(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."

[Digger]

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

Quit passionate about the job offer, huh. OK, Arnold, if they don't want you then call me. Maybe I will say yes, maybe no.

[Pubbie]

"Isn't Darrell Issa running too?"

If Ahnold ran I don't think Issa would run, in fact no Republican would try and stand in the way of Arnold because they know they would loose just because of the name recognition factor.

[LS]

No one knows about anyone till they are in office (can you say "John McCain?") But the ONE thing Arnold appears to be is much more fiscally sensible than Davis or any Dem. It is not his economic policies, but his social stance, that worries most conservatives, so I'm surprised you are concerned about that aspect of him.

[JohnnyZ]

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.

Tom McClintock is the most prominent elected Republican in state politics. He lost election for state controller by 0.3% in 2002, getting a higher percentage and more total votes than any other Republican. He is now in the state senate.

[SkyPilot]

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

You ask intelligent and reasoned questions--and this is the way it should be. What are the positions of the candidate for an office?

He has not even declared a formal campaign to run, but if he does, he will need to outline his positions. Too many are quick to lable him a RINO without even hearing him out. Am I wrong in saying that? I think not. Further, I have heard him speak on these postions, on a variety of sources, from Rolling Stone to National Review:

- He believes in the free market vs. Government regulation

- He has stood up to the SAG union on more than one occasion (I heard this 3rd hand)

- He is pro-gun in the fact that he believes in gun ownership and is against registration--beyond this I do not know his views

- He hated the Clintons, but tolerated them in public for the sake of his wife.

Not a bad start.

[AndyTheBear]

As I understand the recall process, there is no "nomination", it is just a free for all.

[Pubbie]

"It is not his economic policies, but his social stance, that worries most conservatives, so I'm surprised you are concerned about that aspect of him."

I'm concerned only because I don't know a lot about his economic policies, except that he says he's "Fiscally Conservative".

If he is going to go into the Governor's mansion and REALLY cut the fat, then I don't have a problem with his social views because the fiscal mess is by far the biggest threat to the state.

[Pubbie]

"- He believes in the free market vs. Government regulation"

Well that doesn't sound too bad.

I still prefer McClintock because he's a 100% Fiscal Conservative, however I don't think McClintock is interested in running.

[CounterCounterCulture]

What's Arnold's experience? NADA.

About the same as Dubya when he first ran for governor.

McClintock has it & he's no RINO.

I'd love to see McClintock as Governor. I'm not fond of RINOs at all and Richard Riordan would have been a disaster, though a celeb like Ahnold would have a much better chance of being elected. I have a feeling he'd be about equivalent to Jesse Ventura.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Gov. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Gray Davis. That's what this recall will give us.

[ezo4]

I think it would be cool to have the terminator running CA after all these whaco rat whimps ran it into the ground. Anyone could do better that these idots in charge.

[SkyPilot]

I still prefer McClintock because he's a 100% Fiscal Conservative,

What does "100% Fiscal Conservative" mean? I only ask this because I honestly do not know what you refer to.

Thanks.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That would make 4 on the conservative side, Issa, McClintock, Elder and Arnie!

Maybe someone could drop out!

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[CounterCounterCulture]

Gov. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Gray Davis. That's what this recall will give us.

That's very possible.

[jriemer]

What's Arnold's experience? NADA.

Wrong. He has plenty of experience:

He has experience fighting crime as we saw in Red Heat.

He has first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing education as a school-teacher and he overcame as a Kindergarten Cop .

He knows the difficulties faced by the orphans raised by Child Protective Services like growing up in Twins.

He understands the pressures faced being a modern, working woman becuase he's had a baby named, Junior.

He worked behind the sceens with Dr. Dolittle 2 to help all living creatures.

I dare say that Arnold Schwarzenegger is much more qualified to be Gov. of California than Gray Davis.

[Pubbie]

"I only ask this because I honestly do not know what you refer to."

It means he will enact the biggest spending cuts in US history.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I have a feeling he'd be about equivalent to Jesse Ventura.

Exactly! Except he's got the reputation of being a skirt chaser. Plus we'd have a Kennedy Democrat as First Lady. We can do better!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

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

As far as I know, he's against machines taking over and ruling the world.

Also, if he's elected he'll be able to use "I'll be baahk" as his slogan for his reelection campaign.

What, that's not enough?

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Issa's got the Middle East skeletons in his closet. Arnold has the sexual rumors. McClintock would be okay. I'm intrigued about Larry Elder. Is he really considering a run?

We need fresh blood infused in the CA GOP. Badly.

[ElkGroveDan]

That would make 4 on the conservative side, Issa, McClintock, Elder and Arnie!

Arnold is a pro-abort.