Schwarzenegger suggests possible interest in run for president

[Kadie]

Schwarzenegger suggests possible interest in run for president

Saturday, October 30, 2004


(10-30) 13:59 PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) --

After months of sidestepping questions about a possible presidential run, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has used some of his strongest language yet in suggesting he may someday be interested in the office.

Asked if he would like to be able to run and would support a Constitutional amendment that would allow foreign-born citizens like himself to seek the office, Schwarzenegger said, "Yes. Absolutely."

"I think, you know, because why not? Like with my way of thinking, you always shoot for the top," the governor said in the interview on "60 Minutes" to be broadcast Sunday.

"But it's not something that I am preoccupied with," he added. "I am not thinking one single minute about that. Because there's so many things I have to do in California, and my promise was to straighten out the mess in California."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/10/30/state1659EDT0283.DTL

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Sorry arnie you were not born in the US

neither was I, so sock it up, unless you are going back to Austria that is

[Kierkegaard]

38. Sure he wants to be Prez. I want to be 20 again.

I think I have a better shot.

[kori]

89. If Bush wins there is a scarier scenario

I saw an interview with a CA congressman that was asked about a constitutional amendment to make naturalized citizens capable of running for president. He was going to introduce it, and at the same time introduce with it an elimination of term limits. Amerikins should have a wide rage of choices without artificial limits.

So Georgie in 08 too?

[Speed8098]

103. "So Georgie in 08 too?"

Um......I think the big dog would be the choice in 08 if the 22nd is repealed.

[acmavm]

2. President of Austria I hope, because if that crazy bastard runs here,

then I will move to another country.

[The Professor]

82. me too. Thats something I don't even want to think about.

[cubsfan forever]

3. Uh, he's not an American born citizen n/t

Professor 2

[mountainvue]

70. Orrin Hatch

sponsored a bill to change the amendment to allow people who have lived here 20 years to run for president.
I say we run Teresa agsinst him and see who wins that one. LOL.

[despairing optimist]

86. There is no God but Arnold, and Orrin is his prophet

Funny how that rings as true as his stupid amendment does.

[skylarmae]

4. no, no, no, no, no, no! no way. this cannot happen - no no no no no

nononononononononnonononononon

[George_S]

39. He shouldn't even be governor...

... California was only in one of its moods. He has to go!

[helnwhls]

5. sorry but

:puke:

I can not imagine what the repukes might do to the Constitution if they think getting Arnie in the white house will make them a penny.

[Sandpiper]

7. Thankfully, the amendment process isn't that easy

I don't think 2/3 of both houses of Congress and 3/4 of the states think we need to amend the Constitution for Ahnuld.

[helnwhls]

9. Amen!

EDIT:

I know I am being a nervous nelly to let it bother me, but Anold keeps bringing it up. Maybe it is because reporter keep asking him.

[RoyGBiv]

60. Kinda says something ...

Says something about the intelligence of the average reporter. I don't even see the sense in asking this question. He can *run* for President all he wants, but he cannot legally be elected.

[Whoa_Nelly]

21. Read here as to how The US Constitution can be changed

http://www.usconstitution.net/constam.html
<snip>
The Amendment Process

There are essentially two ways spelled out in the Constitution for how it can be amended. One has never been used.

The first method is for a bill to pass both halves of the legislature, by a two-thirds majority in each. Once the bill has passed both houses, it goes on to the states. This is the route taken by all current amendments. Because of some long outstanding amendments, such as the 27th, Congress will normally put a time limit (typically seven years) for the bill to be approved as an amendment (for example, see the 21st and 22nd).

The second method prescribed is for a Constitutional Convention to be called by two-thirds of the legislatures of the States, and for that Convention to propose one or more amendments. These amendments are then sent to the states to be approved by three-fourths of the legislatures or conventions. This route has never been taken, and there is discussion in political science circles about just how such a convention would be convened, and what kind of changes it would bring about.

