Free Republic

<p>THAL, Austria &#8212; Austrians yesterday cheered native son Arnold Schwarzenegger who left as a young bodybuilder in 1968 and won the governor's office in his new home, California.</p> <p>"I was moved to tears," said Elfi Kling, who runs a restaurant in Mr. Schwarzenegger's hometown of Thal.</p>

<p>GRAZ, Austria -- Those of us from his hometown here who have known Arnold Schwarzenegger a long time -- indeed consider him a friend -- never had any doubt that he could win the California election to become governor.</p> <p>First, America is the land of immigrants: Where else but in America could an immigrant, a former bodybuilder turned Hollywood star, become governor? Second, as we know well, the word that defines Arnold is "discipline"; what he sets his mind to he gets. He would not be derailed by the lies that were told about him or by those dismissive of his abilities.</p>

<p>Austria raises a toast to Arnold Schwarzenegger.</p> <p>Saturday, October 11, 2003 12:01 a.m.</p> <p>GRAZ, Austria--Those of us from his hometown here who have known Arnold Schwarzenegger a long time--indeed consider him a friend--never had any doubt that he could win the California election to become governor.</p>