To All Remarkable Women:
Maria Shriver P.S. Be sure to pass this website along to a remarkable
When I started going out with Arnold in 1977, people couldn’t fathom our relationship. I guess they still can’t! Well, one of the main attractions for me was – and still is – how smart Arnold is. Don’t think for one second that there’s some genius out there engineering Arnold’s various successes. It’s all him. Nobody lifted one weight for him – built one brick wall for him – learned one word of English for him – saved any money for him-bought one piece of real estate for him – took one business class for him – navigated the shark-infested waters of Hollywood and now politics, for him. Arnold’s capacity, ability and desire to learn are deeply embedded in his character. With all the problems California has, isn’t that the kind of person we want to be governor? Number Two: He’s disciplined, determined and decisive. At any moment in his life, Arnold has his eye on a goal. He focuses on it – and with single-minded drive and determination, he goes after it. That’s just who he is. He did it in body-building. He did it in Hollywood. He did it again when the first President Bush named him head of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. For him it wasn’t just about photo opportunities. He traveled to every single state, firing up kids, putting physical fitness on governors’ agendas. That was his goal. He did it. He did it again, when he learned that after-school programs help lower the rate of juvenile crime, gang activities, teen pregnancy and drug abuse. He immersed himself in the research on after-school programming and policy to learn what works. Then he started the After-School All-Stars, which today helps motivate and nurture hundreds of thousands of kids in programs around the country. Arnold’s incredible drive, his determination, his discipline to set goals and achieve them – are all deeply embedded in his character. With all the problems California has, isn’t that the kind of person we want to be governor? Number Three: He’s bold – and follows his gut. When Arnold figures out which way to go – when he feels it in his gut – he goes with it. Every decision he’s made in his life has been bold – leaving Austria, going into the movies – God knows, marrying a Kennedy. It was bold to run with his after-school initiative, which everyone told him would fail. And Lord knows, it’s bold to run for governor. In fact, when he told me he wanted to run, I gave him ten reasons why he shouldn’t. I told him, “You’ve got a great career! You’ve got projects lined up! You’re already helping millions of people.” I argued that nobody in their right mind would want to jeopardize their reputation, their family, their privacy, and their livelihood to clean up someone else’s mess. But in true Arnold fashion, he explained to me that he knew in his gut that he could and needed to make a difference in this state. Why would this be important in Sacramento? Because every time you have an innovative idea in politics, entrenched interests – or some terrified wife like me – will give you ten reasons why it can’t work. The courage to say, “I hear your doubts – but I’m going for it anyway, because the old way isn’t working” – that’s boldness! That’s confidence! And it’s deeply ingrained in Arnold. Number Four: He’s compassionate. Arnold never forgets where he came from – the poverty of a little farm town in post-war Austria – truly “the other side of the tracks.” He understands. You should listen to him encourage inner-city kids and their families. He understands that if you’re a working mother and need to hold down a job, or even two jobs – you need to know where your kids are and that they’re safe. And it’s not just words. He starts programs to help them. You should see him in his work with mentally disabled Special Olympics kids who’ve never done a sit-up or lifted weights. He sits with them until they can. He’s out there fighting for inclusion, tolerance, and acceptance for the disabled. He understands that some people need help. This former bricklayer understands working people. When he found out producers were planning to shoot Terminator 3 in Canada – which meant men and women here in California would lose work – he gave a big chunk of his salary back to keep production here. So now, when I read that he’s anti-working people I think, “Give me a break!” His whole life is about working people. This compassion for the disadvantaged and workers and people who need help runs deep in Arnold’s own history and his character. Isn’t that the kind of person we want to be governor? I come from politicians. Three of my uncles ran for President. One was President – two of them Senators. My father ran for President and Vice President. A cousin ran for governor. Three of my cousins have run for Congress – as did one of my brothers. I know about politicians and leadership. We’re starving for real leadership now. Many politicians today don’t have the courage to follow their gut. Instead of looking for solutions, they’re looking at polls. Instead of taking charge, they’re taking the temperature of the electorate. They’re afraid to lead – and the voters know it. That’s why in the last California election more than 13 million eligible voters stayed home. For the good of California, that must change – and it will only change if a real leader steps forward. Arnold has demonstrated extraordinary leadership. Let me tell you a couple of stories. Arnold decided it shouldn’t be only rich kids who have a safe place to go after school. So he came up with the Prop 49 initiative to fund after-school programs in every elementary and middle school in this state after we’re out of the budget crisis. It passed overwhelmingly – and by the way – he was the only Republican who won anything statewide in the 2002 election. That’s leadership. Arnold has used his international stardom to shine a light on the plight of the mentally disabled in Asia, Africa, and Europe. In China – where the mentally disabled are institutionalized or left on street-corners – he got a commitment from the President to help these children – and it’s actually being done! That’s leadership. I don’t know anyone else who could play on a sports field in South Africa with the mentally disabled in the morning – and then talk policy with Nelson Mandela in the afternoon. Arnold connects with them both. That’s leadership. Isn’t that the kind of person we want traveling around the country and the world as our ambassador, attracting business and ideas back to California?! When we were talking seriously about whether