by Jill Zuckman
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Arnold Schwarzenegger, the movie star and governor of California, rocked the Nationwide Arena Friday evening as he compared Barack Obama and John McCain to bodybuilders.
Once a year in March, Schwarzenegger holds Arnold's Classic, the world's biggest body building exposition, in Columbus.
"I want to invite Mr. Obama, he needs to do something about those skinny legs," Schwarzenegger said. "We're going to make him do some squats and some biceps curls to beef up those scrawny little arms. If only we could put some meat on his ideas."
McCain, on the other hand, Schwarzenegger said, "he's built like a rock," adding that his character and his views are solid.
And there are no questions about who McCain is, he continued.
"He spent five and a half years as a prisoner of war. He's been tested under torture, under deprivation, temptation and isolation," Schwarzenegger said. "John has proven what kind of a man he is. We don't have to wonder is he ready to lead. We don't have to wonder is he ready to be president of the United States."
In perhaps the toughest language used about Obama to date, Schwarzenegger said, "John McCain has served this country longer in the POW camp than his opponent has served in the United States Senate."
"I only play an action hero in my movies, but John McCain is a real action hero," he said.
When McCain is elected, Schwarzenegger said, voters will see "all kinds of action" on the economy, energy and the financial betrayal that has plunged the nation into disaster.
"Being president is all about leadership. If you were in a POW cell with the threat of dangers and torture as part of your daily life, who would you want with you?" Schwarzenegger asked, as the crowd shouted McCain's name. "A man of eloquence or a man of proven courage who has shown that he will fight for others even at the sacrifice of himself?"











Comments
Too bad Arnolds state doesn't feel the same way. Obama is up by what? 22%?
ps. Cue the "great" Americans to tell us how unamerican California is. Bravo guys!
pss.Didn't you get the memo from Rove saying just shouting liberal won't work?
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 31, 2008 6:50 PM
Obama is the marathon runner, he has stamina not like some pumped up body builder!
Posted by: Bill Roy | October 31, 2008 7:10 PM
I am a Democrat from California, watched Arnold Schwarzenegger's Ohio McCain speech live on CNN, and thought it was one of then best political speeches of the season.
And, BTW, I not only support McCain, I have already voted for the war hero via absentee ballot.
Posted by: Stephen Gianelli, CA Democrat | October 31, 2008 7:13 PM
Yup. Arnold parachuted into Ohio 4 years ago and told us all to vote for Bush. And some of us listened to him.
Well, we know how THAT worked out. Won't be listening to you again, Arnold -- not this time!
Posted by: bcamarda | October 31, 2008 7:16 PM
Why does Schwarzenegger insist on acting like a 14-year-old?
Posted by: Ken | October 31, 2008 7:17 PM
Sorry Stephen, but you are not a Democrat. ANYONE who supports the appaling McCain-Palin ticket is no longer a Democrat.
Posted by: Mikecoatl | October 31, 2008 7:19 PM
McCain may have been a great war hero, and I definitely respect him for that. However, we are not talking about a war hero for our country. We need someone with the common sense and intelligence to help fix this economy. McCain and Arnold need to stop living in the past and move forward with ideas for today, not stories of his past. I would defnitely love to sit at a campfire and talk about his heroic stories, but we don't have time for that. TIME FOR HOPE & CHANGE FOR OUR FUTURE, NOT BEDTIME STORIES ABOUT THE PAST
Posted by: Mimi | October 31, 2008 7:20 PM
Let's see, Arnold's popularity in California is at an all time low for his atrocious stewardship of the state's economy, craven fealty to big business interests, butchered handling of efforts to reform healthcare, and overall incompetence. Come to think of it, a perfect endorsement for McCain.
Posted by: gschwartz | October 31, 2008 7:21 PM
What a stupid endorsement...Course what do you expect fro a movie star...???..Reagan he's not..Obama is fit and trim and brilliant. NEXT???
Posted by: Kaye C. | October 31, 2008 7:25 PM
"I am a Democrat from California, watched Arnold Schwarzenegger's Ohio McCain speech live on CNN, and thought it was one of then best political speeches of the season."
I could not have said it better myself. This is from another European who came to the US and California for the very same reasons as Arnold's
Posted by: Another European | October 31, 2008 7:26 PM
how many years did Arnold spend in service to this country before running for governor of my home state? was he a community organizer? is he a dreaded celebrity? curious. his state is billions in debt, asks for a bailout and runs huge deficits. a true republican.
Posted by: Mark Reagan | October 31, 2008 7:26 PM
Stephen...Were you one of the "democrats" that smeared Kerry for his service? Funny who is the hero and who is the zero to those most patriotic republicans.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 31, 2008 7:27 PM
Arnold blew Obama's rhetoric right out of the water. This needed to be said a long time ago. Better late then never. Maybe people will open their eyes to the character, substance and experience of who they are voting for come election day. Here's a dollar and twenty five cents Obama. Keep your CHANGE.
