Schwarzenegger to run for governor
The Terminator star, 56, made his announcement on a TV chat show, telling host Jay Leno it was the toughest decision he’d made since opting for a bikini wax in 1978.
“The politicians are fiddling, fumbling and failing,” he said. “The man that is failing the people more than anyone is Gray Davis. He is failing them terribly, and this is why he needs to be recalled and this is why I am going to run for governor.”
It was thought Schwarzenegger had decided against putting his name on the October 7 election ballot because of opposition from his wife Maria Shriver. He said he made up his mind only after his wife told him: “‘You know something, I support you no matter what you do.’”
Schwarzenegger’s campaign is likely to draw attacks from both Republicans and Democrats. He is a moderate Republican who has described himself as “very liberal” on social issues.
Schwarzenegger’s violence-soaked movie career, allegations of womanising and his lack of political experience are likely to be picked apart by candidates from both parties.
He vowed to campaign hard and spend as much of his own money as necessary to win, saying: “I know that they’re going to throw everything at me.”
