When in trouble, head for China
Schwarzenegger's governorship continues on a parallel track with Bush's presidency. While both were elected on their self-described ability to bridge cultural and ideological divisions ("I'm a uniter, not a divider," Bush proclaimed) and make progress on such issues as education, both have become deeply divisive figures. That is largely because both launched wars that failed to resonate with their constituents.
Bush's war was of the shooting variety, invading Iraq on the premise that it would remove a threat to American and global security, while Schwarzenegger's pre-emptive strike was on the public employee unions he portrayed as being a threat to California's economic prosperity. But their rationales have fallen out of favor, and so have they, as their sky-high standings with voters plunge to depths no politician likes to occupy. They have become targets not only for partisan rivals, but for editorial cartoonists, stand-up comedians, talking head pundits and other arbiters of the public's mood.
It's no wonder that President Bush and Governors Schwarzenegger and Pawlenty are traipsing through China this week. These days, the Chinese are much friendlier than the American voters.
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