Posted by: Obaminator | October 31, 2008 7:27 PM
And I'm a Republican from California, watched Schwarzenegger's speech after it aired, and thought it was weak. Attack's on Obama's physique? Seriously? That's what we've come to as a country? I'm sorely disappointed in my party of late.
I have already voted for Obama by absentee ballot. I hope he wins so our party can reform itself.
Posted by: Jack Bolton, CA Republican | October 31, 2008 7:33 PM
Arnold is so right! Millions are tragically voting based on a highly effective marketing effort of a product called "change" and the now proven manipulation of the media's wide varied forms.
I close my eyes and wonder who I would want when I am in the middle of a river drawning. McCain is the answer I come to each and every time I think about it. The man's honor is 100% proven, his love for America is 100% proven. His great compassion and capacity legendary and he loves this country. His vision is one of inclusion and compassion even if he is a Republican. Tragically, millions are choosing a president the way they choose a new fad, an emotions and appeal conjured up by image without substance. America is rejecting the best of itself: Its grit, its strength and its vision for fulling one's dreams.
Posted by: Lola Cornwell | October 31, 2008 7:34 PM
Arnold should be back here in California working on the $5 billion budget deficit that his borrow-and-spend policies of the past years have helped to create.
Posted by: Eric | October 31, 2008 7:38 PM
As a Californian, I am SO EMBARRASSED right now. Our governor has left our state to go to Ohio and spread hate. Gross.
Posted by: California Brett | October 31, 2008 7:40 PM
Arnold's right about one thing:
McCain's got a Head that's full of Rocks!
.
Posted by: John E | October 31, 2008 7:43 PM
Lola, we're picking a President of the world's largest economy, not a lifeguard. Americans are picking Obama in large part because they don't buy GOP economic policies (or foreign policies, for that matter), any more. Obama isn't the only Dem who would have been up on your weak candidate. Who cares whether he was in a POW camp forty years ago. He may be a war hero but we don't need one of those. Bush said he was all about "compassion" too, and we saw where that got us.
Posted by: Mark from California | October 31, 2008 7:44 PM
America is rejecting the best of itself: Its grit, its strength and its vision for fulling one's dreams.
Posted by: Lola Cornwell | October 31, 2008 7:34 PM
No...It's rejecting the divisive politics that weaken America. It's strenght is in its numbers...as one...not blue, not red, not gay, not straight, not pro-American, not Anti-American...but as one. This party has done nothing but divide and conquer. If they were willing to reach across the isle, they would have stopped these divisive tactics.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 31, 2008 7:44 PM
HAHAHA!!!
I see that the GOPer party leaders are meeting next week to figure out how to fix the sewer hole that they call the Republican party.
.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/29/uselections2008-republicans
.
Seems like, every forty years, the GOP is found out to be the bunch of immoral corporate shills that they are - and they take a beating in the voting booth. Then, they re-emerge by finding new ways to suck in the dumb voters (pro-guns, anti-abortion, evangelicals, tax cuts for the rich etc...), and they run with it - until they are found out again.
It will be interesting to see how they will "fix" their party this time. It couldn't have happened to a nicer group of thugs.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUdZnxtKR2A
.
Posted by: John E | October 31, 2008 7:47 PM
Arnold Schwarzeneggar is
a treat to watch, but 4 years he tricked some people into voting for George Bush.
Americans will not be tricked again.
Posted by: MrUniteUs | October 31, 2008 7:48 PM
Go Arnold, that's ok, if Obama wins and makes our country worst, we can always impeach him.
Posted by: Eman | October 31, 2008 7:49 PM
maybe after the election Obama should play Schwarzengger in a friendly game of b-ball. See if he can keep up with those skinny little legs -- but hope all those steroids old Arnold has taken doesn't give him a premature coronary.
Posted by: gb | October 31, 2008 7:54 PM
Great pumped up speech by someone we all love and can identify with.But unfortunatly alot of these cliches are simply not enough to sway serious voters. We have serious problems and we need serious solutions to remedy them.I teach political science and i know what i'm talking about.One must read,pay attention to all media,both visual and print, and not be afraid to discuss the issues with their associates.
Posted by: pete | October 31, 2008 7:57 PM
I'd like to see Arnie last just 5 minutes with Obama playing hoops. Obama would wipe the court with the Girlie-Governor from "Kow-lee-furn-yuh".
Posted by: Nix | October 31, 2008 7:58 PM
LOL @ Arnold. His state is in financial ruin; he built his career on roids; he claims to have come to America to escape Socialism, but his father was a Nazi. So, Arnie has associated with Nazis. In fact, he was raised by one. See how ridiculous this argument is?
