Arnold Schwarzenegger on "60 Minutes" says acting in politics helps

Besides admitting that he would like to run for president, a constitutional impossibility, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also led on that his background in the arts has helped him in government.

He described a scene in the movie "Stay Hungry" with actress Sally Field in which he had to lift 225 pounds over and over. "I learned very quickly: Put on wooden plates," Schwarzenegger said.

"You're not telling me that's what you did in the movies," Pelley said.

The governor responded, laughing: " . . . No, no, not me."

His governing style apparently involves some acting as well. "People think show business was in Hollywood, but I think [Ronald] Reagan was absolutely right," Schwarzenegger said. "If he wouldn't have the training in acting, this would have been a very difficult job."

Did you see "60 Minutes"? Do you think Schwarzenneggar should be allowed to run for president? What do you think about his idea that "acting" helps in politics?  Here's your chance to chime in.

-- Tony Pierce

photo by Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[the_turk]

Actually, I believe he was quoting Ronald Reagan, a fellow actor.

[Mike]

What an embarrassment for 60 Minutes! A softball piece, feature advertisement, for a Governor whose time at California's economic helm mirrors the disastrous Bush tenure at the federal level. Arnold says he like challenges...needs a new challenge so he would like to be President! He is a bigger loser than Gray Davis...Wow...TV journalism at its best! Arnold...move to New York and see if they will appoint you to the Senate...

[Steve Wimer]

Which version of Arnold is the worst: (1) the one that beat Tom Platz out of a Mr. Olympia title as a bodybuilder when Arnold was out of shape; (2) the actor in the "Conan" movies; or (3) the politician licking the boots of the rich in Sacramento? Perhaps Arnold best personifies the term "winning ugly", more than anyone else.

[dave]

yes, absolutely.....naturalized citizens should be able to run if they're qualified....immigrants help. Arnold continues to show that a naturalized citizen can competently lead the most populous state in the union and the world's 8th largest economy as well as any natural born citizen.

[kathleen]

Gee, why shouldn't Arnold be a Republican president? Just like Bush in Texas, he did such a wonderful job in California that he should surely be promoted. Not.

[Jonathan]

Scary notion that his acting(?) skills help him to be elected.

Using his analogy of weight lifting by using fake weights is he also faking it when he is working as California's Governor?

[Jean Gerard]

Talk about light-weight articles! Does this mean that anybody with money and name value can run for president? Yes. And that a oerson with no money and no name value cannot run for president. Yes. And then what?

[Liz]

Personificatioin of smoke and mirrors and steroids does not make for leadership.
One might like to trust the elected leaders, then again that might be the stuff of myths. It's really hard to quantify Arnold's contributions to California, as we watch our economy and schools and jobs go down the drain. I long for the deals and backroom politics and public feuds of Pat Brown and "Big Daddy" Unhruh: there weren't these budget crises.

[Xenu]

Schwarzenegger is right. Learning how to be a professional liar is key to becoming a Republican politician.

[vlad]

schwarzenegger is very inteligent and couragous person, everybody would be happy if somebody like him represents his interest, in california is unfortunately no dictatorship of governor {90% of his ideas i totaly agree}, but strong influence of special interest on legislation

[Mauricio]

It's easy to bash Arnold. He's the visible one and the guy with the name. I don't care if he uses his acting in negotiations, having a poker face can be an asset with politicians. I bet most people here don't even know their state assembly or senate member. Do you? When is the last time you wrote to them? Or are you like me and have only to be ignored. Our state assembly and senate have as much or more to blame for the mess we are in. Enough of this more money for Education, C'mon, with close to 50% of our total state budget allocated to Education alone they want more and people fall for this? It's padding man, pure padding, as a former teacher I've seen these so called education programs. Pure assistants to assistants for arcane programs with mangers and coordinators, program specialist that by the time money reaches our kids it's nothing, only cents on a dollar. Our great state has become a hotbed of very special interest protecting their agenda from prison guards, teachers, nurses to firefighters etc. They want us to go on believing the myth that they are the victims and that they need more money. I'm all for protection, care, and education and investing in our future but with transparencies and justification that accountability brings.

[Michael Intriere]

When 60 Minutes asked why he would like to be president Arnold went on about how the most important thing to him is "winning" and to continue winning he would have to be elected president. What a sad excuse for a politician.

[China]

Aside from our personal opinions on Arnold's governing abilities, the fact is that America is a nation founded by and made up largely of immigrants. That's not to say that we should open the immigration flood gates, but certainly it would be a symbolic show of faith to allow Arnold run for president. The constitution would have to be revised, perhaps with provisions such as immigrant candidates must have held a prior elected office in the U.S. or have lived here a majority of their lives. It'll probably never happen, but the debate would be healthy, so I hope someone makes the first step. Of course, Arnold hasn't done too hot in California, so I don't think we need to worry about him actually ever winning the U.S. presidency.