As the polling booths closed Oct. 7, supporters of once
governor-hopeful Arnold Schwarzenegger were optimistic about the
chances of Gov. Gray Davis being recalled and Schwarzenegger taking
his job.
“He’s going to win,” a middle-age woman told a
friend while she sipped a vodka tonic. It was only 8 p.m., but the
celebration had already begun.
Ten minutes later, the Century Plaza Hotel erupted in
jubilation. “Yes! He Won!” Schwarzenegger’s
supporters shouted.
He hadn’t won yet, but Schwarzenegger was leading in the
polls. Less than two hours later, Davis conceded defeat.
Surrounded by several hundred supporters and friends at the
Biltmore Millennium Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, Davis thanked
the voters of California for the last five years and accepted the
public’s decision.
“It’s time for someone else to serve,” he
said.
Shortly after, Schwarzenegger accepted the governorship from one
of the Century Hotel Plaza convention halls, which was closed off
to all but his closest friends, political allies and a select group
of the media.
Schwarzenegger’s supporters were not separated as
Republicans and Democrats ““ or even Bruins and Trojans
““ but were united by a common belief: It was time for new
leadership.
“The state California is in right now needed
change,” said Andrea Escalante, a fourth-year UCLA
international development studies student. “I’m not a
hardcore Republican, but I supported the recall.”
Many attendees, like University of Southern California student
Peter Smith, voted for the recall as retribution for Davis’
treatment of the state while in office.
“Gray Davis has put this state in the toilet,” he
said.
Many students said Schwarzenegger could effectively govern the
state because he is a self-made man, and they believe he is
independent of the special interests ““ unions and voting
blocs ““ that some critics said influenced Davis.
“I like the fact that he is not a polished politician. He
is a businessman. He knows how to deal with money,” said
Lance Westfall, a Pepperdine University student.
Few Schwarzenegger supporters were permitted into the convention
hall where Schwarzenegger gave his speech. Thousands cheered in
support from the Mezzanine Lounge in the Century Plaza Hotel.
Samantha McNeilly, a 16-year-old Beverly Hills High School
student, said she supported Schwarzenegger despite the fact that
her father, Mike McNeilly, was also a candidate on the recall
ballot.
“My dad is running for governor, but he voted for
Arnold,” she said.
At the Biltmore, some were sad to see Davis go.
“Gov. Davis worked hard to make education a priority. …
We hope that Schwarzenegger will recognize the importance of higher
education and the University of California,” said Matt
Kaczmarek, external vice president for UCLA’s Undergraduate
Students’ Associated Council and Chairman of the UC
Students’ Association.