The Political Chameleon: Schwarzenegger Sees Poll Numbers and Flip-Flops

After weeks of disparaging remarks directed toward the Legislature, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger engaged in election eve political opportunism today when he signed legislation banning dietary supplements and regulating video games.

In doing so, he has proved himself to be a political chameleon, changing his stripes on two key pieces of legislation with his special election just around the corner. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Governor has done an about-face on these two bills and would become just another opportunistic politician in light of the sagging poll numbers for his initiatives.

Despite today’s signings, ethical concerns continued to surround his involvement in these bills.

Robert Fellmeth, a law professor and founder of the University of San Diego’s Center for Public Interest Law, said “If I’m in his shoes, I would ask the attorney for an opinion as to whether or not he should turn this over to the lieutenant governor.” (Sacramento Bee, 8/9/05).

The Governor also has two FPPC complaints pending against him regarding his vetoes of nearly identical legislation last year to ban dietary supplements, “including one by the family of a 24-year-old man who committed suicide after using steroids.” (Sacramento Bee, 7/20/05).

The Governor also has yet to return the nearly $8 million from a deal with American Media Inc., publisher of “Flex” and “Muscle & Fitness” magazines.

The complaints are pending before the Fair Political Practices Commission, the state’s campaign finance watchdog agency.