Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger engages in his first real session with the press since his skiing mishap. The lovely room fixture image above randomly selected by YouTube.
For all his high-profile public appearances of late, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has spent remarkably little time speaking with the California press corps, in part due to his recuperation from his seriously broken leg of last month. He remedied that situation some yesterday with his annual appearance before the bulk of the political press corps at a Sacramento Press Club luncheon.
Schwarzenegger’s address, as it were, lasted only a few minutes at the annual press club luncheon in the state capital. Then he threw the floor open for nearly a half hour of questions and answers.
Relatively little news was broken, not that attempts were not made, though not necessarily by him. It was primarily interesting for Schwarzenegger’s state of mind, and for making his positions clearer. He still clearly depends on his crutches, but had no real problem during his half-hour plus on his feet.
The former action superstar made it very clear that he wants to move California’s presidential primary forward to early February, saying he has met with legislative leaders from both parties on the matter. “We’re the number one state in the union, number one place in the world,” he noted, “and we are kind of an afterthought when it comes to the presidential campaign. I mean, all those guys come out here and they clean up, they take the money and they run. Millions and millions of dollars, both parties, but we are not part of the decision-making. … We want to make California relevant. The way we make it relevant is by moving up the primaries to February.”
He said he intends to inject his post-partisan menu of issues — such as global warming, stem cell research, health care, infrastructure, and a post-partisan mode of decision-making — into the presidential campaign process, but “won’t chase the candidates from state to state.”
Asked if he would endorse a candidate, he said that was a long ways off. He would have to look at all the candidates and who was best on the issues. This theoretically did not rule out the Democrats. Asked, in an amusing exchange with veteran LA Times columnist George Skelton, seen in the NWN video above, to clarify whether he was saying he might endorse a Democrat for president, he said that was not his intention, “that we all should look at all the candidates. I think we have some good Republican candidates that are out there.” He’s previously named Arizona Senator John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, both prospective Republican candidates, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a prospective independent candidate, as Republicans he admires.
The former Mr. Universe, whose popularity is back up near his early first term levels, said he does not think he is trying to do too much with his expansive second term agenda, reminding that he is “someone who wants to do big things.” On health care, he said that there is interest in both parties in accomplishing a comprehensive program, and ruled out, in a definitive sounding manner, a compromise involving children only.
Schwarzenegger also clarified his position on Iraq. Late last year, he had said that he wanted a “timeline” for the withdrawal of American troops. Then on a Sunday morning interview show, he said that he supported President George W. Bush in his plan to “surge” about 20,000 troops into Iraq to try to bring greater security there. Today, he said that he supports both. A surge to try to bring greater security, a transition to Iraqi forces for the provision of security, and a timeline for an American troop withdrawal, mentioning the end of the year as a time when that might begin.
“I personally belive that we should not just turn our back on Iraq and walk away because mistakes were made,” said Schwarzenegger. “We should set a deadline, and a timeline, for when we pull out. I think we should make it very clear to the Iraqi government that we won’t stay there forever. That by the end of this year, they have to be self-reliant, and they have to create a military as soon as possible so that they can take care of themselves. I think that we can pull out of there in a victorious way. That’s very important in terms of what’s going on in the Middle East.”
A few, like longtime Democratic Party consultant Bob Mulholland, tried to make this into support for the Bush position. Actually, it sounds more like the Iraq Study Group. And the Angelides for Governor campaign, which tried all last year to push the Bush equals Schwarzenegger line and got 39% of the vote in mostly blue state California for its efforts, is over.
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Pull out in a victorious way. I love it!
Eunice Kennedy at 86 is a beautiful and elegant lady and does not look 90 per AS
He needs to wish he will look that good at 86, because he looks at least 65 going on 70 on this video.
He still continues with his mean-spirited insults and apologizes.
He and bush are truly alike.
Eunice Kennedy at 86 is a beautiful and elegant lady and does not look 90 per AS
He needs to wish he will look that good at 86, because he looks at least 65 going on 70 on this video.
He still continues with his mean-spirited insults and apologizes.
He and bush are truly alike.
Nothing about Eunice Kennedy here, what is this crack case talking about?
Probably suffers from Mulholland Syndrome. lol
Gov. Schwarzenegger spoke well but appears strained. His exchange with the Times columnist is nice, heartfelt.
