The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, gave the Governator, Governer Arnold Schwarzenegger the highest score for fiscal responsibility in its bienniel fiscal policy report card.
I must admit that the California recall circus a year and a half ago made me laugh when the state elected Schwarzenegger. But despite some missteps, he has done well by the state both in terms of fiscal and other types of policy. Arnold governs the way I would, by determining what is in the best interests of the state and its citizens and then daring the legislature to defy him and the state. It has been masterful PR and framing of issues. By moving from issue to issue with ease and pre-empting the legislature on issues, Schwarzenegger has been keeping them on the defensive, which is how you win politics.
Schwarzenegger has been particularly masterful when it comes to the budget process. Here is a man who came to the U.S. with nothing and managed to build a business empire. People know this and respect it, trusting in him to re-build the 4th or 5th largest economy in the world.
One other bonus of Arnold is that people don't view him as a politician first, which allows him to be credible about the issue before people start being the usual skeptical selves.
Cato News Release - March 1, 2005
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