September 15, 2003

Maria and Arnold on Oprah

For those of you who did not have an opportunity to see the first joint interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver on the Oprah Winfrey show I thought I would do my best to recap what I've just seen.

1) The show opened with Oprah dispelling any rumours generated over the summer that she's had plastic surgery or that she's broken up with Steadman and she and Steadman have been together for 17 years.

2) She then introduced Maria Shriver as one of her oldest friends of 27 years and told the audience that Gail and she are her oldest friends. Maria Shriver came out and she looked fantastic, in black from head to toe, she was wearing a simple black top, banded with a diamond belt, a black leather ankle length skirt with a flared bottom and very elegant black leather boots with short, stiletto heels. She was wearing beautiful diamond earrings and a stunning diamond cross. I figured out that she's 47 years old and she looks absolutely fantastic. There is a portrait of her in some Kennedy relative's attic because she didn't look a day over 25. Maria talked about how she wasn't supportive of Arnold's run for governor at first because she understood the work that went into campaigning but eventually was persuaded by his enthusiasm, decided to stand by him and will vote Republican for the first time in her life.

3) Arnold came out to a standing ovation. He also looked fantastic and Maria was looking at him with such love. That is a couple in love. He talked about his previous work with the community, twice mentioning the Special Olympics and sounded like he really wants to be governor, but I don't think anybody doubts or doubted his sincerity. He said after having done body building he was ready to start a film career and now that he's been doing films for 25 years, he's ready to try politics. He told us that instead of riding his Life Cycle in the morning and watching TV, he's been Life Cycling and reading briefs.....but he's in shape for the challenge and the work involved in becoming and then being governor.

4) When asked about the WE interview where he spoke about partying, he deftly avoided answering OPRAH's questions by saying that in the '70s him and his friends were serious about promoting bodybuilding, so serious in fact that they would try to say one more outrageous thing after another to bring attention to the sport. When he said that's why he said "A pump is like cumming...." before he could finish his sentence Ms. Shriver threw her hand up over his mouth and then looked down at the floor. He never answered the question as to whether or not he smoked pot. Now, I don't care if he did or not, but if he did, it would have been nice of him to say it, particularly with the medical marijuana issue being so prevalent. When asked why he isn't debating he said that he didn't participate in little body competitions, just the big ones like Mr. Olympia and that the debate on September 24th is like the Super Bowl of debates.

He also said that he is excited because he'll get to help 36 million people once he becomes governor and for him, it's all about helping people.

I have to say, that he sounded intelligent, compassionate, and like a good husband, father and general family man. The two of them together had a special dynamic. I believed that they are in love. And I think he sincerely believes that he will be a good governor.

But I still feel that it's a shame that the recall is still going on. I think it's not a good idea, that it is potentially setting a bad precedent for other state and local elections. Governor Davis was the man that California elected and he should be able to finish his term.


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