently that Republicans nationally ought to follow Pataki’s lead and pay attention to what Schwarzenegger is up to. His example could be a winning formula for Republicans in 2008.

Schwarzenegger the Republican is cruising to re-election in the heavily Democratic state of California, which last voted for a Republican president when George H.W. Bush was Ronald Reagan’s loyal understudy and Michael Dukakis -- c’mon, you remember him -- posed haplessly in a tank.

Schwarzenegger’s opponent, state Treasurer Phil Angelides, is supposed to be the favorite of greens, but thanks to Schwarzenegger’s pro-environment flair, poor Phil can’t get a photo op in edgewise.

But Arnold’s act is steak, not just Hollywood sizzle. Schwarzenegger is showing how to broaden support for Republican candidates by returning to a sensible, mainstream tradition on environmental matters whose importance transcends partisan boundaries.

Schwarzenegger has backed real programs that will produce real environmental benefits. In addition to the carbon dioxide cap-and-trade program that he signed into law, he has pushed for greater renewable energy development -- witness the Million Solar Roofs program -- strengthened protections for coastlines and marine waters, and approved a conservancy for the Sierra Nevada. Schwarzenegger has fought with GOP congressional leaders in order to block additional offshore oil and gas drilling, and has battled with automakers trying to squash the state’s carbon dioxide tailpipe emission standards.

Too often, GOP candidates seem indifferent or downright hostile to environmental concerns. If 2008 candidates, instead, take the issues seriously and propose balanced solutions, they are likely to enjoy more favorable electoral prospects.

As Broder wrote, it’s time for Republicans to move back toward the center. Schwarzenegger is showing them how to get there.