Schwarzenegger 'wants to be Governor of California'

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, long mentioned as a potential Republican candidate for governor, told Esquire magazine for its July issue:

“Yes, I would love to be governor of California. … If the state needs me, and if there’s no one I think is better, then I will run.”

With Democratic Governor Gray Davis facing a recall campaign that could result in a special election as early as fall, Schwarzenegger’s political ambitions could be expedited.

Schwarzenegger is on the cover of the magazine that hits news-stands on June 13. A cover line reads: “The Next Governor of California. Really.”

But Schwarzenegger’s political adviser, George Gorton, said the statement did not represent a change in the Austrian-born actor’s thinking.

“The bottom line fact is he hasn’t decided whether he’s going to run or not if the recall qualifies, and he’s so terribly busy right now,” Gorton said.

He said the 55-year-old actor would decide whether to run after the July 2 opening of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and only if it becomes clear the recall will qualify for the ballot.

Supporters must collect nearly 900,000 valid signatures to make that happen.

Gorton confirmed that Schwarzenegger has been having discussions with political insiders and potential supporters.

“Mostly he’s been focusing on two things, and one is the movie and the other is Inner-City Games, but occasionally he’s pulled into conversation with key people,” Gorton said.

The actor is chairman of the National Inner-City Games Foundation, a non-profit group that provides free after-school and summer activities to low-income children.