Regardless of which of the two proposal routes is taken, the amendment must be approved by three-fourths of states. The amendment as passed may specify whether the bill must be passed by the state legislatures or by a state convention. See the Ratification Convention Page for a discussion of the make up of a convention. Amendments are sent to the legislatures of the states by default. Only one amendment, the 21st, specified a convention. In any case, passage by the legislature or convention is by simple majority.

It is interesting to note that at no point does the President have a role in the formal amendment process (though he would be free to make his opinion known). He cannot veto an amendment proposal, nor a ratification.

[vs the introvore]

43. the schwarzenegger amendment

<http://www.rawstory.com/exclusives/bevin/schwarzenegger_foreign_born_amendment_921.htm>

Article 2, Section 1, Clause 5: No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
Advertisement

The above quote, concerning the requirements for eligibility for the Presidency, is from the Constitution of the United States of America. There are three basic requirements, with which every American citizen is familiar: the candidate must be at least thirty-five years of age; the candidate must have resided in America for at least fourteen years; and, noted foremost, the candidate must be born an American. As outlined in the supreme document of our land, the guidelines are quite clear.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), who was born in Austria, has endorsed a challenge to this clause. Last year, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced a bill that would change the Constitution to allow anyone who has lived in America for at least twenty years to run for the Presidency. Earlier this year, at a meeting of the National Governor's Association in Washington, Schwarzenegger was quoted as saying, "that there's no reason why not ."

A woman who came to the Governor's office with a bit less fanfare than Gov. Schwarzenegger was Jennifer Granholm (D-MI). Gov. Granholm was born in Vancouver, British Columbia.

[olddad56]

50. If Bush wins, it is more likely we'd have a new amendment allowing 3 terms

[olddad56]

51. And Asshole Anold could be his running mate.

[olddad56]

53. and we'll sell the naming rights of the country to Haliburton.

[olddad56]

54. The Divided States of Haliburton, Inc. , has a nice ring to it.

[flaminbats]

84. If Bush loses, they will tear their party to shreds in 2008..

a primary between Shrub and Arnold would be splendor sine occasu!

[yardwork]

44. Not when they're reminded of what it could mean....

Repugs are not known for being tolerant of "furriners." All we have to do is remind them that OBL, for example, would be allowed to be president. They'd run for the hills.

[mountainvue]

71. You watch.

They're going to try it. Don't let this happen America!

[patdem]

6. So just BEING a facist party is not enough...they want to SOUND like

a facist party...accent and all? :crazy:

[Democat]

8. Would that amendment allow Bin Laden to run for U.S. president too?

Would the right wing try to exclude people born in the Middle East, Africa, and France in their constitutional amendment?

I thought Republicans loved America, not all of these evil foreigners? :)

[neomonkey]

10. Republicans are sad

They can't even find any talent in their farm system, gotta go overseas.

Losers.

[iamjoy]

11. Ligthen Up!

Arnold isn't horrible. He's actually quite liberal on social issues, for example, California is funding stem cell research. He doesn't suck when it comes to the environment.

Of course, even if they change the Constitution, he is highly unlikely to get the GOP nomination because the Christian Right despises Arnold for those moderate social views.

But really, aside from being obnoxious and overly macho, aside from whoring for Bush - politically speaking, why is Arnold so bad?

[neomonkey]

15. Well

But really, aside from being obnoxious and overly macho, aside from whoring for Bush - politically speaking, why is Arnold so bad?

I think you just said it all. I think the argument ends there.

[iamjoy]

18. We Could Do Worse

That's my point.
If we must have a Republican, I say why not Arnold? A side benefit to promoting Arnold's candidacy is a possible fragmentation of the Republican party, the big business interests from the Christian Right.

[robbedvoter]

63. yeah, Hitler had closer supporters/admirers. Great, thanks!

I know he outlowed sex with dead people (I see a great Six feet Under episode here), but what else explains your enthusiasm?

[shanti]

74. because he had a hand in the energy outage

THAT'S WHY!!!! that fucker is a thief like the rest! :grr:

[RaRa]

80. Ah yes, "we could do worse"

now THERE'S a rational to amend our beloved Consitution. Your respect and devotion to the Constitution is truly moving.