This is GOP logic. Enjoy it.
Posted by: Josh | October 31, 2008 8:00 PM
Arnie & McCain -- Strong like OX, smart like Rock.
Posted by: Nix | October 31, 2008 8:02 PM
This McCain war hero stinks.
Consider the total overuse of his presumed "hero" stauts in the debates we have witnessed the last months. If you count all the references to his pow status McCain himself has made in almost every issue debated, relevant or not, you will find that number huge, and you can make a good assumption:
His POW story is blown up, tilted, exaggerated and far from the truth.
The true story shows a undisciplined , hotheaded, spoiled youngster unfit for any combat situation, wrecking aeroplanes, disobeying orders and taking excessive risks.
In short: Unfit for any CommanderInChief-position.
Posted by: rogerhq | October 31, 2008 8:04 PM
I'm from California -- home of the Governator. None of us can say having Arnold as governor has helped us in any way. I think the whole country knows it.
Besides, how is Arnold anything to the wackos in the McCain camp? What kind of political office did Arnold hold before running for governor? What experience did he have? Isn't he a celebrity? How on earth does Arnold S. add any credibility to John McCain? He's everything McCain CLAIMS to be against -- sometimes against -- errr, not so much against now that he's desperate.
Besides, isn't California not really pro-America?
Posted by: lisa | October 31, 2008 8:05 PM
A real DEMOCRAT is supporting Obama because he is the best man for the job.
That fact that he can actually put a sentence together is extra, especially since our current Idiot-In-Chief can't pronounce "nuclear."---Baton Rouge, LA
Posted by: Jerry Durden | October 31, 2008 8:24 PM
Schwarzengger needs to pump up his puny little brain.
Posted by: chascates | October 31, 2008 8:25 PM
All of the talk about how McCain's experience as a prisoner, or waiting on the deck of a ship outside Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion, means that he is "tested" and ready to be commander-in-chief is ludicrous. Those experiences have nothing to do with being commander-in-chief, which requires good judgment, deep intelligence, thoughtfulness, and a steady hand, none of which McCain has.
Unfortunately, some Americans will be gullible enough to believe such BS. Luckily for the America and the world, they are in the minority this time, and most won't be fooled by Arnold again into electing another bad president.
Arnold, come back to California so we can expel your craven ass from office.
Posted by: Ken | October 31, 2008 8:25 PM
McCain would run the country like he ran his campaign.
So would Obama.
Questions?
Obama '08
Posted by: Davo | October 31, 2008 8:25 PM
Ok, Arnold, you did you lame speech in OH. Now get your butt back here to California and fix our budget already!
Geesh! The mocking body-builder act is pathetic. Reminds of a kid's birthday clown or magician, pathetically hiring himself out for parties.
Posted by: Roger | October 31, 2008 8:30 PM
"...beef up those scrawney little arms..."
Someone remind Arnold that it's McCain that has problems with the size of his arms and policies, not Obama.
Posted by: TKI | October 31, 2008 8:35 PM
It's appalling that Schwarzenegger would say bad things about Obama's body. He then went on to lie about Obama's positions. Schwarenegger is another republican slime ball.
Posted by: Mary | October 31, 2008 8:35 PM
Let's see, if I'm looking for a pilot it's not going to be the guy who wrecked five planes and was shot down in another. If I'm looking for someone to share a POW cell with, my first choice is not going to be a 72 year old man who 40 years ago suffered the same fate. God bless him for his service and survival but his time for effective leadership has passed.
Posted by: morefromLA | October 31, 2008 8:35 PM
I can't believe Arnold got elected in CA...I did NOT vote for that cheater. Arnold is the biggest douche bag. He preaches about working hard and following your dreams to get what you want out of life, but the truth is that if steroids were never invented, he wouldn't be anybody special...HE IS A LOSER and a CHEATER! Just like EVERY republican. HOW DID BUSH GET ELECTED....TWICE?? He followed the Arnold method. Cheat. Cheat. Cheat.
Steroids are only as bad as how much you lie about them, and Arnold tells everyone he "used" to do steroids, but he hates them now....BUT at Arnold's Classic, the world's biggest body building exposition, he didn't drug test ANY of the contestants...on top of that, the guy who won the arnold classic was already involved in a steriod drug ring - and after winning he was arrested AGAIN for selling steroids. Check out the movie "Bigger, stronger, faster." Go Obama!
Posted by: Jeremy | October 31, 2008 8:51 PM
maybe after the election Obama should play Schwarzengger in a friendly game of b-ball. See if he can keep up with those skinny little legs -- but hope all those steroids old Arnold has taken doesn't give him a premature coronary.
