Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is getting high marks nationwide for setting a bold second-term agenda that would overhaul the state's health care system, promote clean energy, fix a troubled prison system and provide billions more dollars for public works projects.

More than just putting big ideas on a list, Schwarzenegger is also showing a willingness to confront -- and even unite -- vested interests resistant to the kind of audacious change the governor has in mind.

But there are also growing questions about whether there is the political and popular will to sustain his vision...For his plans to succeed, Schwarzenegger must engineer a tectonic political shift that holds despite the ebbs and flows of political and daily life.

Schwarzenegger came to the Capitol three years ago, proclaiming a mandate to change the political culture of California, and last week he reprised that with a vow to move past party politics and partisan divide...

One big advantage that Schwarzenegger has is that his party is not in control of the Legislature -- so Democrats will be more willing to accept compromise from him than they would a governor from their party.

For the same reason, some said Schwarzenegger can also survive the push-back from the business community and conservatives on key issues -- especially his health care reform.

"It's the Nixon in China syndrome,'' said author Joel Kotkin, who specializes in business and economic trends and is a senior fellow at the New America Foundation. "Schwarzenegger has enough credibility with at least parts of the business community to argue that [his health care plan[ is not an anti-business, anti-capitalist jihad,'' he said. "When it comes from the Democrats,'' the business community views reform as " 'let's sock it to business as much as possible...' ''

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