Tuesday, August 12, 2003
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Whiffing at Arnold Schwarzenegger
I was waiting for someone to raise the Planet Hollywood debacle in discussing Schwarzenegger, and Daniel Gross finally got around to it in Slate. The key theme Gross wants you to remember:
Having eaten once -- and only once -- at the restaurant, I'm certainly sympathetic to the idea that Schwarzenegger couldn't manage his way out of a paper bag, and this should count against him in his gubenatorial bid. However, by the time I got to the, conclusion, Gross' article actually convinced me this episode doesn't matter all that much. The reason is that Schwarzenegger wasn't as involved in the management of the restaurant chain:
In other words, Scharzenegger's role was to generate publicity for the restaurant, and even Gross acknowledges he accomplished this goal and then some. One can argue that Arnold should not have associated his name with overpriced hamburgers. However, one can't accuse him of poor business acumen (since he put none of his own money into the venture), which would have been a much more damaging fact to associate with Schwrzenegger. Let me close here by pointing out that, like Virginia Postrel, I don't really know whether Schwarzenegger would make a good governor. And, like Postrel, if he doesn't start talking policy, he'll lose me. Comments: So what other evidence is there of the "business acumen" I've been hearing touted for the man? I'm being serious, not facetious. What, other than manage his own money, has he actually done in the way of business? Inquiring minds and all... posted by: John on 08.12.03 at 10:56 AM [permalink]Some news reports allude to some shrewd real state deals he has made over the years but never provide any details. I couldn't be bothered to dig any deeper than that. posted by: Javier on 08.12.03 at 10:56 AM [permalink]That didn't take long. Matt Welch linked to this article on Arnold's business acumen http://www.newslettersonline.com/user/user.fas/s=614/fp=3/tp=45?T=open_article,554697&P=article posted by: Javier on 08.12.03 at 10:56 AM [permalink]Arnold has always been a shrewd businessman. He was a self-made millionaire before he started acting, having built up a chain of gyms. He made himself the highest-paid actor in Hollywood despite a strong accent through shrewd dealings. He's definitely a smart guy. posted by: pj on 08.12.03 at 10:56 AM [permalink]I wanted to pass this link along. After years of denials by both parties, Arnold Schwarzenegger's longtime mistress Gigi Goyette finally admitted to the adulterous affair on British television -- an affair that began as statutory rape when she was 16 . This confirms rumors that were previously published in the National Enquirer in 2001. posted by: Mark Kraft on 08.12.03 at 10:56 AM [permalink]I don't know about business skills, but he has the acting part down. He's already using the Hans and Franz "girlie man" phrase in the political arena. Arnold Schwarzenegger ----> Get the latest Governator news posted by: Scarlett on 08.12.03 at 10:56 AM [permalink]Post a Comment: |
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