Posted by: gb | October 31, 2008 9:00 PM
Governor Schwarzenegger is one of the first people to say some things the mainstream media is afraid to. I'm surprised Arnold has the time to go out and campaign for John McCain with the housing crisis in his own state of California. Cleaning up the mess of the likes of Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Maxine Waters and Harry Reid who threw gas onto the burning fire started by Fannie and Freddie. Yet these people have the audacity to claim they are the ones to fix the crisis they precipitated in the first place. Wow, what heroes. I have seen Obama speak in person and many times televised and his speeches try to be what he thinks JFK or MLK were but it is very correct to say they are indeed scrawny and lack any meat. The "we are the change we have been waiting for, the time is now, and fear instead of hope, drink pepsi instead of coke" nonsense can be saved. I will listen to someone who wants to really do something about what's going on and has the experience to do it. We are making a choice to hire someone for the biggest job position in the United States. I am going to vote for the person who has a resume with solid experience that I can look at and a track record that I dont have to guess about. JFK served as a senator, a congressman, served our country in war, won the pulitzer prize before becoming president. Obama is no JFK. Win or lose, John McCain is the better man. Hopefully people will not vote like this is American Idol and vote on substance and ability. McCain 08
Posted by: TheManMakesthePresident | October 31, 2008 9:09 PM
Say what, ahhhnold?
http://www.popular-pics.com/PPImages/arnold_schwarzenegger_fat.jpg
whats next, an endorsement from Bob the Batman?
Posted by: theantibush | October 31, 2008 9:10 PM
LET'S TRY A MATH LESSON-
if you work 40 hours a week,
that is 2,080 hours a year.
if obama gives you $10,000 of some rich guy's tax money, that works out to $4.80 per hour...
is that what all you idiot democrats are voting for? is that all you're worth? is that economic smarts?
NO, IT'S STUPIDITY....
obama is promising
POCKET change.
Posted by: AARON NO ONE | October 31, 2008 10:20 PM
When I think of whom I'd like to be president, I ask myself whom I'd like to be stuck in a POW camp with... scratch that, I don't plan on being in a POW camp anytime soon, so I ask myself who's best qualified to serve as president. I ask myself who has the temperament and intelligence, and has demonstrated how he'd govern by running a substantive and inspiring campaign that doesn't insult our intelligence. Obama in a walk.
Posted by: Jim Butler | October 31, 2008 10:33 PM
Is McCain on roids? I don't care about some washed up body builder, but America deserves to know the full extent of that relationship.
Posted by: Cinder | October 31, 2008 11:09 PM
Compared to "Governator" McCain is indeed eloquent. For that matter Bush is on roughly the same level too.
I also love this one
-- "If you were in a POW cell with the threat of dangers and torture as part of your daily life, who would you want with you?"
Tells you a little something about what The Governor would like to see in the US.
How about that unbridled optimism? You sure know how to give people hope Mr. Schwartzenegger.
Posted by: Igidur | October 31, 2008 11:10 PM
Arnold, news flash ... people want a president who will keep them OUT of a POW camp, not one to share it with.
Methinks Schwarzenegger just flushed his next election along with Johnnie McCain ... marching in lockstep to the wrong drummer.
The election will depend on the ground game, and Obama has organized one of those. Go vote, and also volunteer ...
Posted by: John Taylor | October 31, 2008 11:50 PM
Arnold's dad was a Nazi, as I recall.
Which again brings back thoughts of my own elder brother.
Who flew B 24's over Austria (also Regensberg, Ploesti, Toulon etc.) when Arnold's dad was on the other side, shooting back.
He was awarded the same medals as McCain, DFC, Air Medal, POW medal.
I guess by Arnold's logic he should have run for President.
Unlike McCain however, he never discussed those experiences.
The surviving members of that outfit, the 450th BG, finally were able to get the records and put up a web site.
Unlike McCain, though, none of them tried to use those raids as a qualification to run for President.
Posted by: ornery | November 1, 2008 9:11 AM
Schwarzenegger stated that he came to the USA to flee socialist Europe.
This is twisting the truth. He just came to the Hollywood gold rush and hit gold.
He almost tries to present himself as a political refugee. It vwould be interesting to check his immigration papers. Too bad for such a capable politician to try to twist the truth
Posted by: mark vanderbeken | November 1, 2008 6:59 PM
Leno jokes about that messed up stupid sounding accent of his CONSTANTLY!!!!!...SOUNDS JUST LIKE HIM TOO WHILE HE'S DOING THE IMPERSONATION!!!...WHO'S GONNA JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL OF RIDICULOUSNESS NEXT????? THE REST OF THE WORLD MUST BE SHAKING THEIR HEADS IN DISGUST AT HOW LIGHTLY SOME OF US TAKE OUR ELECTORAL PROCESS, WHILE OTHERS CAN'T EVEN VOTE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES!!!
Posted by: MDawson | November 1, 2008 10:48 PM