Arnold, the politician

Arnold Schwarzenegger's journey from an actor to a politician has been simply remarkable, writes Binay Kumar.

This October will mark the first anniversary of Arnold Schwarzenegger's political debut: one year since this particular American dream reached its zenith (or almost, if there is any substance to the talk about his Presidential aspirations). Whether or not he makes it to the White House, Schwarzenegger's journey has been a remarkable one. He came from Austria to build his muscles, defined a pop-culture icon in the , tried to act, and finally graduated to public office last year. Aptly for someone used to show-business his election was a magnificent show of sorts: a potion blend of Californian drama, intrigue and excitement running on the fuel of American-style political freedom. His story has been told and re-told. Most recently it echoed forth from the republican pulpit in Madison Square gardens: the 'governator' was a star participant at the party convention, cheerleading for Bush and cracking jokes about the democrats ('economic girle-men', as he put it).

But for all his apparent swagger and bravado, Schwarzenegger didn't get so far by virtue of his macho-ism. The ensuing debate in the golden state about the Immigrant Responsibility and Security Act is a telling example of how he conducts his business. Unlike his infamous screen persona, the real Schwarzenegger has shown himself more likely to tow the party line. The act would grant illegal aliens the right to earn a drivers license. Every year around 3.4 million out of a total of 23 million drivers take to the roads without a license, and, consequently, without any insurance.

Despite the support of some prominent authorities the Governer is likely to veto the initiative. The act has been put forward by Gil Ceillo, a state senator known for his close ties to California's latino constituency.

Predictably the critics' main argument centers around the issue of legitimacy: By giving illegal immigrants an official government id the state would be putting up a poster inviting people to the break law and enter state without submitting to the correct process.