(Arnold Schwarzenegger) Actor tells magazine: 'If the state needs me ... I will run'

Associated Press ^ | 06-05-03

[Brian S]

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, long mentioned as a potential Republican candidate for governor, told Esquire magazine for its July issue: "Yes, I would love to be governor of California ... If the state needs me, and if there's no one I think is better, then I will run."

[Pubbie]

This is no time for a RINO, this is the time for a fire breathing Fiscal Conservative.

GO TOM MCCLINTOCK!

[Congressman Billybob]

This is NOT an off-hand comment by Schwarzenegger. He was thinking about running for Governor in the last election. It IS further proof that the recall effort against Davis has a real chance of success, because Arnold and his advisors obviously believe that the recall is likely to qualify for the ballot.

If so, remember that the election of Davis' replacement will appear on the same ballot as the recall itself. If the recall succeeds, the winner in the winner-take-all election gets the job. There will be at least 20 candidates counting the Republicans, Democrats, amd the Green Party (?) candidate who has already declared. Any candidate who has near universal name recognition, which Arnold obviously has, will have the best chance of winning with a plurality in that election.

Like presidential candidates whose campaigns begin with repeated denials that they are running, this is Arnold's opening shot in his campaign for Governor of California.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, now up on UPI and FR, and due to be in the Asheville Citizen-Times on Sunday, "Surviving in the Smokies."

[presidio9]

"I'm not into politics. I'm into survival. " -Ben Richards

[skeeter]

I cannot believe the Recall Davis effort has gotten this far without being quashed by the state's political machine.

[LS]

Sorry, pal, but you need to get real. ESPECIALLY in a state as big as CA, an unknown or 2nd tier pol simply can't compete. There isn't enough money in the world to make a "Tom McClintock" (whoever he is---and he might be fine) a household name to the extent that he could win an election. Maybe in Montana, but not in NY or CA anymore.

Now is the time for ANY Republican who can oust this socialist Davis from power to step forward.

[MattinNJ]

Arnold Ping.

[SwinneySwitch]

Did Maria give her approval yet?

[Pubbie]

Oh well. Is Ahhhnold a fiscal conservative. Do we have any idea how he would handle the Fiscal crisis, because there's no point in unseating Red Davis, only to have Governor Arnold raise taxes through the roof anyway.

[KellyAdmirer]

Please, Arnold, run. Anything but another of the endless line of sure losers California nominates for statewide elections!

[SkyPilot]

Arnie is not a RINO. We should welcome this man into the GOP and his courageous attitude towards the arena of politics.

Some people just love criticize, criticize, criticize and judge from the sidelines. Too bad for them.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The stupid CA GOP has to start somewhere. Better to let The Terminator run and win and let the rebuilding process begin from scratch, than to nominate another Simon-like conservative only to watch him make an ass out of himself and lose.

[Pubbie]

"Arnie is not a RINO."

What are his positions on the major State issues? If he's a fiscal conservative, and is going to cut the budget, I've got nothing against him.

All I've heard is that he supports after school programs, and is surrounding himself with Pete Wilson's former advisors.

But I haven't heard much about his platform, what are they???

[ServesURight]

Is Ahhhnold a fiscal conservative. Do we have any idea how he would handle the Fiscal crisis

C'mon, does it really matter at this point? California's about to fall into the Pacific. HOw do you know how Arnold will solve the state's financial woes? You never know, he might produce a bold plan that cuts taxes and eliminates the enviro-whacko and regulatory laws that's crippling businesses.

[Pubbie]

"California's about to fall into the Pacific."

Good point. But I'm still curious as to what his platform is.

[Digger]

This is no time for a RINO, this is the time for a fire breathing Fiscal Conservative. GO TOM MCCLINTOCK!

100% in agreement!!

[tracer]

'If the state needs me ... I will run'

I hope Arnold doesn't bust a hamstring somewhere in the Sierras while doing so....

[tracer]

"Good point. But I'm still curious as to what his platform is."

"It's noht a toomehr".....

[Digger]

What's Arnold's experience? NADA. If times were good I say then run him. Beat the Dems. When we need leadership, McClintock has it & he's no RINO. Pubbies MUST prove that they have leadership. No second chances if we even have a first.

[GiveEmDubya]

If Arnold ran, Gray Davis would get his ass kicked big time (would make for a fun election night). But here's a question: Isn't Darrell Issa running too? He's not throwing big bucks in the recall to watch someone else win and the last thing we need is a split in the GOP vote.