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.

[CORedneck]

Regardless of party, the Constitution should not be changed to allow for a foreign born President.

[ALWAYSWELDING]

Agree

[Dr. Marten]

Damn Skippy!

[cvq3842]

I agree. Or at the very least, we shouldn't run headlong into it to fit one situation - it could turn around and bite us one day.

[SJSAMPLE]

Another in agreement.

[Reagan Man]

Another stupid Arnold for President thread.

On the eve of the general election this issue isn't even on the radar screen. Besides, the Constitution won't be changed just so Arnold can flex his ego somemore.

GOTV and elect Bush-Cheney to another term.

[stopillegalimmigration]

People thinking that President Schwarzenegger sounds good need to ask themselves if they think President Soros sounds good. Very, very, bad idea (or as Kerry would say when he is in fly-over state - very, very bad ider).

[50 Cal]

No no & NO!

[rineaux]

Let him be a Cabinet Member if selected or be a visitor to the Oval Office.

[King of Florida]

No way. You are chust a constitutional girly man!

[ConservativeDude]

http://www.ronniecoleman.com/

This guy just beat Arnold's record for Mr. Olympia. He's won it like 8 times in a row. I think Arnold won it like 5 in a row and one more a few years later in a comeback.

I doubt if Ronnie Coleman wants to run for Prez., but at least he's American born.

[GOBUSHCHENEYGO]

Agreed. No foreign born Presidents. Besides, Arnold hasn't proved that he is a good Governor. So far, I'm not impressed.

[tanknetter]

GOTV and elect Bush-Cheney to another term.

That's what it's all about to me at this point. My question is whether Arnold has done all he can to help reelect the Republican President THIS cycle. IMHO he hasn't even come close (and has even made noise about how he's limiting his involvement so not to tick off Democrats). That's enough for me to dismiss, now and forever, his attempts to change the Constitution in this regard out of hand (without even having to explore the question of whether I support his policies).

[Believe_In_The_Singularity]

Arnold, I'm sorry, but the answer is, "No".

Just think of a 'Soros for President' campaign.

BITS

[gridlock]

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.

And if my Grandmother had wheels, she'd be a bicycle...

This is a complete non-starter. The Constitution will not be amended to allow non-native born candidates, so it can never happen. Nor should it.

I have three tests of seriousness about political discourse:

Test 1: Anybody who whines about the President not signing Kyoto is not serious, no matter what. Authorization to negotiate this treaty went down 95-0 in the Senate. It is simply not possible that the United States would ever ratify this treaty, so discussion of the matter is moot.

Test 2: Anybody who talks about eliminating the Electoral College is not serious, no matter what. There is no way the smaller states will ever agree to eliminate the Electoral College, because this will reduce their power. Without the support of the smaller states, it is not possible to amend the Constitution, so thie issue is a non-starter. Discussion of eliminating or modifying the Electoral College is wasted air.

Test 3: Anybody who speculates on a foreign born person being elected to the Presidency is just wasting everybody's time. It will not happen. Ever.

I used to have a fourth test, that anybody who talked about a prescription drug benefit for medicare was blowing smoke. But President Bush actually wound up doing something about that one, so go figure...

[G.Mason]

Robert Lusetich is a supposed "sports" columnist.

The "wispers" he hears from those he chooses to quote are, merely wishful thinking.

Like the Electoral College will not be eliminated, neither shall the requirement to be a natural born US citizen to be eligable to become president.

There is a greater chance of baseball becoming the national pastime of Austrailia, than either of the above to be eliminated from the Constitution.

[RoseD]

I agree, changing the constitution is not a good thing. Can you imaginge a future Islamic president?? Sorry Arnold can't take that chance!

[Bigh4u2]

Does Arnold really think a person like Koffi Annon should be president of the U.S.?

If the constitution is ammended, it definately could happen.

How about Osama?

A foolish idea at it's worst and a danger at it's best.

[G.Mason]

"People thinking that President Schwarzenegger sounds good need to ask themselves if they think President Soros sounds good. Very, very, bad idea (or as Kerry would say when he is in fly-over state - very, very bad ider)."

Yes sir!

We have enough homegrown idiots, and traitors to contend with. Like John Effin Kerry.