so odd...here is the article Schwarzenegger shows he's doing fine by waving money clip By Steven Harmon Contra Costa Times, Sacramento Bureau Article Launched: 07/01/2008 05:24:54 PM PDT SACRAMENTO — The state may be facing a growing economic crisis, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing just fine, thank you. That was the image at the Capitol this week, when Schwarzenegger pulled a money clip stuffed with his own cash out of his pocket when asked if the state would be running out of money any time soon. "Not at this point," he said. "As a matter of fact, I still have some left." The gesture drew chuckles from those around him at the news conference — including Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles — but as the image got around, his communications staff tried to head off the moment by pointing out that he had already answered the question with a serious response. Even Bass apparently found her role — laughing, while saying, "You have a little bit for us?" — awkward, because she is refusing to comment on the episode. The image of a wealthy governor — whose assets are estimated to be at least $100 million — flashing his own money, political observers said, is hardly one that will endear himself to a public increasingly struggling through financial difficulties. "One problem in society is the growing inequality in the U.S. economy," said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll, whose most recent poll had Schwarzenegger holding a 41 percent approval rating. "This aligns him with the view of the haves. I don't think you want to exacerbate it because many on the have-not side of the ledger are the most critical of the governor. It's not a good image for the governor or Republicans as we look at this election cycle. " With the fiscal year beginning July 1 and no budget agreement in sight — and an estimated $15.2 billion deficit — state services are facing an extended period without cash from the state, which could result in tough times for rural health care programs, emergency rooms, special education, community colleges and many other areas. "The few Californians privileged to be in the position Schwarzenegger's in would be the last to see the real effect the budget crisis will have," said Brian Brokaw, spokesman for the state Democratic Party. A spokesman for Schwarzenegger said it was unfair to portray the governor as insensitive, given his continued acknowledgment of the state's economic problems. In his first response to a similar question earlier in the Monday news conference, Schwarzenegger said, "Everyone is working very hard to get a budget done, Democrats and Republicans, and I think that they will see action and they will be negotiating and all this. So, I think that, until that time, I don't think anyone has to worry about it." "It is outrageous to suggest the governor isn't concerned about the budget," spokesman Aaron McLear said. "People understand that after answering the same question over and over it is OK to respond with a little levity." Joe Tuman, a communications professor at San Francisco State, said the gesture of bravado is the kind of image the public has come to expect from Schwarzenegger. "When he was in bodybuilding, he'd flex his muscles — a sign of strength and confidence in his body," Tuman said. "If you think of it in this context, whipping out a big wad of money is probably a natural reaction for someone who's used to being larger than life." "Part of what people got when they voted for Schwarzenegger," Tuman added, "is someone who exudes confidence in the face of adversity." At the same time, Tuman said, when "lots of people in California may not have that kind of money, it might not be the most sensitive thing to do. If you're a politician, you always have to be concerned about the appearance of impropriety."