Schwarzenegger Remakes Himself as Environmentalist

[demnan]

SACRAMENTO -- Arnold Schwarzenegger is not the type of guy you would necessarily associate with tree hugging. When he bought a Hummer in the early 1990s, it kicked off a nationwide craze for the gas-guzzling behemoths. His lighter-fluid-dowsed action flicks and protein-packed chest bespoke more of American excess than environmentalism, more violence than vegan.

But as governor of California, Schwarzenegger has engaged in a savvy makeover, befitting a Hollywood star. He retooled one of his four Hummers to run on alternative fuels and is quickly fashioning himself into one of the most aggressively pro-environment governors in a state known for leading the nation on that issue.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/22/AR2006122201476.html

As a complete outsider and East Coaster, I heard him speak recently and found him almost likeable! What do California DUers make of him now, I'd like to know.

[Kolesar]

1. Governator deserves credit for signing the greenhouse-gas bill

I had been following that story for a long while. That bill is good policy. Every state should adopt such a bill. DUers who want to do something about protecting the climate should help get such a bill passed. See you in the E/E forum :hi: .

And now Schwarzenegger, a Republican, wants to use his star power to turn global warming into an issue in the 2008 presidential election. "There is a whole new movement because of the change of people sent to Washington," Schwarzenegger said in an interview this week, referring to the Democratic Party's impending takeover of Congress. "We want to put the spotlight on this issue in America. It has to become a debate in the presidential election. It has to become an issue."

Now if we could only crush those Hummers.

[cyclezealot]

2. we are Calif voters.

the test will be on his economic issues; corporate ties. He has a huge bankroll from obnoxious special interests; like the insurance industry. Speeches mean little for so many. Just sugar coating. Pay attention to what goes on in the back rooms.

[pretzel4gore]

3. just watched 'An Inconvenient Truth'

swartszhog is just doing what comes natural to someone threatened with certain doom. what really adds up though is the enviro tipping point seems to be fast approaching: gov swartszhog, backed by all the greasers in pretty suits, is recognising the facts as something they best not hide no more....at least somewhat(?)

[Cha]

4. Remember during the

2000 primaries ol' bushtool was goin' around campaigning using Gore's book, "Earth In The Balance" to mock him?

I didn't see it just read about on DU but I'm sure ol' dimson was puttin' on quite the anti-environment show..so pathetic.

[roody]

5. I don't like him. I don't trust him. from North. Cal.