Hasta la vista, Arnold Schwarzenegger

LOS ANGELES - It was only a year ago that Arnold Schwarzenegger, the big-screen action hero turned Governor of California, was the politician who could do no wrong.

Now, with his approval ratings falling as fast as President George W. Bush's and his political future on the line, he is rapidly turning into one who can do no right.

Today, voters go to the polls to contemplate initiatives either written or endorsed by the man known as the Governator.

His game plan was to go around an intransigent state legislature and appeal directly to the people to enact his agenda - largely reducing the power of public-service unions and granting himself greater powers to craft the state budget.

But indications are that "the people", do not approve of the cash spent on the special election, do not regard the issues as crucial and are sufficiently disgusted with him to vote no because he is associated with them.

It's been a startling twist to anyone who remembers the adoring crowds who lauded Schwarzenegger's campaign events.

One of the biggest last-minute boosts Bush received on the eve of his own re-election was an appearance by Schwarzenegger in the crucial state of Ohio.

Over the weekend, however, he was dogged along the campaign trail by Warren Beatty, who together with his wife, Annette Bening, sounded off about the abuse of Californian democracy to every television station that could get near them.

Schwarzenegger has turned against a number of interest groups - especially school parents - who brought him to power in the first place. Bipartisanship was shot after he dismissed Democrats as "girly men". The open expressions of anger began when he told underpaid, overworked nurses he wanted to "kick their butts".

His camp hopes that turnout will be dismal enough to eke out some victories.

A turnout of about 40 per cent is predicted, however, a relatively robust figure for an off-year election and looks, on the surface, like more bad news for Schwarzenegger.

- INDEPENDENT