Don’t blow this chance!

I think California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has a great opportunity to redeem himself in the public eye, if he grants clemency to the Crips gang founder Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams, who is scheduled to be executed next Tuesday.

Arnold made a promising start after winning the recall election which displaced Governor Greg Davis, a Democrat. He reached out to Democrats and Independents, and accomplished a few things which included pushing through a bond measure to reduce the massive budget gap. His popularity rose to the 80% range, and whispers started about changing the U.S. Constitution to allow him to run for U.S. President! The ambitious Arnold could not resist this temptation. Like the crow in the Aesop’s fable, he tried to sing to please the mainstream of national GOP. He started openly disdaining the Democratic lawmakers he once partnered with (‘the girlie men’), and endorsed only Republicans in the 2004 legislative elections. His bipartisan support started plummeting, and he made things worse by his thinly veiled attempt to break the unions, and to reduce the job benefits of teachers and nurses. Recently, the California voters gave a hard slap to Arnold’s face when they voted down all his proposals (propositions) to remake 'Khalifornia’. This has woken him up, and he has gone back to his old ways of working with the opposition. His surprise selection of a Democrat as his Chief of Staff, was a first step.

How would a controversial clemency of Tookie Williams, help Arnold? First, it will show that he is bold, and will do things based on his belief and principles, instead of pandering to the conservatives. Second, he will quickly establish a loyal support among the Blacks, who are carefully watching how one of their own is treated. Third, he will strengthen his support among the circle of Hollywood celebrities and the liberal media, who are campaigning to save Tookie’s life. Of course, there will be some angry reactions from the conservative Republican base. But he does not have to worry about them crossing over, and voting for a Democrat in the next Governor election.

So, Governor, go and do the right thing!