Clooney for Governor

Who says California politics is boring? I mean, we have Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor. Warren Beatty was stalking him for the last week of the special election and Rob Reiner is pushing a preschool initiative. Of course, Gary Coleman and a porn star ran for governor in the recall. And the Green party candidate for secretary of state is named Forrest Hill. So it should come as no surprise that Gale Kaufman, Democratic political strategist who led the charge against the governor is last year's special election, sent out the following list: CORRECTION:It was not Kaufman but Robin Swanson in her office that sent out the release TOP TEN REASONS GEORGE CLOONEY WOULD MAKE A BETTER GOVERNOR THAN ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Reason #10: When George Clooney played a doctor on E.R., the nurses actually liked Dr. Doug Ross. But nurses and other health care providers in California say Governor Schwarzenegger still hasn’t learned his lesson about making health care a priority or passing meaningful laws to lower the price of prescription drugs. Reason #9: When George Clooney played Batman, he was tough on crime, and brought criminals to justice in Gotham city. On Governor Schwarzenegger’s watch, more than 2,500 parole violators remain free. Reason #8: When George Clooney produced his “K Street” series on HBO, he tried to expose “pay to play” politics and the corrupting influence of special interest money in government. Governor Schwarzenegger, on the other hand, is now sending his newly-hired Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy around the state to meet with Republican donors. Reason #7: George Clooney made it big at the box office with “The Perfect Storm.” But Governor Schwarzenegger hasn’t weathered his political storms too well – and instead is taking a “whichever way the wind blows” approach to governing. Reason #6: As evidenced by George Clooney’s Golden Globes speech this year referencing corrupt Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Clooney is clearly not afraid to speak his mind. But at his most recent appearance at Sacramento’s Press Club, Governor Schwarzenegger did nothing more than dodge the important issues facing our state. That’s not leadership. Reason #5: In the movie “Red Surf,” George Clooney looked good in his flip-flops. But Governor Schwarzenegger’s flip-flops on issues ranging from funding public education to “living within our means” has voters confused about the Governor’s lack of direction. Reason #4: During the release of the movie “O Brother Where Art Thou,” we discovered that George Clooney could actually carry a tune. But Governor Schwarzenegger has changed his tune so many times, voters have tuned him out. Reason #3: “Good Night and Good Luck,” directed, written and produced by George Clooney himself, features a character who stands by his convictions in the face of adversity. But political conviction seems to be in short supply in the Schwarzenegger administration. Reason #2: With the movie “Syriana,” George Clooney exposes the corrupting influences of the oil industry. But Governor Schwarzenegger continues to take money from big oil companies to fund his re-election campaign. Reason #1: With “Oceans 11” and “12,” movie-goers actually wanted to see George Clooney in the sequel. But after such a divisive first-term in office, voters aren’t lining up at the polls to see Governor Schwarzenegger’s sequel. Who knows, they might even ask for their money back.