Schwarzenegger sets sights on the Oval Office

The Austrailian ^ | 11.02.04

[Dr. Marten]

Arnie sets sights on the Oval Office
Robert Lusetich, Los Angeles correspondent
November 02, 2004

ARNOLD Schwarzenegger has confirmed he would want to become US president if the constitution were changed to allow foreign-born citizens to run for the White House.

"Yes. Absolutely," the Austrian-born former action film star told US 60 Minutes last night.

"I think, you know, because, why not? Like with my way of thinking, you always shoot for the top."

However, California's maverick "Governator", as he calls himself, knows the odds are against him because of the hurdles that constitutional amendments must pass.

Amendments require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress as well as a majority in three-quarters of the state legislatures.

That said, influential Republican senator Orrin Hatch has introduced such an amendment into Congress, sparking conjecture the Republican Party is paving the way for its newest star to run for president as early as 2008.

Mr Schwarzenegger, whose approval rating hovers near a staggering 70 per cent -- higher than even his hero Ronald Reagan enjoyed while running California -- said the prospect was "not something that I am preoccupied with".

"I am not thinking one single minute about that because there's so many things I have to do in California, and my promise was to straighten out the mess in California," he said.

The former bodybuilding champion is, however, raising his profile. It is difficult to believe the 60 Minutes appearance was coincidental in the lead-up to the presidential election. Last week, he cast aside his often testy relationship with George W.Bush to campaign with him in Ohio, telling the crowd that he was there to "pump you up to re-elect Bush".

It was an important gesture, political analysts said, because on the same day Democratic hopeful John Kerry was campaigning alongside rocker Bruce Springsteen.

"Governor Schwarzenegger is a star in the party," White House communications director Dan Bartlett said. "He's a great voice that I think will appeal to independents and discerning Democrats."

There has been speculation that Mr Schwarzenegger will expect a pay-off if Mr Bush is re-elected. Some observers have said, perhaps in jest, that he could follow the path of German-born Henry Kissinger and Czech-born Madeleine Albright and become Secretary of State.

However, he has found an unlikely antagonist in fellow film star Mel Gibson, who is pouring a lot of money into a campaign to defeat a Californian ballot initiative that would provide state funding for stem-cell research.

Mr Schwarzenegger supports the initiative, but many in the Republican Party, including Mr Bush, are against it. During his television interview, Mr Schwarzenegger responded with typical bravado when it was presented to him that it "took a lot of balls" to jump into politics, which he did last year with a stunning populist defeat of besieged Democratic governor Gray Davis. "Yes, but you know, I've never had a lack of that," he said.

[Alouette]

Just think of a 'Soros for President' campaign.

Just think of a "Bin Laden for President" campaign.

[Reagan Man]

I couldn't agree more with your remarks. Arnold has no loyalty to the GOP or PresBush. Arnold is a phony Republican. Arnold is a liberal and a RINO!

[VoiceOfBruck]

"I think, you know, because, why not? ..."

Hard to beat that logic!

[sheik yerbouty]

Ditto.

[RockinRight]

I like Arnold for Gov of CA, and in his movies. Not for President, though.

[squirt]

Not this RINO.

[BritishBulldog]

For the life of me I can't understand the point of this Presidents must be "American born" rule.

What does it matter where a person was born?

John Kerry is American born. So is Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Michael Moore, and so on and so forth. Where as Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill (although half American) and many other great conservatives were not. Now who would you (theoretically) rather elect as President, a Winston Churchill or a Michael Moore?

[tkathy]

It would open the door to incredibly wealthy degenerates like Soros who could just write a check for an election.

[fish hawk]

Hey Arnold, drop your German Ego and be the Kalifornia Governor for at least one year before you go on to the Presidency. Reagan got Calif. straightened out after the near bankruptcy of Pat Brown before he went on to be number one. Show us what you got.

[Lou L]

Let him be a Cabinet Member if selected

Interesting thought...Since members of the Cabinet are in the line of presidential succession, wouldn't they also be subject to presidential eligibility requirements?

Anyone know?

[rineaux]

Without checking the facts, you may be right.
I know Clinton appointed the Joint Cheif of Staff who was not a natural born citizen.

Nix the cabinet appointment if you are correct.

[joesnuffy]

Arnie has no respect for the U.S. constitution...or it's ammendments...
He is simply ambitious for Arnie...not a public servant....but a trophy hunter

He cannot be POTUS

but I could easily see him changing sides and running as a Dem

IMO

[isom35]

if the guys wearing dresses at bohemian grove want arnold for president, it will happen some day. you think these guys would let a piece of paper stand in their way?

[Pagey]

influential Republican senator Orrin Hatch

Only a foreign reporter could write that phrase and keep a straight face. Orrin Hatch is a pansy senator who should be removed from the Senate for even suggesting to change the Constitution to allow foreign born citizens to run for POTUS. Hey Mr. Hatch, a much better idea would be to suggest repealing the 16th amendment,because the income tax has become a cash cow for a Congress needing only the feeblest of excuses to spend money. (Please do that after you eat a full meal and put some meat on your gaunt frame, you ninny) While I believe it is in the realm of possibilities that he could get a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress, there is NO WAY ( seriously no way) he could get majority in three-quarters of the state legislatures. That's asking for 3/4 of 50 totally separate and diverse legislatures O.K.? That, is not going to occur. Case closed. Why are we talking about this anyway, Arnold may be my Governor, but he doen't really think like me

[newgeezer]

I agree, changing the constitution is not a good thing. Can you imaginge a future Islamic president??

Nothing in the Constitution prevents us from having an (American-born) "Islamic" president.

And, the way we're headed, I'd be surprised if we didn't have one before the 21st Century is out, especially considering no one would dare make it a campaign issue.

[RoseD]

True, but hopefully being an American they would cherish our democratic system.....

[Future Useless Eater]

Sorry Arnold.

In your dreams, or your next lifetime maybe.

[Fiddlstix]

Note to Arnold: Be thankful for what you have already. You are a US citizen. You are famous. It is your life here that has let you realize your talents and use them. Be proud of that......

BUT!

WE WILL NOT CHANGE OUR CONSTITUTION FOR YOU! PERIOD!