The San Francisco Chronicle reports:
Arnold Schwarzenegger's attempts to shape his media profile on the talk-show circuit instead of in debates have hurt his credibility, critics say.
This week, the California gubernatorial candidate played to vastly different crowds, accepting an endorsement from shock-jock Howard Stern – who asked his position on lap dancing – and later fielding queries from CNN talk-show host Larry King.
Ladies and gentlemen, who on earth is arranging AH-Nold's appearances?
And does this man who wants to be governor realize that Howard Stern is the poet laureate of men's room walls – one of the most disgusting creatures on radio?
And Larry King – not as bad as porn star Stern – but King is one of the most notorious celebrity-strokers of all time.
The Chronicle also reports:
The appearances occurred the same day Mr. Schwarzenegger skipped a second major debate among candidates in the recall election, and they raised questions about his campaign strategy and choice of venues to air his message.
The interview with King broke little new ground as the actor-turned-Republican-candidate was pressed for few details of his proposals and stuck to stump-speech themes. He took no calls from viewers or listeners in either appearance.
But Schwarzenegger's decision to make a repeat appearance on the Stern show, regularly populated by porn stars and peppered with talk of sex acts, raised alarms from unlikely allies – women's advocates and conservative Republicans. Some critics said the candidate's decision to sidestep regular debates and detailed interviews, relying instead on glitzier national media shows, has hurt his credibility.
"To do that radio show [Stern's] while seeking political office is not only offensive to the voters but to Republicans who emphasize ideas," said GOP consultant K.B. Forbes, who has been an adviser to former GOP candidate Bill Simon, who dropped out of the Oct. 7 recall election. "This is proof that Arnold is not making a transition from celebrity to political candidate. It's making a mockery of the campaign."
"It's a very sleazy show," said Randy Thomasson, who heads the conservative Campaign for California Families, in reaction to the shock jock interview. "Arnold and [Democratic Lt. Gov.] Cruz Bustamante have something in common. Arnold goes on these sleazy shows, and Bustamante supports some sleazy bills."
A dismayed Ann Harrison, executive director of Marin Services for Women, said, "Has this guy got a brain tumor or what? What in the world is he thinking?"
Harrison said Schwarzenegger's association with Stern – who regularly jokes about date-rape drugs and underage sex, and often urges female visitors to disrobe – can be no joke to female voters."There are so many young men who look up to him – and [Arnold] has not clarified if this is something that is inappropriate or whether it's OK," said Harrison, whose organization provides counseling and recovery services for victims of abuse and addiction.
But Schwarzenegger's supporters and campaign strongly defend his choices, arguing the candidate hopes to appeal to – and represent – all demographic groups.
"His appearance on the Howard Stern show is great," said Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas (Los Angeles County), the co-chairman of the Schwarzenegger campaign. "It shows he's reaching out to a broad cross section of Californians.
"One of the points of Arnold's candidacy is to bring people to the electoral process who may not otherwise be there, and I think that's a great thing. I can't understand how anyone would be critical ... we welcome support from Howard Stern," Dreier said.
Schwarzenegger spokesman Sean Walsh acknowledged the candidate has conducted just five interviews with state newspapers and has appeared before no editorial boards – though he plans to attend one debate next week. But he insisted that Schwarzenegger has been widely available to the media.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Bustamante announced at a news conference that he has been endorsed by a homosexual-advocacy group.
How thrilling! "Buggers for Bustamante"! And how will another sex-deviancy organization endorse? I refer to California's Rene Guyon Society – motto: "Sex-Before-Eight-Or-Else-It's-Too-Late!"
These people believe in incest.
Will Bustamante accept their endorsement if they offer it? The Rene Guyons recommend that before age 8, children should have sexual intercourse – preferably with their parents.