Schwarzenegger Can't Resist the Hummer

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's visit to the L.A. Auto Show may not have received much ink in old media, but car enthusiasts on their blogs and other Internet domains have been fanatic about it. Over at "Kicking Tires," Joe Wiesenfelder reminisces about Schwarzenegger in 2001 promoting the Hummer in Times Square, and then takes us through his recent visit:

"Schwarzenegger, who convinced AM General to turn the HMMWVs he saw while filming 'Kindergarten Cop' into diesel-sucking, smoke-belching consumer products, is now standing in front of a phalanx of hybrid, clean-diesel, E85 and hydrogen vehicles, saying, 'These cars are the future of the automobile industry ...' "

Wiesenfelder marvels at the security:

"Around every corner is another burly man, always a step or two ahead of the governor and the rest of us. Soon I notice that every third woman I see, in among the reporters, also has an earpiece and eyes that never stop moving. It seems absurd. The governor is solid and square-jawed as ever, and able to lay you out with just a stare."

Just before leaving, he notes, Schwarzenegger takes a quick look at the Hummer H2 and then heads out the door.

(Photo: Ric Francis / AP)