Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story

Even Maria agreed that the challenge had been worth it. Speaking at a wellness conference in 2010, she said, “I’d like to admit today that I was wrong to try to talk Arnold out of running for governor seven years ago, and he was right not to listen to me. The fact is, I didn’t want Arnold to run because I myself didn’t like growing up in a political family. I was afraid something bad would happen. I was afraid of the unknown. It turns out Arnold was right to follow his dream and run. He’s loved this governor’s job more than anything he’s ever done in his life. It ended up being a perfect match for his intellect, his love of people, his passion for public policy, and his competitive streak. I’ve never seen him happier or more fulfilled. Even with all the ups and downs of the last seven years, he says if he had to do it over again, he would in a heartbeat, and I believe him. I never thought I’d say this, but I thank him for not listening to me.”

I was luckier than I deserved to have such a wife.

Poltical Photographs

^{Celebrity helped me get elected governor and boost Californiainto the spotlight, especially on global issues like the environment.}

^{I love it when people say something can’t be done—I jumped into the California recall election of 2003. Above, a sea of supporters in Riverside. Ron Murray}

^{A carpet of signs at my office in Santa Monica. Ron Murray}

^{Warren Buffett the Democrat and George Shultz the Republican flanked me at my first press conference, dramatizing that I was a candidate for all of California. David McNew / Getty Images}

^{On the eve of the election, I raised a broom on the steps of the capitol in Sacramento and vowed to clean house. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images}

^{Maria and I celebrated my victory on election night, October 7, 2003, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Hector Mata / AFP / Getty Images}

^{Eunice and Sarge, who always encouraged me to do public service, joined the victory celebration. Ron Murray}

^{Six weeks later, on November 17, we all walked the corridor of the state capitol to take the stage for my first inauguration. Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times}

^{Maria held the Bible as I was sworn in as the thirty-eighth governor of the state of California. Silvia Mautner}

^{I took office with no previous experience as an elected official, at a time of crisis, with the state facing massive budget deficits and an economic slump. California State Archives / John Decker}

^{Never mind that I was a centrist—I was making such a splash that the party leaders asked me to help get George W. Bush reelected. Addressing the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden, August 30, 2004. © 2004 Rick T. Wilking}

^{I set up a tent on the patio outside my office so I’d have a place to smoke stogies. It became known as the deal-making tent. Democratic assemblymen Fabian Nunez and Darrell Steinberg have come to horse- trade in June 2004. California State Archives / Steven Hellon}

^{Democrat Herb Wesson, left, the state assembly leader when I took office, would tease me about my height; here we chat with Reverend Jesse Jackson at an Urban League party in 2005. California State Archives / Duncan McIntosh}

^{Each December, a few days after officially lighting the Christmas tree, we would celebrate Chanukah on the steps of the Capitol. California State Archives / John Decker}

^{Overly generous public-employee pensions are now a nationwide issue, but in 2005 we were already campaigning to stop California from spending more than it was taking in. California State Archives / Duncan McIntosh}

^{The issues were serious, yet we still had a good time— here I’m discussing water resources at a May 2005 staff session with (from left) my cabinet secretary Terry Tamminen, chief of staff Pat Clarey, and state and consumer services secretary Fred Aguiar. California State Archives / Steven Hellon}

^{Senator Dianne Feinstein, a hugely popular Democrat, advised us on how to deal with Washington and with members of her party on behalf of our state. At this media conference we’re joking that it will take muscle to solve California’s water problems. California State Archives / William Foster}

^{My mother-in-law was a font of wisdom and insight. Notice that she has chosen the seat at the head of the table in the cabinet room when she dropped by to chat in March 2004. California State Archives / Steven Hellon}

^{Paul Wachter had no official position but remained an important advisor—and regular chess partner—while I was governor. California State Archives / Peter Grigsby}

^{California agriculture secretary A. G. Kawamura and I hyped our local produce— those are plums on the tray I’m holding—during this 2005 trade mission to Hong Kong. California State Archives / John Decker}

^{California is prone to floods, droughts, and other natural disasters, and I put huge emphasis on readiness and response. Above: comforting residents who have lost everything in the Humboldt wildfire of June 2008, which burned 23,000 acres and destroyed 87 homes. California State Archives / William Foster}

^{In the wake of a January 2005 mudslide in La Conchita that claimed ten lives. California State Archives / Duncan Mcintosh}

^{A few days before his reelection, I welcomed President Bush and introduced him to an}