Posted on 10/11/2006 9:22:16 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger traded quips with the host one moment and criticized U.S. foreign policy the next during an appearance Wednesday on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" that had the governor's opponents crying foul because his Democratic rival wasn't included.
When asked by Leno about TV campaign ads attempting to link Schwarzenegger to President Bush, the star of the "Terminator" films mocked the notion.
"To link me to George Bush is like linking me to an Oscar," said the governor, who has never won — or even been nominated for — acting's most prestigious award.
On a more serious subject, the Republican governor said a "lot of mistakes" were made during the war in Iraq, but ducked a question from Leno about whether Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld should be fired.
"Without any doubt, we have to find an exit strategy as quickly as possible," he said.
The remarks represented Schwarzenegger's most pointed criticism to date of the Bush administration over its Iraq policy. He has previously said he supports the war, but that the nation should find a "sensible" way to get out.
His appearance on "The Tonight Show" riled supporters of his opponent, state Treasurer Phil Angelides, whose campaign said he wants equal time.
A few dozen Angelides supporters staged a protest outside the NBC studios where "The Tonight Show" is taped, chanting "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Schwarzenegger's got to go."
Angelides campaign manager Cathy Calfo said she sent a letter Wednesday to 11 NBC affiliates in California asking them to give equal time to the state treasurer because "The Tonight Show" has not invited him onto the program.
NBC spokeswoman Tracy St. Pierre said "The Tonight Show" never received a letter Angelides' camp said it sent, but the state treasurer's spokesman, Steve Maviglio, provided a copy of the letter he said the campaign faxed on Tuesday, along with a UPS shipping receipt to have the letter sent overnight and delivered by Wednesday morning.
U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, accusing NBC of violating the Federal Communications Act's equal time provisions by allowing Schwarzenegger but not Angelides to appear.
Federal rules require broadcast stations to give equal time to candidates who appear on the air, although the rules do not apply to news programs, interview shows and documentaries in which the candidate is not the sole focus.
The equal time question came up during the 2003 gubernatorial recall election, when Schwarzenegger declared his candidacy on Leno's show in a surprise announcement.
Leno asked Schwarzenegger on Wednesday about the sex scandal that recently drove Republican Rep. Mark Foley (news, bio, voting record) from Congress. Asked if it warranted House Speaker Dennis Hastert's resignation, the governor didn't answer directly.
"Anyone that has any knowledge of it or has tried to cover it up should go — absolutely should go," he said.
As the appearance ended, Leno wished his guest well.
"Good luck, my friend," he said, shaking Schwarzenegger's hand.
___
Associated Press Writer Laura Kurtzman in Sacramento contributed to this report.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger returns to the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' in this file photo taken Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, at the NBC studios in Burbank, Calif. Schwarzenegger is scheduled to appear again tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, on the show. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, smiles with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, right, Virgin America CEO Fred Reid, center left, and Grace Slick, center right, of the band, Jefferson Airplane, as they dedicate Virgin America's newest headquarters with a new plane called 'Jefferson Airplane' at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Holding nose and voting Arnold here.
Grace Slick? Whoa....
Hands FRee voting aid.
Some Arnold haters really want to see Angelides win for some reason.
Aww, you could vote for Edward C. Noonan with me.
Classic!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves after meeting with the Chron's editorial board.
In other words, you're not worthy to lick his boots.
Jay Leno single-handedly propelled Arnold into Sacremento. So it's no surprise to see these two lovebirds reunite.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (L) is interviewed by talk show host Jay Leno during a taping of 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' at the NBC studios in Burbank, California, October 11, 2006 in this photograph released by NBC. The governor's Democratic challenger in his bid for a second term, state Treasurer Phil Angelides, complained NBC was snubbing him while unfairly giving Schwarzenegger valuable media exposure weeks before the election. NO SALES NO ARCHIVES MANDATORY CREDIT REUTERS/Paul Drinkwater/NBC Universal/Handout (UNITED STATES)
I noticed that too. She used to be pretty good looking (I mean quite recently). She looks like the Queen Boo'dagger in that pic.
That photo is priceless....
Phil Angelides, Democratic candidate for governor of California, poses as he arrives as a guest at the 25th Anniversary Spirit of Liberty Awards presented by the People for the American Way in Beverly Hills, California October 10, 2006. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES)
Munch for Gov.!
Phil needs to stick a sock in it.
What a dufus!
He's gonna be really ticked when Arnie goes on Oprah!
Why?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.