[iamjoy]

88. They Are Two Separate Issues

whether the Constitution should be amended to allow foreign born citizens to run vs. whether Arnold is a "good" politician

[lefador]

16. Obviously you are not in California...

...moderate my ass. First thing he tried to pass after stealing the governorhsip was the reduction of the budget for the disabled.

And since when it is the guy who introduced the HumVee to the civilian population considered an environmentalist?

WTF?

[allalone]

37. you're being sarcastic, right?

How about he's stupid, takes steroids, has posed in gay magazines and for maplethorpe, bullies women,call his wife who looks like a skeleton fat, is a pig, is fucking up California big time, can't speak in anything but catch phrases from Hans and Franz and his crappy movies. Let's see, did I leave anything out? Oh yeah and he's uglier even than cheney.

[MADem]

55. allalone, you are not alone!!!

I agree with all of your sentiments.

I saw Ah-nuld at the GWB rally in Ohio on the tv the other day. He rambled on and on about how great Ohio was, the crowd was rah-rahing, and he HOGGED the limelight. You could tell that Porgie wanted to push him aside and take the podium, but didn't dare. To make matters worse, Ah-nuld kept standing in such a way that you could not even see Porgie behind him. Best of all, Ah-nuld said that the 'most important reason' that he was there was to tout his bodybuilding competition, which he started in...Ohio! (Rah, rah!!!) Then, almost as an aside, he introduced weecowboy...who took the podium with a look on his face that said he knew he was second banana, and rotting to boot!

It was a really strange moment. 20,000 people, hooting and hollering for a movie star. The weecowboy had to know that they were not there for him, they just wanted to see the Terminator.

Sick. Sad!

[iamjoy]

90. You Are Talking About Him Personally...

and as a person, he is a sexist jerk.

I am talking about his politics and the type of policies he would promote/enact and hypothetically, the kind of judicial appointments he would make.

I am comparing him to Republicans like George W. Bush, Alan Keyes and Tom DeLay. And I must say, Arnold comes up looking pretty good next to these fellows.

[SemperEadem]

97. his politics? Outsourcing patient's medical information

and then barring said patients from having a say so if they don't want their medical information sent overseas. Yeah, he's got a grip on things, alright.

He found out very quickly that Gray Davis wasn't lying about California's budget crisis, and no hi-jacked, lame-ass movie lines are going to cause a bunch of money to begin flowing into California's coffers anytime soon. If anything, the citizens of California should have hired the writers of his movie roles--because he can't think of anything new--and stealing the Hans and Franz lines from SNL just shows how bankrupt his esteem really is. Can't even come up with something new.

You clearly don't live in California.

[are_we_united_yet]

47. I agree.

When Arnold dispatched with Gray Davis, I got my Gropenator voodoo doll out and went to town.

But apart from his occasional stumping for *,and his Enron connections, he's not nearly as bad as I thought he was going to be.

Yes, he defnitely has some character flaws for sure, but he could have been worse.

I'd still prefer Gray Davis however.

[wickerwoman]

62. Because he's a puppet.

And I haven't given up hope that this nation can produce, in any given 20 year generation, at least 1000 people who can hold a position like governor, senator or congressperson and actually understand more than half of the shit that comes out of their own mouth.

And because he's a puppet, he's at the mercy of the smarter, better informed, totally immoral, cowardly people who control him. It's them I'm sick of.

[leesa]

81. The stem cell funding bit is a dressed-up corporate scam

Let's take just one item...the one for which he was installed. He settled the Lieutenant Governor's lawsuit to recover the 9 billion dollars Enron and company stole from us for pennies on the dollar. First order of business. Then he put our debt on a credit card that we will be paying off forever.

He's an ignorant corporate tool.

[olddad56]

85. here is one reason why he is so bad..

Living in Ca. and working at an agency of the state government. I can tell you one thing that he has done that a person living outside of the state, or working outside of State government might not be aware of.
When a new Governor comes into office, he often appoints his people to head up the various state agencies. Well Arnold has taken that to a new level. Corporate fascism has taken over almost every facet of state government. Agencies that were created to regulate and oversee industry are now being run by representatives from the industries they are were intended to oversee. Agencies that are responsible for overseeing air and water quality have a new agenda now. Most agencies are making plans to outsource jobs. Good for all of the special interests who Arnold is beholding to, not so good for the people of California.

