epublican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been accused of sharing some of the same liberal, elitist beliefs as Democrats such as presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. In the past week, however, Schwarzenegger did more to endorse this notion by suggesting that rural lawmakers need to travel more to see things “like an airport or a highway that maybe has ten lanes”—this comment coming only weeks after Obama issued disparaging remarks about rural Pennsylvania communities during a San Francisco fundraiser.

Schwarzenegger’s comment sparked reaction as far away as Baltimore, Md., where an online blog posted the headline, “Arnold of California echoes Obama.”

Back here in California, the comments also generated scorn, from both rural and urban bloggers alike. The Legal Ruralism blog (legalruralism.blogspot.com) was among the first to chime in.

“I agree that it’s insulting of small town folks, especially in a place like California where very, very few places are that rural in terms of remoteness from an urban/metropolitan center, and therefore from urban influence,” wrote Lisa Pruitt of the Ruralism blog.

Pruitt’s post then questioned whether the comments actually contradicted Schwarzenegger’s stated goal to clean up the state’s air quality.

“Yep, just what we need, Arnie: more 10-lane highways, more congestion, more and bigger metropolises,” she wrote.

The remarks prompted legislative reaction as well. Democratic Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, introduced a resolution calling on Gov. Schwarzenegger to take a version of the California High School Exam that all public school students are required to pass in order to receive a diploma. The Central Valley legislator issued the challenge after he said the governor insinuated legislators from rural districts were “blissfully ignorant of modern life.”

Of course, liberal bloggers loved the challenge.

“I would pay money to sit in while Arnold fills in the bubbles on the Scantron sheet. Can we get this on television,” said state political blogger “D-Day” at left-wing blog firedoglake.com. “It’d be the first time local news covered state politics all year!”

Even some conservatives were upset by the governor’s remarks. Adam Probosky, president of a conservative polling firm dealing mainly with state and local issues, accused Schwarzenegger of attacking Republicans and undermining the effectiveness of their no new taxes approach to solving the budget crisis.

“Republicans make up 70 percent (29 out of 42 members) of the California Legislative Rural Caucus. Intentional or unintentional, the governor’s comments undermine the public’s perception of legislative Republicans just as the state’s budget negotiations are about to heat up. Republicans, who have promised to oppose all tax increases, won’t be viewed seriously in budget negotiations if the governor belittles them as unsophisticated hicks,” he wrote on the Flash Report blog.

It appears that the governor has once again gotten himself into trouble with the blogging community because of word choice.

A Close ‘Eye’ on Region
Readers of this column have sent numerous emails over the past several weeks about one particular political blog to watch: This blog is “Eyes of Argus,” located at www.eyesofargus.net.

The blog focuses on local governmental issues in communities along the Highway 99 corridor between Sacramento and Stockton. It’s author, Jason Daniel, is an Elk Grove resident.

“I have always had the desire to reach people with writing and conversation and I have always wanted to make a difference in my community. ‘Eyes of Argus’ has allowed me [a] fantastic opportunity to do both,” Daniel wrote on a biography page. “Three years ago, I began to realize that Elk Grove had a massive corruption problem on its hands. After researching and gaining an understanding of the gravity of the situation, I realized the need to move from being simply just a concerned citizen to becoming an active one. I began a solo effort to bring reform to the Elk Grove City Council. What started out as one person’s movement transformed into a community-wide effort to clean up our council corruption.”

In the past several weeks, Daniel has been keeping with that model, penning extensive posts on Kevin Johnson’s candidacy for Sacramento mayor (he isn’t exactly a fan). Also appearing were commentaries on local political issues from Elk Grove and Lodi.

For a new gaze on the Sacramento region, check out “Eyes of Argus.”