Arnie takes office as US governor

In stark contrast to his Hollywood image and the usual inauguration festivities, California Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger planned to take office today with a quick, low-key ceremony and then get to work.

Mindful of the bitterness that still surrounds California’s first gubernatorial recall election, not to mention the state’s fiscal troubles, the Republican has shied away from black-tie celebrations that normally enliven the beginning of new administrations.