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Schwarzenegger to GOP: Put Aside Ideology
February 22, 2009 10:30 AM
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger repeated today on "This Week" that he'd take any state aid money GOP governors like Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C. turn down -- a position that has raised the ire of many of his Republican colleagues in Washington, D.C. this weekend.
"Governor Sanford says that he does not want to take the money, the federal stimulus package money. And I want to say to him: 'I'll take it.' I'm more than happy to take his money or any other governor in this country that doesn't want to take this money, I take it, because we in California need it," Schwarzenegger said.
He also suggested his party's ideological opposition to tax cuts isn't always tenable.
"I think that the Republican Party or any party has to always think, when you make a decision, 'Do I want to make a decision that's based -- that's best for the party? Or am I a public servant and have to serve the people, what is best for the people?'" he said.
Schwarzenegger defended his California budget plan which will raise taxes in his state, despite his campaign pledge against a tax hike.
"In this particular case, in order to solve a $42 billion deficit, the only way you can do that is a combination of making severe cuts and also having some revenue increases," Schwarzenegger said.
The California governor also told me he may be open to the prospect of nationalizing some of the nation's struggling banks.
"Well, with some banks, that's maybe necessary," he told me. "I think the most important thing is, how do we create stability in this country? And I think this is why it is very important that the administration has a very clear message and not change it. I think that what America has really gone through, a huge challenge just this last year, because we have had a different administration. They have a different way of thinking. No -- no one here is right or wrong, but a different way of thinking."
Schwarzenegger said Republicans in Washington must put aside their ideology and work with President Barack Obama on solving the economic crisis.
"You know, you've got to go beyond just the principles. You've got to go and say, 'What is right for the country right now?'" he said. "I think that, if they -- they should make an effort to work together and to find what is best for the people, because by derailing everything, it's not going to help anybody, and it creates instability and insecurity."
--George Stephanopoulos
February 22, 2009 in This Week with George Stephanopoulos | Permalink | Share | User Comments (137)
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Arnold should run for Senator. At least he is one GOP'er who has a clue.
Posted by: Jwench | Feb 22, 2009 10:43:08 AM
Schwarzenegger may not have gone to law school like some of most of the other governors but he is much smarter than most of these partisan, party first before country governors..who seemingly take their marching orders from Rush(the joker)Limbaugh and would rather see Obama fail and the country suffer than to support Obama for the good of the country. Heaven help us all with these so called educated nutcases..quite frankly I wished these men had the brains and patriotism exercised by Obama and Schwarzenegger. I hope Americans are watching these nutcases and posture to vote them out of office when the time comes.
Posted by: Stanley | Feb 22, 2009 10:50:25 AM
Arnold has it right - I wish more people could hear this interview. I plan to send it to all my friends of both parties - just a great, sensible approach.
Posted by: Becky Clontz | Feb 22, 2009 10:51:20 AM
Great show today, please bring Dr. Roubini and Nancy back often!!
Posted by: Nick Papageorgis | Feb 22, 2009 10:58:39 AM
If half of the Republican governors had the smarts,brains and patriotism that Obama demonstrates..I would rest comfortably with the assurance that this country would bounce back..but we have a group of Republicans who are bent on making sure that the Obama administrations fails..these people don't care about the current situation and the country as a whole but for them its party first, country second. Oh! how I wish the Republican party never gets back into leadership roles in this country's government! They have destroyed our country's economy with trickle down economic nonsense and wars. May they never again govern our country! Oh Lord, please help us and save us from the Republicans..that has been the prayer of a group of patriotic prayer warriors that I formed a year before the elections and God answered our prayer..may the Democrats continue to control both houses and the presidency..then and only then we can see some social and economic changes in this country like Health care which can become a right and not a privilege like it now is..I can go on but..I thank God for the Democrats..and I am not even a Democrat..I am an Independant but the Democratic party is the better of the two evils. God bless president Obama and I want to ask all Americans to pray for him and the success of this country.
Posted by: Stanley | Feb 22, 2009 11:03:15 AM
Read 11 Chronicles 7:14 and pray the Republicans out of office. Prayer works!
Posted by: Stanley | Feb 22, 2009 11:07:05 AM
Amen to that, Governor.
Posted by: Carmela | Feb 22, 2009 11:08:45 AM
The only ones hurt by NOT taking the money is the people of their state...Another Republican stupid move,they have made many lately....
Posted by: NH voter | Feb 22, 2009 11:09:32 AM
Superb Arnold. You have been a star, you still are and you will continue to remain so.
