By Stone Martindale Feb 23, 2007, 16:04 GMT
SACRAMENTO—Austrian born Arnold Schwarzenegger is not letting his foreign birth keep him from any future American political offices, in fact, the former actor is devoted to public civic service these days.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (L) and his son Patrick look court-side during the NBA All-Star game in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sunday 18 February 2007. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH
The U.S. Constitution states persons of foreign birth cannot run for president, but Arnold is not worried, he will influence and lead despite the restrictions.
In a telling interview with Roger Simon of Politico.com, Arnold states he will not rule out running for future public office including the office of U.S. senator or mayor of Los Angeles when his term as governor expires in January 2011.
He will not publicly endorse a presidential candidate until after the Republican Convention in September 2008.
Bucking his republican party, Arnold wants a deadline for getting out of Iraq, even though he recognizes that President Bush does not.
Most interesting revelation comes in the form of a supportive statement from Arnold in defense of Hillary, regarding the current "Obamadrama" of Democrats who delight in criticizing Clinton for refusing to say she made a mistake by voting for the Iraq war.
Arnold also put to rest rumors his Kennedy clan wife Maria Shriver, will “absolutely not” run for governor of California or any other public office.
Why do Californians support their governor? Schwarzenegger is an old school Barry Goldwater styled Republican who supports abortion rights, stem-cell research, gay rights and much more stringent gun control.
He is a fiscal conservative who keeps his personal views on religion and morality out of politics, and focuses on uniting issues that affect the quality of life for all Californians, the environment, the health care crisis, education and business development. Love him or hate him, he doesn't pander for votes and suck up to extremist religious groups who have no business in politics to begin with.
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