Arnold Schwarzenegger In Politics, Prevented From Presidency Bid By Naturalization Law
Any of the options that would give him a larger platform undoubtedly would be more appealing than dealing with the gridlock inside Californias Capitol.
The partisan finger-wagging has kept him wrapped up in negotiations over faltering state finances for much of the last two years, and his approval ratings have followed the decline in Californias economic fortunes.
The 61-year-old Republican governor has been asked repeatedly whether he would entertain a position if offered one by the Democratic president-elect, most likely focused on alternative energy or other environmental initiatives.
Hes been coy in some of his answers, but has said he will remain in office until the end of his term in January 2011. He is not eligible to run again for governor.
Schwarzenegger enjoyed a brief diversion from the budget frustrations as he mingled recently with leaders from 19 countries at the global warming summit organized by his administration.
The meeting had a lofty goal: drafting the template for the next phase of United Nations climate talks. The U.N. has a December 2009 deadline to complete a treaty to succeed the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
While it might seem presumptuous for a governor of just one state to attempt to influence the talks, Schwarzenegger is a unique character. He has successfully branded himself as a modern environmental activist by repeating the same message: Cut emissions and invest in green technologies such as solar and wind power.
That image has held even though implementation of Schwarzeneggers signature policy – the 2006 law seeking to cut emissions roughly a third by 2020 – is so complex that it wont be completed until after he leaves office.
“When I think about what were doing to address climate change and address a global issue, I think its only fitting that Governor Schwarzenegger should be the lead,” Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said during the recent global warming summit.
Schwarzeneggers name comes up as a possible U.S. Senate candidate should Sen. Dianne Feinstein decide to run for governor in 2010 or if he chose to run against Sen. Barbara Boxer. Both are Democrats.
But a governor accustomed to bright lights may be unlikely to feel satisfied in the Senate, as one actor in a cast of 100. His centrist political philosophy also could make it difficult for him to survive a Republican primary in his home state.
Schwarzenegger says that wont happen next time.
“Before I make any move, the next move that I make, Im going to go and say to Maria: `Maria, you tell me what to do,” Schwarzenegger said in a recent Fox News interview.
A reprise of his Hollywood career seems unlikely. The film star who earned $30 million in his final “Terminator” movie now says hed rather be an action hero on weightier matters such as alternative energy and rebuilding the nations infrastructure.
Schwarzenegger often has said how much he admires his in-laws, who started the Special Olympics and followed a family legacy of public service.
His ambition to leave a similar legacy is a driving force. Schwarzenegger has signed partnerships with the governors of Western states and Canadian provinces to develop regional cap-and-trade systems designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Last week, he signed deals with regional government leaders from Mexico, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia in which they pledged support for climate initiatives.
Source: cachi
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