With his Austrian accent and a bag full of cinematic one-liners, he jumped off Hollywood's silver screen in 2003 to "terminate" the fiscal woes and mismanagement of America's largest state.

Two years later - and one year before he runs for a second term - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is now facing the biggest moment of truth in his short political life. Most experts say, it will probably determine which of his two most famous rejoinders will best describe his political future: "I'll Be Back" or "Hasta la vista, baby."

In throwing the full weight of his stature behind four initiatives on the ballot in Tuesday's special election here, Mr. Schwarzenegger is using a populist, bypass-the-legislature tactic that has worked well for him in the past in small tests. Now, though, his agenda is much broader: He's asking voters for the tools he says he needs to carry out the spending reforms he has promised since the 2003 campaign. The election will show how willing voters are to expand his powers, in part determined by how satisfied they are with his governing to date.

"My sense is that what is riding on this election for Arnold is basically everything," says Tony Quinn, a veteran Sacramento-based political analyst. "[He] called the special election. He drafted the measures. He has outlined the agenda ... this is all about him."

Of the eight citizen initiatives on the ballot, Schwarzenegger is backing four: a cap on state spending, a new way to accomplish congressional redistricting, restrictions on the use of union dues for political purposes, and a teacher tenure measure.

Given the governor's ambitious agenda, the opposition this time is more fierce. Public-employee unions and a coalition of teachers, firefighters, police, and Democratic lawmakers have been vigorously campaigning against the measures since Schwarzenegger called the election last June. Indeed, the election results will likely not only affect Schwarzenegger's ability to govern but also frame the 2006 gubernatorial campaign.

With both sides having a tremendous stake in Tuesday's election, high-profile politicians including Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona and Sen. John Kerry (D) of Massachusetts have stumped here. The campaign is breaking cash-flow records, and spending is expected to total between $200 million to $300 million - with millions flooding in from outside the state.

Two of Schwarzenegger's initiatives are of particular interest because, if passed, they have the potential to alter the national political landscape should other states then follow California's lead.

Proposition 75 would require public-employee unions to obtain written consent from members each year before spending their dues on political campaigns. The unions oppose the measure.

Proposition 77 would give a panel of three retired judges the job of redrawing congressional district boundaries so that they become more competitive, a provision Democratic and some GOP state legislators are fighting.

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