Good ol' Arnie definitely has some healthy attributes and views on things!
http://www.spiegel.de/international/...526202,00.html
Quote:
(...)
SPIEGEL: Your party makes a big deal out of God and the Bible. Do you pray in office?
SCHWARZENEGGER: I don't pray in office, but I pray.
SPIEGEL: How important is faith for politics? You have two candidates on the Republican side, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, who are talking a lot about faith. Mike Huckabee's favorite Proverb is:"Trust in the Lord, and lean not upon thine own understanding." Do you think it qualifies him to be President?
SCHWARZENEGGER: I cannot say how much he means what he says, because candidates sometimes say things to get a point across.
SPIEGEL: Imagine he meant it.
SCHWARZENEGGER: Then I would say it is a big mistake if you lead by having God guide you. I think it is important that we recognize there is a God, and I think it is great when someone lives by the Bible. I also think it is great when you have your own religion and you are a religious person. But I think you have got to keep politics and religion as far apart as possible.
SPIEGEL: You grew up in Austria and you have lived in Germany. How much do you think this experience has helped you in your political career? It is certainly a different biography than most Americans have.
SCHWARZENEGGER: I would say that you inevitably think more globally about decisions rather than relying solely on an American way of thinking. When you are in the movie business you always need a story for your film to have a universal appeal. That way, you always get the money in and become much more successful financially. I think the same is true in politics. I always check out what the world is doing -- not just the US. For example, I look at what lessons we can learn from Shanghai on port security or what we can learn from the Netherlands on levees. We don't always have to reinvent the wheel.
SPIEGEL: American presidents haven't always followed that philosophy -- particularly the one currently inhabiting the White House.
SCHWARZENEGGER: Whether it's for diplomacy or business or even show business, I think it's critical to learn all you can about the countries and cultures you have to interact with. It can be daunting because there is so much to know but it will increase your chance of success every time.
SPIEGEL: Obama would agree with you. He claims that having lived in Indonesia for a couple of years gives him a good perspective on foreign politics.
SCHWARZENEGGER: I totally understand that. Living overseas can show you another way of thinking and expose you to new ideas and experiences. But Hillary Clinton probably argues that she has dealt much more with leaders of foreign countries, and therefore, she is more experienced. Which experience will make a better President? I think both would be able to handle foreign policy situations.
(...)
SPIEGEL: Could you imagine being a cabinet member in a bi-partisan government under Hillary Clinton?
SCHWARZENEGGER: I work every day with Democrats, and I work every day with Republicans. To me, I don't see a difference. There is a difference in opinions, but I enjoy working with people that have a different opinion than I do because you can get much more accomplished. When you come together with different opinions, different backgrounds, I think you come up with better ideas, and I, for instance, welcome the combination that we have right now in Sacramento with a Democratic legislature and a Republican governor.
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Pity that by constitution's rules he is not allowed to terminate some of the competition.
All in all he did far more impressive in office than I would have ever imagined when he was elected years back. When I remember correctly I somewhat laughed about him to be over-ambitious. I wouldn't laugh about him today.
Yes, even Skybirds change.
Sometimes.