[sr_pacifica]

101. Good post, olddad

I'm in California and haven't been aware of this, though I am not surprised. He is a Republican, after all.

I LIKED Gray Davis and was sad to see him go.

[ima_sinnic]

12. UGH!!! and just WHAT are your qualifications, Mr He-man???

what a repulsive creature!
got a taste of political power, eh Ahnuld?
why don't you go back to Hollywood, where they fawn all over vacuous "pretty boys" like yourself?
better yet, go back to Austria where you came from. The U.S. is "not ready" for a foreign-born muscleman bonehead to be President.

[Az_lefty]

13. another delusional repug....

can't run if your not a natural born citizen. Sorry Ahnuld, go back
to Austria.

[glitch]

40. They don't want him either.

They cancelled the statue of him that they had planned to put up because he supports bush.

[Ima]

61. that should be easy

He is still a CITIZEN of Austria somehow.

[d_b]

14. FUCKKKKKKK that

No more P.R./puppet presidents.

[LostInAnomie]

17. If that mother fucker wins I will honestly move to Canada!

Because there is no hope for this country.

Did that steroid pumping piece of shit even go to college?

[mountainvue]

72. No. n/t

[donco6]

19. Go ahead and run.

I would welcome this matchup - another political lightweight versus an experienced sitting president - or better yet - Hillary - or even Obama? Pfft. Piece of cake.

[aquart]

20. Read him the goddamn constitution.

The arrogant prick wants to open us up to foreign domination for his worthless ego?

If he dropped dead tomorrow I would not mourn.

[Cyrix]

48. Uh yea....

it's not like an american born president would ever open us up to foreign domination like oh, say, the saudis or anything.

[w4rma]

22. Arnie doesn't have the states required to get this amendment passed. (nt)

[TacticalPeek]

23. One whistle ass at a time, please.

:)

[CrispyQ]

24. Would he be worse than brother Jeb?

[Kadie]

25. no more bushes. please please please no more bushes. n/t

[Downtown Hound]

26. Even if by some miracle they did amend the Constitution to allow him to

run, Arnold would get his ass handed to him in a presidential run. Even Californians wouldn't support it, and the man is pretty much viewed as a joke everywhere but here.

[Mz Pip]

27. Won't happen

Ahnold would never make it through the primaries. He's pro-choice, pro gun control, pro gay rights, pro stem cell research.

BIll Frist will be the nominee before Ahnold.


MzPip
:dem:

[amandabeech]

49. Hide the kitties! n/t

[LiberteToujours]

28. I can think of worst things

I would trade him for W if I had to. At least he's not a fundie.

[hyphenate]

29. Heaven forbid

That it should ever happen. Talking about a possible link with the Nazis and I think we have a good indication of what a Schwarzenegger administration would be like. I hope the Dems can filibuster something like that possibility to the gates of both heaven AND hell.

[onehandle]

30. Never going to happen.

There just isn't enough support in Congress to make this change.

And Americans, deep down, distrust foreigners.

[Journeyman]

31. "I think, you know, because why not?"

Tom Jefferson wouldn't have stood a chance in a debate with the illustrious Gropernator. How could Mr Lincoln hold his own against such overwhelming intellectual insight? Who can name even one great thinker, one political theorist of the past two millenia who could 'hold a candle' against such incisive intellectual acumen?

"I think, you know, because why not?"

Surely such groundbreaking thought shall immediatly be enshrined alongside our other political beliefs. Move over, "Whatever!" Make way, "'Cause I said so." Bow out, "Huh?" A new intellectual has entered the American political scene. No more shall we ponder such mundane ideas as those in the Constitution or Declaration. Set aside Mr. Lincoln's comments at Gettysburg: A new giant bestrides our intellectual and political discourse. All that has come before can now be set aside.

"I think, you know, because why not?"

There are tears in my eyes that I should live in an age of such a giant of intellect. I need to run tell my children and neighbors. Surely, this is the messiah so many have foretold.

