Updated: Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks diplomatically about Sarah Palin

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cedes little to Colin Powell when it comes to assessing Sarah Palin’s qualifications to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

In a CNN interview tonight, Schwarzenegger, asked about fellow Republican Gov. Palin, had this exchange with Campbell Brown, a snippet of which is being used as a promo.

BROWN: Do you think she’s qualified to be president?

SCHWARZENEGGER: I think that she will get to be qualified.

BROWN: She will get there? What do you mean? She’s not ready yet?

SCHWARZENEGGER: By the time that she is sworn in I think she will be ready.

[Update] Here's the questioning leading into the above exchange:

BROWN: What do you think of her as a choice?

SCHWARZENEGGER: I think it was a great choice.

BROWN: Why?

SCHWARZENEGGER: Every choice has its assets and every choice has its shortcomings. And what you do when you're on the other side of the camp is you point out the other side's shortcomings. So we always point out she's not experienced and she's bought too much clothes and all those issues. She's an executive as a governor running for the state and has an approval rating of 80%. It shows she's done an extraordinary job in that. And one would assume from seeing this history and her passion about public service and reaching out and helping people that she would do the same job as the vice president when she's in office.

Schwarzenegger is Ohio-bound next week to campaign for his friend, John McCain and, well, maybe Palin.

— Dan Morain

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Comments

[Ken Maddox]

I totally agree. She is actually the only one with executive experience, seems to be overlooked. The past governors that ended up in the office seemed t do pretty good. As well as she has taken a lot of heat and stood strong.
www.oneangryman.com

[Reuel]

SCHWARZENEGGER: By the time that she is sworn in I think she will be ready.

Well said.
She is even more ready to be VP.

Biden only wants to be an "advisor" so presumely he (if elected VP) will be lower ranked than unelected Powell.

[Bloodstock]

I don't know if Sarah is ready? I do know Joe the hair plugger is ready for the nut house. Yeah love to see the codes in his hands. SCARY

[Paul]

In other words, she's not ready right now. Sorry, but I can't vote for someone unless they are ready for the job at the time I am voting.

[Rodney Lamprey]

I agree with the Governor that has bankrupted California. Governor Palin can be President with just as much ego, showmanship, shallowness, petty politics, and ineptness as Gov. Schwarzenegger has done in California.

[stephanie]

Arnold,

Reason to vote against you. I cannot believe we Californians voted for him! Never again!

[steve rodriguez]

Say hello to my little friend,
the next Vice President of the United Sates Sarah Palin!!!
Way to go Arnold!!!!!!

[steve rodriguez]

Hey Arnold Obama and Bidden will never be ready!

[speedydog]

This from a Governor whose State is going bankrupt and wants money from the Federal Government. And who would know better how to govern than a movie star. Maybe Arnie, who can't even pronounce California correctly, could take speakin' lessons from the ever so intelligent Palin. Pleeeease!!! God help us all.