Schwarzenegger is boldly pro-tire-gauge

SACRAMENTO -- Barack Obama took plenty of ridicule from John McCain's campaign earlier this month for suggesting that motorists inflate their tires properly to get better mileage in the face of skyrocketing gas prices. McCain’s aides handed out tire pressure gauges, mockingly labeled as Obama’s energy policy.

But guess what advice emanated today from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- a McCain ally and fellow Republican -- in launching a campaign to help Americans cut down on their gasoline usage?

“Here are some additional simple things that I will recommend, like proper tire pressure or avoiding rapid starts and stops,” Schwarzenegger said, speaking via satellite in Denver to spearhead the EcoDriving USA program, along with Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

McCain ultimately acknowledged that checking tire pressure was useful, and his campaign subsequently dropped the subject.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Matt David said his boss had offered the tire tip before Obama did. David e-mailed a quote from the governor from April 2007, and a news account from this June reporting that Schwarzenegger had made the suggestion during an appearance at a global warming conference in Florida.

In his remarks today, Schwarzenegger echoed what he recently said at the Florida event -- that while “politicians” are talking about increasing offshore drilling and use of nuclear power, anyone who says those measures will bring gas prices down soon is “blowing smoke.”

McCain is pushing both drilling and nuclear power, and Obama recently changed his position and endorsed limited drilling.

Schwarzenegger, who may play a prominent role next month at the GOP national convention, where McCain is to be nominated for president, also said: “The politicians in Washington aren’t going to save us. They’re too busy squabbling .... instead of listening to those who need our help.”

Schwarzenegger's spokesman said he was not criticizing any “politician” in particular.

And what of the derision of “politicians” from the former bodybuilder and movie star twice elected the governor of California?

“The governor is a public servant,” David said. “He does not consider himself a career politician.”

-- Michael Rothfeld

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[dave]

'it is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.' - dick cheney

how is it that in a country of 300 million people you can't find two people - or at least one man or woman, who meets at least the minimal requirements for the office of president - to respect and abide by the constitution? and how is it that so many people actually prefer to waste their vote and punish themselves by electing to office people who they cannot overlook without lying to themselves, will lie them in the face with a smug brazen grin whenever they open their mouths? when lying, cheating, stealing, treason and corruption are the standards a majority of the people hold up to and applaud for, the candidates for the highest office, and deride all those qualified, honest and sincere, something is seriously wrong.
and it is a lame excuse to later blame censorship and propaganda by the corrupt corporate media - the people are still free to research on their own, all information freely available, and make responsible decisions based on their best knowledge and conscience, not compromised by media and peer pressure, and regardless of war propaganda, and propaganda war etc.; not to do so is self depricating and ethically corrupt, and not worthy of the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. the civil liberties the people do not value, they will no longer enjoy.

'it is easy to have liberty taken away from you at any time, when you take it for granted.'
- RON PAUL (constitutional republican candidate for president)