Fresh off an effusive endorsement of President Bush in a convention speech, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday he might campaign for the president in the battleground state of Ohio.
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"It could be a possibility because it's kind of like a second home for me," said Schwarzenegger, who travels annually to Columbus, Ohio, for the Arnold Fitness Weekend. "We don't have a plan right now, we have no plans at all to do anything outside the state, but Ohio could be a place."
Aides said the possibility of an Ohio swing had been discussed with the White House and it was the only state that was specifically discussed.
Prior to Schwarzenegger's Republican convention speech Tuesday, his embrace of Bush's re-election campaign had been cool. The moderate Schwarzenegger is wildly popular in his home state, while Bush's approval rating stood at just 40 percent in California in an August poll.
In a press conference with California reporters outside a delegate lunch at Planet Hollywood, Schwarzenegger indicated he was aware of such considerations.
"It is extremely important to me to stay in California and do my job. We have, as you know, a huge majority of Democrats in our state ... and I have to represent them, I have to fight for them," said Schwarzenegger, who was elected with support from Democrats and independents.
"It would be wrong to see me every day on the road, going from state to state," he added. "That's not what people voted for, that's not why they sent me to Sacramento, and I make it always very clear to the White House. It's nothing to do against the president."
Schwarzenegger also said that, after his well-received convention speech, he's been hearing from supporters who'd like to see the Constitution amended so that foreign-born citizens like him could run for president.
"I have heard it a lot of times, yes, but as you know, I don't pay attention to hypothetical stuff," Schwarzenegger said. "Right now I'm thinking of fixing California, that's my main objective."
Many lawmakers and delegates said Thursday they would support such a move. A constitutional amendment proposed by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, would allow someone to run for president after they've been a citizen for 20 years, which Schwarzenegger has.
"I certainly would be glad to have a repeal of the requirement," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
"I believe we should amend the Constitution to expand the rights to the American people," said Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., chairman of the House Rules Committee. "If you think about it, the Constitution limits us from having the option of choosing someone who is a bold, dynamic and dedicated leader for our country."
Schwarzenegger planned to attend a Motion Picture Association of America event, then leave before Bush made his acceptance speech Thursday night.
Also Thursday Schwarzenegger:
Defended his decision to accept $300,000 to $350,000 from corporate and special interests to throw events in New York, including the lunch at Planet Hollywood for delegates. Schwarzenegger railed against special interests when running for governor last fall.
"You can accept money but don't return favors for it," he said, contending he had never done so.
Said bills passed by the Legislature to make it easier for consumers to buy drugs from Canada could encourage drug companies to lower their prices in the state – although Schwarzenegger is expected to veto the bills.
"I want to have the cheaper drugs for our people in California, of course, but do I want to do something illegal? No, it's ludicrous," Schwarzenegger said. "So what I want to do is say that it's good to have the bill because now I can go to the drug companies and say, 'Hey guys, we can sign this bill or you guys come to the table and negotiate, I want you to come down with the prices."'
Encouraged delegates to throw out convention gift bags that included campaign literature paid for by an Indian tribe in support of Proposition 70, which would allow tribes to operate unlimited slot machines in return for 8.8 percent of their net gambling income. Schwarzenegger opposes the measure.
"That little package you got that is for ... Proposition 70, right? Throw it away," he told them at Planet Hollywood. "Throw it away and remember, we are going to destroy Proposition 70."
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