"I think, you know, because why not?"

[Tight_rope]

32. LOL...In your Dreams!

[Gyre]

33. microscopic penises

are NOT presidential. Hence, the bushes single terms. Take note Ahhnold.

Gyre

[THUNDER HANDS]

34. I would support amending it

I believe that if you've lived here for at least 20 years you're basically an American.

And in terms of Arnold himself, if he's the GOP candidate than I'll sleep better knowing that he's not a Christian fundamentalist. It's sad to think that my minimum qualification for president would be someone who's not insane. I guess that's what four years of Bush does to someone.

[robbedvoter]

69. yeah, W was 2 generations removed from Hitler, Ahnuld only one

yes, lets test the bottom sum more....

[Peanut Gallery]

35. Good lord

That'd be a textbook puppet presidency.

[joefree1]

36. I'm pretty sure Bush has ruined it

... for any upcoming rethugican Presidential hopefuls.

[VegasWolf]

41. Actually, I think it could be very interesting. I seriously doubt

that S could have been elected governor if he had to
go through the normal primary vetting process. The California Repugnants are extremely right wing and continuously end up with candidates like Bill Simon. Given S's social conservativism
I think he will have Falwell and others of his ilk running
for a third party, the bible party. A S run could really
screw up the Repugnant base.

New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional

[Bluebear]

42. And I'm interested in winning the Powerball lottery

[MisterP]

45. PRESIDENT Nipples? Governator is bad enough.

[Zorra]

46. Democrats need to start grooming an actor or actress for the Presidency

or Vice Presidency.

If people were stupid enough to elect Reagan and Enron Arnie just because they were actors, we should give America an actor that is actually intelligent and has the capability of being a genuinely effective leader.

The very thought of Schwarzenegger as President of the US is horrifying.

[VegasWolf]

52. I vote for Ben Affleck! n/t

New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional

[Bo]

56. What an ass@#$%

[The Chronicler]

57. Amending the Constitution to allow foreigners to run is a GOP value?

It's politics. Pure and simple.

If Arnold were a Democrat, the GOP would NEVER support such an amendment.

[Carolab]

58. Why in the HELL

do we keep getting this pussbag thrown in our faces? I am so SICK of hearing about ARNOLD'S big wet dream of being the first foreign-born president. STICK A CIGAR IN IT, ARNOLD. You are just a dumb JOCK who married a Kennedy and made some stupid, "adventure" movies. GET OVER YOURSELF! AND GO AWAY!!!!!!

[atre]

59. We should amend the constitution

... to require all governors to be able to correctly pronounce the names of their respective staets.

[dave502d]

64. Go back to Austria and take Bush with you.

Stop in FL and get his cheating brother.

[Bullshot]

65. The 2008 GOP convention's going to be really interesting,

especially if Ahhnold becomes eligible to run for prez. You've got the most prominent people in the 2004 convention--Schwarzenegger, Giuliani, Pataki, McCain, and others who are all of, or a combination of, pro-choice, not against gay marriage, and for gun control.

I can't wait to see who comes out as their candidate in '08.

[The Chronicler]

66. FUWA MUWA YEUHS!!

[mountainvue]

67. When pigs fly. n/t

[metisnation]

68. against the constitution

Arnold another Republican that knows little to nothing about the constitution of the United States of America.

:kick:

[johnnie]

73. I say run Ah-nold

Take up that repug spot, then when you get stomped on it might deflate some of that bullshit ego you have.
Does this guy really think that many people would vote for him?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

75. Go back to Hitlerland!

I don't want him as President or any other Right wing shill!

:argh:

[American liberal]

76. what? are they going to change the Constitution?

Foreign-born citizens cannot be President of U.S. Sorry, buddy, you're terminated!

[Lindacooks]

77. If that Nazi, by hook or by crook, becomes president

of this country, I'M OUTTA HERE!!!

[CHICKEN CAPITOL USA]

78. another delusional egomanic

thinks of himself as * does--
as some kind of "great" man.
get a grip arnowd.
you are not now and never shall be a "great man".

