Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't exactly the most-liked man in Sacramento.
The governor is now just as unpopular as Gray Davis was when Californian voters recalled him and crowned Schwarzenegger.The nonpartisan Field Poll recently reported that only 22% of California voters approve of Schwarzenegger's job performance; 70% disapprove. That was Davis' low mark in August 2003, and the lowest appraisal of the governor since he was elected in the 2003 special election.
It's a stark comparison with the 65% approval, 22% disapproval that he displayed in summer 2004.
The Field Poll also found that 79% of California voters believe the state is seriously on the wrong track. But Times staff writer George Skelton says voters are to blame.
"The problem is California's unique and unworkable system of governing," he writes, "an awkward contraption of conflicting parts created mostly by the electorate."
While some of our readers agreed with the column, others believe Schwarzenegger has done a sub-par job as governor:
airjackie wrote: Don't blame Arnie as he's still learning what the job of Governor is and doesn't speak English very well. Blame Obama for the problems and also blame Gray Davis for the problems. Arnie just took office and was handed this mess a few months ago right. As the Media/Press have reported Obama caused two Wars and created a recession while in office and Bush/Cheney left office with no wars and a balanced budget. Tell that story enough and people will believe it. Sarah said she can see Russia from her window and we believe that too.
The Great Unknown wrote: I think Arnold started out well and got four unprecedented ballot initiatives on the state ballot that would have really shaken things up. All four failed (some narrowly) after powerful entrenched interests fought them. After that , my guess is he gave up taking on the status-quo head-on and has since gotten nowhere. Too bad for us.
RonaldAnn wrote: California has too many social programs, has overpaid its' underachieving gov't workers (from the DMV on up), and really, should be the benchmark that the rest of the fools in the country need to look at while they are all trying to change our entire country into California. Extending social services to every Tom, Dick and Harry, who eventually force closure of the very agencies that are trying to help them, is financial suicide. Schwarzenegger has implemented some very unpopular measures to try and get the state budget back in line. It's going to get worse before it gets better, but you people will still have your flipping hands out....
mousefan wrote: i couldn't agree more. finally someone has said it. there would not be so many disappointing politicians in this country if the voters and the general populace are not to blame. people need to stop blaming the politicians and take a good hard look at themselves.
Davis never should have been removed from office in the first place and Schwarzenegger should not take soul responsibility for all these problems. as far as i'm concerned Schwarzenegger and Davis both tried. it was unrealistic voters and the populace that steered everything wrong. the voters and the people are messing so much of our system up and they need to be honest about it. so many of these disappointing politicians are created by the people themselves. good for you LAtimes for telling it like it is.
Bobby M wrote: Arnold Schwarzenegger had no problem blaming Gray Davis and Californian have no problem blaming Arnold.Like Republican always tell you take responsibility for your actions.
Well Arnold now it time for you take responsibility for yours.
-- Gerrick D. Kennedy
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