It is possible that a robot could do a better job as governor of California than the present Democrat incumbent, Gray Davis. But even if this were the case, it is not the choice facing the state's voters in a special election due in October. The actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has launched a bid to unseat Mr Davis, made his name playing a humanoid killer machine in a series of hugely violent, hugely successful films. Before that, the Austrian-born immigrant achieved a sort of fame as a body-builder of painful proportions clad in a tight pair of briefs. Arnie, as he is known to his fans, now possesses one of the most potent Hollywood images, instantly recognisable all around the world.
But Californians will not be voting for an image or a fantasy figure, for Conan the Barbarian, the Kindergarten Cop or indeed the Terminator. They will be trying to find a politician who has the skill and ideas to rescue their state from a $38bn budget deficit, an energy crisis and myriad intractable woes for which Mr Davis, unfairly or not, is blamed. It is important that they can see the difference. It is unclear at this early stage whether they do.
At the same time, it is important not to be too pompous about Mr Schwarzenegger's ambition for public office, as Democrats like senator Dianne Feinstein (who has decided not to run) and Mr Davis's campaign aides are in danger of being. The movie star's candidacy brings with it the sort of excitement and glamour - and sex appeal - that is routinely lacking in US (and British) politics.
If Mr Schwarzenegger encourages voters actually to get out and vote, in a country where less than 50% normally do, then his efforts will not have been in vain. As the political base of Ronald Reagan, another actor turned governor, of Sonny Bono, the late congressman-cum-crooner, and of Clint Eastwood, spaghetti westerner and Carmel mayor, California has often aimed for the stars. If Mr Davis's last-gasp legal appeals fail and the so-called recall election to terminate his term goes ahead, the challenge posed by the hero of the aptly named Total Recall and Running Man will make for an action-packed contest. There could be a movie in it.
Dabbling in politics by millionaire celebrities for reasons of self-promotion and personal vanity should obviously not be encouraged. American democracy has long been overly vulnerable to the big name with the big money and the big mouth. While Mr Schwarzenegger insists he is a serious candidate, he admits to weakness by other, present-day measures of political viability. Past allegations of sexual abuse, dope-smoking and anti-semitism are certain to be recycled. Opponents also point out that detailed Schwarzenegger policies on race relations, water supply, traffic congestion, smog and taxes have yet to be elucidated. It can be assumed that his attitude to terrorism is fairly straightforward.
Yet the idea of Mr Schwarzenegger as total political novice is also wrong. The actor has been closely involved with community and state educational projects. His moderate Republican positions on abortion and gay rights will appeal to the centrist voters who are now deserting Mr Davis. His self-portrayal as an American immigrant success story will play well with California's Latinos. He has handy personal connections with the Bush and Kennedy clans; and unbeatable name recognition. The dramatic way he exploded on to political centre-stage this week, after weeks of masking his intentions, suggests not a little guile. Mr Schwarzenegger is ambitious, determined and tough. As the bad guys will testify, it is unwise to underestimate him.