[Quetzal]

79. All I have to say

Is that he would never make it past the Republican primary. After all, he signed a bill making discrimination based on gender identity a crime.

I would also like to note that he never took the initiative to advocate the passage of the bill.

And I wouldn't be opposed to changing the US Constitution to allow foreigners to run for Preznit :P

[grace0418]

83. I'm shocked

SHOCKED I tell you!

:sarcasm off:

Considering all the talk recently about changing the rule of non-natives becoming president, I'm not surprised at all to hear this. In fact, I always thought BushCo and AHnold had a little agreement. If they help AHnold become governor, he helps them with the election, and then they change that law so he can become Prez in the future. I did notice that CA isn't as solidly blue as it has been in the past. hmmmmmm...

[silverweb]

87. GAAAGGGG!!

THAT idea needs to be completely squashed NOW.

:puke:

[sam sarrha]

91. The RepugNuts are hot to actually have a real live Nazi for president

[milburn]

92. I like him in movies

I like Arnold Schzernagger in movies like Terminator. I think he might be a good president for us. I live in california and I think people like him pretty much. My Dad says he's good because he can bring the goverment back together in California. I like him but I don't like Bush.

[CHICKEN CAPITOL USA]

94. We don't like Ahnold (aka the Boobengrabber) in Los Angeles

neither do they in SF
with the exception of OC, all his support is from places like Fresno and Bakersfield and the sticks.
I repeat, Awnuld is absolutely hated in Los Angeles.
He's a total MORON/MORAN ! I mean stoopid in every sense of the word.

saying racist shit like the Indians are quote: "ripping us off"?
I guess Austrians don't learn American history in School.
Obviously Awnuld didn't learn about the Indian Nation being exempt from ferderal laws and taxation...why? because WE (the Europeans Settlers) originally "ripped the Indians off" !!!
And some Californians are actually aware and disturbed by the fact that his Dad was an SS stormtrooper...talk about Family Values!!
Son of a Nazi Stormtrooper?
President of THIS country?
not in your dreams, not in your nightmares, not in your wildest fantasies!!

[milburn]

95. I didn't know that stuff

I liked him the movies, predator and terminator I and Terminator II. But I don't like that he is bad to the Indians. The man at the store down the street is Indian. He's a nice guy who is called Deepak and he treats me and my friends to soda. I didnt know this about Arnold Swarrnegger. I will tell my Dad thank you.

[harpo]

93. no ammendments...constitution already handles this

[SemperEadem]

96. too bad a majority of this country opposes foreign born

naturalized citizens from running for the office of president...

if arnie can run, then anyone from the middle east can run, and you know this country isn't going to be ready for that for another 1000 years. arnie needs to go run for chancellor of austria if political office is burning such a hole in his butt. or hasn't he heard about the 'kennedy curse'?

[truebluecollar]

98. You'd think Rohrabacher and Hatch would want to ask

the Germans what happened to their country the last time they elected an Austrian to their top job. Incidentally, I wonder what kind of voting records Rep. Dana (Cowabunga?) Rohrabacher and Sen. Hatch have concerning every other immigration issue. I wonder if they're the kind who take donations and instructions from growers, hotel-chains and contracters while serving up to their base the red-meat of illegal alien-baiting. (THEY'RE TAKING OVER OUR SCHOOLS, OUR TAXES ARE PAYING FOR THEIR FOODSTAMPS AND HOSPITAL BILLS, YA CAN'T EVEN GO INTO A CHINESE RESTRAUNT NOWADAYS WITHOUT HEARING SPANISH,yada,yada,yada) I hope I'm just being a cynical jerk, and in reality they're actually stand-up guys on the issues, but...I've been watchin' the Reds too damn long now to trust 'em.

[truebluecollar]

100. RE: Actors

ROBBINS-PENN IN 2012

[fishwax]

99. Gawd, I am so tired of this guy

thanks for nothing, california :evilfrown:

[lebkuchen]

102. Schwarzenegger can f*ck off

[opihimoimoi]

104. Yup, PISS OFF TOO

The man just don't know when to quit. But then, the American People have a history of voting LOLO. We seem suckers for BS