Your fellow Republicans will not say anything on you, as they know, you might refuse to campaign for them when need be!
Posted by: RS | Feb 22, 2009 11:15:41 AM
Arnold thinks that it is an either or situation - principles or teamwork. How about both.
Posted by: Patrick Malone | Feb 22, 2009 11:16:26 AM
Now, he need to work with the people of his state to control the immigration problem that is causing a burden on education, health care and other services. I am not against immigration, but I am against someone coming into my country illegally and think it's ok.
Posted by: dot | Feb 22, 2009 11:42:56 AM
Just watched for the first time George's program with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. As registered Republicans we couldn't agree more with the Gov. and only wish more of this country's politicians shared his views. Pary is NOT what it is all about. Watching the interview was stimulating and encouraging and prompted us to even post a blog for the first time!! Thank you and I'm sure we'll continue to tune in and watch more of your programs.
Posted by: Paula | Feb 22, 2009 11:45:17 AM
Atta Boy Govenor Schwarzenegger!!! What a unique concept - Government for the People by the People. I, like the Govenor, am a Republican Official that fully supports our President no matter what party he/she represents.
Govenor - What can I do for you?
Posted by: JE | Feb 22, 2009 11:47:14 AM
Wow!!!! A far cry from the Governors supposedly taking a self-absorbed party stand, then the money and a Photo Op this week. I think this should have been said a while ago from someone on their side. Since the Administration has started the Rep. Govs have been like brats, not seeming to attempt a stab at this crisis but just criticize. Go Arnold...The people have spoken through this interview with you...
Posted by: thatswhatuget | Feb 22, 2009 11:57:29 AM
A Republican voice of reason! Arnold gets that he needs to serve his constituency before he servce the Republican dogma.
Posted by: LifesAJourney | Feb 22, 2009 12:00:28 PM
Gov. S, go directly to the head of the class!! You ARE a hero!!
Posted by: disgusted | Feb 22, 2009 12:01:34 PM
The Governor is taking the high road of the enlightened man - and is right - we are being sacrificed on the altar of Republican hubris - their intention to undermine our new and well-loved President. It will take our protesting and calling them to task - ignoring their creature Limbaugh - how embarrassing to have such a person speaking for any of us - shameful. Thank you Governor and you George for having him on the show.
Posted by: Andre | Feb 22, 2009 12:04:26 PM
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Better known to Californians as "The Manchurian Candidate", was elected because he promised to fix the fiscal mess that the state was, and is, in without raising taxes. In short order he showed himself to be more interested in retaining his popularity with the show biz crowd, open borders proponents, and every left wing loon in the Legislature; as a result of Arnold's girlieman unwillingness to fight for what's right, we Californians have been saddled with tax increases the likes of which are unknown in any other state. We knew that we were voting for a muscle-man when we elected Arnold, we just didn't realize that most of those muscles are between his ears.
Posted by: Ron | Feb 22, 2009 12:06:10 PM
I agree that we should put partisanship aside. All Democrats should do what the Republicans want.
Posted by: Ron | Feb 22, 2009 12:13:09 PM
The Governator would have more credibility if his state wasn't on the brink of financial collapse. He and his state legislature have spent California into a fiscal crisis unlike any ever seen in American state government. As much as I like Arnold, he's in no position to dispense advice to others.
Posted by: Cal in Colo | Feb 22, 2009 12:13:10 PM
The only thing the GOP puts aside are their principles.
Posted by: Lambofgoth | Feb 22, 2009 12:13:11 PM
Arnold is a fool. He has presided over the destruction of California and now he is adviding other governors to follow his lead. Talk about arrogance. Companies are fleeing California because they can no longer survive the high taxes and inflated costs that have gone towards supporting those who simply do not want to work and would rather live off the government and the responsible workers.
Arnold acts like a Democrat and he should switch parties. If tax and spend is the best he has to offer he is no better than Grey Davis.
Posted by: James | Feb 22, 2009 12:14:39 PM
Yeah, follow the advice of the governor who destroyed his own state. Good plan...
Thankfully, Arnold no longer has any say in the Republican party and will be out of office soon. Maybe when he is gone the people of California will have a chance to recover from the spending binge that Arnold took them on.
Posted by: Freddie | Feb 22, 2009 12:18:17 PM
Arnold wants to spread the misery from California to other states?
Posted by: Bert | Feb 22, 2009 12:22:06 PM
Sure, California is in such great shape, clearly he has all the answers. Ja, we ah heah to "pump you up".....
Posted by: wskowalski | Feb 22, 2009 12:24:39 PM
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