British Invasion
A Good Chance "They'll be Back"
The Terminator, Turnabout, and Trouble at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
by Nicola Mitchell

Oct. 13, 2003 -- NEW YORK (apj.us) -- So... I learned something about American politics this week: it has a damn good sense of humor.

I mean, how else would you explain the election of the Terminator as governor in one of the biggest, and most politically powerful, states in the country? You can be certain the phrase "Only in America" has been splashed across more than one newspaper page in Europe this past week I can tell you.

But as much as us Brits, and the majority of Americans for that matter, have laughed at the events that have taken place in California over the past couple of weeks, we also appreciate the more serious side of the predicament we now find ourselves in, and also the possible repercussions, and benefits, this may have for Democrats.

But before I get on with the more serious stuff, I have to take another moment to wonder how a man who has made his fortune playing a psychotic robot, a man who avoided all forms of political debate during the campaign and appears to have no discernible policies, and a man who spent the majority of speeches with a broom by his side uttering the phrase, "We must clean up," came to win the most hotly contested election since the 2000 presidential campaign.

Of course such a thing would not happen in England. I can see the scene now. The old upper class veterans of the House of Lords would fall off their chairs as Arnie came breezing through the halls, all orange tan and white teeth, complementing their tweed three piece suits with his designer casual look.

The Tories of course would be thrilled if such a candidate posed for the other side, as it would give them a new method of attack against Labour. And the same sense of joy could apply to Democrats.

You see, although the whole recall saga was a huge set back for Democrats, such an incident could come back to bite Bush in the ass next year, maybe giving them the break they've been looking for.

Although California is one of the most powerful deciding tools in the presidential election, a governor trading off his celebrity status with no previous political experience could appear more of a liability when 2004 comes around, particularly if the "issues" of Nazi sympathies and womanizing that dominated the closing days of the campaign are anything to go by.

And speaking of Shrub and his band of merry men, all does not appear to be harmonious in the White House right now. First of all we have the alleged rift between Rice and Powell after Condi was basically awarded Don's job without anyone telling him. And then we have the CIA investigation, coupled with the increasing calls from members of the US press as to the whereabouts of those elusive WMDs.

Yes -- finally the Bush White House is feeling some of the heat that has been bestowed upon Tony Blair over the past months. Finally the US media is beginning to ask questions, spurred into action by the daily killing of soldiers in Iraq.

So right now Shrub is looking vulnerable, and although they may have lost California to Hollywood, the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue could still be up for grabs. In fact, if things carry on as they are, it might be Democrats, and not Arnie, who will be employing the famous "I'll be back" slogan in 2004.