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August 14th, 2003
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Schwarzenegger Demands $30 Million To Govern California |
Actor Also Holding Out For Merchandising Rights, Share of Profits
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Politics - Adding another twist to the extraordinary recall election for the California governor’s office, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has insisted on a paycheck of no less than $30 million for the job, sources say.
This makes Schwarzenegger by far the most expensive of all the candidates. Incumbent Governor Gray Davis says he is content with his current salary of $165,000 a year; columnist Arianna Huffington says she will work for half that; and actor Gary Coleman says that, if elected, he will do the job “just for the attention.”
Schwarzenegger has also demanded a 2% cut of any of the state’s surplus income, as well as exclusive merchandising rights for any action figures, posters or T-shirts depicting him in his political role. His personal staff must include a full-time masseuse, an acupuncturist, and a spotter. In addition, the actor’s agent is allegedly negotiating for a variety of other perks: an unlimited supply of chilled vanilla-flavored protein shakes; one box of hand-rolled Columbian cigars each week; and, inexplicably, a warm, moist towel to be no more than 20 feet away from Schwarzenegger at all times.
Representatives for the actor vigorously defended his demands. “Thirty million dollars may seem like a lot of money, but Arnold is worth it,” said Schwarzenegger campaign spokesman Sean Walsh. “As a movie star, he earned his paycheck by putting asses in the seats. As governor, he will bring assets to the state. It’s practically the same thing.”
Other candidates attacked Schwarzenegger for what they saw as a fatal weakness. “If a candidate truly wants to do good for the state of California, he should not demand exorbitant compensation,” says pornographer Larry Flynt, who is also running. “For example, if I am elected, I will not collect a salary. My only request is that the flag of California be changed to depict a close-up of a moist vagina. That, and the capital [Sacramento] must be renamed, ‘Twat City.’”
Another would-be governor, comedian Gallagher, says he wants only the security and protection that the position offers, so that, in his words, “people will stop beating me up.”
Schwarzenegger himself seemed unfazed by the criticism. “When I am elected governor, California will enjoy a new era of efficiency, stability, and prosperity,” the actor boasted. “For all that, I think that thirty million bucks, a mink coat collection, and a pet manatee is a small price to pay.”
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