Moon Cakes and Mexican Immigrants

The single most important issue to voters — immigration — has received relatively minor attention from Arnold Schwarzenegger's and Phil Angelides' campaigns. Today, Schwarzenegger neatly illustrated why the subject is so difficult to discuss.

Schwarzenegger appeared in L.A.'s Chinatown to celebrate the midautumn Moon Festival and promote bean paste moon cakes. He called them a "fantastic cultural tradition in our Asian American community" and praised Asian Americans as "hard-working" and "smart." Soon afterward, however, he was asked about the assimilation of immigrants into the American culture. The secret of success, he said, was to "immerse yourself."

He singled out Mexican immigrants:

"And that is very difficult for some people to do especially, I think, for Mexicans because they are so close to their country here so they try to stay Mexican but try to be in America so there's this kind of back and forth and what I'm saying to the Mexicans is you've got to go and immerse yourself and assimilate into the American culture become part of the American fabric. That is how Americans will embrace you. That was my, I think, the secret, if there is one, to success."

This immediately sparked condemnation from opponents like Democratic Party chairman Art Torres. He called it a "calculated political insult to all immigrants" and compared it to former Gov. Pete Wilson using the issue of illegal immigration in his 1994 campaign.

When Schwarzenegger talks about immersing yourself in American culture, which culture is he speaking about? Is it the culture that lives in gated communities and listens to Rush Limbaugh? Is it the culture that puts up Spanish language signs outside businesses or works the Salinas lettuce fields? Is it the culture that eats moon cakes?

"Californians of all backgrounds are living the California dream while maintaining their culture, customs and languages," Torres said. "It is not the governor's place to dictate to new Californians how much of their language to speak, how much of their culture to keep or how quickly to assimilate."

Schwarzenegger's campaign said it welcomes a debate with Angelides about immigration and assimilation. He has already written detailed opinion pieces on the subject and doesn't hesitate to answer questions when asked. Said spokeswoman Julie Soderlund: "The governor has shared his views on the need for immigrants to assimilate — whether they are from England, Austria, Mexico, China or anywhere else in the world — time and time again."

Schwarzenegger, who holds dual citizenship with his native Austria, is opening what could be an endless argument about the definition of being an American. The governor already believes people should speak English and stop waving Mexican flags at immigration rallies. OK, what else makes an American?

That's a tough question to answer. Schwarzenegger may find it's hard to have his moon cake and eat it too.