Over his seven years as governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger worked to craft a spotless public image - portraying himself as a loving father and husband and politically as a post-partisan reformer who cared about business and the environment.
Now the former governor's legacy has been perhaps irrevocably marred by his admission that he fathered a child more than a decade ago with a longtime member of his household staff.
Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, had announced their separation May 9, and he has long been dogged by rumors of infidelity and sexual misconduct. Yet Tuesday's revelation shocked the Golden State.
It also raises questions about what the future will hold for Schwarzenegger, 63. While he indicated that he does not plan to run for office anytime soon, he has not entirely left politics.
In recent months, Schwarzenegger has pitched headlong back into the entertainment industry, signing contracts for three movies and an animated TV show. He also attended a White House summit on immigration reform and jetted to high-profile events around the world to speak about climate change and to promote green energy, the signature issues of his tenure as governor.
Less clout
Most observers said they doubt the admission will tarnish Schwarzenegger's image as a movie star, but said it could blunt his clout on issues such as green energy - at least in the short term.
"It goes to character," said Barbara O'Connor, professor emeritus of political communication at Cal State Sacramento.
O'Connor, a longtime friend of Shriver's who occasionally advised Schwarzenegger, added that the former governor, "loves her and he loves the kids," but that the revelation represents "a legitimate variable to character."
Corey Cook, a political science professor at the University of San Francisco, said Schwarzenegger's carefully crafted image wasn't fooling most Californians. Accusations of sexual misconduct were raised in 2003, when he first made a bid for governor.
Cook predicted that the details of this affair - including that the woman worked in their home - will result "in some backlash to him both personally and professionally," but added that "he's back to being a movie star, and these things happen with movie stars all the time."
Redemption
Even the political backlash may not last long, said Democratic consultant Chris Lehane, who began specializing in crisis communication while working in the White House, where he defended former President Bill Clinton after his affair with an intern.
Lehane offered a redemption role model for Schwarzenegger: Michael Milken. The financier, who pleaded guilty to racketeering and securities fraud in 1989, is now best known for his philanthropic work.
Schwarzenegger is just the latest in a long string of high profile politicians caught in extramarital affairs. They include former presidential contender Sen. John Edwards, who fathered a child with a campaign staffer as his wife fought cancer, and Eliot Spitzer, who resigned as governor of New York after he was caught hiring call girls. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich revived his political career after having at least two affairs while in Congress.
"If Arnold takes the long view, he will still be able to play a significant role in public policy," Lehane said. "He has a signature accomplishment in climate change; has always been treated differently then a typical pol(itician) because he is of Hollywood; and people will still buy tickets to see him on the big screen. Today, Eliot Spitzer has his own (television) show; Newt Gingrich is running for president; and more people know Michael Milken for working to cure cancer then his Drexel days."
Fallen political star
The former actor brought many Hollywood trappings to his administration, from the scripted news conferences and speeches to the dozen communications and public relations consultants he employed. (source : sfgate.com)
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