This John Fund really sounds like a little ol lady! Fretting and Tsk Tsk Tsking away in my WSJ AGAIN on Arnold’s healthcare plan today..Sheesh! the WSJ is my last print paper …if this keeps on I may just switch my print preference to the “Financial Times” .This one is called “Shades of Gray” …I wonder if he is coming up with the titles (Previously Schwarzenkennedy, which I kinda like) in any event, this not only shows Arnold is going to have serious opposition from his Chamber friends and the conservative Reeps..but all this print also implies that they fear Arnold’s popularity, personality and crack team of aides could be more successful in selling this plan to the public than Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy combined ever were…moreover, if California passes this …we will have universal coverage nationwide much SOONER than later…that’s important to keep in mind.
They are criticizing him because he is so like Bush, of course.
It doesn’t really sound in the video like Schwarzenegger is thinking about endorsing Hillary Clinton.
He’s probably considering endorsing Bob Mulholland. lol
If Schwarzeneger doesn’t have Bob on payroll, he ought to.
I expect Schwarzenegger to endorse a Republican for president.
While I don’t know if Sadhana comments were on point, I see no reason for anyone to call her a “crack case” or make any other personal remarks. Just no need for it. None.
Well, I’m not sure that if I allow someone to flame a politician I can’t allow someone to flame the flamer. I’m sure you see the situation.
Bill,
No, I don’t. And perhaps for that reason I shall now excuse myself.
It’s really quite straightforward, and we have certainly been down this road before.
Maybe you should delete the original flames of Schwarzeneger.
Much harsher material has been deleted. I think people get it now.
fyi: at AS inaugration luncheon
he introduced Eunice Kennedy to the guest. He informed the gathering that “Eunice Kennedy is 86 but she looks 90″ when the guest did a collective groan of displeasure at the remark he retracked his comment and said “I meant to say she looks 60.” same old insulting AS. This is a beautiful and elegant lady and she deserved better acknowledgment at that event. most newspapers wrote of it. so until AS can stop insulting others and people keeping giving him a pass i will continue to voice my discontentment of AS lack of respect for the basic humaness of people. his comment to Eunice Kennedy was the last straw for me.She looks better at 86 then he does at 59. I can now never consider him to be a leader.bush in the whitehouse and he’s in the capitol. God does truly need to bless america.
I’ll take mulholland any day.
Actually, Schwarzenegger and his mother-in-law have joshed and doted on each other for years.
You obviously hate the guy, but should avoid literal mindedness.
Bill Its okay if they josh and dote. its all in the family. however, at my age which is older than AS, I still address those that are my elders as yes maam and yes sir. We in america donot respect our elders the way we use to. he has set a poor example.I donot hate the guy I don’t even hate bush jr. {even I wonder at that}.it takes a lot of energy to hate. I reserve my energy for higher causes. As a woman I find his remarks very disparaging, and I would say the same if the remarks came from someone I admire. It would have been just as easy for him to say Eunice looks beautiful today she doen’t look a day over 60, as a public show of respect and honor to the elder female matriach of
the kennedy family and in that way pay tribute to all of our elders.its a wonderful accomplishment to live that many years and still have a high quality of life.
You obviously love the guy and that is good for you.
we each come from different perspectives. what I see in and feel from my gut instinct of AS causes me great concern and it is the same thing I see in and feel about bush.
as the saying goes silence means we support the actions. RK said to stand up and be willing to brave the censure of your fellows against injustice. that is what I do when i blog here and refuse to follow the masses and be caught in the manufactured illusion that is AS and GB.
There is certainly nothing like having an open mind and ability to take in information …
namaste
I’m more into the empirical than the inner truth.
But you know who is into inner truth?
George W. Bush.
yes, GWB is into “HIS” inner truth
the greatest manifestation of his inner truth on the outside is the IRAQ WAR and 21,500 troops set for
deployment.
So our inner truth is different as I oppose him and the war in Iraq. This is a whole generation lost and destroyed for the elite’s aggroance and greed for oil, bush really want Iran.it was all planned long ago. New Orleans would be completely rebuilt if he would focus 1/10 of his energy on the plight of americans. what about skid row in l.a. the people of the applachian mountains. and many more of our domestic issues would be resolved with the billions of dollars poured into Iraq for Halliburton. many thousands of Iraqis and a country totally destroyed for his form of inner truth. no thanks.GWB seems to have selective memory if his inner truth includes the teachings of Jesus Christ, CR needs to give him a refresher course.He is not following the teachings. AMERICA has INVADED and is OCCUPING a country without utilizing all diplomatic means. I made some mistakes GWB is sending more troops instead of bringing them home.No greater example of mans’ inhumanity to man for the sake of one man and his adminstrations form of inner truth.
Actually, they are quite similar. Faith-based vs. fact-based.