or not he should jump into this race – was it only several weeks ago? – Arnold said over and over, “I’m so tired of waking up every day and hearing only negative news. The power crisis. The budget crisis. And worst of all, the school crisis.” For him, negativity’s a no-no! He strongly believes in living life in a positive way, by assuming there are solutions for the obstacles you face. This isn’t to say he sugar-coats reality. People who know him will tell you he’s blunt and says it like it is. But he’ll add – “If that’s the way it is today – well, what can we do to change it tomorrow?” He doesn’t cave into adversity. He blossoms. That’s a true action hero. That kind of optimism and can-do attitude is built right into Arnold’s character. And isn’t that the kind of person we want to be governor? Now this one’s a biggie… Number Seven: He’s Don’t get me started. I find it amazing that at this juncture in California’s history – when we have so many problems, when the state has lost so much of its luster – people are jumping all over Arnold because he’s talking to Democrats. Heaven forbid! They’re screaming: “Oh, my God! He even has friends – and a wife, for God’s sake! – who are Democrats,” as if he’s talking to ax murderers. Since when did bipartisanship become a dirty word? This at a time when Sacramento is so polarized, it’s paralyzed. It’s mind-boggling to me. Now trust me, folks. My husband is a Republican, always has been. And I’m not. But I do know what he believes – that government serves a purpose, but it doesn’t have to serve every purpose. He’s a hard-liner for fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget. He believes that you run a state like you run a family – which means just because you have a surplus, doesn’t mean you have to spend it. These are his strongly-held beliefs. No party in this country has a corner on crises – or solutions. To me, Arnold’s open-mindedness, his willingness to listen to different opinions – in short, his tolerance – are just what the doctor ordered. At a time when California desperately needs someone who can truly bring different people together – isn’t that the kind of person we want to be governor? Number Eight: He’s his own man. “Inclusive” doesn’t mean wishy-washy mush-ball. After more than a quarter-century hanging around me and my family, Arnold’s still an unapologetic Republican. If that doesn’t tell you he’s his own man, I don’t know what does. One of the things I’ve always admired about Arnold is he’s never bothered by what people think of him. Twenty-five years ago he told me, “Maria – people can laugh at my accent and criticize my muscles and think I’m stupid. That’s OK. I know where I’m going and what I need to do.” Arnold Schwarzenegger is beholden to no one. No one in the White House, no one in Sacramento. Never has been. It’s truly his nature to be his own man. Isn’t that the kind of person we want to be governor? I have read some of the coverage of this race and I have to admit I found particularly ridiculous an article slamming my husband for having a plan for his life. What they called his “master plan” included coming to the United States, making lots of money, making movies, being a great success, maybe even going into politics. And of course, marrying a fabulous wife and having a big family! How terrible! He had a plan! As if that’s a bad thing! Is it really bad to visualize what you want in life and go for it? Isn’t that what America’s about? Isn’t that what we’re teaching our kids? Let me tell you, folks, I’d rather have a leader who develops a plan – than one who’s always looking around the room for someone to tell him what the plan is. Arnold has a vision. He believes he has what it takes to bring people together and make a difference in this state. And you know what? No matter the outcome of this race, I’m so proud that he’s had the guts to do this. If you want someone who has no plan – no vision – no backbone – don’t vote for him. But if you do, he’s the kind of person you’d want to be governor. Which brings me to… Number Ten: He loves this state and this country. From the first time he saw a Hollywood movie – Arnold knew California was where he could truly become what he wanted to be. Now he’s lived here for 35 years, raised his family here – become a citizen here, paid his taxes here. He’s in love with California, and he wants to harness his can-do attitude to try to straighten it out. In the end, that’s why he’s running. He says, “If someone like me – an immigrant who has been given every single opportunity this state and country has to offer – doesn’t get involved, doesn’t feel it’s his duty to help – then who will?” Immigrants identify with him. Not a week goes by when someone from another country – be it Mexico, Europe, Russia, or Africa – doesn’t come up and say, “You’re my role model!” They believe because he did it, they can, too. I’m proud that his life story of working hard and giving back inspires people. Just Arnold’s candidacy itself – accent and all – says to anyone reaching for the American dream – YES – YOU – CAN! You know, I think Arnold has what it takes to re-energize those 13 million people who feel alienated from politics. He’s already shaken things up. From day one his candidacy has re-energized the Republicans and galvanized the Democrats. Everyone’s paying attention – and everyone wants to hear about the issues. No matter who wins this contest, the state’s already better off. Listen: If you don’t vote for Arnold, that’s fine with me. The kids will go back to having a really great dad full-time – and I’ll go back to having my husband full-time. But it’ll be the state’s loss – because people couldn’t see beyond the labels, beyond the body and the accent – and all the negativity spewing around in this campaign. But if he wins – you win. You’ll get him full-time. His heart, his brain, his vision, his leadership. You’ll get his positive attitude, his optimism, his determination, and his drive working for you. He has endless energy to travel the country and the world, meeting with everyone and anyone who has a great idea for California – then to come back home and figure out what’ll work and how to make it happen. And you’ll get to share his belief that California can be great once again – The Golden State a little kid in a town far away can dream of once again. So you can listen to people who don’t know him – or you can listen to me. If you think this is the kind of person we need as Governor – Vote for the California dream – Vote for my husband Arnold Schwarzenegger. |
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