Lights, Camera, Recall.

The article discusses the frustration at how the image of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger as candidate of the 2003 California governor recall election was more powerful that the words. The recall was a mixture of historical event, high drama and showbusiness. In the early days of the campaign period, Schwarzenegger was often not available to answers questions from the press. he also took time for interviews on conservative talk radio shows where the hosts had already endorsed his candidacy, while the traditional political press was kept at arm's length. Most of the images of Schwarzenegger were flattering ones arranged by his staff. Arnold on the steps of the California State Capitol, broom in hand, promising to make a clean sweep of state government. His training as a bodybuilder and actor served him well during the campaign. Polls showed that voters had made up their minds early in the campaign to vote for the recall and elect Schwarzenegger. Often there were so many cameras present at his event that the television crews were tripping over one another repeatedly. When journalists try to write thoughtful words about the issues raised in the campaign, it often felt like those words were drowned out by the hoopla.