The Terminator’s Next Mission: After-School Program Initiative
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s face is blotched with rubber-like makeup, depicting wounds and blood and bits of metal skull. But I could be wrong. This is a very strange place.
The former Mr. Universe is wearing a tight T-shirt that emphasizes his barrel chest and bulging biceps, along with Terminator garb: black leather pants and jackboots. We’re at L.A. Center Studios, where pre-production has begun on “Terminator 3.”
Schwarzenegger has just stepped off the set--a top-secret place where no reporter is allowed--and into his trailer to briefly reenter the world of politics.
He’s eager to talk about his November ballot initiative that would annually pump $433 million in state money into after-school programs for kids in kindergarten through junior high.
“I’ve seen the incredible success you can have with children who attend after-school programs,” says Schwarzenegger, who has promoted these programs nationwide for a decade.
Aides pull out several studies that match facts with logic: Children in after-school programs--being tutored, enjoying culture, playing sports--are much less likely to join gangs, do drugs and burglarize the neighborhood. They’ll also improve their grades.
“Look, I had a great childhood,” recalls Schwarzenegger, 54.
“My parents were there in the afternoon when I came from school. I had to sit down, had to do my homework. And I did get whacks with the yardstick over the head when I didn’t. It was Austria under different times. Now it’s child abuse.
“But I had someone there. ‘Now we do the reading. Now we do the math. Now we do the soccer.’ Boom-boom-boom....
“I know how important it was to get me over to America and make me feel comfortable. To make me feel, ‘I can do it. I can be the world champion bodybuilder. I can be the highest-paid entertainer.’ I felt that way because of what I got from my childhood: the confidence and determination.”
But today, both parents often work, Schwarzenegger notes. So kids wander.
His initiative--which soon will qualify for the ballot--would entitle each elementary school to a $50,000 state grant; each junior high to $75,000. The schools would have to match half that, using public or private money.
Gov. Gray Davis currently is proposing $117 million for after-school programs, but this funding is threatened by the budget crunch. Schwarzenegger’s proposal would not take effect until 2004, and then only if the economy has turned around and is generating significant new revenues (at least $1.5 billion).
His after-school program would not dip into the education money guaranteed by Proposition 98, which is why it is endorsed by the California Teachers Assn. Conceivably, parks, prisons and other competitors for non-education money could object, however.
Really, I ask, isn’t this about dipping your toe into politics to learn how it feels before maybe running for governor in four years? See how voters react to you? His initiative strategist is George Gorton, former Gov. Pete Wilson’s longtime political advisor.
“To be honest,” Schwarzenegger replies, “that is not my mentality. I have never tried anything. I’ve done it or I’ve not done it. In sports, you don’t go to 500 pounds and try to lift it. You lift it. If you just try, chances are you will not make it. Trying is not good enough .... I don’t get my feet wet.”
The moderate Republican seemed close last year to diving into the gubernatorial race. The White House encouraged him. “I was flirting with the idea.”
Davis strategist Garry South was so concerned he faxed reporters two sleazy articles by fringe publications alleging boorish behavior toward women by the actor. “Trash” and “stupid,” Schwarzenegger said in denying the accusations.
He opted out of the race, but says the smears “had absolutely nothing to do with it.” In fact, he adds with a smile, his poll numbers rose 6 points after the seedy stories ran.
Schwarzenegger got out, he says, because “Terminator 3” came together. He was threatened with lawsuits if he didn’t honor his contract. It’s paying him $30 million for the picture.
Has he ruled out a future race? “Absolutely not,” he says.
“It’s something I’ve thought about many times. I don’t believe in just complaining. The best thing to do is jump in there and participate and make changes ....
“But right now my mind is on one thing. After the initiative passes, we will have two years to build the program. Then I can think about the rest of the stuff....
“I’m going to make this initiative succeed. It’s absolutely important. That is my mission right now.
“It is like the, you know, the Terminator mode.”
The Terminator has never lost. And, unlike most Terminator battles, this one should be almost bloodless.
