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reprint or license this Schwarzenegger earns 2nd term Mercury News Editorial In his first two years, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made the blunders of a political neophyte. He paid the price for his swagger a year ago with voters' repudiation of his reform initiatives. Over the past year, he brought in new advisers, some of them Democrats, and figured out how to govern, not just bully. It includes landmark environmental legislation, a massive public-works program that still must pass the test of voters, and an early budget agreement that combines frugality with fairness and a significant increase in public school spending. Schwarzenegger also set a tone of bipartisanship that creates an unusual opportunity to resolve issues that have eluded the Legislature. With a nod to his accomplishments and high expectations for his second term, we recommend his re-election. Critics charge that Schwarzenegger's tack in midstream shows he has no core beliefs -- or is willing to abandon them -- and therefore can't be trusted. Yet Schwarzenegger's conversion involved process, not principles. He discovered that success as governor lies in being a collaborator, not a Terminator. Phil Angelides, the Democratic candidate, has been an energetic and creative state treasurer. We nod in agreement when he talks about many programs he'd like to see in place: fellowships for students committed to becoming teachers; incentives for communities meeting smart growth'' targets; He has a realistic plan to erase the state's budget deficit. But it takes leadership to turn plans into programs and a budget. Angelides has a reputation as an overbearing micromanager. He has had a hard time connecting with independents and, other than unions, party faithful. He apparently can't even persuade the state's top Democrats to stop doing grip-and-grins all over the state with the governor. In fairness, Schwarzenegger would probably cast a shadow over any opponent. But a poorly run campaign points to weaknesses of the candidate. We will continue to have sharp disagreements with the governor. His reflexive tough-on-crime act stands in the way of criminal justice and sentencing reforms. Except for workers' compensation reform, he has done little to improve the state's business climate. A promise to hawk avocados in China on behalf of agribusiness does nothing for Silicon Valley and the state's reputation as being unfriendly to business. And yet, as a moderate Republican with the power of celebrity, Schwarzenegger is uniquely positioned to work with a polarized Legislature of liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans. He has, at times, shown independence from the business interests that fund him and stood up to the public-employee unions that, we fear, would keep Angelides in check. The priorities for his next term are obvious: the economy, education, health care and prisons. If he can guide a consensus and, yes, agree to raise taxes if a compelling solution demands it, Schwarzenegger could leave a remarkable legacy. Three years ago, we doubted that a former bodybuilder and actor could run the nation's biggest and most complex state. Today, we are optimistic that in a second term, Schwarzenegger could solve some of its biggest problems.
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