| Arnold Schwarzenegger
is a former Mr. Universe who overcame an inability either to act
or speak English to become one of the world's biggest film stars.
To Californians his candidacy is
not as bizarre as it might seem to the rest of the world.
Firstly Mr. Schwarzenegger is hugely famous for his simple and
effective action movies. This gives him the strong
public image any politician would want, complete with "I'll
be back" catchphrases and
a salary of 30 million dollars a film.
Secondly, his is a glamorous version
of the American immigrant dream, arriving as a mere Austrian bodybuilder
before finding fame, fortune and a Kennedy-clan
wife.
It should be remembered that Hollywood has always been intimately
bound to its local politics, not only by providing governor
- later President - Ronald Reagan. The film industry didn't grow
as it has without political favour
and protection and movie stars have been campaigning both for
and against Mr. Schwarzenegger whose sheer
level of fame has dominated
the ballot.
Media coverage has been notable for its use of the language of
Hollywood - "Will Conan the Republican Terminate
the Governor who's facing Total Recall?" Politics and Hollywood
- as the film title says, its all "True Lies."
Mr. Universe: the winner of an annual competition for male bodybuilders
(a bodybuilder is someone who likes to develop their muscles
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candidacy: the fact of being nominated
for election
strong public image: if you have a strong public image,
this means that many people know you and they have a good opinion
of you
catchphrases: sentences or phrases
often connected with one particular person
glamorous version: an attractive
or exciting account of an event
Kennedy-clan: a clan is a group
of people (sometimes family, as in this case) closely connected
with each other by similar aims or interests
intimately bound: closely connected
political favour: if you have political
favour, you are given advantages or support by people in Government
which other people don't get
sheer level of fame: huge popularity
alone
terminate: bring to an end
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