'Get Out of the Jacuzzi!' Guv's Remarks to NYT Magazine Spark Statewide Protests

Got a stogie to share?

It was only a matter of time. If you saw the July 1 New York Times Magazine cover story on the California governor's race, chances are you paused over this insouciant notable quotable from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who apparently isn't letting his state's financial meltdown get to him:

"Someone else might walk out of here every day depressed, but I don't walk out of here depressed," Schwarzenegger told the Times' Mark Leibovich. "I will sit down in my jacuzzi tonight. I'm going to lay back with a stogie."

Sounds nice, doesn't it? But before you make this your new Facebook quote, be warned that not all delighted in this particular cup of chicken soup for the wealthy and powerful soul. Particularly displeased were state union leaders, who are now organizing Wednesday rallies in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno to highlight what San Francisco Labor Council Political Director Amber Parrish says was the callousness of the governor's remarks.

Schwarzenegger's statement "represents complete disregard and disconnection to Californians who are suffering in the budget crisis," Parrish said. She said the rallies will feature downtrodden folks talking about how the state budget crisis is affecting them personally.

The local protest is scheduled to take place beginning at 11:30 a.m. at 455 Golden Gate Ave. The rallying cry, as printed on fliers advertising the event: "GET OUT OF THE JACUZZI and PROTECT the millions of Californians who are suffering in this Budget CRISIS!"

Maybe you should stay in the jacuzzi awhile, Mr. Governor. Things are only going to get worse.

Photo by sterlingpr.