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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK

California Recall: Analyzing the Recall

Aired October 8, 2003 - 06:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

COSTELLO: Everyone has conceded an Austrian-born movie star is about to become Governor Schwarzenegger.
Time to delve a little deeper. Live from New Haven, political science Professor John Orman from Fairfield University and author of the book, "Celebrity Politics."

Well, you called it. You said Schwarzenegger would win, and he did.

JOHN ORMAN, FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY: Well, that's right, Carol. I'm still trying to learn how to say "Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger."

COSTELLO: It's a tough one, isn't it? You know, it was truly a celebrity win. None other than Jay Leno introduced Schwarzenegger for his victory speech. This man knows how to use Hollywood. Do you think he'll continue to do that?

ORMAN: Yes, it's worked for him very successfully so far. I remember in August when he announced, one radio station called me and said three out of four of their listeners said Arnold was not qualified to be governor of the state of California. Yet, 6 out of 10 of their listeners said they intended to vote for him. So...

COSTELLO: Yes, voters just don't seem to care whether he was experienced or not in government.

ORMAN: It doesn't seem to be an important consideration, but I think it now is going to be an important consideration. Can Arnold govern? There are so many tremendous problems beyond the control of any governor. We have a global economy. We have a national deficit in the United States. We have California energy problems. We have all kinds of problems that are just way beyond the importance of one person.

And so, it's going to be real interesting to see how Arnold is going to shape things up in Sacramento.

COSTELLO: Oh, yes, that's a true story. Let's go back to his campaign act, though, because it was winning one. And looking at the exit polls, a good number of women voted for Schwarzenegger, despite grope-gate and Hitler-gate. And, you know, he said he would pay for his campaign, but he really didn't. Is celebrity the Teflon shield in politics?

ORMAN: It depends on what type of roles you play. I think if Arnold had not been an action hero, and, say, he had been in 10 movies where he was the super villain, it may have hurt his celebrity cache a little bit. But, of course, Arnold plays the super action heroes.

And, of course, once he announced, at least as you already mentioned, the thesis of our book, "Celebrity Politics," was that his celebrity stylistics was really going to play a very important role. And actually, we think the race was pretty much over in August once he announced.

COSTELLO: Yes, I think people had pretty much decided what they were going to do.

Another celebrity came out after the results were in, Rob Lowe, and he said that this ends puke politics. Do we take him seriously?

ORMAN: I don't know about Rob. He's had some adventures before at the Democratic National Convention and also on "West Wing" when he was on there. He's had a number of adventures. So, Arnold is going to be...

COSTELLO: Yes, but can't you see him running?

ORMAN: Sure. If Arnold can run -- I've even heard Martina Navratilova is thinking of running. Charles Barkley said his No. 1 wish after he gets done commentating would be go back to Alabama and be the first black Republican governor of Alabama.

So, yes, I can see a lot of celebrities saying that if Arnold can do it, I can do it, too. Watch out for Dennis Miller.

COSTELLO: Oh, that's right. They were recruiting him to run as well, because who knew he was a conservative Republican? I didn't know.

One more question for you. Does this overt use of celebrity in the end hurt American politics?

ORMAN: Well, it sure makes us the laughing stock of the world, but we're used to some of our policies not being that popular around the world. Basically, California voters had an opportunity to speak. They spoke. It was a democratic process, although it is very unusual compared to what other states have. And I think we're just going to have to wait and see how Arnold does.

COSTELLO: Yes. Professor Orman, thanks very much.

ORMAN: Thanks a lot.

COSTELLO: John Orman from Fairfield University and author of "Celebrity Politics" joining us this morning on DAYBREAK.

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