Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Teflon governor gets big Hollywood props

By M&C News Aug 7, 2006, 1:36 GMT

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Austrian actor who made his fortune here in the United States, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has true bi-partisan reach in his current popularity.

Hollywood's well-heeled democrats, A-listers like Spielberg, Katzenberg and heavyweight producers Bud Yorkin, Jon Sheinberg and Jerry Zucker are throwing their support to the Terminator and away from the Democratic Party current candidate, state Treasurer Phil Angelides.

"It starts with a personal relationship. They are friends," said Andy Spahn, a spokesman for both Spielberg and Katzenberg reported in the Los Angeles Times.

By their actions, the dam has been breached for other Democrats that it's acceptable to embrace a Republican, and that all Republicans are not cut from the same cloth.

Schwarzenegger is considered to be a progressive “throw back” to the Barry Goldwater and Pete Wilson days when Republicans wanted small government and the least amount of intrusion into people’s personal lives. 

A Catholic, Schwarzenegger does not beat the religious Republican drum nor wear it on his sleeve, instead promoting women’s rights, and gays their basic civil liberties and legal protections. 

Some in the party feel his approach politically is a light at the end of a very dark Republican tunnel that has been hijacked in the last decades by the religious agendas of neo-cons and conservatives, wishing to blur the lines between church and state.

Schwarzenegger's plans to address global warming also endear him to those Independent and Democratic voters who see the environment as a top issue.

The Times reports that “the deepest pockets among those embracing Schwarzenegger belong to the Egyptian-born Saban, who produced the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" and eventually created a media empire.”

Saban, currently negotiating with Jerry Perenchio for the mega Spanish language network Univision with some other investors, is a one time trustee of the Democratic National Committee and one of its biggest donors. The Times reports Saban spent $200,000 fighting the 2003 recall election that brought Schwarzenegger to power.

The Times reported producer and director Bud Yorkin stating: "I can't run away from the fact that I am a friend of Arnold. But if I disagreed with him, I wouldn't have voted for him, people think Hollywood is one giant liberal. That's not the truth."

The times report the Angelides camp “are not worried about the endorsements.”

"Arnold Schwarzenegger has become a fake Democrat in a Republican power tie, and a few friends of his in Hollywood seem to be buying his new act," said Angelides spokesman Steve Maviglio. "But it shouldn't surprise anyone that his network of Hollywood friends — that he has known for decades — is supporting him."

As for whether the endorsements would hurt Democratic fundraising, Maviglio said no: "No one else is buying it." Reported the Los Angeles Times.

Angelides counts on the support of celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Jeremy Piven, President Clinton, Larry David, Ed Begley Jr., Diane Keaton, Will Ferrell, Matt Dillon, Laura Dern and Olympia Dukakis, according to the Angelides camp.

The Times mentions that popular Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has yet to endorse either candidate.