Schwarzenegger to back McCain

John McCain is an “extraordinary leader” who would be a “crusader against wasteful spending” as president, former Hollywood star-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger said today.

The California governor stood alongside former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani as both men said they supported Mr McCain in the race for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.

The endorsements are a major boost for the Arizona senator as California and New York are key large states which will go to the polls on Super Tuesday next week.

Mr McCain leads the Republicans, with Mitt Romney as the only one of his rivals who could possibly stop him securing the party’s nomination.

“I’m interested in a great future,” Mr Schwarzenegger said today.

“The thing that Senator McCain has proven over and over again is that he is reaching across the aisle in order to get things done.

“He has shown the action over and over again.

“He is also a crusader against wasteful spending in Washington, which is so important.

“And he’s a crusader, and has a great vision, in protecting the environment and also protecting, simultaneously, the economy.”

The former Terminator actor went on: “He has incredible potential for national security, and, of course, he is a fantastic, outstanding public servant.

“He is a great American hero and an extraordinary leader.”

California offers nearly 15% of the total delegates needed to clinch the Republican nomination, and the former Vietnam prisoner of war now looks in a better position to succeed.

Mr McCain, 71, who would be America’s oldest first-time president if elected, said he was “honoured” by Mr Schwarzenegger’s endorsement and support.

“I’d like to thank the governor, I thank him for his leadership,” Mr McCain said.

“I thank him for being the great American success story. This is a story that’s an inspiration not only to young citizens in the state of California but all over America and all over the world.

“He came to this country with not very much, except his strength, his talent, and his ambition, and he’s now governor of the largest state in America and I’m proud to be in his company.”

He said Mr Schwarzenegger was a role model to millions of Americans and people across the world.

He also spent time praising Mr Giuliani, who he called his “friend and comrade”, for his national leadership in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks in 2001.

Mr Giuliani also spoke at today’s endorsement ceremony in California, repeating his claim that Mr McCain was “an American hero”.

Some pundits on the US TV networks speculated that the former New York mayor could be lining himself up for a vice-presidential bid on the McCain ticket.

Mr McCain’s main Republican rival, Mr Romney, is planning to run a “significant” level of television adverts in California and other states in a bid to appeal to voters.

He challenged Mr McCain’s conservative credentials and ability to lead the country in a televised debate last night as he tried to reinvigorate his campaign after two straight losses.

But the debate generally remained civil, and each called the other “a fine man”.