Workers readied the Boyle Heights gym for the Tuesday night victory party celebrating the passage of Proposition 49, the initiative for after-school programmes. They flanked the stage with giant cut-outs of Arnold Schwarzenegger hoisting two children in his arms. A giant TV screen was tuned to the news when footage appeared of Schwarzenegger at his Pacific Palisades polling place. ‘‘Arnold, you were just on the TV!’’ someone called.The former body builder turned movie star looked over. ‘‘Do you know how many times I’ve seen myself on a big screen, guys? What’s the matter with you?’’ he boomed back to laughter in the gym. At 55, Schwarzenegger is possessed of a razor-sharp square jaw and jutting cheekbones — none of it from plastic surgery or cosmetic tinkering, he said. But throughout Election Day, ever mindful of the TV cameras, his personal make-up artist was on hand for touch-ups. Despite his denials, Schwarzenegger couldn’t help but look like someone trying out for the role of rising political star.Schwarzenegger verbally sparred with a succession of TV reporters. The first flurry of questions were all about Proposition 49, the initiative that Schwarzenegger championed for more than a year. ‘‘Children are our future . we have to take care of our kids because if we don’t, they end up going to prison and that costs the state more,’’ he said.What reporters really wanted to know was this: Will the now wealthy star and businessman — who is fond of saying he could only achieve this success in America — use the success of Proposition 49 to launch his own political career?‘‘Some people will say this is your ramping up for the governor’s mansion,’’ one reporter asked. Arnold ducked effortlessly. ‘‘Well, if you could find the governor’s mansion, I’d say ‘Maybe,’ but there is no mansion,’’ he said with a laugh, referring to California Gov. Gray Davis’ ranch-style house in Sacramento. Besides, he said, ‘‘my wife would kill me if I took her there.’’ He laughed as if letting the reporter — and onlookers — in on a private joke. (LATWP)
