# Governors Arnold Scharznegger & Gary Coleman: "What a Country!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 7, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591 "2003-08-07T14:48:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/1 "2003-08-07T14:48:39Z")
LOS ANGELES (AP) – On Wednesday, Gary Coleman, the star of the 1980s sitcom, “Diff’rent Strokes,” plunked down $3,500 in Alameda County and declared himself a candidate for governor of California. Current governor Gray Davis is facing a recall election Oct. 7. The diminutive actor has been in and out of legal trouble since the popular show ended, and was recently on the E! series “Star Dates,” where stars and singles mingle with mixed results.Arnold Schwarzenegger also announced his candidacy Wednesday while taping “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” He ended a news conference by telling reporters “I’ll be back.” —This isn’t a Governor’s race, it’s a heartwarming sitcom about a washed-up midget actor and an Austrian muscleman, and how they have to share the Governor’s mansion when a wacky tie is declared! **We’re The Governor!** (NBC, 8:00) Zaniness results when Gov. Gary gets trapped inside a giant Bachelor Party cake and Gov. Arnold accidentally delivers it to a press conference rather than his pal’s party. Costarring Phyllis Diller as Dame Margaret Thatcher; Carrot Top as the Press Secretary; Jacklie Mason as Ariel Sharon; and Mary Bono as herself. ---
**Author:** ![Skerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Skerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skerri)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/2 "2003-08-07T14:57:18Z")
Well, you know, Gary Coleman could clean up California. When people come to him with crackpot ideas, he could always whip out a “whatchu talkin’ 'bout, Willis?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/3 "2003-08-07T15:19:03Z")
Well, Gary Coleman did turn the Padres around that one season… ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/4 "2003-08-07T15:23:05Z")
**Eve** , be careful! With a thread title like that, you might give Yakov Smirnov an idea! ---
**Author:** ![Aries28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aries28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aries28)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/5 "2003-08-07T15:29:10Z")
Why, oh why did I open this thread? Now I’ve got a song running through my head… It takes Different Strokes to rule the world, yes it does…it takes different strokes to rule the WWWOOOORRRLLLLDDDD. Nice. Thanks. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/6 "2003-08-07T16:21:04Z")
My [local paper](http://www.eastbayexpress.com/) is the one that’s fronted Gary’s campaign. The write-ups on his candidacy are pretty funny, and it really doesn’t seem any less absurd than some of the others running. ---
**Author:** ![acrossthesea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@acrossthesea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/acrossthesea)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/7 "2003-08-07T16:24:56Z")
I wish I lived in California. That’s hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/8 "2003-08-07T19:07:57Z")
All we need is a race car driver and a walking off-colored panther and this would be a great Hanna Barbara cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/9 "2003-08-07T19:21:50Z")
I heard Gallagher (sp?) is running. Please tell me this is true. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/10 "2003-08-07T19:56:09Z")
Larry Flynt, the “the smut peddler who cares”[sup]\*[/sup] is running, and is quoted as saying: “I may be paralyzed … but not from the neck up, like Gray Davis.” [sup]\*[/sup] Reportedly his actual campaign slogan. According to this, [Gallagher](http://www.fox23news.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=3D78D3B0-B33F-462C-8AF2-3E5E7F182F37) is still getting signatures (note: all you need is 65 ). The next recall election will be a show on Fox, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/11 "2003-08-07T22:06:00Z")
I love this state! I can’t decide who to vote for! This is like going into Baskin Robins, i want all 32 flavors! ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/12 "2003-08-07T22:57:08Z")
I really thought the Gary Coleman thing was a joke. I’m afraid. Somebody hold me. ---
**Author:** ![Eman\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Eman\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eman_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/13 "2003-08-07T23:12:56Z")
> [@](#): > > The next recall election will be a show on Fox, of course. Seriously. Just get a couple more people, like oh I don’t know, Hulk Hogan and Jimmie Walker, put them all in a big-ass mansion, then have the viewers call in with their vote. Last one standing wins. Screw this election crap! ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/14 "2003-08-07T23:39:59Z")
Which one is the Dat Phan of this “Last Candidate Running”? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/15 "2003-08-07T23:48:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eman\_Ramos \* > \*\*Seriously. Just get a couple more people, like oh I don’t know, Hulk Hogan and Jimmie Walker, put them all in a big-ass mansion, then have the viewers call in with their vote. Last one standing wins. > > Screw this election crap! \*\* I wouldn’t put it past Fox. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/16 "2003-08-08T00:10:27Z")
The scary thing is that in a culture so identified with celebrity like the United States (and even more so in California) one of the celebs has a decent shot of winning given the way the ballot structure is designed. At least if it happens and Gallagher or Colemen is elected it’ll guarantee a democratic rallying cry for California during ther 2004 election cycle. Having a nonsensical governor would be a great thing to pin on the statewide republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/17 "2003-08-08T01:08:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eman\_Ramos \* > **Just get a couple more people, like oh I don’t know, Hulk Hogan and Jimmie Walker** I’d wouldn’t want Jimmy Walker as Governor, myself. When he was Mayor of NYC, he ended up fleeing the country to avoid prosecution… Well, YOU prove that they’re different! ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/18 "2003-08-08T03:40:59Z")
Pornstar Mary Carey (couldn’t find a suitable link, the mention was on Nightline) is running, also. Maybe her and Larry Flynt can team up. just reread last sentence. Must find bleach to scrub that image off of my brain… ---
**Author:** ![Freyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freyr/32/5763_2.png) [@Freyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freyr)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/19 "2003-08-08T04:08:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > **We’re The Governor!** (NBC, 8:00) > Zaniness results when Gov. Gary gets trapped inside a giant Bachelor Party cake and Gov. Arnold accidentally delivers it to a press conference rather than his pal’s party. Costarring Phyllis Diller as Dame Margaret Thatcher; Carrot Top as the Press Secretary; Jacklie Mason as Ariel Sharon; and Mary Bono as herself. \*\* and in next week’s episode: Concerned about terrorism, the secret service send Gov. Arnold into seclusion and replace him with a robot double. Unfortunately the software in the robot isn’t fully debugged, so it can only utter Arnold’s lines from the first _Terminator_ movie. Even worse is that no one really notices. (cue _Odd Couple_ theme music) You know, this makes me wish I was back in Austin and the serious and deliberate tone of Texas politics. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Crimson\_Hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aca169/32.png) [@Crimson\_Hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crimson_Hunter)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591/20 "2003-08-08T04:17:11Z")
I feel sorry for Californians. This is really very sad. 😛 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governors-arnold-scharznegger-gary-coleman-what-a-country/193591.md?page=2)