Mr Schwarzenegger has the highest executive authority in the state

BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents returned on Thursday, 14 October, 2004 at 1100 BST.

The programme was repeated on Monday, 18 October, 2004 at 2030 BST.

Listen to the programme

Last November the Hollywood actor and muscleman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, grabbed hold of the reins of power in California.

After the historical recall vote, in which the running man terminated all his opponents, Governor Schwarzenegger promised to shake things up in America's biggest and richest state.

But almost a year on, how much has his brand of Republicanism achieved?

Has he really been the problem solver he promised to be?

And could his stardom take him all the way to the White House?

Tim Whewell travels to California seeking answers.